Good training classes

[ArmaniMink]

Good Morning All,

I have been posting here for a little over a month now and so far I have got great advice from everyone. My question now is. My now 4 month old female has been attending classes twice a week at our neighborhood Petsmart and so far I notice they haven't helped much at all. I mean sure at the time when we are working with them she seems to listen but there aren't any distractions at the time, nor is there anywhere else for her to run off to. It's just when she is around distrctions and I call her to come back, she keeps going the other way. This morning she dashed out the front door and up the hill where she usually goes potty, even though I called for her to come back. Before I could grab the leash good she had taken off. Once I got up the hill she had already went potty and was standing there waiting for me to walk her back to the house. That was totally unacceptable behavior to me, as well as very dangerous for my puppy. Especially since once she gets bigger I would hate for that to happen. I was just wondering about any other locations anyone knows of that provides training. I have been reffered to a training location in Greenbelt MD by her vet, that works with smaller class sizes and more one on one. I have decided to sign her up to this just to try a new instructor. The classes I have been taking her to have proven to be useless. Can anyone recommend any classses/ instructors in PG County that are excellent for puppies, again, she is 4 months old.

[lblax]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMink

Good Morning All,

again, she is 4 months old.

what do you expect from a puppie??? it shouldnt even be on formal ob classes at this age . just teach her basic manners and let it be a pup

[Cdn1050]

I don't know of any classes in your area, but you may want to check with the Rottweiler Club in your area. Just Google for on in your area.

Also I never open the front door until the leash is attached to my dog's collar and leash is secure in my hand. Though my dog has learned to sit and wait until I go out first, I don't chance it.

[Da05128]

You have to remember that just going to class isn't going to train your dog. We tell all of our students that we are teaching them so they can go on and train their dogs...one or two classes a week is not going to do it :)

Take your vet's advice and try a different class (Petsmart is not my choice for great instruction) but you have to practice, practice, practice at home as well. Anytime you introduce new or more distraction you have to expect that whatever behavior you have worked on is not going to be as solid as it was with no or little distraction.

Don't chance your puppy's safety - it takes a very long time and lots and lots of work to have a fail safe recall - something I would never expect from a 4 month old pup. Remember - she's just a baby and she is learning - have fun and set her up to be successful!

[Carol Burke]

Do not take a chance with your precious puppy. Keep her on leash outside and make coming to you the best thing that ever happened. Happy voice when calling her and a yummy treat when she comes to you, but never give her the chance to not come, when you call her make sure she is on a long line or flexi leash.

[TrinaJ]

Puppies, like children, unfortunately weren't born with the knowledge of how to sit/stay/come etc. Until we teach tell them what we want from them they wont understand. Its not something that will happen overnight or over a few weeks, it takes time and perceverence (sp). Dont give up, just keep at it and remember EVER SINGLE TIME she comes when you call, praise her constantly and reward her with a treat. One thing to keep in mind, if she has done something wrong and you call her to you and she comes you MUST praise her because she came when you called.

Good Luck!!

Trina

[ArmaniMink]

Thanks alot guys. I am working with her at home even when not at the classes I just want to assure she's getting the best possible training. She is starting to listen, but I think sometimes my tone may throw a wrench in her decision to come, especially after she has done something wrong like pee in the house on the way outside for her walk. Where do they get that from? I mean I know she really has to go by time I get home but I don't understand why sometimes she will wait until we get outside and other times she will just go as we are walking to the front door, and when I call her then she will haul a** away from me and run into her kennel.

[Shelby427]

Sounds like you need to start over with the recall. The fact that she runs FROM you means that you haven't shown her that by coming to you, she's the smartest puppy in the world and you're the best thing since sliced bread.

Keep her on leash at all times, bring her to a large safe area, get a long line and call her, give a tug on the line and treat and praise when she gets to you. Repeat.

