Dog Obedience Training For Your Pet Dog

of the dog we choose.

There is a wide cross section of who I consider very experienced and knowledgeable "dog people" here. The "purpose" of their dogs vary too. The amount of training necessary to achieve the dogs’ purposes again vary. As well as what "methods" may work the best to achieve the "purpose".

Simple pet/companion: just around the house or hiking and camping and such. Competition dogs: obedience and rally. More sport/competition dogs: agility, dock dogs, frisbee etc. Hunting dogs. Herding dogs. Protection dogs. and all the others….

To best suit each purpose, there are specific "traits" that are virtues and traits that are faults. There are "instincts" to be considered, there is temperament… "bravery", sensitivity, willingness/biddability, and variations of "prey drive" (would that actually be instinct? hmm…)

This has been tumbling in my head for some time, originally inspired by particularly by you, Greekman, quite some time ago for all your "outspokeness" then added to by the "temperate" Dutchman, and lastly by Curtis’ (who seems more contemplative) recent question on training "methods"

I think we must understand that we are all very different people, with different personalities and interests. Although we feel our chosen "breed(s) and purpose(s)" is/are the best, it is so only to us. A reflection of who we are. What we want in a dog is very different from another. Greekman admits he is a warrior, and he is doing what he wants, with the dogs he wants. And his method of training obviously is what works for his dogs and their purpose. I assume, from what I recall from his posts, that he LIKES the challenge of a "driven, pushy" dog from the start. I am not a warrior, I dislike arguments, confontations and battles. I like to "work with" and share, not necessarily "win". And hence, I have a Border Collie. Her "instincts" are to be a working partner, to look for direction, to be "subtle". Her first time, and every time, she has been on sheep, she is keen, quiet, careful, will drop and call off immediately. When challenged by a ewe, her first exposure at about 4 months old, she did not hesitate to charge its head and force it to turn. If a sheep breaks, she will take off after it to try to turn it, but she does not attack. She does the job, with the amount of courage she was bred to have. Would she make a protection dog? Heck no! If someone shook a stick at her, she would take it as a correction and drop to the ground! However, I have seen many "herding breeds" over the years (many who are actually protection breeds) when presented with sheep, simply charge, chase and attack, ripping the wool out, going for the throats and having to be literally beaten off the stock. That is not a type of dog I would want. Doesn’t suit me. And I totally accept you, Greekman, would not even feed my Border Collie. Not at all what would suit you. I am ok with that. But we should be understanding that either extreme, as well as the in between dogs and jobs, do have merit.

I believe when discussing "training methods", we all must understand that the "end" result, the "purpose" of the dog is going to partially determine the basic training method. Because the dog (breed, temperament) we have chosen to best suit our purpose is going to be very, very different from someone else whose dog is for a very different purpose.

I am not, with this, challenging anyone’s training methods. I am not criticizing the use of pinch collars nor electric collars ( I have used the latter when I felt I had to resort to it). Nor "operant conditioning", nor…….. I have admiration for effective trainers of field dogs, as I do protection dogs, as I do…. If I had a more "independent" breed, I know my training would need adjustment. If I had a "harder" breed, I know my training would have to be greatly adjusted!!

I do, secondly, want people to realize and accept that methods that are used by the "experts" here, for their "chosen purpose" dogs may not be the "best" for someone else.

NOW!!! The questions! If you are still here.

DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR "METHOD OF TRAINING" TO SUIT YOUR DOG’S PURPOSE? HAVE YOU ALTERED PART OF A METHOD?

AS TRAINING IS A CHALLENGE, HOW MUCH CHALLENGE DO YOU, PERSONALLY LIKE? ARE YOU REWARDED BY OVERCOMING CHALLENGES? AND WHAT SPECIFIC CHALLENGES DO YOU LIKE? DO YOU FEEL THESE TRAINING CHALLENGES ARE PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE METHOD OF TRAINING YOU HAVE CHOSEN? Please include your dog’s breed, and "purpose".

