Does anyone have any recommendations? I live in Hopkinton, Ma.

Are you sure thats the direction you want to go with Truman?

Hey Steve,

No I'm not going to do any type of bitework with him. He is overly freindly and exuberent with uninvited visitors coming to our house. I live on a country road with a long driveway. My husband travels often for work, and I am alone with 2 very small children.

I would like Truman to learn to alert bark on command and "out" (stop barking) when told. I'd also like to teach him a type of "watch" command. I guess I'd just like him to appear like he is a serious dog. Rather than a very non threatning playbowing wiggle butt that he is with people who are unwanted on our property.

DO you think this is a bad idea?

For any kind of training in MA I would recommend Francis or Lance at the Compatible Canine Center in Brookline MA without question. Its probably about 45 minutes for you but I think it would be worth it. I drive 2 hours currently to train there.

http://www.compatiblecaninecenter.com/index.shtml

As far as actually doing work with your dog Id have them do an evaluation and have them tell you what they think.

Yes have them do an evaluation.

And, I don't know about them in particular, I am going to assume they are competent trainers based on the recommendation... but there are a lot of idiot trainers out there that care more about making clients happy ($$$$$$$) than they do about doing what is right for the dog. If any training methods make you go "er... is that right??" then it probably isn't. Some dogs are just meant to be happy social butterflies, and turning them into defensive nerve bags just to get them to bark nicely isn't worth it.

If it is there, a competent trainer can bring it out. If it isn't there, a competent trainer should be honest with you about it, and not work the dog anyway.

I looked at the site Andy linked and didn't see a single item about protection so they're probably not the best choice based on the website.

It's really easy to teach your dog to bark and i'm sure it's been covered, you'll find it in a search,
AL

I know you don't find any mention of protection training on the Compatible Canine website, but Lance Woodley is a helper for Inner City Schutzhund Club.

I haven't personally worked with Lance; but from what I have heard he is one terrific helper.

I also know another LB forum member has worked with him on dog aggression issues. She has highly praised Lance's abilities reading and working with her dog.

From all that I have heard, Lance seems to be very qualified to give a good and honest assessment of Tracy's dog.

Katie

Thanks so much everyone for the advice and reccomendations.

I found this while doing some searching

http://leerburg.com/bark.htm


Two nights ago, I had a friend hide by the side of our road where we walk Truman. There are no houses or streetlights. When we were about 50 yards or so away I said quietly "whats that". Truman gave a couple of soft woofs, and my disguised friend stepped out of the brush on the side of the road. Truman gave a series of very serious barks and tried to chase, as my friend ran away. I told him he was a good dog and he calmed quickly and we went home.

Last night we tried the same type scanario on our property. My friend hid behind our barn. This time when he stepped out Truman went ballistic and practially pulled me off my feet trying to get at him. It took quite a bit to get him to stop and to walk back to the house, he outweighs me by 30 lbs. Once inside, he went looking in every room and then after checking, he settled at my feet and was very calm watching TV with my husband and I.


My friend called later, and said he won't be helping us anymore. Truman had scared the crap out of him. His reaction sure surprised me too. I have really socialized him a ton since puppyhood, and I guess he has just never seen an honest threat.

I feel pretty confident now that he would step up if our family was threatned. I may just sit on seeing a PP trainer for now. I think I'll just concentrate on our OB and having fun with him.

Thank you all again.

He'll be confident if you are. Will you be as calm and sure-footed in a real life-or-death situation?

If not, neither will the dog. He acted tough because he had you backing him up.

I read the article you linked to, and what I'm really got from it, is that it's a way to teach a dog to bark on command, and not much else.

The bottom line is, unless a dog is properly trained, they will most likely tuck tail and run in a real life situation. It's not a negative reflection on the dog, it's just a matter of dog-logic. Unless it is physically in danger, the average, untrained dog will clear-out, not fight. Hell, even TRAINED dogs can be pushed into avoidance.

Yes, you can teach your dog to bark. And it will probably bark at anyone coming in the yard. Until that person takes a step or two towards it. Then, if you aren't there, and if there is an avenue of escape for the dog, it'll go into avoidance.

The bottom line is, your dog is either a PPD, or it isn't. There really isn't a middle ground, IMO. Those of us that don't have trained PPDs (my current GSD is not, alas, waiting for my son to get a bit older), should be content that our dog's breeds are a deterrent in and of itself. My sable GSD looks like a timberwolf out in the yard, and can appear quite fierce when she's going after a ball or a tug. But in reality, she'd only lick you to death.

My neighbors know to be afraid of me, not my dog.