For Mother's Day, I get to order whatever training videos I want. I know I want the Your Puppy 8 weeks to 8 months and the Marker Training videos, and I'm seriously considering the Power of Training with Food video too. Those three come bundled with the Power of Playing Tug video. Is the Tug video geared for people who are planning on training for Schutzhund or some other sport, or is it intended for dog owners whose goal is a well mannered family pet?

Are there any other videos people here would put on their top three or four (again, when the goal is a well mannered family pet, not a working dog)?

IMO the tug DVD is geared toward people who want to develop a motivational reward system - Usually for some sort of performance training. But it can be used for just about any performance event (From basic OB training to Shutzhund and ring sports) or even just as a bond building exercise for an active pet.

So if your dog is an energetic active one that loves to play and needs something to do, get the tug DVD. If your dog is more laid back and kind of ho-hum on playing, you'll be fine with the other ones. I would highly recommend the Food DVD - You'll find it has lots of good pointers for getting your dog engaged/focused which is a huge key for any type of training.

Mara summed up the tug video very accurately. Becca, can you refresh our collective memories on what kind of dog you have and what your plans are for him/her? It sounds like maybe well-mannered pet is what you're after, with no intention of competing in any particular dog sport?

I own the tug video, and I got it primarily for my large male, who was always wanting to grab the leash and start tugging at it anytime we were training. So I learned a lot about the correct way to play tug and I do use the tug toy when I sense he needs that kind of an energy release.

I have to say, though, playing tug with my 80-plus pounder is a very strenuous exercise for me! The type of tug play described in the video is very intense! But I'm sure you could use MEs methods with a smaller or less driven dog. My smaller dog is only mildly interested in tug, but we do it occasionally, just in a much less intense manner. She still has fun.

I own a large male mix breed. He's about 90 lbs and 7 years old. We adopted him 5 years ago and I did a lot of groundwork with him. With family, he's really well behaved, but I want to work on some specific training with him: he won't let me clip his claws. I've gotten him (over about 6 months) to let me handle his feet, but no clipping. I hate to have to take him to the vet for that. I also want to work on teaching him to be calm when we have company. He gets so hyped up over certain visitors (my dad, and currently, my contractor--we're finishing our basement and he thinks our contrator is the second coming or something), you'd think he was a 18-mon.-old again. We have to crate him, and even then he wriggles and thumps his tail the whole time. It seems that with marker training, and a clear idea of the goal, dogs can be trained to do amazing things. He is *very* food motivated, but he would probably enjoy playing tug. His favorite toys are rope ones, he likes to chase, shake and tear around the back yard with them.

The puppy video is simply the hope of getting a puppy and training from square one someday, when the kids aren't so little.

 Quote: Becca Fuentes

For Mother's Day, I get to order whatever training videos I want. I know I want the Your Puppy 8 weeks to 8 months and the Marker Training videos, and I'm seriously considering the Power of Training with Food video too. Those three come bundled with the Power of Playing Tug video. Is the Tug video geared for people who are planning on training for Schutzhund or some other sport, or is it intended for dog owners whose goal is a well mannered family pet?

Are there any other videos people here would put on their top three or four (again, when the goal is a well mannered family pet, not a working dog)?

My vote? A gift certificate ..... start with DVDs #219 and #220 and then decide which is next.

The GCs do not expire, and LB keeps track for you.

http://leerburg.com/giftcertificate.htm



http://leerburg.com/219.htm
http://leerburg.com/220.htm

Thanks. I'm trying not to go completely overboard on videos, which is so tempting.