The vet recommended an obedience trainer, wouldn't it be more cost efficient to learn more about training?

Question

I have a 1 y/o dachshund. Like all the dacshunds my family had while growing up, he has a temper. He hasn't been to the vet or been sick in the past year, except for his vaccinations and check-up.

Now that he's older he has learned to hate everyone other than his family. He barked the entire time at the office and tried to bite the Dr's and asst's.

The trainer that I was referred to did not impress me. They said he's the best but he treated me as if I were dumb. He showed me tricks that he trained his German Shepherd to do, which he said "would be learned in all programs". *programs are $125, $500 and $1000*

Should I do this myself or trust the un-professional professionals?

Answer 1

As you have had the dog for some time, I do believe that a behaviorist, or trainer would be of great help..However, I think your gut feeling about this trainer is right. Contact your local no kill shelter to ask for other names, or check with your pet supply shop..Also, groomers are good sources to find out whats going on in the dogworld in your area..

Answer 2

I agree with the advice that ann a gave you, except on one point. The trainers at PetsMart are very qualified to train your dog. Many have been doing it for years. Granted, not every trainer at PetsMart will be a good trainer, just like every vet might not be a good vet. For under $100 at PetsMart, you get 8 one hour classes a week, and if by the end of your 8 weeks, if you feel your dog hasn't mastered what it needs, you can re-take the class FREE! The puppy and beginner class are just about the same, except the puppy class has younger dogs and they go over some potty training at the begining. The intermediate training is for people that just want to keep going with the group classes. A lot of people join that mainly to keep in touch with other dog owners. The advanced and click-a-a-trick classes are also great. PatsMart trainers have to have at least 120 hours of training themselves before they can run a class. Thats not a lot if you talk to someone who's been doing it for years, but everyone has to start someplace, right? And generally the person training that trainer has had years and years of experience training both dogs and trainers. PetsMart also offers a free consultation with a trainer, so what would you lose by trying it? Go in, talk to one of the trainers there, maybe even try to talk to all the trainers on staff to see who you "click with", then decide if you like what they have to say. Just remember PetsMart does offer the class again if you aren't happy, or they will also give you your money back if its just not going to work out for you.
Good luck!!

Answer 3

Go to your local library or bookstore and read from a selection of books there. Try several of the methods that you read about (only one method at a time, tho) and see which one works best for you - not the dog. The dog will respond to whatever method you choose. That's exactly the way that I learned to train over 20 years ago and I now have taken over 150 dogs thru AKC obedience trials and have NEVER lost a "leg" (that's what they call a competition meet). As long as your dog performs the tasks that are required at the appropriate time, he gets the score. :D

Tip #1 - get used to the idea of having a properly fitted slip (chain) choker on the dog at all times. If a method tells you to use anything other than a slip choker, it is not a method approved for use by the AKC and may cause serious injury to the dog. Harnesses, belt (aka flat) collars, and pinch collars (aka German chokers) are infinitely more dangerous than a slip choker. Also, if you only put the collar on for training, the dog will figure out in about 3.5 seconds that he doesn't have to listen to you when the collar isn't on b/c you have no way of reinforcing your commands.

Tip #2 - Don't use treats. Treats are great for every now and again but they are NOT a training aide. The dog will learn that if he does X then he gets a treat. What do you do if you don't have a treat and you give the dog a command? If he does X and you suddenly don't give him a treat, then you have broken the deal. Unless you plan on walking around for the rest of your life with "Milkbones" crumbs in your pockets, stay away from treat training.

Tip #3 - NEVER call your dog to you for discipline purposes. If you do, your dog will learn to associate his name with getting into trouble. Then, later, when you are trying to train the dog to come on command, you wonder why he takes off every time you call him. If he screws up, go get him and take him to the site of the infraction by pulling firmly (but carefully) on the choker and making him down-stay for 1 minute per month of age up to 5 minutes.

Tip #4 - Be consistent. Don't use the "down" correction when you want the dog to sit sometimes and the right one other times.

Tip #5 - Praise 20x more often (at least!) than you correct. Frequent praise teaches the dog very quickly what the boundaries of proper behavior are. They will work HARD to stay within those boundaries. If he's chewing on the right thing, then he gets a loving pat on the head and a "good boy". If he happens to be running to you, then use the "come" command to get him used to hearing it and praise him with good luvin' scratches when he does so.

Answer 4

Trainers have their place but socialization training is best done when still a very young puppy. You might get results, but I doubt it. What training does is to increase the bond between dog and owner and provide additional control - it does not cure temperament issues but that extra control can help. To learn training techniques, it may be cheaper to do it in a class and this setting does provide some socialization value. Local breed clubs often do this. Places like PetsMart offer training classes but the experience level of trainers can vary greatly from store to store. You can learn training from a book but invaraibly you will make serious mistakes that would be noticed by a trainer. Also, there are many schools of thought in training which have more to do with the owner's beliefs then with their effectiveness or the dog. Before selecting a trainer, watch them at work and see if their methods offend you before choosing. If you don't like training collars, then look for one that uses clickers or some other non-physical means. Some trainers keep your dog for a while and train them - others teach you how to train them.

