What dog training aides / methods do you use if any

[GypsyGSD]

As dog training is now a big money earner how do you train your dogs , do you go to classes or do it your self . or just not bother what have you tried that has worked and what has not GypsyX

[lankeela]

Although I don't do competitive obedience now, I still like my dogs to have basic training. I also take them to training classes for socialisation. I do a bit of basic work at home with them, and then its off to ringcraft for show training and socialising. If I get time to go to obedience classes I join in and do a bit of heelwork and recall, but don't have time for anything more complicated these days.

When I was competing, I trained at classes and at home, you have to do a little every day, sometimes a couple of times a day, to make any progress.

These people who make megabucks from so called 'one to one' training and taking dogs to train for the owners are in my opinion just getting money by false pretences. And as for behaviourists, don't even get me started. If people took their puppies to a basic training class when they first get them then they would learn all they need to know to have a well adjusted pet. These programmes on the TV
such as Its Me OrThe Dog or that Cesaer bloke make my blood boil. Whatever happened to common sense?

[Illyria54]

I train my GSD's at home, but like lankeela my dogs (though not so much my older ones) go to local obedience classes for socialization as much as anything else, I only half agree about behaviorists though, I think Victoria Stillwell's methods aren't as good as Cesar Milan's though yes they do get paid mega bucks for what they do, again yes people should socialise and train their dogs from puppies from an early age but not every one gets dogs as puppies and often problems are already ingrained, sometimes a bit of outside help is appreciated, I admit (though hate to) I paid a behaviourist once to help me with my 'borderline' Collie, it was just really because I didn't understand such a very demanding breed and the lady who came out to the farm was a Border Collie breeder/trainer, she pointed me in the right direction and I was very grateful, I got a culture shock when I got him, having always kept German Shepherds who are generally quite steady after about 18 months old. All is 'hunky dorey' now thankfully.

[ruby27]

I use training at home and classes. Having rescue dogs does result in having adults who may have already developed some undesirable behaviour as well as needing some socialization. My most recent girl whilst being very friendly off lead is very aggressive on lead and needed the classes to be with other dogs to help her overcome her fear and resultant aggression.

Part of the advantage of the classes is it re trains the owner. I hadn't been to classes with some of my dogs so it was over 15 years since I had been and I thought it would be useful to refresh my skills, and it was.

I also in the past bought a dog training book (can not remember the name now) which was very helpful for training at home.

[lankeela]

What I hate about paying all that money for these 'wonder trainers' is that most people I know would give you the same hep and advice for nothing if you asked. I certainly would, and most of the computer groups I am on have people willing to help others, We often get people asking for suggestions on certain problems and there is a wealth of information out there. I think people consider these to be 'professional' because they charge lots of money, but like Barbara Woodhouse when she was on TV most of it is just common sense and what we would do anyway.

The worst thing is I think the kennels that charge you to take your dog for training for several weeks, then present you with a 'trained' dog. Dog training needs to be done by the owner. Yes a trainer can teach a dog to do things, but if the owner has not been taught then you are back to square one. Many of these will only teach very basic things like sit, down, come, and anyone can achieve this if shown the right way, which is what training classes do. Teaching such simple commands does not take two or three weeks constant training. I knew someone who did this and only ever got the dog out of the kennels the day before it was going home, did about ten minutes heelwork teaching the dog not to pull, made it sit and lie down, and by the use of a long line taught it to come when called. Bish bash bosh �60 a week for three weeks (and that was back in the 70's).

[kita1]

I agree with Lankeela about these kennels that take in dogs for training and charge the earth (one I read about recently charges 400 pounds for ONE week!!!).

The thing is with these kennels you don't know what they do to your dog. They could use things like electric collars on your dog.

I would never hand my dog over to anyone that I did not know and totally trust (that includes the vet).

As for training classes, I usually advise people to go along without their dog in the first instance to make sure they agree with the training methods employed in the class. I have seen trainers take dogs off people in front of the class and proceed to hang the dog or strangle it to the ground with a choke chain to the point where the dog was almost unconcious (this was a GSD that was in no way aggressive - just bouncy). The owners were scared to object because they were new to the class and did not want to make a scene.

Always remember you are paying and therefore are in charge! By all means listen to the advice given, but remember it is just that - advice you don't have to take it.

I listen to/read about many different ways of training and take what I wish from each person. We rarely agree with anyone 100%.

Ultimately it is down to you to decide what you want from your dog and what behaviour you will accept, therefore you are the only one who can really teach your dog.

[GypsyGSD]

I take my 3 to a local dog club and , but most of my basic training is done at home, and on weekends we go to another training club for the gsds and I do a bit of work with the collie my training tool is the tried and tested ball on a rope and a bit of food works wonders I cant belive that ppl are prepared to pay hundreds of pounds for training why get a dog if you are not prepared to put the time and effort in to get the basics right more money than sense I say i get ppl knocking my door for help and my advice and time is free perhaps I should start charging lol GypsyX

[jules77]

My son lives in America, and having a dog from a pound, who would just run off when off the lead, he was keen to learn how to train her. He wouldnt take any advice off me, and said Cesar was the worlds best trainer (well he is in American terms), and I had to watch to see what all the hype was about. I was astounded when I saw him using pinch collars, or spiked half checks, they are banned over here, and it is no wonder that the dogs stopped pulling with one of those round there neck.

I admit to having a private trainer when I did obedience, but at the end of the day, it was all down to patience and plenty of practice. In hindsight, I would have been better walking down the high street trying to keep the dogs attention when doing heelwork as there were more distractions.

Gypsy, how is the puppy?

[Bigeye74]

Did I hear electric collars?
We only used classes to socialise our mutt and it is now paying dividends as there are dogs everywhere at home and work.
We did a lot of work on healing off the lead with the zappy collar and she still responds well.
We also spent a lot of time on feeding her i.e. making her leave it and feeding her by hand.
Despite all of this she challenges us daily.
The best investments?
The classes for socialising and the collar for keeping her alive oh and a dayglo jacket for running in.

As for common sense, how are you supposed to apply this when it is based on our human experiences.
If we didn't need someone to teach us things why would e have teachers? How is someone that has never had dogs in their lifetime suposed to have all this common sense?
Agree with the kennel training thing - do it yourself and spend the money on books.

[GypsyGSD]

Hi jules pup is coming on great , playing havoc with my house and still play biteing for attention will I am runing out of ideas to stop lol I will email you some photos soon as he is getting a big boy
I will confess I am using a ceaser millan iiluision coller and I have found it brilliant for training as I have arthritus in hands I can walk pup with 1 hand and no pulling , but on a flat coller he is every where , also I have used a pinch and half pinch in the past and have found them a assett BUT they have been used correctly and research has shown they do less damage than some collers but I agree used by IDIOTS they are AND CAN BE VERY HARMFUL TO A DOG so would not advice a novice handler to try them GypsyX