[pet human]

Greetings and thanks to everyone who took the time to comment on my last thread. Opinions vary greatly on the subject of boarding your puppy or dog for training. I can only report on my individual experience. Of course, you could send your dog away to some bad person or place and regret it but I was very careful in my choice of trainer. In fact, the reason I chose him was because his personal dogs are dobermans. His name is Jermaine Anderson of Loyal Canines in Salem, Ma. The distance was prohibitive to non-boarding options. Let me cut to the chase. He has been back 4 days now and the results are astounding. To answer some questions, yes when we picked Radar up we had a "training" session for us. We have instructions on how to continue to reinforce and continue his training. Jermaine gave us much good advice before Radar was 6 months old and continues to be there for us if we have any questions or problems. Radar now knows how to respect other dogs. He walks on the leash like a champ. If a stranger passes or a dog barks he remains in control. He sits when we stop. He sits at all doors. He sits and waits for his handler to exit or enter first. He hasn't jumped on any of the kids one time since being back. He no longer jumps on the kitchen counters. His confidence is noticable. He no longer barks or growls at visitors, even if they knock. In fact, even when out in our fenced property off leash, he doesn't bark at the neighbors nearly as much as before. He doesn't seem to take his treats and hide under tables to eat them. His confidence issues seem to have affected more aspects of his behavior than we knew. He even seems to enjoy being petted more now. Its like he matured six months in 3 weeks. He certainly isn't an angel. He is only 7 months old so his training is ongoing. We have been instructed to take him as many places as possible. That is one of the things that Jermaine did with him. Constant exposure to new environments, other dogs, making new friends. This seems critical for dobes. In our case, a professional who really knows dobes was the best decision I've made as a pet owner. Radar even came back much, much thinner as I was surprised to find out I was over-feeding him and he was overweight. I couldn't tell. Everyone else, including his vet and his local daycare told me he looked great. He looks great now. I'll post some pictures. Oh yeah, we did miss him terribly but we are glad we sent him - everyone is enjoying him much more since his return. In fact, I will likely send him again in another six months for some reinforcement and some off leash training.

 

[pet human]

Pics

Radar back from boot camp

 

[Herb2relax]

Glad things went well for you. Though I am one of those that wouldnt send my dog away.

ETA: Sorry and he is a cutie! Good boy in his down stay!

 

[RedFawnRising]

So, what are your instructions? I mean, what specifically are you told to do, in each situation, to maintain Radar's new manners?

Do they truly consider one follow-up lesson to be sufficient?

 

[PatchworkRobot]

So, what are your instructions? I mean, what specifically are you told to do, in each situation, to maintain Radar's new manners?

Do they truly consider one follow-up lesson to be sufficient?

This is one of the reasons I'm skeptical of sending a dog away for training. Another reason is that a person can talk and look great in front of you but it's hard to be sure of what goes on behind closed door. Last, I don't think I could bare to be away from Dreizehn for 3 days, let alone three weeks... That'd be too tough for me.

That being said, I'm glad that you're pleased with how it went. I'm not sure you could ask for more. Also, he's a cutie.

 

[CoveterofDobes]

Have you looked at the trainer's facebook page? Loyal Canines | Facebook Am I imagining seeing recipes for disasters.

I thought you weren't supposed to leave chokes and prongs on unleashed dogs. He's got pictures and videos of dogs playing while wearing them.

Plus that standard poodle is like every one I've met, and I've yet to meet an aggressive one.

 

[RedFawnRising]

It's fairly easy to subdue an exuberant puppy with a choke chain.

Training and teaching a puppy is a whole other matter.

I didn't look at the page--was hoping pup's owner would answer the questions. Be very interesting to see what kind of instructions are passed on to the owners.

 

[CoveterofDobes]

All I can see are dogs that are very much in danger of getting frightened, hurt, or strangled when another dog gets caught on their training collar.

And I seriously doubt the qualifications of a trainer who thinks the prong on the boxer is the correct gauge and fit properly. Years ago, a trainer told me to get the smallest gauge and to fit it snug right behind the dog's ears so
I used a 2.25 mm Herm Sprenger with extra links.

The trainer even leaves ill fitted prong collars on his dogs for a Christmas photo.

