Puppy Training

[Vin Thomas]

I'm looking to start training with our 9wk old Labradoodle puppy Penelope. I've spoken to a couple trainers in town (Salem, OR) and haven't found any that I'm super confident in. Some use punishment techniques, and the only positive-reinforcement trainers I've met have pretty out of control dogs themselves (not a good marketing tool). 

Anyway, I'd be interseted to hear how you guys started training and if there are any good resources to help (books, videos, etc).

Thanks.

Vin

[Vin Thomas]

Thanks Bruce. I am using treats to get her to learn basic obedience, but have already stopped using them on those she already knows. To be honest, she's not super food-motivated anyway. She seems to respond better to a bunch of love and praise. 

I am trying a "balanced" approach in that I will still push her down off of my legs if she jumps up or tell her no if she starts to nibble on the cat litter. But I don't want to go the chock chain, or e-collar route like some of the trainers I contacted were suggesting were the best and "most modern" way. I think that's cruel, and will produce a fearful and anxious dog. That's not what I'm after.

[BG and Gavin]

Its funny, but trainers tend to be "collar snobs"  Each one I have gone to has recommended a different type of collar. But there is more than one path to success in my opinion and a time and a place for all different sorts of collars.  I currently use a martinagale but have used a prong collar with success (I am a pretty stong woman, but there was a time that Gavin could pull me off my feet and I could hold him with the prong keeping us both out of harms way) I also have used a shock collar (for training on an invisitble fence).  The couple of times he exerienced the shock has allowed him a lifetime of roaming free at the cottage and keeps him from danger.  If you have a dog that pulls I firmly beleive that a flat collar is the most dangerous one because it can crush the windpipe where a prong or a martinagale distrubutes the pressure aorund the neck not just on the windpipe.  I have no experience with choke chains so cannot comment on them.  Not to brag, but Gavin is the least anxious and most well adjusted dog I have ever known - however he is a dog and he will still push his boundaries and needs corrections by times ;)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

BG, I agree.  One thing that I love about my trainer is that he is open to all types of collars because he considers them to just be tools....it's the training method, practice and consistency that he thinks makes the real difference.  His collar recommendations are geared off the individual dog and owner/trainer.  The ultimate objective has always been off leash obedience anyway....and then the collar is irrelevant. 

[Vin Thomas]

I didn't mean to come off judgmental or harsh. I just personally don't think a shock or prong collar would fit with our family or my philosophy of training. I think starting off on the right foot with the pup will help give a good foundation for a positive approach to training. Your dog sounds sweet. It's also our goal to have a well-behaved dog on and off leash.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh gosh, not harsh or judgemental at all.  I did not take it that way.  I agree always start with the least intrusive method, but keep an open mind.  You should feel comfortable.  I never in my wildest dreams saw myself using a prong collar when Gavin was a pup - it looked so inhumane and intimidating, but once he demonstrated that he needed more controls on him during the walk and the trainer showed me how to use it, I was much more receptive.  He no longer needs that tool now, so for us it worked. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I didn't take it that way either!  I trained my older Doodle using positive reinforcement and he responded well.  My younger guy was way to strong willed and smart for that.  For him there were some things (like lunging, barking) that were more fun for him than any treat.  He would be pretty much out of control with only positive, treat-based training.  It's just who he is.  There is no one right training tool or even method IMO....you need to do what is comfortable for you.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Nothing to say but Penelope is completely adorable! Good luck in your search for a great trainer.