Quote: vanessa vleck

Wow, now that I am sitting here describing him I am realizing that for 6 months old we are doing pretty good.

You're doing great for 6 months old. All you need is more of the same...consistent training and leadership. (I would recommend not letting the kids and dog ramp each other up, tho .)

The thing is Vanessa, there aren't any short cuts to training. It just takes many, many, many repetitions over time, with gradually increasing expectations for performance, and maturity. Your dog is still a puppy, basically, and it sounds to me like it's doing well with you.

Personally, I would never let anyone else train my dog, period, end of story. Training is all about the relationship you have with your dog, and your relationship develops and grows over time, with experience with the dog. Allowing someone else to work with your dog is allowing someone else to develop their own relationship with your dog...and why would you want to do that? It won't enhance your own relationship.

It reminds me of people who go to a doctor with a health issue, looking for a miracle pill or something to cure them, when the reality tends to be that changes in lifestyle habits, like nutrition and exercise and not doing things that cause problems to begin with, are what's really needed to fix the problem. Of course, that requires commitment over time, takes effort, and doesn't happen overnite. These people would much rather just take a pill or have an operation or whatever...rather than to do the hard work it takes.

There just aren't any quick fixes in raising and training a dog. And, after a week with these people, even if they're good at what they do, your puppy is still a puppy and still needs to mature, with your continued guidance, over time. That's what will "solidify" things for you.

It sounds like you're leaning away from doing this, which is great...just wanted to give some more support for that decision.

leih

Vanessa,

I do board and trains all the time. Mine are 3 weeks long. Owner drops the dog off on Monday and picks it up every Friday, with a go home lesson each Friday so they can practice over the weekend.
I teach sit/stay,down/stay,recall, heel, or just walking nicely with auto sit and the start of the place command.We work on any behavioral issues as well. The first two days are usually stressful for the dog, so not much training is done,mostly playing and bonding. I don't know how any trainer could get much accomplished in only 5 days.What I don't like about board and trains is that the dog will listen to me but not always the owner.

The main problem I find with pet owners of companion dogs is that they know nothing about pack leadership and the dominant dog. By dominant dog I mean dog's that use manipulative tactics to elicit attention from the owner. (ie;barking for attention, dropping toys in their lap demanding to play, nudging them to pet them, pawing at them, sitting on their feet and leaning against their body, whining, barging ahead of them thru doorways and down stairs, grabbing things they know are off limits,begging for food,staring, to name a few)If the owner just establishes a new regime in which they are leader I find most of these behavioral problems dissipate and the dog begins to listen to their commands.I don't think training is the issue, I think it is rank and hierarchy within the family pack.

With that being said, it sounds like you are doing a great job with your dog. I always recommend the owner take private one on one lessons vs. board and trains. Lessons where the instructor teaches you to train your dog.It helps you bond and establish a relationship with your dog when you do your own training. If you want additional training that would be what I would suggest.It is always nice to train with someone else so they can critique your training technique so to speak. Patience, consistancy,repitition, clear commands, body language, tone of voice, good timing and long term commitment are all you need for a well trained dog.

Your dog is young, so go slow and have fun.

 Quote:

By dominant dog I mean dog's that use manipulative tactics to elicit attention from the owner. (ie;barking for attention, dropping toys in their lap demanding to play, nudging them to pet them, pawing at them, sitting on their feet and leaning against their body,

sounds like my two uberhunds

 Quote: lisa harrison

(ie;sitting on their feet and leaning against their body)

Wow, didn't realize that was one! My parent's Boston Terrier (who runs their house) does that and we've found it particularly perplexing.

Hi Vanessa,
I wouldn't do it. Just train your dog, learn from the mistakes and move forward. Good luck in training!

Well, I went and met the guy that does the board and train. Nice guy, Vet, behaviorist, dog lover. Still, I decided against boarding my boy. I have managed to get my brother to come to the house and hang out with Tonto and sleep here at night so that he can be in his home environment.

Thanks to all for the advice. I'm going to keep working with Tonto, he's coming along...and so am I.

Vanessa

 Quote: Vanessa Vleck

... Still, I decided against boarding my boy. .... I'm going to keep working with Tonto, he's coming along...and so am I.

Vanessa

Sounds like a good decision! Let us know how it goes.

 Quote: vanessa vleck

Hi Lynne and thanks for your response. I am concerned/intrigued also and that's why I wanted to get some opinions.

As for my dog's training, it's coming, but he can get very bitey and often barks at me when he doesn't want to do what I command. He can get really over-bearing. I have two small kids and I try to keep them separate until he is trained well, but I can't even leave them with him for one minute in the kitchen without worry that he might play too rough (or vise-versa) or get unruly and snap at them.

I prepared so much for my dog's arrival and training. It's so much harder than it looks! He's really a fantastic boy. He just needs to "get it".

I could be wrong, but I think your Tonto may be my Tasha's half brother. She's the same way! She's a great dog, just pushy at times.

Hey Lauren...are you from Boston? Is your Tasha from Candle Hill? If so, then technically, Tonto IS Tasha's half-brother! I was amazed at how alike they look. If I could figure out how to post a pic I would! Small world!

Vanessa

Yep, thats us!