Has your dog(s) been through training?

opokki · 11-23-2006, 12:06 AM

I thought it might be interesting to discuss the different types of training everyone has been through with their dogs. Did you train your dog(s) yourself or go to group or private lessons with a trainer? What type of class did you take? Were you satisfied with the results?

Over the past 6 months Natalie has been through a variety of group classes including Clicker, Obedience II, Agility, and currently Novice Competition Obedience. In January I will be enrolling in a CGC prep class with her.

Natalie has always been a great dog but I had no idea of what she was capable of prior to taking her to classes. She constantly amazes me and I've been extremely pleased with the results. I think that I might even be addicted to training classes at this point.

I work with Sebastian on my own but have been considering signing him up for a group class too. He is doing well with training but I'd really like to get him closer to Natalie's level.

Meghan&Pedro · 11-23-2006, 12:17 AM

I got my dog when he was just over a year old. Unfortunatly he lived on a womans kitchen for the majority of his life without getting out much.

I trained him myself with basic obedience, housetraining, walking nicely on a leash etc.

But for help with his fear agression, I am using a local trainer/behaviorist to help me work through his problems to help him feel more comfortable in new situations.

So I guess I would be 'both'.

I did group obedience with my flat coated retriever when he was younger, and I took what I learned in that class and applied it to this new dog.

Sawyer · 11-23-2006, 07:12 AM

We just finished Puppy I and will start Puppy II next week. I really like the trainer. This is my first experience w/ training and so far so good!

SCWT · 11-23-2006, 10:12 AM

Chuy is in the middle of his first puppy class, and I am already asking what the next schedule is so I can go back. I love going to class with him, and my trainer is very good (IMO).

It does frustrate me though that at class he is so good, and then we go home and the evil side of him comes out

pinkpuppy360 · 11-23-2006, 02:03 PM

I go to the training classes a petsmart. I personally think that there program is the best one Ive ever done with my dogs

blackrose · 11-23-2006, 06:32 PM

I normally just train all of my dogs myself. Sadie went to a puppy kindergarten class, and my two older dogs have been through 4H obedience, but that doesn't really qualify, IMO.
My dogs will always go through puppy kindergarten class for socialization more so than training, but it is good for training also. After that is over with, I train them at home and out and about. If my dogs ever had an issue that I couldn't handle on my own, I'd try to find a dog behaviorist or qualified dog trainer.
But if I had the extra money, it would be fun to participate in group obedience classes with a future dog even after puppy kindergarten, just because that would be a good way to keep them socialized.

suze · 11-28-2006, 10:20 PM

i first tried training myself with te same ways as i had taught my previous dog. she ignored all attempts at that

i tried outdoors group training, indoors group training, (neither any good)

ive been through four 1 on 1 trainers one of which told me to take her to a field and shoot her ( that was one who got reported to KC )

ive had two behaviourists.

i have finally found a trainer who is making progress with me and tora.

juls · 11-30-2006, 05:09 PM

My 6 month old puppy has been going to clicker training since she was 9 weeks old (okay, well she slept during most of the beginning, but I went and taught her later), and it was been absolutely wonderful. I love the whole approach and the trainer is very current on clicker training and is also an animal behaviorist. I would recommend it to anyone (well at least her to anyone)

dogowner · 12-01-2006, 09:49 AM

I trained my dog at home after watching dog obedience training videos online. I learned so much from watching these videos and have noticed a huge difference in my dog. I wanted to pass the information on...

http://hobbies.expertvillage.com/int...ence-video.htm

Keno's Mom · 12-01-2006, 10:44 AM

When we adopted Keno, her original owner must have trained her or took her to obedience - she knew all the commands very well (except she's not really great with "heeling" properly). We know the 2nd owner didn't do anything as he only abused her!

But we did take her to agility training which she really enjoyed and was very good with tunnels/jumps - never did get the weaves, but got everything else great.

When we moved, there is no close by agility training, so we just set up homemade courses for her to practice and have fun.

pupskersandhutch · 12-01-2006, 04:05 PM

Xena's previous owner's did NOT teach her ANYTHING she's prone to sitting so I think they were TRYING to teach her but I have no clue!!

all4thedogs · 12-01-2006, 04:20 PM

I trained my GSD by myself. We rescued him at 6 months old, he had been horribly abused, and didnt trust anyone but me.

I took my Great Dane to puppy class, and did the rest by myself.