Finished basic obedience

uh-man-burger · 06-18-2008, 02:11 PM

So 2 weeks ago, I finished the basic obedience class with Dodge. Everyone had recommended this trained to me. I took him to agility on Monday, and everything just seemed too slow for him. He lost focus really quickly, and we spent a long time on a lot of the exercises. But that's not my problem. I talked to the instructor about going further into obedience with Dodge and she asked what i wanted from him. And I told her I just wanted a dog that i could comfortably take into public that people would be comfortable with (I told her i wanted to walk him with just a flat collar on, not his prong and the head halter). She told me that it wasn't possible, and I know from reading on here it is possible, it just takes a lot of work. And i am willing to put as much work into him as I need to. I think that the instructor just doesn't like Dodge because he is so big (she breeds border collies and tends to favor the smaller dogs in the classes).
I have been looking into other places to take obedience classes with him because I don't appreciate her telling me that something can't be done and her more advanced classes are only private. And Dodge still needs more work with other dogs. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get him to relax when walking around other dogs? He spins in circles and gets excited because he wants to say hi to everyone (he is not dog aggressive at all, he loves our little springer and every other dog he meets). And people get scared by him because he does this. I try to take him out at least once a day, but here, there aren't very many dobes so people don't know what to do.

**K9Jarko** · 06-18-2008, 02:47 PM

Interesting that an instructor of any venue pertaining to dog training/sports would say that something can't be done. I don't know if it is actually your case...but if my dog or I did not feel comfortable, wanted or welcomed at any training facility - I'm outta there and fast.

Yes you can teach ANY dog to walk nicely on a leash with just a flat collar....just takes time, patience, consistent and progressive training that should be based upon the individual dog. There will always be people that are not comfortable with certain breeds....but you can definitely teach your dog to be a good ambassador of the breed with obedience training and maybe change some opinions.

As for teaching your dog to be calm around other dogs - on a leash it is fairly easy....you can actually follow the same method one uses to teach a dog to be calm around two legged guests that enter the house or that you pass on the street. Big thing is to curb the undesirable behavior BEFORE it starts. Watch your dog when he's around whatever triggers the undesirable behavior....usually a few cues in reference to his body language (nub/tail, ears, body position) occurs before he begins getting excited. Give him a command that he knows ie., sit or down BEFORE he begins to spin and reward him. He should look to you for permission to meet and greet. You need to remain calm and in control - remember knowledge and emotions flow down that leash. Best to start from some distance away from an unfamiliar dog and then move closer as you progress. If your dog is one that is easily stimulated (sound, people etc.,) best to exercise him a bit before you begin training.

Congrats to both of you for completing basic obedience and props to you for wanting to continue!

uh-man-burger · 06-18-2008, 03:12 PM

My dad came with me to agility on Monday and when I got home, he was going to suggest that I not go back, and I don't plan on it. When I said I wanted to walk him on just a flat collar she completely said it could not be done. She said it quite rudely as well.

He is getting better when it comes to his walks. When we first got him (back in January), he would even freak with people walking by. I have been working on making him sit when a dog is approaching, but even then he gets super excited. He won't get up and spin, but he crouches down (like a play bow attempted from a sit) still. I take him downtown (where there are all sorts of different dogs/people/smells/noises/etc) nearly everyday and people absolutely love him unless they have a dog. He doesn't freak with dogs close to his size, but dogs that are smaller are the ones he wants to play with the most.

Lexxsmom · 06-18-2008, 03:27 PM

Dodge is still such a young dog! How could anyone tell you that something "isn't possible?" thats terrible! Of course its possible, especially if you're willing to put the time and effort into it. Jarko's points are really great. I've been working on a similar method with Lexx and he's coming along quite nicely. Lexx is 13 months and has been in atleast one obedience class at a time since the age of 12 weeks. I now train with a trainer that specializes in dobermans, and she's really helpful for things like walking with manners. I still use a prong collar at the start of our walks, but often i'll switch back and forth between the prong/flat as we walk along. I try to do this as much as possible so that the prong and flat become interchangeable. Is dodge fixed or intact? this could make a big difference!

Overall, I think its great that you want to continue in obedience. I think that with time and effort ANYTHING is possible when it comes to dobermans ( except making everyone in the world not afraid of them or biased about them).

great job, ignore that trainer and find a better one that appreciates how special dobermans are!

uh-man-burger · 06-18-2008, 06:05 PM

He is fixed. And he has been since he was about 11 months old. He is still very young. I think he is just about ready to get off of his halti because on our walk downtown today, he was very well behaved. There was a lot of commotion (bikers, runners, people, machines, weird fences) because my city is hosting the IronMan this weekend. But he walked next to me for the majority of the time. I think next time I will attempt with just the prong and see how it goes.

I think I found another place to do obedience. The instructor breeds labs and gsd's, but also starts mailinois, gsd's, and even has an african boerboel. So I think I will try him out. I have heard some good stuff about his classes.