Thanks for being patient. Sure wish I could have gotten one of you to edit this for post!

Yes, yes. It seems like this is a lecture…it is prelude to some questions. I just can’t help but ramble. Fortunately I find communicating with dogs much easier.
Infinitely Superior: Ah ha! Here is the wisdom hiding behind your oft-times rude comments! Thanks! Excellent reply, succinct. unlike me ;( I particularly appreciated "you might be on your dawg like a chicken on a junebug for the same thing I would be praising." SO true!!! and the very important note on balance of training: may need "big cheering and equally firm correction"

Bcdawgma: ah! you sound just like me! oh oh, may not be a compliment….

memphis belle: excellent example of needing to go "harder"

ms manners: thank you for your great answer, specifying the "challenge" of training you most enjoy and want to put the work into is seeing "the foster dog as a puzzle to be solved".

ah Greekman! Aren’t you glad you don’t have to have a conversation with me Thank you for answering. Despite seeming to pick on you, I usually give your replies a thumbs up!

Dutchman: yes! yes! Thank you for finding the "challenge preference". I find this consideration thought provoking.
rescue member: only praise and treats? No consequences? I think this may be the reason our human society is in dire straits.

Edit; I will not be awarding a best answer. You guys can duke it out!

I’m getting a new female Yorkie puppy soon and I was wondering if I should take it to the training classes at like PetsMart or some other place.
Does it really work?
How good is it and what goes on there?

Thanks!

Love,
YorkieLover

I just got 2 rescue dogs a 7 month old and a 6 month old Great Danes. I need to do some training. Help! What is the best book to buy? Also for names do you like Mindy, Wendy or Tina For the Female?

Have you ever wondered about the training that goes into training a dog for an electric dog fence system? It can be very easy if you don’t cut corners and if you use a professional. If you do cut corners with the electric fence for dogs because you are impatient or because you use someone not qualified for conditioning, you can create a traumatic experience for your dog that can last for years.

Improper invisible fence training and conditioning can cause dogs to be terrified from going out doors. Improper training can cause dogs to use the bathroom indoors instead of outdoors. It can cause dogs that have tendencies to be shy and timid to become even more fearful, timid and shy. It can also create dogs that escape the system continually and cannot be contained.

It takes no more time to properly train and condition a dog to the invisible fence for dogs than it does to do it wrong. I bet your dog would want to learn the right way if it could express itself. Done properly, a dog does not have to fear the underground dog containment system; but, can and will learn to enjoy the freedom of the yard.

What is the proper method to teach a dog its boundaries on the invisible dog fence system? Use a professional dog trainer. The relatively small amount of money paid for his or her instruction will provide a dog that adapts easily to its home. A properly conditioned dog will not test a boundary as frequently; thus, there will be less chance of him evading the invisible fence for dogs. Also, a properly trained dog will not be terrified of the invisible fence; but respect it and its boundaries.

There are very few invisible fencing companies that make each dealership have a professional dog trainer on staff; but, that would be a company high on my list.

As a rule electric dog fence companies use an hourly employee to help condition your dog. You should not allow someone not qualified to train your precious family member to the fence. Don’t believe or assume a company has a true professional trainer for conditioning. Let them demonstrate it by providing obedience references, certifications, etc.

Finally, the electric dog fence is a tremendous innovation for containing dogs at home, safely in their yard… if done correctly. If a dog does run through the electric fence for dogs, the same professional trainer used originally for the invisible dog fence should provide a training answer to rectify it.

I have three dogs and i let them out in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon, and of course at night, but when i’m at work or something i leave out pads so they can pee or poop. I go through so many pads a week, i use the whole 100 pads in like less than a month. And they are like .00 a box of 100 pads and it is not working out for me at all. But yes i love my three babies so much but anywho, does anyone know?

I don’t have a degree but I have trained two dogs. I want to put signs up around my neighborhood saying I will train dogs. How much per hour should I charge?