How do you teach the heal position?

[BarbV]

And that is the exact reason that I do not give "trainers" that rely on choke chains or pinch collars the time of day. Anyone can get a dog to comply with threats or intimidation (essentially what the correction collars do ... "Do what I want or you get hurt"). That isn't TRAINING ... that is THREATENING. People that rely on those methods do not get my time, recommendations, and surely not my money. I refuse to train with anyone that I know uses physical adversives, and as a trainer myself, will only recommend other local trainers that use methods I approve of.

I would quit this class immediately. Any trainer that relies on chokes for Shelties, does not know the breed.

When Bacca and I were at puppy school, the trainer did recommend for some of the pups a gentle tug back on the collar if pup what getting ahead and then instant treat when he slowed back down. But it was not a sharp yank or long pull. Kinda like "Hello, pay attention here!" Now that I'm walking Bacca and Indy together, I find the boys get a little excited and start doing a marathon. All I do is gently pull back my arm so that its no longer stretched out in front of me and slow my walk to the boys can regain their pace.

As for chokes, forget it! My pups have martingales, which at first blush seem like chokes but they are exactly opposite. The martingales fit loose around their neck when at ease, preventing matting of their fur, but when properly fitted, pull in just tight enough to keep the collar snug so that they don't slip their leash and when you suddenly need extra control. It never chokes. If it does, you've got the wrong size collar.

 

[Caro]

I use a fine choke collar in the show ring but would never use it elsewhere.

There are methods for 'punishing' that do not use physical pain and actually work really well with Shelties. These are a better resort if positive training techniques arent working.
- completely withdrawing your attention - walking away, turning your back or leaving the room.
- time out (removing their access to you and the 'den' areas for a short time)
- showing your dog the treats are being put away
- leaving a ball or treats within eye sight and putting it away if they do something wrong.
- loud noise (like a hand clap).

The idea is to work out what your dog values and withdraw it, and working out what stops your dog in its tracks (hence the loud noise - but short and sharp). Although it doesnt seem like punishment to us it is for our dogs and you will see trainers often using these techniques (eg with dogs that are jumping up or biting).

Violent methods may be good for guard dogs but are unlikely to give you a faithful companion. Although I do know sometimes we all just want to throttle our dogs (okay and the kids too!) and when I have been really really angry I have been known to give a little smack on the nose.

 

[BarbV]

Yes, we've all been there, I'm sure...."Bacca! Come!" "Bacca, Come!" in increasingly growly voice. We always know its wrong, but it's really hard to be chipper and polite in the morning when I let the pups out for a pee, and all I want is my morning java!

 

[Whooo]

Yes, we've all been there, I'm sure...."Bacca! Come!" "Bacca, Come!" in increasingly growly voice. We always know its wrong, but it's really hard to be chipper and polite in the morning when I let the pups out for a pee, and all I want is my morning java!

Lucky, I don't have problem with that although I have problem with William sniffing and trying to jump into every platform he met. So when he's in that state, all my wife heard is a continuous, "Leave it!".

How do you teach look at me?

About the class with harsh instructor, I just call a dog school in my town (the only one) thay're teaching German Shepherd so when I call I ask if they teach other breed. And they say they're. He say that I can go there and take a look, which I think I will, once I have the time.

But no class, only private tutoring (4 times meeting for each level). And it can't begin until William is 5 months or more. So I ask what they taught.

And the say at first maybe, sit, down, stay, come. later maybe a little bit agility, and many more. I just not sure this is what I want, I mean why I should wait until William 5 months old to teach him those thing when he already know how to do it now? Is there any valid reason why they want the dog to be 5 months old or more?

Beside if its not a class, he won't get the benefit of seeing other puppy either, which is the main reason why I want to find a dog school for him.

So I'm just not sure about this. But then if I don't take it, there is no other dog school around.

 

[Chris]

How do you teach look at me?

Take a small treat in your fingers. Have William sit in front of you. Bring the treat up to right beside your eyes and say, "Watch me!" I use a light, happy voice. Then praise him and give him the treat. With a few repetitions, he'll focus on your eyes whenever you say, "Watch me." Layla learned it really fast.

 

[BarbV]

Lucky, I don't have problem with that although I have problem with William sniffing and trying to jump into every platform he met. So when he's in that state, all my wife heard is a continuous, "Leave it!".

How do you teach look at me?

About the class with harsh instructor, I just call a dog school in my town (the only one) thay're teaching German Shepherd so when I call I ask if they teach other breed. And they say they're. He say that I can go there and take a look, which I think I will, once I have the time.

But no class, only private tutoring (4 times meeting for each level). And it can't begin until William is 5 months or more. So I ask what they taught.

And the say at first maybe, sit, down, stay, come. later maybe a little bit agility, and many more. I just not sure this is what I want, I mean why I should wait until William 5 months old to teach him those thing when he already know how to do it now? Is there any valid reason why they want the dog to be 5 months old or more?

Beside if its not a class, he won't get the benefit of seeing other puppy either, which is the main reason why I want to find a dog school for him.

So I'm just not sure about this. But then if I don't take it, there is no other dog school around.

The advantage of reteaching the "basics" in a puppy class is that it does two things: it socializes the pup to other people and dogs; and it allows you to teach the basics when there are TONS of distractions around you!

The reason for 5 months is to get them through all their basic vet shots.

I wouldn't bother with "private" classes for basic training unless you were having difficulties.