 

[Herb2relax]

All I can see are dogs that are very much in danger of getting frightened, hurt, or strangled when another dog gets caught on their training collar.

And I seriously doubt the qualifications of a trainer who thinks the prong on the boxer is the correct gauge and fit properly. Years ago, a trainer told me to get the smallest gauge and to fit it snug right behind the dog's ears so
I used a 2.25 mm Herm Sprenger with extra links.

The trainer even leaves ill fitted prong collars on his dogs for a Christmas photo.

IMO you have no idea why those collars are on those dogs and you are making judgements without any knowledge of the place or person. Before you make such judgements you should call or visit the place in question. Pictures can be decieving. Just b/c you dont agree with sending your dog out for training doesnt mean they are all bad places.

 

[CoveterofDobes]

Even if there's some logical, legitimate reason for the collars, they're still not fit properly. I don't need to call or visit the guy to know he doesn't know how to properly use a prong collar.

Leerburg Dog Training | How to Fit a Prong Collar

 

[ZeldaRules]

pet_human, what training methods did he use on your dog? 3 weeks seems like such a short window of time for a dog to do a complete 180 with all of those behaviors.

 

[sam&macksmom]

This.

OP- What skill set have you been provided to maintain his training? Having a well behaved dog doesn't happen over night. It's an on-going process and starts the minute the dog arrives at his new home.

So, what are your instructions? I mean, what specifically are you told to do, in each situation, to maintain Radar's new manners?

Do they truly consider one follow-up lesson to be sufficient?

 

[triciakoontz]

Even if there's some logical, legitimate reason for the collars, they're still not fit properly. I don't need to call or visit the guy to know he doesn't know how to properly use a prong collar.

Leerburg Dog Training | How to Fit a Prong Collar

This forum has countless photos of Dobermans playing, hiking, and hanging out in prong collars that are not fitted per Learburg's instructions. If you are going to stay on DT and worry about that get prepared to buy some Xanax! Personally I hate to see them on dogs unless it is actually a situation where someone is using the collar in an appropriate way for training but I learned long ago to let it go because so many people use them as "everyday collars" and/or the easy way to stop a dog from pulling.

 

[Nubis'sDad]

I'd be concerned about coming back much much thinner. I hate reading between the lines, but if this trainer decided to put the dog on a diet why wouldn't it have been discussed at the onset after meeting the dog. Most ppl who own dobes can tell right away by the ribs, tuck, etc.
I know starvation works cuz I favor runts, for different reasons but I can tell you, I have an instant bond after I fed my runts, cuz they were neglected by either their bitch and competing with littermates and along comes a human who will feed them, care for them and love them.
I'd also be curious the behavior modifications the trainer did, to allegedly turn the dog around180.

 

[ddvv]

I am glad that it worked out for you and of course everyone has their opinion about what is the best way to train their dogs. I know many people that used the "training camp" and have nothing but praise for it and I think each pet guardian should make the decision based on their own situation.
One solution does not fit all.

 

[RedFawnRising]

IMO you have no idea why those collars are on those dogs and you are making judgements without any knowledge of the place or person. Before you make such judgements you should call or visit the place in question. Pictures can be decieving. Just b/c you dont agree with sending your dog out for training doesnt mean they are all bad places.

Huh?

I'm a tad baffled by your post.

We make judgement calls all the time here, based on information publicly available on breeder and trainer websites.

It's typically the BYB supporters who then yell the tired ol' mantra of: You should go visit the place yourself or you can't know.

I beg to differ. You CAN know, based on how someone chooses to represent themselves, on visual cues in photos, and information posted, whether it's someone even worth going to visit and investigate further.

I am just speaking in general terms, not about this specific situation, but the principle applies.

 

[RedFawnRising]

This forum has countless photos of Dobermans playing, hiking, and hanging out in prong collars that are not fitted per Learburg's instructions. If you are going to stay on DT and worry about that get prepared to buy some Xanax! Personally I hate to see them on dogs unless it is actually a situation where someone is using the collar in an appropriate way for training but I learned long ago to let it go because so many people use them as "everyday collars" and/or the easy way to stop a dog from pulling.

I know!

I've had to learn to let go of it, too.

Heck I even see pics all the time of folks who attach their dog's ID tags to a prong or choke and let 'em run around in it all the time.

I have to look awaaaay from the mess