We're getting private training

[Jennie]

Well, some of you know that I've been back and forth on when/how to train my guys. Some has been my motivation, some has been working out the time, some has been other things. I found a private trainer that I spent more than 30 minutes on the phone with tonight, and we're scheduled for next week. She trains through praise (no or treats involved) and really seemed to know what she's talking about. She already helped me with some ideas for a few things that we're dealing with.

One of the things that really appealed to me is that she focuses on what we want/need to learn, and not any syllabus or anything like that. I liked that she said she can't make any guarantees since it's up to me and she can't control me, but can only give me the tools. However, she says she won't leave my house until I have all the tools I need. She does a "2 hour" training session that she says usually is closer to 3 or 4 hours, but the cost is the same no matter how long it takes (but no less than 2 hours). She also does follow up visits (also 2 hours) for half the cost of the initial. However, her goal is to not require many follow up visits (if any) and phone questions/follow up is always free!

She says this time is spent teaching me how to direct my communication to the boys properly, as well as teaching them how to receive it. She says the goal is not to teach them the specific command, such as sit, or down, but to teach me how to communicate it to them so that they'll understand it. We'll also be working on Bailey and his issues. She thinks he's got some fearful aggression tendencies from my description, and is certain we can fix this. She thinks that I may not have fully established myself as super alpha with them, and that doing so can help both of them be a little more laid back.

I'm really very excited by this, and look forward to her visit. I do have one question for those who have really done this before - she did ask me to make a list of any issues we're having or things I want to work on. I plan to give this a lot of thought tomorrow, but are there any things that you all think are must haves?

Thanks in advance!

[TessieMom]

Sounds like a good start. I would go ahead and follow-up with group classes for the socialization once you have the issues worked out!

[Patt]

Sorry can't help on ideas to ask the trainer. I do think this is a great idea for you and your boys. I will be very interested in hearing all about it. Please keep us informed on your progress. :dog: :dog:

[isobelsmom]

Jennie, I started training in obedience classes and then changed to private in-home due to all the variety of problems encountered in a group that I wasn't able to address with each client. I also ask the client to make a list of "main" issues that they want to work on and some of them have been food aggression, fear aggresssion, social skills and misplaced agression. Some of the "lesser" ones have been how to keep a dog from bolting out the door when it's opened. It comes down to what you think is most important for your pups.

I always go into a home for a 1-2 hour meeting with the entire family and the dog to see how everyone is interacting with the pupper and to make sure everyone is on the same page. My calls are always free---which people find astounding :eek: . Why would I charge for a simple question?

I try not to use treats at first to see the motivation of the owner and dog, but will use them if the owner is not quite the motivating type.

This woman sounds wonderful---please let me know how you like her and what the visit was like. Oh, I also stress to the owner that I am teaching them to train, not doing the training myself and they love that. Good luck and happy training.

Oh, one more thing---I also stress that while in-home is good, a dog has to have sicialization just like people and needs an outside obedience course to integrate what they learn at home into the outside world. I have a rule of three--a dog, to be trained, must be amenable to the training in three places-home, class and I usually use a park for distractions. Again, good luck and sorry this is sooooo long.

[Jennie]

I do plan to follow up with socialization for Bailey, and thought I'd love to do a group obedience class once I have the basics down. I'm the type of person that needs individual learning first - I did my entire master's degree online as I couldn't stand the thought of sitting in a classroom for hours getting information not important to me when I could get a better education by online learning where I could focus on my needs. Same thing here.

I have been hesitant to socialize Bailey better because I don't trust him - a vicious circle, I know, but I just couldn't take the chance that he'd nip or bite a stranger or a strange dog. If we work on the fear aggression and I feel better, this is first on my list - more socialization. And then once I feel good with the basics of training and that I can get them to listen to me, I think I will try an obedience class with one of them.

I'm so excited about this - I'll keep you posted!

[TessieMom]

I realized that that was the problem, that is why I said the individual training first was good. Once you have all the problems sorted out, then socialization makes sense! Good luck. I think you have a great plan!

