DIFFERENT TRAINING STRATEGIES AND TRAINERS FOR DIFFERENT DOGS

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I though a lot last night about this, and I decided to post this, probably to be sure everyone has a level set on the issues with Murphy, and why I'm taking the training approach with him that will definitely look different from many more traditional methods.  Murph is a dog who went through the AKC Puppy Star class and passed with no problems.  He does very well at following basic commands in a sterile environment.  That's why he's great with commands at home.  Without distractions he looks like any other dog, and treat/clicker training approaches work well.  He'll sit, stay, down, recall with no problem AT HOME.  I remember the day he "graduated" from the AKC class and completely "lost it" with a stranger on the way out of the facility.  So, I hired the trainer for some individual sessions.  She's a positive reinforcement only trainer, and we brought her dog in as the distraction.  The first time he saw the dog he went a "little crazy", but after a few repetitions (and rewards for no reaction) he was just fine.  Then again outside of the training room, he was out of control.  So next I moved to a correction (and praise) approach and started using the training collar (choke chain).  I trained him every day for a month in the park with varying levels of distraction.  It just didn't work for ME with THIS DOG.  I needed to have a local trainer.  My key objective needed to be to eliminate the reactiveness so that Murphy could live a "normal dog life".  I needed to be able to control him so that we could again at least go for walks.  For months he has not been able to go anywhere other than the back yard (on leash) for potty breaks or to the Park for our very structured training sessions.  Last week I was able to start to walk him in our cul-de-sac where the distractions are very limited.  Baby steps. 
So I found a different trainer (who works with my Vet and specializes in "difficult" dogs).  He asked me what I wanted out of the training, and I told him I wanted a dog who would trust and respect me enough to obey my commands and react appropriately to strangers and other dogs.  I wanted the training to incorporate fair corrections (when necessary) and rewards when they were earned.  After spending some time with Ben, I decided that he would be the right fit for Murph and I (given the issues we were facing).  I did say that I ultimately wanted him to get his CGC because that incorporates all the things that I wanted for Murphy....a well balanced dog who can be relied upon to be a "good citizen".  After working with Murph, Ben felt that the "commands" associated with CGC would be a "piece of cake", the reactiveness would be the major challenge. I have no thoughts of any advanced obedience work for Murph at this time...again baby steps.  So we've really focused on that.  That's why we spend so much time training around lots of distractions in the Park.  We need to move to other high distraction "venues" very soon.
Murph still goes into his uncontrolled, fixated state with some people and dogs....but at least now it's not ALL dogs and ALL strangers. Yesterday he decided to nip at the face of the trainer's German Shepherd who he has been great with in the past.  No idea where this came from.  Right now I really don't care if his position is "perfect", only that he's not trying to lunge and growl.  We'll get to the "fine tuning" when the time is right.  I have refined my training to address some of the issues with Murph.  I am now heeling him on the right which for traditional obedience is a big mistake.  It works for me (for now) because I'm a real "right sided person".  My timing is much better (faster) using my right hand, and with Murphy timing is key.  I need to correct him the minute his focus goes "in the wrong direction".  I have also changed to an Illusion Collar which worked much better for me than the regular training collar.  It stays high on his neck, so I'm not always trying to pull it up, and it's always in the right place when we encounter an unexpected distraction.  I guess what I'm saying is that I'm doing some things that would be viewed as different (even "wrong"), but they're starting to work, and I'm finally seeing progress.  My path may be a little different than most, but then Murph comes with his own set of unique challenges.  I have no idea if what I'm doing is the best thing, but it's where I've landed after trying several different "methods"...we'll have to see.

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Jane, I applaud your perserverence in finding the right method for both you and Murphy. Murphy and Clifford sound very similar in their challenges and I look forward to hearing of your success. I long for the day when we can actually go for a walk in the daylight, with other people, dogs and (God forbid) squirrels! For now we walk at 4:15 in the morning and I hope Little Dood's exemplary walking skills wear off on Clifford and not the other way around. Good luck - the road has not been easy but I know you have many peaceful walks in your future...and yes, Murphy will be with you.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks so much for these words of encouragement, Kim. We will get there....it's just going to be a little different path for Murph.

