I would never allow a puppy to sleep in my bed as they just can't be trusted not to either potty or chew something up when you aren't watching. Puppies are always crated.

Once my dogs can be trusted uncrated at night, they can sleep on the bed if they want. I always have at least one dog on the bed by morning. My one rule is that they have to get up to let me roll over in the night or they get tossed on the floor.

 Quote: elaine matthys

... Once my dogs can be trusted uncrated at night, they can sleep on the bed if they want. I always have at least one dog on the bed by morning. My one rule is that they have to get up to let me roll over in the night or they get tossed on the floor.

Actually, I've had dogs that this would be fine with, too.

I kinda go by "If you don't know the answer, then it's no."

I have a question for the OP.
I read your website, and I agree with 99.9% of your training philosphy- with the exception of "doggy boot camps", ie, sending a dog away/leaving a dog with a trainer.

Do you feel that this is a good idea in general, or only in specific circumstances?

THIS is why you don't allow puppies in bed. LOL
I took these today, she had a good time frolicking and biting and shaking the blanket. Here's my pup, shes 7 weeks.

 Quote: alyssa myracle

I have a question for the OP.
I read your website, and I agree with 99.9% of your training philosphy- with the exception of "doggy boot camps", ie, sending a dog away/leaving a dog with a trainer.

Do you feel that this is a good idea in general, or only in specific circumstances?

I would mention that I try not to get too into my training methods or philosophy on my site, I keep the website very brief, and I don't update it often, my site sucks. I don't try to get clients through the website anyways, I get them through word of mouth.

I almost exclusively work with clients whose dogs have been through a board & train, then owner can do lessons after that. I do not call it "boot camp" I dislike the term. Every client's dog starts with a board/train for 2-weeks.

I believe it also helps me work with owners and instruct handling later on, because I know the dog very well, since I'm the one who trained it originally. I think it is the best way for the majority of dogs.

Always been curious about the board and train approach.

If you can generalize (or use concrete examples if that's easier):

-Who is your typical client?
-What do they typically want?
-What do you say they can expect?


A two week period; that's not a ton of time. I'm sure you probably have a tentative formula down based on what you usually see in terms of drives and motivation.

What methods do you prefer to start with, and on what basis do you try alternative approaches?

if i can be nosey too, b/c i've always been curious about this....

do you find there are issues w/the dogs being trained to respond to you, but not to their owners, w/board/train?

i assume part of the subsequent obed. training w/owners is to address that....? if this is an issue, how long generally does it take for the dogs to begin to respond to the owners?

(i ask b/c i notice that all my dogs will respond to me but not to other people, or not as readily) i'm also curious b/c the biggest training problem with all of my dogs is me

There is no "typical" client. Anyone who wants their dog trained. Everyone from people with small lap dogs, to dangerous/aggressive dogs, to working dogs. All types of dogs, and they all require slightly different training.

Not saying just my clients, but most people in general, just want a well behaved dog who listens, doesn't pull, and doesn't jump on people. Of course some want more, or are more specific about their goals. Some are just thrilled and amazed that their dog will "down"! lol

They can expect a dog that knows all the basic commands, and also expect to learn how to handle the dog themself. You can't try to teach 20 commands in 2 weeks. If someone wants more, it would take me longer. I could teach a place command, heeling from all different positions, right side heels, sits/downs in motion, abstract sits/downs, retrievals, or whatever. I don't do all that with a 2-week dog. If you try to cram too much in, the dog will fall apart.

To answer Jennifer's question- how a dog works for the owner depends on the dog and owner, and their relationship. Some dogs get handed over to the owner, and perform perfectly, just like they did with the trainer, and some don't. When the owner comes, the dogs knows how things work, but he doesn't know that the OWNER knows it all, too. If a dog has been getting away with everything for years, he see his owner and think things are back to the way they used to be. Dogs are not robots, and I don't hand over a dog and say "OK, here you go, he's now fully trained, see ya." They don't come with a remote control! lol. But a foundation of obedience and an understanding of what a correction is.

very interesting thread.

I do not allow the big dogs in bed. Morning invites for cuddles sometimes, The 6 pounder sleeps with us. My husband started it when he was layed up in bed for 6 weeks after a horse accident. She never developed any bad habits so we allowed the practice to continue.

The first puppy school I took my workingline GSD to pushed in house training HEAVILY. They convinced my husband and I did MAJOR soul searching before I said no. Way too risky to give that kind of control to someone else.

 Quote: Michelle Berdusco

... The first puppy school I took my workingline GSD to pushed in house training HEAVILY. They convinced my husband and I did MAJOR soul searching before I said no. Way too risky to give that kind of control to someone else.

First, this has nothing to do with any trainer who does this, and it's about me and not them:

There's no way that my dogs would/will ever be trained without me. I'm with you. JMHO.

I am sure that there are many people who feel differently, of course.