[Me&DappledDuo]

I agree- you have a tricky situation: two pups to train and only one Jennie. Your plan sounds GREAT! Plus- you'll get to be the show-off that walks into an obedience class with the dog that already knows the commands! There's one in every class we've taken. ;)

[Kim H.]

I would like to do something like this for the girls. Husband isn't too big on taking them to a class and I know I can't handle both at once. Let us know how it goes... and if your trainer recommends any trainers in Florida:) !

[Jennie]

I've been thinking alot about one thing she mentioned - and thought I'd pass it along - it was interesting to me....

She said when you're doing a correction (not a command, but a correction) that you should do it immediately, but not look at the dog. That way, when the dog looks at you and you're not looking at him, he'll think he caused the correction, not you. For example, if he goes after something he shouldn't (food, clothes, a dead bird), you say "Leave it" in the proper tone. He'll look up to see if you did something. If you're ignoring him, he'll wonder what's up. The next time, same thing. She said after a few times, he'll think he must be doing something to cause the correction since you're not even paying any attention to him at the time. Not only does this clue him in pretty quickly, but you never become the bad guy - he thinks it's all him and never connects you to it.

The more I think about this, the more sense it makes - I'm anxious to try it. I'm getting so excited about this training! Can't wait until Tuesday! If we can get so Bailey is OK around strange people and strange dogs, I'd love to start taking him more places.

[TessieMom]

Interesting idea... give Willy a few minutes and we will try it! Let's see throw rug chewed, going for mouse connection ... obviously we need wireless right now!

[isobelsmom]

Let me know how it works for you. I think I'll try that here and see how my crew react. It seems logical so I'll give it a try. Thanks!

[jenfer]

This plan sounds great. I hope to hear how it goes. Keep us updated!

[Jennie]

We had a great session! I'm very excited and can't wait to put it all into practice tomorrow. Didn't do so well tonight, as I had a houseful of kids, so that made it a bit tough to enforce the rules. I think I did see a difference already in my little ones, and they are so tuckered out they're sound asleep now (and for the past two hours).

One interesting thing did happen in training that I'd not seen before. Bailey through a bonafide temper tantrum. I mean he was awful! We had him on a 4 foot lead, and were teaching him "leave it". He didn't like the sound of the correction (a rattle of the lead to shake his tags) and tried to pull back. He realized he was leashed, and started flailing and thrashing. I mean, he was like a fish out of water on a hook! I couldn't believe it. He wasn't in pain and he wasn't hurting himself, just throwing a major, major temper tantrum! When he finally realized that he wasn't winning, he stopped. But then he went as far as the lead would let him, sat down with his back to me, and made it clear that he was pouting and ignoring me. He was so mad that I dared to challenge is alphaness! But I think he realized that there's a new sheriff in town, and he's not the top deputy anymore.

We'll see how it goes tomorrow, but I'm very encouraged! The difficult parts are going to be no free petting for a week, and keeping them leashed to me for a week. Any advice on keeping two one year old dachshunds attached to me for a week without killing any of us?

[dutchman]

Well it sounds like you are off to a good start. Yep it's hard to give up the alpha spot if you are use to being top dog even over the two leggers. Good luck having them leashed to you for a week.

[TessieMom]

It definitely sounds like you are off to a good start! He will come around after a little sulking! Good luck on the leashing!

[Jennie]

I think that we've started the transformation. Twice today, I've caught Bailey trying to hump Baxter - he hasn't done this since he was neutered. I think he's trying to show he's at least still in charge of Baxter, even if I won't let him be in charge of me anymore.

This leash thing is really, really hard! I'm supposed to take it off for play, but they start and stop play so randomly, this is difficult. They could be laying peacefully, and then boom - it's play time. Then, we're running around like mad puppers, then boom - we're done. I'm not sure when to put on / take off the leash. We're also having trouble because they keep getting tangled up in the leashes.

I've e-mailed the trainer with some questions I have. I really want to do this right, but it's already a bit difficult. I think once we get past the first few days, it will be easier. It is a bit harder with two.

