trying to find a reliable trainer

[hope72]

I am about to move south in the next couple weeks. I was on bedrest for over 10 mo and unfortunately we moved to a new neighborhood. The neighbors were less than thrilled I had two rottweilers. They had more to fear from the 12 yr old pug I inherited from my grandmother.

Anyway, over that year I have since discovered that not only was there some neighbors throwing rocks at the dogs but also walking into their area and taunting them by getting back out in time to avoid an ass chewing (literally).

Consequently, my 23 mo old male rottie is not as friendly as I would like. He has NEVER shown hostilities towards my 2 children (aged 6 & 7) nor myself. He is friendly with people who come in the houes and even my friend and her 5 kids. He would never so much as say boo to a child.

I do have a problem though because I know he needs more work than I have the knowledge to give him. I am desperately seeking someone who can help me with obendience. I am willing to have my dog travel and receive as much as possible. He has a problem with jumping on people and he's not bad with other dogs- as long they are female and sometimes he's not an issue with male dogs. I just know that despite my best intentions "ares come to mommy" can not be the sum of his command cues. He has some asserting himself on our new home issues and pees in plastic containers. Lovesplastic containers.
Anyway, I would like to find a trainer that understands rottweielrs and understands he's been a loving member of our family and even lives inside. I just need to know he's going to be under control. I have a psycho ex and everyoen says to dump him and get a new fully trained dog but that is not my style. He's loving and smart and has over 100 ipo's in his pedigree. He can jump, run up a mountain and is the only dog ive ever met who can nibble a small bite of food. He chews his treats. There's fluff in here but- that's cause he's more than a dog who'se got some issues- he's a really good boy and a member of our family.
I also did move as soon as I found out what was going on and my neighbor jokingly told my other mom that he was torturing my dog cause he thought it was funny.
The city hasnt deemed him agressive but the neighbor that was tormenting him did get bit one day when they weren't quick enough to get out of the yard. He didn't try to bite hard- one small bite mark and released instantly. He's a very large hungarian import and is truly beautiful.

[Sharon Marples]

You don't say what city you live in. Have you contacted any local kennel clubs to see if they know of trainers or training facilities? Let us know the city you live in and maybe we can help you to find someone.

[RottiMomCT]

Well, first off, we need to know where you are moving to...then we can start recommending training facilities that you and the dog can attend together. You can do a search at the AKC website - check out www.akc.org and then click on the link for 'Clubs', then look for obedience clubs in the state/area you will be moving to.

Check out the class you will be taking. Speak to the instructors about what your concerns are with your dog. Also, speak to the students in the class. Observe and ask questions after the class is over.

[Judi W]

And no matter where you live, please put locks on your gates.

[hcelsa]

I don't know where in Washington you are, but here are some links/info for western Washington.
In all honesty since we're talking about a full size adult dog with minimal manners I'd start with a lesson with Joe Kapelos at Ewetopia if you're close enough.

For basic and competitive obedience classes:
Family Dog Training
http://www.familydogonline.com/
The Educated Dog
http://www.teddogtraining.com/

For major "issues" (such as dog-dog aggression, dog-human aggression, or the inability to control the dog in a public setting at this time) and herding of course (our favorite activity):
Ewe-Topia http://www.ewe-topia.com/

For agility and other fun stuff (something to consider once you get your boy under control through obedience training):
Argus Ranch http://www.argusranch.com/

I hope that helps! Please feel free to contact me privately if you're anywhere near Tacoma and I can try to point you in the right direction to get help for your boy before he becomes another statistic. Please keep him in a secure location now and in the future.

[hope72]

thank you for the ideas. I will try to contact the recommended trainer and also... as a fyi, I did read and think on each post.

I not only had my dog secured as best I could but I also put up signs (beware of dog and no tresspassing), lost one of my dogs to poison before I did this at that house and ended up having to put up cameras to figure out what was happening. These people were determined to not have rottweilers in their neighborhood and so I have sold the house I saved 3yrs to buy (4000sq ft-19 rooms). My dog was that important and that's why I even admit on a site where just anyone can make comments about him... I'm not proud of the fact that he's got issues but I'm trying very hard to fix the damage. I fell down a flight of stairs in Sept 04 and was on bedrest till April 05 as this aggravated my military disability. I just want to live in peace and have my pets safe and happy. My neighbor was not sane- she called over 100x in a year about either kids or dogs being outside. He wouldnt even take treats from her yet total strangers have been able to walk up to him and he licks them like they were long lost friends. I just need to know that at all times, he's under control.

Thank you again for your assistance and I really do welcome all constructive advice. I can't learn until I ask...

[Sharon Marples]

hope72, please send me a private email. I know of two or three super trainers in WA state but I don't know where you live. If you don't contact me privately, then contact hcelsa as she recommended. She knows the same people I do and probably even more of them since she lives in WA.