remedial dog training!

lnelson · December 2009

my dog, the delightful creature you see to your left, is cute, adorable, and in all ways wonderful, but not especially well trained. that is my fault. he's my first dog and i never even saw one being trained, and after successfully housetraining him and teaching stay, come, and sit, i pretty much left it at that.

he's almost 3, and he still isn't the best on a leash, especially when it comes to encountering other dogs. about 70% of the time, he's cool. the other 30%, he barks and growls and lunges. he has never been attacked and he's great off leash in the park, so this isn't about some trauma or psychological issue that makes him hate other dogs. he also walks ahead of me, which i know is really bad because that means he thinks he's in charge. he gets away with a lot of this behavior because he's 10 lbs and hence essentially harmless, but it's not cool.

i've read books, talked with other dog owners, etc., but i think the best thing would be obedience training. can anyone recommend a trainer who's good with dogs (and owners) who have bad habits and are past puppy stage? reasonable prices would be great too. i'm in park slope, so someone in this neighborhood would be ideal, but i could travel elsewhere in brooklyn if there were a good reason.

anastasia beaverhausen · December 2009

I used Kimberly with Oscar a few years ago:

http://dogtrainingschoolny.com/about-us-page.html

She came to us - I want to say that a six week rehab course cost about $600 bucks. Might have been 8 weeks.

The main thing to remember is that if you're not trained, your dog never will be. Oscar is an epic FAIL because I didn't keep up with it. We are currently practicing all the things Kim taught us so he doesn't look like a total spaz when I walk him. He's also an 80 lbs. spaz so way not cool.

But, at the height of our training, he stayed, sat when I came to a stop while walking, walked at my side, was basically perfect. He actually still knows the hand commands for stay and sit. She did a great job, I did not.

lnelson · December 2009

I know, I'm the one who needs training. Wah. It's totally true. Thanks, I'll look into her.

oksana · December 2009

Beave - can't they train O to stop farting on people?

anastasia beaverhausen · December 2009

He does that for fun!

clinton_ave · December 2009

We're currently using Sarah who owns Doggie Academy (http://www.doggieacademy.com/) and have been very happy with her.

Our newly adopted dog is about 4 but lived in a shelter for 3.5 years so had to learn past the puppy age!

She will come to your home (we're in Clinton Hill) or she teaches group class in Manhattan.

Good luck! It's a great investment and our Maggie seems happier because of it.

anastasia beaverhausen · December 2009

Ah, I second Sarah, too (another). I've gone to her classes in Sunset Park - she does them early mornings. I think I have her email if you want to PM me for it.

domino · December 2009

My dally girl ALWAYS pulled and tugged - and was very alpha dog aggressive. We got her a halti which worked fine.

My Rocco (I think he might be Oscar's long lost mentally deficient bro that the family never talks about) is a farting, jumping, slobbering idiot. Doggy school drop-out all the way. We have had to go "back to basics" classes TWICE.

One of the BIGGEST problems is that other family members "reward" his unacceptable behavior (RIGHT, GRANDMA?) because they think it is just sooooo cute when he jumps three feet straight up in the air and corkscrews around just on hearing her voice! It has to be a consistent team effort with no exceptions!

salix · December 2009

You might also look into the Staten Island Companion Dog Training Club (www.sicdtc.info) if you have wheels. They have a variety of classes and activities, companion obedience, trouble shooting for specific problems, fun agility, etc. (a tired dog is a good dog). Don't worry about a 10 lb dog pulling on the leash; far better than one that lags behind. Also check the FIDO website for trainers & meetup groups. Bark the Herald Angels is next Saturday in Prospect Park, 7-10 AM. A good chance to see a lot of well-behaved dogs & find out where they train.

limestonekid · December 2009

Subject: The Dog Whisperer

lnelson wrote: I know, I'm the one who needs training. Wah. It's totally true. Thanks, I'll look into her.

