Hi All,
My name is Stacy. I am new here so I will just give you a quick bio. I have raised , trained and bred pit bulls for 15 years, and helped train owners to train their dogs. I do not consider myself a professional dog trainer. But I take training very seriously. Just as as I side note, I no longer breed pit bulls, not because I don't like the breed. I love them. I don't like what's happening to them, and even with the most rock-solid guarantee or promise, I wasn't trusting enough to let my pups go anymore.

I would like an opinion or two on my "method" by this example. I was called every name in the book by the client and I was not invited back to help with "his baby"...Oh, and I will add I was not charging him.
His one year old rottie, who he refused to crate train, would not stay in the down position, on his bed when told to, for more than a minute or two. I advised to stand over him and MAKE him stay, by holding him and as soon as he felt the dog relax, tell him "Good Stay" and slowly walk backwards, repaeating A drawn out "staaayyy" ...if the dog got up-pin it back down, and repeat "STAY" The problem was that the dog would occasionally growl at him when he'd push him down.
I suggested, and here's the part that I may get bashed for, to muzzle the dog during the "stay" sessions to avoid a possible bite and when the dog growled to grab him by the scruff and shake him till he screamed. And command "NO GROWL" Am I too harsh? Was I wrong? At the time, I owned two rotties along with my pit bulls, and was growled at ONCE probably by every dog I have ever owned! and the shake worked just fine. Some dogs it took a few shakes. I have been bitten, and when I did get bitten by a quick little stinker, I laid on top of him and didn't let him up until he calmed down, he got up a different dog, and even wagged his tail at me. My dogs seemed to repect me, and I was hoping to get the same result for this rottie guy.

One more thing that I am concerned I am doing wrong is with my saint Bernard pup who is 19 weeks old. I think I may be asking too much from him. And would like an opinion or two on this too.
I have him on vocal and hand signals to: sit/down/off/come and short stay. I am now trying to teach him to watch me and to heel. Is this too much? This is what I have always done with my pit bulls, rottie and the two dobermans I have owned, but I am new to Saint Bernards. I should add, my reason for trying to get these basics done so quickly is that I weigh 106 pounds and he's already 52. I guess I have a "control" thing over my dogs, but I am open to any criticism.
Thanks in Advance
Stacy Oliver

I thought I should add, I when I got my 2 rottie brother 10+ years ago, took them to a local ob class. The teacher had "show" rotties and treated me and my ex like crap for unknowing buying them from a BYB, which really fired me up and made me work extra hard with my own (my ex worked the other brother.) I worked him hard, but I swear this boy LOVED his lessons and I greatly praised him.
At 5 months old, I did a big NO-NO in class, since this guy was training advanced dogs DURING beiginner classes. I called the trainer over and said watch this, I've been working him around distractions...
I took had T sit and told him to "STAY"....I unclipped his leash and walked clear across the room with my back away from him. T sat perfectly still and didn't move until I turned around, and said "TANK COME!" He ran up to me and sat directly in front of me. The trainer reprimanded me, but I was still proud of T.
P.S. We did get our diploma

i think you may be taking things a bit fast with your puppy. remeber to let them be puppys for the most part some ob work is ok but not the load you are putting on the dog.

second why in gods name did the trainer reprimand you for doing that.

i would have congradulated you bybred rott or not that was good training

Thank you David, I will certainly slow down and take it easy on my SB's training. I had a feeling after doing more research that I may be asking too much of a pup. SOmetimes it's easy to forget he's a baby.

As far as the trainer goes. He did NOT like me. Either because I had ugly dogs, or he did not like that I broke the rules by taking my dog off-leash, when only advanced dogs were allowed that.
Although, he honestly treated me like crap from the first day. My T was what I called a screamer. Even the slighest correction with a choker (trainer didn't allow prong collars- though I had one at home) Tank would scream. Trainer stormed over to me and told me I wasn't doing it right, I was VERY embarassed as the whole class stopped to watch his Highness show me the proper way to use a choker. Well, T screamed even louder and peed on the floor. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Another thing I should add, sorry for double posting but it would'nt let me edit...I had already taught T the basics before entering him in the class. I can't imagine an out of control pup in a class full of 15 other out of control pups

i treat group classes like that as good socialization and thats about it.

the guy was an ass and i would have told him as much if i were there

LOL I was pretty wimpy back then, there were many times I almost cried b/c it was always ME he singled out. I as mentioned, had pit bulls, and I believe about 6 at that time. I know a thing or two about breaking up a dog fight, without causing worse injury, or firing either dog up even more... This guy was all sugary sweet when he gave IMO BAD advice to the owner of a dog aggressive Great Dane who was starting fights with any dog that walked past him
I'm glad I joined here, I have so much to learn <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Thanks again for replying I appreciate it, esp. the advice on my SB!