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. I also only want positive reinforcement training. I've seen a lot of youtube stuff on clicker training, and I've started with that. I've only had one appt with our vet so far. I wasn't super impressed and will be looking for another one. He didn't really have an opinion on training methods or have any recommendations for me which kind of alerted me that he wasn't going to be a good fit.

I'll ask my Facebook friends to and hopefully find someone local.

Thanks.

[Pat and Traveler]

Welcome to you and Penelope!  No tips for you about trainers, but sounds like you're on the search.  Cool to see another Oregon dood(ette!)  Best of wishes for your training.  Such a cutie!!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I would first find a puppy class in your area. This is usually a fun class where puppies get to meet other puppies and you get the basics. There is also a training group on DK with lots of good advice. Good luck!

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Have you checked this place?

My Dog Gym and Training Centre

http://www.mydoggym.com/

They seem to have instructors who are certified by the Karen Pryor Academy, which focuses on clicker training. You can see the profile on one of the trainers here:

https://www.karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer?field_country_valu...

This trainer is based in Corvallis, but her web site is excellent. She says she works in the Willamette Valley and the Central Oregon Coast.

http://www.gooddoggentletraining.com/index.html

Because I live in Texas, I have no knowledge of either of these trainers, but I am a big believer in clicker and positive reinforcement training! I hope this helps you in your search!

[Vin Thomas]

I actually had a consult with them just yesterday. It was going really well until they brought out their dogs for an example of how clicker training works. The two demo dogs had been trained for years with them. And although they did the "tricks" on cue, they were almost choking with how much they were pulling on the leash. They were out of control and would only break to do a trick&treat.

I was impressed with the establishment, but would not consider their dogs a success or example of what I'm after. 

I've found most helpful tips on youtube on this channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup

But she lives in Sweden so it's not all that useful for hands-on training. I guess it's better than nothing though. Thanks for the help Elizabeth!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I would have a real problem with that too.  I want a trainer to show me dogs that he/she has trained, and I want to see dogs that obey commands on and off leash and are calm and balanced.  Tricks are fine, but if the dog cannot be relied upon to calmly walk by your side even among distractions, then the dog is not "trained" in my book.  I think Penelope is really young for formal "training" at this point.  I agree with Laurie that this is a perfect time for a puppy class where she will learn "dog socialization" which is so important and some basics. I'd get her used to being on leash and reward when she's by your side and paying attention to you.   This is a time for having fun with her and building her confidence.  When she's around 5 or 6 months is when trainers usually recommend beginning your more formal training program.  At that point you can decide what kind of program you want to use.  I believe in using a balanced approach...corrections to show the dog when they have made a "mistake" and lots of praise and reward when they make the right choice.  Everyone must come to that decision for themselves, and after to talking with lots of different trainers you can decide what you will be most comfortable with.  There were two books that were helpful to me.....My Smart Puppy by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson and Mother Knows Best by Carol Lea Benjamin (this was written quite a while ago but it was really helpful to me). Please consider joining the Puppy Madness and Training groups....there's lots of helpful info there.  Good luck....you're in for a wonderful adventure.  I think it's awesome that you're thinking seriously about training already....good for you.

[Vin Thomas]

Great. I'll look into those.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

That's why it's so important to check these people in person! Good for you!

Did you contact the Good Dog Gentle Training person in Corvallis? I was thinking that, because of the university, there might be more chance of finding a good trainer there.

Even if you can't find a trainer in person, you can do this yourself.

One of the most important books for me when Cosmo was a little puppy was the Monks of New Skete: The Art of Raising a Puppy. There are also a number of books specifically on clicker training, Karen Pryor's and others. Just go to Amazon.com and search for "clicker training for dogs." And, if you go there through the Doodlekisses link on our home page, a portion of what you buy will benefit this site!

[Vin Thomas]

Thanks for the advice. I am reading The Art of Raising a Puppy right now. I also ready Cesar Milan's book on raising a puppy and Puppy's First Steps. They are all really good for general info. I guess I was looking for something a little more in-depth on training methods. I am reading Karen Pryor's book right now too (Don't Shoot the Dog). Hopefully that has more prescriptive advice.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Karen Pryor has one called _Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs_ that has a lot of detail and specifically focuses on clicker training.

Also, I would encourage you to take Cesar Milan with a grain of salt--and to think about his theories just as critically as you evaluated your in-person trainers. Specifically, I have concerns about the application of his "pack" approach to single-dog homes.

Temple Grandin, though she readily admits that livestock are her primary research area, not dogs, finds the one- or two-dog home to be more like a family, with the humans as mom and dad and the dog as the child. I find this metaphor more applicable to our experience with Cosmo and more compatible with positive reinforcement training.

You're clearly on the right track! I applaud you for dedicating so much thought and energy to training your puppy!

[Adina P]

Is there a dog obedience club in Salem or nearby?  I would find someone who does obedience competition.  I know a set of excellent trainers in Portland but that's a bit of a drive.  Their dogs have impeccable obedience and they compete.  On our link page (hover your mouse over the Help tab above at the top of the page to see it) you'll find links to APDT and IACP -- use the find a trainer function on those sites to identify some potential trainers near you.

Although IF you are pretty self-sufficient and good at following instruction, and willing to drive out to Portland for a lesson once a month or so...I think it would be way worth it.  I drove 4 hours to meet with my Portland trainer and stayed the weekend with family during that time.  They know their stuff and have the dogs to show off their skills.

[BG and Gavin]

Penelope looks like a real doll!  I second the idea of puppy socialization class at this stage. 

Please be careful of treat training if you decide that is the way you want to go.  There is a definite way to do it and to taper off it in order for it to work properly.  I have run into several dogs lately that are simply obnoxious around treats - they will not do squat unless you have a treat in your hand and when you do have a treat they are sitting, pawing, begging and nearly take your hand off to get it.  I realize that this is the result of treat training executed poorly. 

I don't know about pack leader theories, but I do know that if a dog will work for you out of respect than he will work for you in all situations, which is the ultimate goal.  Now there are a number of ideas on how to reach that goal I am sure and I am still striving for it (and will be for life I am).  Like Jane I like a balanced training approach.  I think you have to let your dog know when he is doing wrong as well as when he is doing right or else it is very confusing.  Imagine trying to teach someone how to drive a card by only telling them when they are doing the right thing.  It would be confusing at best and dangerous at worst. 

Good luck finding something you feel comfortable with.