Not just words

[CDN]

Hi folks,

I had posted about the bahavioural problems that I was having with my 16 month old male. Canine aggression, marking in the house, etc. , etc.

I was told it was a training issue, but in the back of my mind I thought it can't be, because I trained my female and she's fine.

Boy were my eyes opened up wide. Being a larger than average, matcho kind of guy, I didn't really think that this dog was dominating me.

He was, and how, I facilitated it, I let it happen and I didn't even know it.

I have found a personal trainer, who specializes in problem dogs.( he's not cheap, boy is he not cheap!!)

One week in, and I have a different dog.

We here so much on this site about training that you kind of become numb to it, and start looking for alternative methods to fix your problems.

Let me tell you this, with the right trainer, you can make an immediate impact on your relationship with your Rottie.

MY WIFE COULDN'T EVEN WALK THIS DOG, FOR FEAR OF ANOTHER DOG IN HIS PATH. ONE WEEK IN SHE HAS NO PROBLEM.

IT'S AMAZING, IT'S A LONG TERM COMMITTMENT AND I'M SOLD.

[Judi W]

Thank you for that post. Sometimes we get "now don't tell me training is the answer, I'm tired of hearing that" from people who think behaviors happen in a vaccum and want a quick sound-bite answer. In fact, I'd about gotten to the point of not even entering those topics where that attitude is expected. Yes, training takes time, yes training takes an instructor (those of us who are instructors and who have been training for a long time and many dogs still go to training because we appreciate another instructor's input and observation) and yes, unless you are dealing with an aberant, insane or mentally unsound dog, the answer is almost always "training" or "training tips".....

That there is no free lunch applies to the owners also...:)

[Terrie]

CDN,
Thank you for your post. You are right they are not just words! I am a fairly new member to this forum and I was having a problem with some new, not so good, behavior that my male was expressing. I had turned his world upside down in a short period of time and he was having a bit of trouble adjusting. Judi W read my thread and gave me some great advise. He started agility class last week, he's doing great :D He loves being with the other dogs and I love doing something that's both fun and structured with him. In just a week he's doing and listening so much better.
Thanks again:)

[MybabyZeus]

This forum and the people who are out here have helped us with so many things that I can't even begin to thank them. My first post involved a training issue with my older dog and I didn't really even think of it like that. As far as I was concerned he was trained. Now I know that the training never stops. We were so happy to find this site and be able to discuss these things with other Rottie owners. Glad that you're rottie has turned it around.

THANK GOD FOR THE INTERNET!

[cinde33]

That's a great thing to hear. You're absolutely right about training on all accounts. It's not that I feel "that training is not the answer" but I was more like "but I DO train my dog!" kinda like you felt. But since I have been on this board I have realized that there are so many diffrent training methods and we could all argue them into we are blue in the face or we could try some of them, read about them, and see what works for us and our dogs.

I think sometimes I get into the vacuum that there is only one way to train a dog about a particular situation and why ask a trainer? I already know and it doesn't work! And we all know that that is not a good solution! :)

It's great to hear that you resolved to be open minded and tried and now it's working great! I may just do the same.

[Jamie & Odin]

I was just thinking today how proud of my dog I am.

It is the result of training, training, training!

I adopted him in August, he was 8 mos. old and an abused, cowering, submissive peeing, untrained mess of a dog. But cute and sweet:D

He now knows come, sit, down, stay, no, out, get it, find 'em, get down, on walks he follows the command "right here" to walk next to me, along with stop, and OK is his release.

I'm not only impressed with the commands he has learned, but the confidence he has gained! He no longer cowers and pees. In fact, he had gained so much confidence, I finally had to incorporate some corrections into training, as he never had the inclination to test or question my authority. Those tests were minor, and because of all the work we have done, we only needed a couple "come to Jesus" meetings to get (almost) full compliance.

Along with training, I made sure he knew his place as soon as he came into the house, using many of the "regular" dominant/submissive tricks listed numerous times, so I won't do it again.

So, with training and being aware of his place in our household, he is a wonderful, obedient, happy confident dog :D I'm not saying he's "done" with training, or that he's 100% compliant, but the improvements have been incredible.