We are closing in on being able to obtain operational SAR ceritification on my dog but the formal obedience requirements are one area where I have been lagging, and I am not a *natural* when it comes to obedience work.

Does any one know a good trainer in the Charlotte NC area they can refer me to?

Do you know of any Schutzhund clubs in your area? Most all of them are light years ahead of AKC type (jerk and choke) trainers.

I just looked that up and did not find a club closer than about 2 hours. I do remember visting one a few years ago with another in Huntersville, NC but have lost my contacts on that...but they were not interested in me training unless I went for shutzhund titles...and I really don't have time or money for that too (until I retire) ....I know some behaviorists but they are all about NEVER correcting, ever and I want to avoid the yank and pull types as well.....

I may get shot here, but the clicker method works well. It's nothing more than a marker as in "good dog", but it seems to "click" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> (pardon the pun) with a lot of newbys to obd. I have no problems with these methods, but once the dog learns, I also have no problem with corrections.
'Purely Positive' by Shelia Booth, is a great book...up till the no correction comments. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Ed's obd video is more of the correction method, but it's great at explaining levels of praise and correction. I've never seen any of the Balabanof(sp?) tapes, but they are well spoken of by those I know of that have seen them.

"Dog Training in Your Home."

http://www.betterdog.com

Bob, I have done a good bit with clicker but it is getting some of the other behaviors like drop on recall and distance control that I am befuddled by. Also, working through the proofing and distraction phases........I just figured some kind of formal help would go more quickly and accurately if it were the right person.

Kristen, thanks, but I met one of their trainers who was using jerk and pull techniques on a YOUNG puppy so I am clear of them. He also told me my nervebag of a male dog would be a great protection dog.......

I was mainly looking for a name of a person or business -- who may be good with helping me get good one on one training and help set up good scenarios and help me with off lead control during the other phases...........I have one name http://www.k9command (Mark & Amy Connolly) and the folks were trained at W Va Canine College but I don't know anything about them yet and will be checking on a follow up call.

" If it were the right person". The key to success with ANY training. IMHO, the ratio of good trainers to bad trainers is about a gazillion to one.
The drop should be worked on entirely free of the recall. Thunder get his kong for a fast drop. The first time I tried it with a recall, it went perfect. I wont do it more often than once evey training session, if that. People try to hard to put them together in one training session. Take it from expierience <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> from yrs back. That only screws up the recall. You have to have perfect control before you add distance/distraction. When you add distance, reduce distraction. When you add distraction, reduce distraction. You can't throw both at the same time and be suscceful. These are all things in Ed's tape. Not trying to hustle here, but it is a good tape. Other's here can comment on the Balabanov tapes since I haven't seen it These may be your only options if it's hard to locate a GOOD trainer.

ONE VARIABLE AT A TIME - yes that one got hammered into my head setting up training problems. Of course that one got hollered at me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> but I got it.

A team mate has the tape but I don't have a VCR anymore; But I know they are good.........may wind up going the DVD route......

I would note that the site that Kristen recommended "Dog Training in Your Home" at "www.betterdog.com" is a scam in my opinion - I've gotten several negitive comments from people in the Atlanta area that used or considered using their services, and their "executive protection training" is complete and utter crap.

Just my opinion, but you'd be much better served avoiding them.