[BG and Gavin]

I think it is important to be open about our expectations and methods and training goals, even if it feels like you are opening yourself up for constructive feedback. For example my goal for Gavin is for him to have good manners in all situations. Simply put this means good behaviour and "listening to me" in all situations. For me, I don't mind when Gavin lies down during a sit/stay, because the goal is the stay and what I really want is for him to relax in one spot until I tell him different. I also confess to giving reminder cues. Maybe one day I will be more ambitious and clean all this up, but not right now. He walks well on a loose leash and has gotten good at sitting for greeting which usually turns into lying down for greeting which I think - all the better. My main thing is getting him to consistently listen when around other dogs. I really have to get serious about working with him around the fence outside of the dogpark. I am open to feedback on that point, but I think it is more of a case of time and committment on my part - as I think I already know what to do. I think that you should be proud of what you have done with Murphy. He is making steps toward your goals with a training method that you are comfortable with, so I say good on ya!

[Carol Brand]

People can train anyway they want, but the tried and true "standard" training methods are there for a reason. They have been developed over time because they get more accurate results faster.

RE keeping the dog on your left. Most dogs like most people are right side dominant. I believe having the dog on your left gives you more control because your body guides and directs the right side of the dog.

Also, asking for correct position helps establish for a dog that they are in the working zone. We are not talking here about perfectly straight sits or finishes. Setting a dog up in correct position is like finding correct finger position for a violinist or being "on the bit" for a horse. It is the place from which all other correct training will come.

For Brucegirl.....Allowing a dog to lie down when it has been told to SIT/STAY means that you have allowed the dog to choose which part of the direction to follow. I can tell you from years of training that if you want a dog who will listen to you in "all situations" it is important to set clear boundaries and expectations.

Remember, good training is not about competition. It is about real world applications. If you were walking your dog down the street and you saw a child fall off of her bike, wouldn't you like to be able to tell your dog SIT/STAY one time and have it stay so that you could go help the child? I can't tell you how much good training has saved my behind (and in at least one case my dog's life) over the years.

BTW.... The GSD should not have had his face up in Murphy's face. You may not have known where this came from but chances are that Murphy had signaled the GSD that he needed to back off and the GSD didn't listen. Have you ever read Susan Clothiers "He just Wants to Say Hi" http://flyingdogpress.com/content/view/42/97/

[Linda and Murphy]

Thanks for the article, Carol.

[BG and Gavin]

Point taken. Thanks for the input Carol. I think it's great that you take the time to examine everyones videos with a critical eye. I will have to try to put one together myself. Time, time, there is never enough time!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, "Bruce Girl". I AM proud of how far Murphy has come....now I just want to take him for a "real walk" with no worries about ANYTHING. Soon.

[Kathy Hoppe]

Jane, you need to just take a breath and slowly exhale. My gosh girl you are doing everything you can for this dog. In my eyes Murphy is the luckies dog in the whole wide world because he has you. You'll get thru this before you know it. Just like with kids when you think it's never going to get any better it does. Hang in there.

[Laura Deutsch]

Jane,
Thank goodness you are retired and can devote the time needed to get Murphy to where he needs to be. You are a great inspiration to lots of dog lover/owners. We have learned with Molly, who is also difficult, but easier than Murphy for sure, how much time you need to devote to training a dog who might be a challenge. It is really gratifying though, when they finally get it. We all have to persevere and do the best we can. Keep us posted. I'm sure we all appreciate your tenacity and communication.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Laura, I know that I'm so lucky to be retired and have this time to spend with Murph. I think back to my "working days" just a couple of years ago, and I don't know how I would ever do it. Thanks for the encouragement. Keep us posted on Molly too!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thank you so much, Kathy! I do need to exhale. LOL

[Linda and Murphy]

Jane, I think everyday is Murphyday at your house. He is a very lucky Dood.
My Murphy is now 4 and I can't tell you how many times I wondered if we would ever get to today. He is not perfect. Any faults he has are certainly due to my inconsistent training.
But when he was less than a year, man was he excitable. Zoomies, jumping, mouthing, any distraction eliminated his command. And we were doing agility with older, seemingly perfect dogs....not good.
I applaud you for trying to find what works for you and Murph. He is a lucky dood, indeed.