Too many options for training, opinions please

[Carrie B and Maggie Goldendoodle]

Hello everyone!

 

 I am hoping you won't mind my puppy question but I am looking for opinoins from experienced trained dog owners. I have an 11 week old goldendoodle who I want to be a well trained member of our family. My ultimate goal would be a therapy dog mostly for the Read to Me program.

 

 My question is, what style training do you recommend? We have PetSmart and PetCo classes here as well as a trainer who used to work for Miami Aquarium who does private lessons as well as group lessons. How do I know what to look for? Is PetCo / PetSmart a true training program or just a money making tool for a pet store?

 

Thanks for the imput,

Carrie and Maggie B

[Kyoko]

Yay! You must have read "Whale Done!"

[Carrie B and Maggie Goldendoodle]

ohh I haven't!! I am picking it up this week though ;) as well ass "Whale Done for Kids".

[Kyoko]

Charlie's trainer recomended that I read it. I read both of them. I like the original one better, but that may be because my kids are not little anymore... They are really awesome books....

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

What an adorable puppy! I can share my experiences with my two Doodles. I started formal training with both of them at around 12 weeks. With Guinness (my first), I started him in the Petco puppy class which was all about socialization. He had a great time, and it started to get him used to playing appropriately, but that's about it. I then worked for a couple of months with a private trainer where he learned all the basic commands and how to walk well on a loose leash. During this phase we went everywhere to get him used to distractions. Then he went through CGC and finally his Therapy Dog training. Each class built on the prior ones, and he finally got his TDI certification at 15 months. I had lots of time with Guinness, and I really loved training, so this was no hardship to me. I didn't actually have to retrain, but I did have to reinforce what he already knew during his "teenage" phase when he would test me. With Murphy I skipped the Petco class, and I put him into the AKC Puppy Star program. He did great with that, but again it requires constant reinforcement outside of class. In a couple of weeks he'll start intermediate with the same trainer, and my hope is that he'll also get his Therapy Dog certification. My personal opinion is that training can be a really fun, bonding time with your dog. My guys seem to love it because it's "their time" to have my full focus. When they've listening and reacting to what I'm asking them to do, it's a "party" for us. I train them each separately and also sometimes together. Lately I've found that I rarely have to use the "command" word. It's so funny because they totally know what I expect them to do, and if they don't do it right away, I just stand there and don't even look at them. They hate that, and they'll just do "it" without any more prompting. A good example is the front door. They know from training that they can never go out that door unless they're sitting calmly. If they don't do it, I just wait and in seconds they figure it out and sit. My goal is to get them to this point with everything....Guinness is pretty close, but for Murphy it will be a while (he's a "teenager" right now). I think finding the right trainer for you is so important, and you may try a few before you're really comfortable. I personally don't believe in the methods that use intimidation and focus on submission. I much prefer the positive/reward based programs (but I'm also not a fan of treating for EVERYTHING). I feel it's important to show our dogs that we respect them and that we're going to teach them behaviors that will earn them praise and reward. They want to make us happy....they just need to know how. That may sound simplistic, but it has been my experience with both of my Doodles. Some of the "submission" methods (IMO) clearly don't convey that respect. I think I would ask the trainer from the Miami Aquarium what method he/she will be using, and be sure you're comfortable with the approach and that you can follow it at home. Good luck....training can be so much fun! Let us know how you make out.

[Carol Brand]

Just FYI and then I'll stop bugging you guys. This dog went High in Trial last week at our local Poodle Specialty (sorry I don't have a Doodle picture....). I know for a fact that he was trained at some point with a prong collar. You can see that he is not only correct in his work but he is super happy to be doing it! Also, what you are not seeing in the picture is the fact that there is a ring right next to the one he is working in that is holding another class and that right outside both rings there are dogs and people and crates all creating one giant distraction. Wouldn't we all love to have this sort of working relationship in our own pet dogs?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You're right...it is impressive. That's my goal....I'm determined to get there someday. Carol, I don't see you as "bugging" us at all! I for one really value your input, and I get that training isn't a "one size fits all". My two Doodles are as different as day and night.

[Carrie B and Maggie Goldendoodle]

So the trainer came, but I am still usure of my feelings. She didn't seem to believe me when I said Maggie, now 13 weeks, knew sit, down, wait and come and was doing well with house training. I said I was looking more for teaching me how to correctly apply these things, like putting her in a sit and wait while I get the door. She came with information on the basics, things we have already moved passed. Like wanting to show me how to have her go into down and put my foot next to her on the leash so she knew to stay like that. Maggie can stay in down and wait while I take several steps away and use okay to release her. On the other hand she showed me some simple adjustments to improve her loose leash walk and some corrections for when my kids (15, 7, 4 and 2) are playing with ehr and she mouths.
Is it just me or is the private training industry more focused on this dog psycology correction rather than dog training before an issue develops.
I will keep working on my own and visit another tainer's group class and maybe start that in October http://harvardsk9center.com/page9.html
Thanks so much for responding, it has been good to have doodlekisses as a resource.
Carrie and Maggie

[Carol Brand]

No.. I think your observations about private trainers is spot on.


I think you may enjoy the up coming training class. It looks like the instructor has put a number of different titles on dogs. Also, have you ever seen the book: Competition Obedience: A Balancing Act I think you might really enjoy it and it may give you the sort of training advice you are looking for.