Steph;

It sounds like you pbly would be best off with a trainer at this point. Definitely a better option than a remote control in untrained hands. Without being a somewhat knowledgable trainer already, electricity for you would be a big mistake and pbly cause harm to your relationship with the dog. Right now this dog needs you more than ever.

As everyone before me has said, part of a trainer's job is to make himself and his/her work available for scrutiny. Another duty that he/she has is to work one-on-one with you to teach you to train your dog. You're not looking for a trainer to train your dog for you. That's a different type of training altogether, and outside of the scope of what you need. Also, IMHO, for this situation, OB classes are not the way to go. Find a trainer that you like and work personally with him/her.

For me, this is a very personal issue, and I wouldn't be afraid to walk away from a trainer that I didn't see eye-to-eye with.

I'd also be leery of anyone who demands payment right away. I brought amber to a "reactive dog" trainer and my initial understanding was that she would evaluate Amber see if she was OK to go in the class, and that I would pay before classes started. After the eval, when she did nothing more than test to see if Amber was responsive to clicker training, tell me how great her method was, she demanded payment for the classes, which for 5 classes was $250., or Pay her an eval fee right then and there. In hindsight she was nothing like what she presented herself to be, she discouraged the marker training leerburgers had suggested and which had some success, did not want any talking to the dog at all, and there was no training component at all, it was basically me and amber standing behind a barrier with 4 other reactive dogs behind their barriers and non stop clicking and treating. after the first lesson I felt this class was not what I thought it was (there were no refunds offered) after the 3rd class when half the people had dropped out, and Amber was actually worse I really felt like I had been duped. In hindsight, I would have walked out after the eval, and I should have asked for references from prior attendees. If I ever take ambi to a class again, we'll be looking for someone that does not demand money to look at your dog, we'll be looking for references from prior attendees and how their dogs are doing with what was taught, and I'll attend a couple of classes and see what mewthods are being used and if I agree with them. I'd also talk to a few vets to see if they would recommend the trainer (my community is so small the vets know most of the animal people and who has a good rep and who doesn't).

Steph, Where are you at in Michigan?

I have a very good friend, an experienced dog trainer, who has been instrumental in helping me with my young dog. Her practical and easy to implement advice has been wonderful for us. She is located in Madison Heights, though.

Can you make a list of goals for your dog? What do you want from him? What would make life easier for both of you?

I'm currently reading "Get Connected With Your Dog" by Brenda Aloff. Here is a quote that hit home with me:

"People do not seem to realize that when they do not take responsibility to be the leader...they are placing undue pressure on their dog. Lack of guidance, unclear boundaries and inconsistent, changing rules make dogs horribly uncomfortable." (p.78)

I'm guilty of this with my own dogs...especially my shy dog, Vigo. I'm good at setting up proper expectations for how to behave in our home. But I've failed him at being a leader out in the world, when he is scared...I'm working hard to change this, every single day! Not trying to be harsh or accusatory towards you, just relating my own experiences. This past year has been an eye opener for me in terms of recognizing and fixing my own mistakes.

I have very little else of real value to offer...you've gotten lots of great suggestions from people who are much better *trainers* than me.

But I will offer this as the owner of some well-mannered house dogs:

Don't aim for everything all at once, or aim higher than you need to. Focus on the behaviors that will be most important for the success of this individual dog, in his individual life (and yours with a baby on the way.)

Instead of a long list of behaviors that a dog only knows and responds to half the time, I prefer a short list of things that the dog knows cold. A 100% reliable "sit," "leave it," "wait," and "come" will answer 90% of all situations for a dog that is only required to be a reasonably well-behaved member of a family.

Those, combined with restricting access to the biggest temptations (trash cans, dirty laundry, shoes) and having the dog be happy and willing to go into a crate when you say so are all I need.

I don't train competitive anything. But I've figured out house dogs of all sizes and temperaments. The most important thing in my experience is that they have a reliable routine, a clear set of house rules, and a leader who is firm, fair, and consistent. They simply want to know what's expected of them to succeed.

You don't need an e-collar for that (but I'm not anti-e-collar). Repetition, consistency, and a pocket full of treats delivered with good timing (that's where the clicker helps) are all you really need.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

I have very little else of real value to offer...

And then you went and completely contradicted yourself.

Thanks, Steve. I am very, very mindful that this is a site dedicated to folks who train dogs in sports at a competitive level...and that ain't me. So offering any kind of even quasi-training advice is something I do reluctantly, if ever.

Real training, I leave to you good folks. But I do know how to keep a house dog out of the trash can.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

Don't aim for everything all at once, or aim higher than you need to. Focus on the behaviors that will be most important for the success of this individual dog, in his individual life (and yours with a baby on the way.)

Instead of a long list of behaviors that a dog only knows and responds to half the time, I prefer a short list of things that the dog knows cold. A 100% reliable "sit," "leave it," "wait," and "come" will answer 90% of all situations for a dog that is only required to be a reasonably well-behaved member of a family.

Those, combined with restricting access to the biggest temptations (trash cans, dirty laundry, shoes) and having the dog be happy and willing to go into a crate when you say so are all I need. ..... The most important thing in my experience is that they have a reliable routine, a clear set of house rules, and a leader who is firm, fair, and consistent. They simply want to know what's expected of them to succeed.

You don't need an e-collar for that (but I'm not anti-e-collar). Repetition, consistency, and a pocket full of treats delivered with good timing (that's where the clicker helps) are all you really need.

I wish I had said that.

Steph, you mention one-on-one time with a trainer. Maybe you could clarify if you are thinking of private lessons, group lessons? Are you looking more for a behaviorist who will deal with the particular issues you are having, like getting into the trash? Or are you thinking of starting with basic obedience instruction such as sit, down, come, leave it, etc.? Do you already have someone in mind, or are you just beginning your search? How far are you willing to drive?

Also, I want to say ditto to to the folks who have already mentioned the value of the advice from Tracy Collins. Anybody who successfully manages a pack of five house dogs has a lot to offer and is an extraordinary trainer, regardless of whether he is involved in competitive dog sports or not. I always look forward to his posts!

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