Another perhaps better (but more expensive) option is a veterinary bahaviorist. They can be hard to find nearby as there aren't a whole lot of them. Your veterinarian should be able to give you an on-line source to find one. They generally require a full exam by your regular vet first to rule out any physical reasons for the problem.

Bottom line: get help or you might make things worse.

Answer 5

Usually when people protest that they are not stupid, well.... Anyway, you stated pupS as in plural. You need to take one at a time unless you have others in your household that can handle the other pup(s). Most of the training is actually training the person - the dog learns fast, even Bulldogs :) Yes, do a search as to obedience clubs in your area and go monitor a session and see if the techniques used are varied and adapted to specific needs and motivational. You can get all the 'referrals' in the world but most people don't know what they are referring and will refer what they did and frankly, most people are poorly trained and have poorly behaved dogs. People will refer petco and petsmart training all the time... just goes to show you how good referral or testimonials are! hahaha

Answer 6

Neither- find a new professional that you click with better.

First, remember that vets are a business as well as a doctor- your 'trainer' probably gets free or discount vet work in return for the referrals.

However, training a tempermental pup can be tricky, and if you don't know what you're doing, you could either have no effect at all, or make things worse.

Try contacting your local animal shelter- many of those put dogs through behavior modification training to reduce aggressive behaviors before adoption, and they would probably know best who can help you with your dog.

In addition, your dog needs to be SOCIALIZED!!! Take him everywhere, have him meet people (buy a muzzle if he tends to bite), let people walk him, pet him, hold him, etc. Have him around other dogs if you can, safely. We're talking every day, or at least several times a week.

Try to find someone to help you, at that age it can be tricky, but it's not too late to fix this problem.

Answer 7

There are good trainers and not so good trainers. If this one spent your time teaching useless tricks you need to look elsewhere. Go to a beginner obedience class at a training club or kennel club, NOT 'furbaby' classes like they have at petsmart and Petco or you are likely to get more of the same. Go and watch classes at a couple different places before registering.

I must disagree with the poster above me. I have watched a few Petsmart trainers and they were all clueless. A friend of mine manages a Petsmart and she has told me Petsmart will ONLY hire people who don't know anything about training and the training they give them is mostly from videos. They do not agree with balanced training and teach from the bribe with a treat viewpoint. I think they are doing a great diservice to the pet owning public because there are many aggressive, problem dogs that DO NOT respond well to bribe type training. Have you EVER seen a pack leader bribe one of their pack with a treat to get them to do something? NO! Do you think the clients will ever be alpha to their dog with bribing? NO!

Answer 8

I don't know where you live, but if it is in an area of any size, I would shop around for another trainer. One who is compassionate and with an animal behavior background, not one who wants to teach dogs tricks.

I interviewed several trainers over the phone until I found one who was excellent and intuitive and positive (no aversion training -- train the dog with positive reinforcement not punishment).

There is also a website for a woman who is an animal behaviorist who takes this approach. Her name is Patricia McConnell and the program is on the radio -- Calling All Pets. You could submit her a question or ask advice via email:

http://www.wpr.org/pets/

She may have ideas on her website about how to find a good trainer. You may contact trainers that work with guide dogs for the disabled in your area -- they may have suggestions and you know they will be compassionate with your animals.

The doggie will be happy when you find the right person! I would definitely hang in there for the right professional.

Answer 9

Hi
First we have to figure out why and when this behavior starts. I have learned that exercise is really important in behavioral problems - start taking him for several walks and do it consistently. Dogs build up a lot of nervous energy when they are inside and they can get really nasty. I have also learned that a lot of people treat their pets like people enabling them (the pet) to take control. The dog should be on the floor ( not on the furniture) and made to stay on the floor. When people come over or you take him to visit, keep a leash and choke chain on him so you have quick control if he snaps. Explain to the person approaching him not do direct eye contact and to approach slowly and as if the dog was not even there.If or when the dog approaches take the dog and lye him on his side in a submissive position and let the person stand next to him. Do this repeatedly until he understands that he is not the boss. When he is mean, remove him and put him in area away from you. The main thing to remember is that you are the leader and he is dog. If you do not trust him use a muzzle and continue the exercise until he gives in and behaves. Eventually he will submiss without muzzle.

Answer 10

I would try to train without the expense. There are many books available with many different training techniques. I would start at the Library! Also, if you do not like or trust the trainer then find one that you - and your dog agree upon. Do you want your dog to do tricks or to obey?