[ArmaniMink]

Yeah that what it sounds like to me too. I think I may have taught her that when she pees on the floor it's such a terrible thing that she is terrified of me when she does it, and wants to get as far away from me as she can..lol...Where would I post a thres about her urine in this forum? I don't wanna get another warning about posting in the wrong forum again. But that's another concern I have about her.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMink

Yeah that what it sounds like to me too. I think I may have taught her that when she pees on the floor it's such a terrible thing that she is terrified of me when she does it, and wants to get as far away from me as she can..lol...Where would I post a thres about her urine in this forum? I don't wanna get another warning about posting in the wrong forum again. But that's another concern I have about her.

Put her on a leash and hustle her outside! This is the pup that you are leaving most of the day alone?
This is the pup that is nervous and shy?
Seems to me that you are having many problems with her. Some of them your fault, and some that are caused by her poor temperament and unsocialized beginning.

If your town is large enough to have a Petsmart, I'm sure there are all sorts of training clubs and obedience instructors in the area.

Gina

[ArmaniMink]

Yeah she does this evry now and then that's why it's so strange to me. Now she's been getting better as far as the shy stuff and she is really comming around as far as walking up and down the stairs and roming the house she is starting to loose the whole shy bit now that we are in the new house. I guess when she looses one bad habit, she picks up another. But as far as her being left all day, I assumed the amount of times I take her out sheould help because she doesn't have accidents in the kennel during thed ay. I take her outside at 5a.m, then feed her 6:45 a.m before I leave, then 6:00 p.m when I return from work, then I feed her again, then I take her out around 9:00 pm, and once again before bed which is usually around 10:30, 11:00 most nights, some earlier, but it's not everyday that she does this. I made a shread in another column about her urine and the comment was that it does sound like UTI and maybe that's the cause of her having to go so badly by the time I get home from work. The problems I'm having with her whether my fault or not, aren't that bad where I'm gona give up on her,she's a doll and I look forward to watching her prosper. inspite of her beginning.

[Shelby427]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMink

Yeah she does this evry now and then that's why it's so strange to me. Now she's been getting better as far as the shy stuff and she is really comming around as far as walking up and down the stairs and roming the house she is starting to loose the whole shy bit now that we are in the new house. I guess when she looses one bad habit, she picks up another. But as far as her being left all day, I assumed the amount of times I take her out sheould help because she doesn't have accidents in the kennel during thed ay. I take her outside at 5a.m, then feed her 6:45 a.m before I leave, then 6:00 p.m when I return from work, then I feed her again, then I take her out around 9:00 pm, and once again before bed which is usually around 10:30, 11:00 most nights, some earlier, but it's not everyday that she does this. I made a shread in another column about her urine and the comment was that it does sound like UTI and maybe that's the cause of her having to go so badly by the time I get home from work. The problems I'm having with her whether my fault or not, aren't that bad where I'm gona give up on her,she's a doll and I look forward to watching her prosper. inspite of her beginning.

You're also expecting a 4 month old puppy to hold her bladder for 12+ hours, which is completely unfair. She realistically can only hold it about 5 hours at this age. Making her hold it for so long can cause other problems as well, not only UTIs, but kidney issues also.

[ArmaniMink]

I understand that but what other options do I have when I'm all by myself here?

[ArmaniMink]

Oh yeah and the last time I take her out is at6:45 and when I come home it's usually 6:00 my shitzhu never had accidents betweenthose hours either. So should I put her kennel in the bathroom and leave the kennel door open with training paper down for in case she has to go between those hours? That way she can come out and stretch as well as go if she needs to.

[Shelby427]

If you use training pads, it'll just confuse her. She'll think it's OK to go in the house. That's why it's recommended to think about these things BEFORE getting a puppy. I don't have a good solution for you. Maybe find a neighbor, pet sitter, dog walker to come over mid-day to take her out and feed her. Puppies that young need to eat 3 times a day. Having 1/2 of her daily rations in one sitting is too much.

No wonder she has a UTI.