Suggestions for Puppy Training? (St. Mary's area)

idiganthro

idiganthro

Member
frequentflier said:
The dog trainer is actually training YOU so obviously, you are listening and working with your dog.
I have always heard good things about that trainer however I am put off by the size of the classes. A smaller class size would increase the one on one for specific problems needed by many people
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Oh, I'm totally the one being trained! But, it's working. And I agree about the class size- my Finn is so distracted by the other dogs and the kids people bring along that we don't get too much done at the class itself. It's afterwards when we work one on one at home (or wherever) that the real magic happens.
 
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sexy_pants

New Member
warneckutz said:
Hmmmmmmmmmm... EXCELLENT question...

I think the classes are effective because you get some guidance while and you can get the puppy's attention for at least a few seconds then they get a little puppy play time and that seems VERY important. I can see (and have considered) why someone would go for a few private lessons. Fewer (hopefully) distractions and you can work on specifics (too mouthy, house training, etc...) and it's in an area the puppy knows well.

After going through the course, I'd tell someone new to take the course, give it a few weeks and use the knowledge you gained from the class, if that doesn't fix things or if something else arises, I'd consider private lessons.
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Thanks a bunch for the info! The MAIN problem that i have is that he pulls me on our morning walk. I walk him M-F for 30 minutes before work. Most days he pulls me and he's almost 65 lbs at almost 11 months old and is still growing! Then again, some days he just lollygages but i need him to lollygag ALL the time, for my sake! :yahoo:

I just sent Training by Jen an email, so hopefully i'll hear something back?!
 
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idiganthro

idiganthro

Member
sexy_pants said:
Thanks a bunch for the info! The MAIN problem that i have is that he pulls me on our morning walk. I walk him M-F for 30 minutes before work. Most days he pulls me and he's almost 65 lbs at almost 11 months old and is still growing! Then again, some days he just lollygages but i need him to lollygag ALL the time, for my sake! :yahoo:

I just sent Training by Jen an email, so hopefully i'll hear something back?!
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Sounds like he needs some "heeling" work. We have to use a choke chain for the class-- which I really hate. Finn is a small dog, unlike your big guy, so when we practice at home I don't feel the need to use a choke chain. He's gotten very good at heeling and sitting when I halt.
 
Roman

Roman

Active Member
warneckutz said:
we really enjoyed the class! Julie was extremely nice and informative. The class was fairly small (6-7 pups i believe) but that made for more personal training. The class seemed more about teaching us on how to teach the pups versus training them directly. There could've been only one other puppy there and ours would've been distracted.

We learned a decent amount of commands and they've stuck with the puppies, so overall, i'm very happy with the time and money spent!
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oh what sweet faces!!
 
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sexy_pants

New Member
idiganthro said:
Sounds like he needs some "heeling" work. We have to use a choke chain for the class-- which I really hate. Finn is a small dog, unlike your big guy, so when we practice at home I don't feel the need to use a choke chain. He's gotten very good at heeling and sitting when I halt.
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I think you're totally right and that "heeling" is what i need to work on. I will do some research online. I currently use a choke chain but wanted to go back to a regular collar to see if that made any difference?!:howdy:
 
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sexy_pants

New Member
sexy_pants said:
Thanks a bunch for the info! The MAIN problem that i have is that he pulls me on our morning walk. I walk him M-F for 30 minutes before work. Most days he pulls me and he's almost 65 lbs at almost 11 months old and is still growing! Then again, some days he just lollygages but i need him to lollygag ALL the time, for my sake! :yahoo:

I just sent Training by Jen an email, so hopefully i'll hear something back?!
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Just an FYI---i got a reply and she NO longer teaches group classes and ONLY teaches private lessons :(
 
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