One interesting thing she told me is that if they have an accident in the house, I should feed them in that spot next time. That I should sprinkle their kibble on the floor and feed them there. The concept is that they will then associate it with their food and want to keep it clean. We may try this. We're on a good streak (sshhh - who said that?), so hopefully we won't need it, but we'll see. She also said I have to stop taking them out so often. At a year, she said they should be going out every 3-4 hours at the most, and we're out every hour to hour and a half. This is where the leash will be helpful, but I'm not sure how to do this. I don't really want to take them out every hour, but I'd rather do that than have accidents because I didn't.

Oh well, we'll just keep trucking along and see how it goes. They are sleeping so peacefully right now and I don't even want to move and wake them!

[Me&DappledDuo]

Oh, it's going to be an adjustment for all of you, but things will get easier as you go along. I bet it is hard to leash on and off and on and off with the constant play- I wonder if scheduling their play time would be better? Working dogs know when their vests are on, they're working (and no play), and when they come off- they get to romp! I'd suggest that you take control of that, too- if the play gets out of hand.

About taking them out... do they NEED to "go" that much? Or are you just hoping that they won't "go" inside if they get out every hour? I've found that our boys (and girl now) are very good with a schedule. I used to take the boys out so many times- but started to see when they didn't actually need it... Dutch still needs out at least 4 times a day- the other two our 3. As long as we get them out when they are used to- there are no accidents. I know it's scary- but try going a LITTLE bit longer between walks. Eventually, you should be able to get them on a schedule. If accidents happen- it's time to go back a little.

It sounds like you're doing SO good for a ONE person with TWO puppies! :D

[tara]

Keep up the good work! It must be really hard with the leashes and playtime and all by yourself. That training advice is really intresting. Thanks a lot for sharing and keep us updated.:clap:

[Jennie]

Talked to the trainer about our play question. She recommended I limit play time inside for a week and only allow outside, off leash (in the fenced yard) play time. This will be less confusing for them than leash on, leash off. She also said they don't have to be leashed to me if I can watch them closely. So, if for example, I'm on the sofa and they want to wander just out of leash reach to chew on a bone, this is fine - they won't even realize they're out of reach. I can also just step on the edge of the leash if needed. What's critical is that I keep them wherever I am - so if I go in the kitchen, they go in the kitchen. I go to the bathroom, they go to the bathroom. This will show them that I decide, they don't. Add to this our practice with "leave it", and we're off to a good start. We'll start adding other things later, but we're going to concentrate on "off" and "leave it" for now. If we get these two things alone, it will be well worth the money I spent. And Bailey already has a different attitude. The biggest thing I want to fix is Bailey's fearful aggression, and the trainer says this should automatically adjust when he knows I'm in charge and he doesn't have to be.

One question for those with far more knowledge than me - I'm confused about how Bailey could be alpha and fearful. It seems to me that he decided to be alpha to be in charge. If he's timid or fearful, why be alpha and aggressive? I just don't understand the psychology of this.

[Jennie]

I'm concerned that I'm making Bailey more fearful, not less. But I'm not sure. Here's the deal...when I say "leave it" inside during practice, Bailey immediately rolls over on his back like "OK, don't hurt me". He then ignores whatever he's supposed to leave and won't go back to it (which is good, but the submissiveness isn't). Outside, he'll leave leaves and such alone when told, but he has selective hearing when it comes to the neighbors and their dog - it's like he's never heard the word before. I called the trainer and she said that this should be just a stage, but we should watch closely because we don't want him to be more submissive and fearful, we want him to be relaxed and confident. For those of you who have dealt with fearful aggression before, do you have any thoughts on this? I just want to make sure I'm not making this worse!

On another note, Baxter is killing me! He's not allowed on the sofa for a week, and he is sitting at my feet staring at me for hours on end. When he can't take it anymore, he'll lay in his bed so he can still see me and fight the sleep until it just overtakes him. I feel so bad for him! But, I know this is for the best in the long run.

Anyway, I'd love to hear any thoughts you have related to what's going on with Bailey. Thanks!

[TessieMom]

Stay tough... you can do it. As far as the submissiveness is concerned... just ignore it, he should be able to work through it as long as you don't make eye contact while he is doing it.