Amber,

I work with a breed rescue. Some pet stores like PetCo for example, have "adoption days" where they allow 510(c)3 rescues to bring their adoptable animals to the store where they can have exposure to the public. The animals are not actually PetCo's and as far as I know they do not make any profit from having the rescues there.

So in essence Sharon got her dog from a rescue, and not from the pet store (though she probably met her dog at the pet store).

Hope that helps explain things.

Sharon: to help train my dogs, they need to learn that their fun doesn't come from other dogs (in other words, other dogs are boring). This can be a long process with a friendly dog like Bindi. With my dogs, I first take them to an obedience class (Ed doesn't agree with them, but I think they are a great socialization tool). In class the dogs are not allowed to sniff or play with each other. Bindi will learn to focus on you and not on the other dogs in her class. This is important. Next, I take them to a dog park and we walk on a trail that is OUTSIDE of the fenced off leash area. The dog is gently redirected when it gets interested in the dogs in the fence. I also take my dogs to local events like agility shows where there will be lots of dogs. After about 15 minutes of all the dogs ignoring her, Bindi will learn to settle down.

I hope this information can give you a starting point.

 Quote: angela burrell

Amber,

I work with a breed rescue. Some pet stores like PetCo for example, have "adoption days" where they allow 510(c)3 rescues to bring their adoptable animals to the store where they can have exposure to the public. The animals are not actually PetCo's and as far as I know they do not make any profit from having the rescues there.

Ahhhh! That makes more sense now! Thanks for the clarification!

 Quote: angela burrell

to help train my dogs, they need to learn that their fun doesn't come from other dogs (in other words, other dogs are boring). This can be a long process with a friendly dog like Bindi. With my dogs, I first take them to an obedience class (Ed doesn't agree with them, but I think they are a great socialization tool). In class the dogs are not allowed to sniff or play with each other. Bindi will learn to focus on you and not on the other dogs in her class.

I had a problem with my dog being obsessed with other dogs. I recently signed him up for an obedience class (where there is no "playtime") and he has been doing much better focusing on me. My question is...you mentioned that Ed does not agree with the classes. I was curious if you knew why.

 Quote: amber morgan

 Quote: angela burrell

Amber,

I work with a breed rescue. Some pet stores like PetCo for example, have "adoption days" where they allow 510(c)3 rescues to bring their adoptable animals to the store where they can have exposure to the public. The animals are not actually PetCo's and as far as I know they do not make any profit from having the rescues there.

Ahhhh! That makes more sense now! Thanks for the clarification!

The local PetSmart does that here, too, with animals from the shelter. As Angela says, the animals don't live at the PetSmart; they have a day when they are brought to be introduced to the shoppers by the shelter folks, and the adoptions are still handled by the shelter.

 Quote: Kristen Shepherd

My question is...you mentioned that Ed does not agree with the classes. I was curious if you knew why.

A discussion of that:

http://leerburg.com/philosophy.htm

I would read it all. But you can also scroll to Most Trainers are Too Passive.

For added clarification:
I am the co-founder/owner of a rescue organization that does participate in programs at PetsMart and PetCo for rehoming pets.
PetCo and PetsMart do not make money on the rescues being in their stores other than when the new adopter walks around and buys products for their new pets. Both of those companies actually donate money to the rescue organization when a pet is adopted from one of their stores.
Ed does not agree with these classes for a number of reasons. There is a lot of stuff on here to read as to why. In my opinion, he feels that way because most of the classes are not well taught and he feels that the average person will do better by using his (or another good quality) training video and doing the work yourself. If you actually take the time to learn on your own you will be much better off than than being told how to train by someone who may not be a good trainer/teacher.
My question to Sharon the original poster is, why do you want your dog to ignore other dogs? If your dog is going to be a pet having a well socialized, well mannered dog is the way to go. If you are planning on competing with it then it makes more sense.
You said your new dog is a terrier mix. Terriers are highly social dogs. Again, this is only my opinion, but, I would do a lot of homework and really study Ed's obedience DVD. If you do a great job of training your dog and making yourself the most interesting thing in the world to it you will most likely take care of the issue that you seem to be worried about.

I want my dogs to ignore strange dogs, too.

Steve, good point: "I would do a lot of homework and really study Ed's obedience DVD. If you do a great job of training your dog and making yourself the most interesting thing in the world to it you will most likely take care of the issue that you seem to be worried about."

I have assigned that video #302 to new-owner clients. And I think that it should be watched more than once. It's pretty much a "How to live with a dog" video, besides all the basic obedience.

Connie,
I stand corrected and agree with you about wanting my dogs to ignore strange dogs also. Because of my rescue work my dogs meet a lot of strange dogs, but, it is always on their/my own turf and only at my discretion.
I also agree that Ed's video is more than just an Obedience Video. I wish more rescues were aware of it and used it, especially the people that run the rescue or volunteer there.

 Quote: stevezorn

Connie,
I stand corrected and agree with you about wanting my dogs to ignore strange dogs also. Because of my rescue work my dogs meet a lot of strange dogs, but, it is always on their/my own turf and only at my discretion.
I also agree that Ed's video is more than just an Obedience Video. I wish more rescues were aware of it and used it, especially the people that run the rescue or volunteer there.

I knew what you meant, Steve, which was why I added the word "strange" to "ignoring strange dogs."

My dogs meet a lot of strange dogs, too, especially the one who is often the "example" in teaching obedience to new owners.

But I want unknown dogs to elicit no response in my dogs on the street, etc. Socializing, to me, doesn't mean dog parties.

I agree about the video. It covers a LOT of bases, and is invaluable to a new owner/handler.

Thank you Steve and Connie and others for your conversations and advise, I greatly appreciate it. The reason I want Bindi to ignore strange dogs is because when we do take her to agility training or any other mutt event, we do not want her going ga-ga over the other dogs. I don't want her trying to get to other dogs when I walk her. I do want her full attention to be on me, and realize this will take time as we bond more, since I have had her a little over a month. Another reason is we have neighbors who have 4 dogs and walk them right down our driveway (their only way out to the main street) and they bark at Bindi and she would love to run along the fence and bark back, I don't want that behavior.
I have purchased Ed's video on basic obedience and love it and plan to purchase more. I think his videos and training philosophy is the greatest.
I do plan on using the obedience classes to proof Bindi's training, but she is still a beginner and in some areas I have just began to introduce distractions and feel obedience class is the highest level of distraction.

Right now I didn't want to do anything wrong when we go camping and I want to correct and reward her in the right way.In other words, take advantage of the situation with all the dogs around to train her to ignore them.

She is doing better. Today when we went outside to play a kitty -not ours was in our yard and as we came out it jumped the 8 foot chain link fence and boy, she wanted so much to go after it. I told her no and she responded well, she sat and could hardly wait for me to change my mind and let her go after it. Of course I didn't. (she is being introduced to our cat and didn't want her to think -cats are for chasing.) The other day as we walked we ran into another dog and she was better behaved. I know it will take time and she is learning.

Thanks again for all your adivse and responses.
May God bless you