How much training?!?

[johnson1999]

This is not really a specific question regarding training but rather more a general question regarding proper rottie care and rearing.

I read so many posts on this site talking about "constantly training" your rottie from puppyhood until the day the dog passes and while I realize that specifics may differ by dog - Generally, how much training are we talking here? Would it be sufficient to take a well bred rott puppy to puppy K - obedience 1 and 2 and then take the dog for 1-2 refresher courses every year after that (supplemented by 1-1 sessions with a professional trainer as needed) or does the dog have to be in constant training to be well behaved?

Also how much MORE training does a rottie need than a less dominant breed like a lab or a collie?

[myandromeda]

Great question! Can't wait to hear the answers...

[2rotties2luv]

Several members here advise that rotties should be in obedience training at least until they mature, 2 1/2 to 3 years old, and that they should be trained at the very least to the level of the CD title (whether or not you show the dog in ob). I agree with this - my own two rotties were in obedience training continually until 3 1/2 & 4 yrs old. We take "refresher" ob classes from time to time since then.

After the obedience work, there is more training that can be done in sports such as agility, schutzhund, carting, herding, flyball, etc.

The more training you do will help your dog to be confident and well-mannered, as well as strengthening the bond between you and your dog. The more you train, the more your dog learns to trust you and to look to you for direction, rather than "firing off" when he feels like it.

IMHO, many of the behavior problems that people have with their dogs could be avoided if they continued on with obedience training until maturity instead of stopping after puppy kindergarten.

[RottiMomCT]

I adopted Ben from NERR in 2/00 and about 2 months later we started obedience classes. I was amazed to say the leass when we introduced ourselve to the other members of the class and they were all shocked that NERR requires adopters to attend at least a basic obed class. I am thrilled that it is a requirement! Ben has come a LOOOOONG way since February. We took 2 basic obed classes (one at PetSmart, one at the trainer we still go to) and he completed pre-Novcie classes and we are now preparing to enter our 1st obed match (when *I* feel that *I* am ready!!).

I think that I, personally, will keep up with Ben's 'formal' obedience training as it's a 'regular, weekly' thing we do together. I also work with him daily...little things like 'wait' as we exit the house and stuff like that. When he's coming into the house after potty time, he does his 'front' and then 'side' commands...he think's he's just having fun, little does he know it's a short obed lesson! I'm so sneaky!

[Judi W]

Elsewhere on the forum you will often find "my dog has "suddenly" started........- often dog aggression, sometimes other serious behavior problems. In almost every case, it will be a dog that has NOT been continuing on in formal obedience classes through to its adult age. Enough said.

[luvarott]

I believe that all inexperienced Rott owners should TRIAL their dog to its' CD and TRAIN to its' CDX. Not many Rotts would end up in rescue if their owners took the time to develop that bond and create that level of obedience.... (besides, I would LOVE to see more of our working dogs out there in the trial rings!!)

[Burnsway]

My 2 cents here would be that "ALL" dogs need constant training. But I do not measure that in what classes or titles or rank they are. I measure it in a way I understand. KIDS!!!! You bring a child home and you raise them with rules and regulations till the day they die. You never stop being a mom. With me my dogs get training 24/7 till they go to the bridge. I never have the attitude...They will grow out of it...or they just a pup or etc. As long as they are with me Im their mom and will train them every second they are alive....well within reason.....roflmao!!!

[johnson1999]

Thanks for all the responses! Just to put my post in a little more context - I am considering getting a rottie (and have been for the past 5 months), we've been debating getting some other breeds but still end up coming back to the rottie because of its versatility.

I plan on taking the dog to Puppy K, obed 1, and obed 2 the first year and then advanced obedience and master obedience (which includes the CGC test) in year 2. Beyond that I was going to take the dog for a refresher course each year. Is this enough? If I opt to get another breed (boxer, lab, dobe) would the training requirements be less. In other words "is there less margin for error with a rottie or am I looking at the same type of training requirements for any medium/large dog I would get?"

I fully plan on training the dog - however, "continuously" is tough because I don't if I have 52 weekend mornings free to attend courses!

[Barbara Surplus]

Every walk we go on is a training exercise. I consider my boys very well trained but that doesn't mean they get to have free rein because I know they know their commands. Our walks are great fun but in the middle of all that fun, I will call the dogs back for no particular reason, then release; make them sit when another dog approaches, then release; heel off leash, then release; etc., etc. You get the idea.

In that respect, training never ends.
Barbara

[pandora's daddy]

Johnson, great question. My wife and I became 1st time rott owners about 1-1/2 years ago and 2nd timers about 7 months ago. Pandora, our 1st, has gone to puppy K, and basic obedience on her own, (meaning before we got Sedona, and with my wife but not me.) These 2 classes my wife took her to when I (stupidly) refused to acknowledge the need for training. Once we got Sedona, I realized the difference between the 2 dogs. So we enrolled Sedona in Basic obedience and re-enrolled Pandora as a refresher, (she barely passed the first time.) Now that my head is removed from my posterior on this issue, I will always be either in training with my girls or waiting for the next class to begin. Our girls are currently in intermediate obedience and absolutely loving it. On Saturdays, we can't even mention the word class until we are ready to go, or else our girls will go to the door and whine until we leave for class. Last week I made the mistake of mentioning class too early in the day and Pandora waited at the door for almost 2 hours until it was time to go. We plan on going into obstacle work next. There are so many dfferent specialty clases to try. I will keep my girls in classes as long as their faces still light up when I say, "do you want to go to class?"