Quote: Sarah Morris

Jeez...last I checked this thread was 4 pages...look at her now! :shocked:

LOL @ Debbie. I was looking for the WOE bomb.

Two of the posts on page one do have comments inserted in them.

<chanting> Ed O Gram....Ed O Gram <LOL>

Sorry, I should not be naughty, but threads like this always get to me after 5 pages.

It is one thing to have a civil discussion about different methods, but when shoulder chips are as big a cinder blocks, I tend to want to get out my sledgehammer.

Heh heh...Ed dropped a bomblet in under the radar.

I want to know where all the dog training fit into all that typing.

I cannot tell a lie....work was slow today and I caught every second of it.

Like the sands through the hour glass................

So this is what you people do the one time in over a year that I go to the movies.....

Wow. Only took me about 40 minutes to read in between letting the dogs out and giving them water.

Guess I should have run "grammar" check in my OP. It was late (that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

Thanks to all of you who responded. Let me see if I can summarize.

Like many of the posters indicated, there are good and bad trainers. When we have worked with instructors in the past for a specific reason (i.e. socialization, beginning obedience, advanced obedience), we typically looked at what they have done in the past (i.e. what competition titles, etc.). An AKC or SCH title does not make a good trainer, however it does show a level of "competence". It isn't easy to get a title on a dog in whatever arena so my hat goes off to those who have.

Certifications are useful in establishing a minimum requirement in dog training and other professions. That does not necessarily make you good in that profession. I'm sure the same applies to dog training. The key to the "certification" is how the criteria is established and enforced. I know there have been several threads regarding this so I won't bring this up. My understanding is that there really isn't any "certification" for dog training other than the law enforcement training certification. Please let me know if I got this correct.

I guess the answer to my question is to evaluate them based on what they have done, look at their experience in training dogs, and most of all, use my "gut" to tell me if it is a good fit or not.

I think it was Will (can't remember now) that indicated that people that train LE dogs would be a good choice. I would like to hear other's views on this.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Dave

 Quote: Mike J Schoonbrood

So this is what you people do the one time in over a year that I go to the movies.....

Yeah, I told everyone that I had heard you were at the movies, and man ... all heck broke loose.

 Quote: david walter

I guess the answer to my question is to evaluate them based on what they have done, look at their experience in training dogs, and most of all, use my "gut" to tell me if it is a good fit or not.

You are looking for someone to evaluate dog-aggression issues, right?

Connie,

Yes. Have tried many of the suggestions from my previous posts. Some have worked, some didn't. Think it is time to bring in the "pro's" to offer some suggestions for me and her.

I know it is all trial and error. I'm kinda in a chicken and egg situation too. She needs exercise, but haven't done too much due to her issues. Have used the building focus through drive to tire her out (when it hasn't been too hot), but would really like to just be able to take her on a "normal" walk and be "around" other dogs. Do not want them to be "play mates".

I realize that this may be somewhat genetic, but I am not giving up the ship yet.

Thanks,
Dave

Thanks. Rather, "Thanks to my grade school teachers who didn't care one whit about my self-esteem."

One site that is helpful is Paul Brian's "Common Errors in English".

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html#errors

Back from training night. The trial is on Sunday and the dogs are getting creative ...

 Quote:

steve strom wrote ...
Boy Charlie, I've always looked at Will and yourself as scholarly, collegiate types from the diction and grammer of your posts.