Quote: bob scott

...The frustrations were killing me with all the "pet people" till the very last day. ... One lady with a Yorkie that couldn't heel, wouldn't stay without mommy and totally flunked the 11 week course walked up to me and, with a big hug, said "Thank you Bobb". "I can finally open the front door and Joey doesn't run out anymore". ... She got the obedience she was happy with!

That is a great story, and a great point.

Why are these trainers involved? Friends of your parents or did your parents seek them out for advice? Honestly, if the dog's current behavior is not a danger to himself or those around him and your parents are content with the progression of things, I would not cave to the pressure to do "formalized" training. I say formalized because it sounds like this dog is getting training, it is just slower and more of a second hand osmosis version of training.

Formal training is no the end all be all. For me, the end all be all is a happy dog and a happy owner and happiness does not require attention heeling - at least in my house it does not ;-)

Ingrid said;
"Formal training is no the end all be all. For me, the end all be all is a happy dog and a happy owner and happiness does not require attention heeling - at least in my house it does not ;-)"


AMEN!!
I've said in the past and I'll say it again;
I'll take a good truck dog over a top level competition dog any day of the week.

Thanks guys for reaffirming what we were thinking. Tanner has great manners in public, walks well on a leash and has really good house manners. His recall is not ready to be used because if he gets loose it is absolute terror for his name to be called or trying to approach him. The only way to get him is for me to go over and he will run to my car (I have the huge yard and playmates for him, so that is the holy grail in his world) He does have to use a head collar, much to our dismay because headlights, tin foil or anything shiny can send him fleeing backwards. He has slipped out of every collar and harness known to man. These instances have become less frequent by far, but it is still impossible to predict when and where they will happen, so safety first
Confidence is slow going for him. He still slinks around like a panther if people are in his home or he is visiting inside at mine, but the look on his face the first time he chased down a ball and picked it up was priceless! It was the first real confident moment I have witnessed in the last 2 years! He still wont retrieve without my dogs watching intently though (show-off in the making)
My parents are not a part of the dog training community and have only had 1 other dog in their adult lives and she was just our companion dog while I grew up. Manners, but no fancy training of any sort. All of the trainers in the area work with the local HS. They were just really interested in Tanner because he was the dog who lost the will to live. He didn't care about affection, food, walks or even water for a while. None of them stepped up to the plate to help him until my mom took him and they saw him start to care again. I think they all wanted to be the one to "bring him back" to being a real dog. It would be a pretty big boost for their services (maybe I am being mean, but that's what it felt like)
Any sort of NILIF program I think would just shut him down again. He just doesn't care enough about anything yet to overcome that fear of being asked conditionally. He will sit when there are no rewards involved, no stress and you have to be standing. He freaks if anyone sits on the ground, lays down, purposely avoids eye contact. He is the contradiction to every training method you think would work
We hold no grudge toward the owner who made him this way, as afterwards he was prompty placed in a nursing home for advance dimentia. He was in his upper 80's and there is no way he could have handled him from even a small puppy. I AM really pissed that someone sold this guy a dog and that his family refused to admit he was unable to provide a safe home for him. They not only put Tanner in harms way, but risked the old man's life as well.
This pic is of Tanner after his very first ball chase
http://s1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc517/amy_vandeweerd/?action=view&current=DSC_0117T2.jpg

Ingrid, this is off topic but are you involved in ACD rehoming? There is an adorable guy at our HS (petfinder, zip code 57006) I just want to cross post in case you know any one looking (hope that is within the rules here, I will delete promptly if not)
Thanks again guys! Love the yorkie story Bob. Expectations certainly do differ from house to house

Hi Amy,

No, I do not do rehoming as my home is not set up to take in foster dogs. I have assisted in the past and am always happy to help. I have posted his pic on my Facebook page :-)

Thanks so much! He is so cute. But has been there a while and I worry for him. High energy breed + inadequate screening could be a scary thing.

I took this pic shortly after posting.

This was Turbo's job today. Be a good boy at the garage sale.

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp329/jmwise80/Turbo/4d0e1336.jpg

As you can see, he performed the task flawlessly.

Later he was paid well.:wink:

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp329/jmwise80/Turbo/e8ee1eba.mp4
http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp329/jmwise80/Turbo/168a037d.mp4

Amy, was his name already "Tanner" when he was rescued? I think I remember you mentioning that even his name can cause a severe fear reaction. If I'm correct, would changing his name to something that doesn't even sound like Tanner maybe be of some slight help for him? Just a thought.

Love the picture of Tanner Amy!

It sounds like you and your parents have the right instincts and all you need to do is follow them. Screw the trainers that didn't want to help when he needed help the most and what they think should be done now that your parents have cleared the first and probably the most difficult hurdles.

From what you posted a group class or formal ob is so NOT what he needs.

Amy, I just wanted to commend what your parents have done for Tanner. What a truly touching story, that makes me smile knowing he has such a loving, committed family to care for him now.

My most favorite stories are from people who have taken in dogs that have been through hell and come into a much better life.
To me, there is nothing better than a dog that gets a second chance to live out their days with folks who love them and allow that dog know what a good home is like.

Tanner looks great, please give your parents a hug from me! Great job to you all!