Fire Your Dog Trainer!

[Adina P]

Poking around the internet for a trainer to recommend to someone, I found this article on a trainer's site.  It's looooong.  But, based on the problems dog owners continue to have, class after expensive class...I think it's worth considering the message of this article.  Every time someone posts about a common (loose leash walking is a big one!) dog problem that they've worked on and for what they've been to 2+ classes and which is STILL not solved...my first response (to myself) tends to be "get a new trainer!" 

http://www.massachusettsdogtrainer.com/page9.php

What are your thoughts?

[Adina P]

Oh and the Graduation Certificate for barely accomplishing anything.  Also sad.  But even the hard workers won't necessarily accomplish much if their teacher hasn't set them up to succeed.

[Carolyn Shusterman]

I've found that our dogs love to learn how to please us. Our job is to teach them to be able to communicate with us. Use the "SIT/STAY and COME" command to play hide and seek. Hershey loves the challange of finding me behind doors and objects anywhere in the house and outside. Start this game taking baby steps and progress to longer sits and more difficult hiding places. Fun for you and your doodle.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Loved the article

A few years ago when Starlit was a pup and presenting some extreme behavior issues, and with Spud not being trained even though he/we had been to classes (2)  I interviewed trainers. 

I believe I know just about every trainer in my area ( but with this economy more are showing up) and spoke with them personally, had one to my house, visited the facilities of a few more, went to a few classes for week one, and I was even turned away by others.  A few years later, I met one who was a violent sex-offender with a beautiful glossy card and told me to take my dog off meat.  His card said, Behaviorist!

Another told me I had to detoxify my dog. WTH?

Interview, research, do your homework. 

Interview  your trainers just like you would anyone who you would HIRE in a real-life job.  Because that is exactly what you are doing.

Ask them, " What can you do?  How are you going to do this?  What training have you had? What method of training?  Where are your Trophies?"  Ask ask ask and have your list ready.

I believe, the novice dog owner just picks a class that is convenient, low cost, and simple for them.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

and that list... well yes I learned to ask those questions from this site!   Sure, I had to do the work at home and I still work at it everyday, but so many dog owners do get more from this site than they do the " trainer" D-TINO

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Very interesting article.  I have a question for all of you.  Have you heard of Tufts Behavorial  program at Tufts Vet School?  We have an appointment there in January and I believe this is a reputable place but now you have me wondering.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Tufts is a good school so I would imagine this is a reputable program.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I have definitely heard of the Behavioral program at Tufts.  Dr. Nicholas Dodman was a veterinarian and director of their Behavioral Clinic for many years, and has written a couple of books that I've read about the psychology of dogs.  Much of what he writes about makes perfect sense to me, but he's also in the camp that really promotes meds and reduced protein diets for dogs with "issues".   I read his book "The Dog Who Loved Too Much" and also  "Dogs Behaving Badly".  They're both interesting reads, but a bit more dependent on drugs versus training than I'm comfortable with.  I'm not against medication and actually have Murph on meds, but I believe in a more balanced approach.  Anyway, when we needed to consult with a Behaviorist I found one in CT who was very highly regarded, but I was a little concerned that she had studied under Dodman at Tufts.  We did consult with her and I was very comfortable with her advice....and it has helped us so much with Murphy.  She did actually recommend medication, but also a behavior mod strategy that was very much aligned with what we were doing based on the recommendation of our trainer.  Please let us know how your appointment goes?  What are your specific expectations of this visit?

[F, Calla & Luca]

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Thank you Jane.  We actually have an appointment with Dr. Dodman and I am hoping he can shed some light on why she has this aggressive behavior and also to give us some techniques to handle it.  I did read that they may use medicines so I was aware of this.  I am not quite sure what I think about that at this point but I am anxious to see what they suggest.

Where in Connecticut is the woman you saw located?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

She's at a Specialty Hospital in Middletown, CT and also has a Vet practice in Marlboro.  Our visit with her was very helpful and I hope you have the same results.  You might try reading his books first...they're quick reads and quite interesting.  If you want to borrow mine I'd be happy to send them to you.

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Thank you Jane for the offer.  If you don't mind that would be nice but I could always just buy them myself. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

No problem....send me a message with your address and I'll get them in the mail.