Maybe I'm get flamed for saying this but save your money and watch The Dog Whisperer instead, or read his books.

We have a cocker spaniel that we rescued from the rough streets of Brooklyn and he was similar to how you describe your little devil dog when we first took him in.

Now after getting him in lockstep with the Exercise, Discipline, Affection regimen he's about 95% there. There are still occasions when we're walking by other dogs on the street when he wants to revert to his old ways but as long as I lead him by those other dogs with confidence and a purpose he barely notices them.

antigone · December 2009

While hanging out on the stoop (one of Louie's favorite activities), we met James "the doggie dude" who is a dog-walker and does obedience training. I'm still meaning to hire him for a couple of sessions for Louie but haven't gotten around to it yet. I believe he comes from the Cesar Milan school - it's amazing to see him snap his fingers and the dogs obey him. What a concept! He did show me how to assert myself as an Alpha (even though I'm decidedly a Beta) with Louie and back Louie up by blocking him with my body. It actually worked!

I'm afraid, though, as with Beave, we will not be able to follow up properly. It's all about training the owner, and we may be hopeless. Louie is 75 lbs. of pure doggie love but he does get a bit over-enthusiastic at times (greeting visitors with a big doggie hug).

If anyone is interested in hiring James, PM me. He has a degree in zoology and a lot of animal smarts.

carmen · December 2009

Bruno is not exceptionally trained so I dont think I can comment on that, however on the leash pulling...invest in an Easy Walk harness (found here http://www.buygentleleader.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/easywalk/productdescription) Its made walking much more pleasant...he can still pull a teeny bit but hes not constantly reared up on his back legs walking "person style" trying to get at everything. Much much much easier to walk and really reduces pulling. The only place I've seen the petite size (which is almost too big for bruno even adjusted to the smallest setting [he's 7 lbs]) is at that new petstore next to shawns liquors on 7th ave and carroll (across from the keyfood.) They also opened it and let me try it on him to make sure it fit which is good bc they can be a bit tricky to put on the first time. They're expensive (like $30) but worth the money

kplan · December 2009

OK, in the replies I've read, and I tried to read most of them, some important information is sorely missing: Obedience training does NOT teach your dog to respect you. All obedience training does is teach your dog commands -- which you've already done.

You need to be the alpha in the relationship. To state that your dog is "only 10lbs. and, hence, essentially harmless" shows a level of naivete no dog owner should ever admit to. Your dog is still, ESSENTIALLY, an animal, with sharp teeth and animalistic instincts. And while he is your pet and you love him, it would do you well to remember this.

It is your exact reasoning (that "harmless" nonsense again) that MOST dog attacks are with smaller dogs. Having a small dog is no reason to be irresponsible.

Now, to your problem: your dog acts this way, ONLY on leash, b/c THAT is when your dog needs to protect you. Off leash, you're on your own, as is he. On leash, HE is the pack leader, the alpha. You need to teach your dog that you are in charge, not him. Teach him to walk behind you. When you go through a doorway, YOU go first -- ALWAYS. When he lunges at another dog, get in front of him (don't yank the leash [a real alpha does NOT need to get physical]) and reprimand him in a STERN voice, telling him to sit (doing a baby voice and a "Nooooo, baaaaad dooooog" is like telling a dog "Good work!" -- they understand tones, not words) and continue to reprimand him (and make him sit) until he calms down and/or until the other dog is out of sight (if you NEED to get physical to make him sit, with 1 or 2 fingers, press on his back by his tail to gently force his butt down on the sidewalk). From now on, any bad behavior must be immediately and CONSISTENTLY corrected by you. If you are not going to be consistent, you ARE going to LOSE this battle.

And, btw, the only thing I've learned from books and tv shows (most of my information is from online dog-lover sites and interacting w/other owners and some trainers) is one great lesson from Cesar Milan (the Dog Whisperer guy): be calm & commanding. That's how you show you're in charge and be the alpha.

remedial dog training!

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