Training - Experiences, Challenges, and Mindsets

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Comment by Susan & Randy's Kate on December 5, 2014 at 4:21am

I think with our Kate it would have been about timing.  When I first met her at 17 weeks she was aloof.  I let her come to me and she wasn't much interested.  She was that way with people too for a few more weeks.  Now she likes everybody including our granddogs.  Their first meeting was tense.  The boxer was so excited she didn't know what to think.  We secured him so she could check him out and then they were ok.  This past Thanksgiving the three granddogs (boxer, two dachshund mixes) were here and they all got along.  Two of the three males marked their territory on every tree on our twenty acres, the boxer and smallest dachshund mix female played together and they all stayed close to home.  So sometimes timing, short visits and in my case luck help.

Comment by Shari Becker on December 4, 2014 at 7:17pm

It's possible that it was just too much for a first try.

That said, not all dogs like all environments, and I do think you need to be in tune with your dog.

Lexi doesn't do well at the dog park if it's crowded, but on a quiet morning with two or three dogs, she's happy as a clam. We know she would hate a big doggie daycare center, so when we need it, we use a local groomer who takes dogs for the day and just lets them wander around. They don't have a ton of space, it's not fancy, but it's really mellow, and they pee outside instead of on the indoor mats some bigger places use. I use it only when I know I have to be out all day. 

I think daycare is a lot like crating. Everyone told me that Lexi would get used to her crate, and she never did. So we looked for other options. Best. Decision. Ever. We were all so much happier.

I wouldn't give up on daycare after the first try, just maybe give it another super short attempt, then if it goes okay, add on hours slowly. But if it's not working, look for other options or consider a dog walking company, maybe? We do training with one person, daycare with another, and I have a walker for when I'm deadline. Three different excellent options that I mix and match as needed.

Comment by Deborah Brown on December 4, 2014 at 5:49pm

Dogs have different temperaments and personalities.  Some do well at day care and some don't.  I don't want to be the voice of doom but I think it is important not to push a dog into a day care environment if they are not happy with it.  Unfortunately, it only takes a few bad experiences to turn a happy puppy into a fearful one.

Comment by Marilyn and Sherlock on December 4, 2014 at 4:51pm

I take Sherlock and our small lab Indy to daycare a couple of times a week and they both LOVE it..... they have daycare, training, grooming and boarding.... the boarding is going to the trainers farm each day and hanging with her there, ...  talk about new smells.... and then go to daycare each day too, they are in dog heaven.....

Comment by Gayle & Hunter on December 4, 2014 at 3:17pm

Well Hunter the first day I took him he really wasn't too sure about it, he did submissive peeing but only when he had to interact with humans especially men. Now he no longer does that and loves going too play, they told me that he loves all the dogs and gets along with all of them. This has not just been good for Hunter but for me also because I am one of those over protective Moms, I was the np same way with my boys (humans...lol). I feel very blessed to have this great daycare center that Hunter really looks forward too going. I do take him 3 to 4 days a week.

Comment by Gwyndolyn Morasko on December 4, 2014 at 3:15pm

My 2 think of day care as Doggie Disneyland.  They LOVE it!  I watch them on the camera often, and Kona does like the humans a lot, but that's his norm.  And Maggie loves the big dogs, and that's her norm.  They get lonely for each other if they let Maggie with the big dogs too long, but the staff knows that about them and makes sure to put them back together frequently after Maggie has had a good romp with the big dogs.  They are nice and tired when they get home, but love it and can't wait to dive in when I take them back.  I wish I could afford more than once a week because they like it so much. 

Comment by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on December 4, 2014 at 3:10pm

Every dog doesn't love to play with other dogs for extended periods of time. JD never did. Even when he was a year old, he'd engage in play with another dog for maybe 15 minutes, and then he wanted a human to throw a ball for him, or he just wanted to chill out in his own space. 

Comment by Chelsea Sifers on December 4, 2014 at 3:01pm

I took my girl to a daycamp when she was 6 months old that had a camera - she did not have a good time. She just followed the person in her play area around the whole time and wanted them to pick her up, or she she was trying to figure out how to get out. I tried a smaller, family-owned place a couple weeks later and she went in with no trouble at all and didn't even look back at me. They love her and she loves them and she still goes once a week without any issues. A few months later I looked into another one that is very highly regarded just because I was curious. Maisy hated that one too - she didn't want to leave my side. Sometimes they know what they want and they will tell you how they feel - at least in my experience :)

Comment by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on December 4, 2014 at 2:49pm

Deeann, I take my two to Daycare once a week and they have never had a reaction like that.  Does the Daycare have a camera where you can watch what's going on...many of the good ones do that now? 

Comment by Deeann Roesser on December 3, 2014 at 10:26am

Thank you Deborah.  That makes sense since Ginger is acting normal today.  I won't be leaving her for such a long time for quite a while.  

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