Looking for advice in NH

N

NHAnimator

Forums Regular
We will be getting our first Sheltie (Jake the Dog) in a couple of weeks. We have not owned a dog in many years.

In searching for a recommended trainer in our area (Seacoast NH), we came across Ellis Dog Training in Dover, NH. Has anyone had any experience with this organization? We have not found any specific reviews of them online. But their website seemed fairly informative.

One thing that attracted us to them was that they do everything from basic obedience, right through agility and flyball. As all of these areas peak my interest, I thought it might be easier to find one place where Jake will feel comfortable returning to for future training.

Supposedly, their trainers are endorsed by either NADOI, APDT, or both. I don't know what kind of weight these endorsements hold, if any. So here I am asking for guidance.

Your feedback is appreciated.

Sincerely,
John
 
John and Jake

Welcome to the forum ! I use to live on the seacoast many years ago, Beautiful area but the Beaches are dying out from what they use to be. Such is life right. Have you found a vet yet? Sometimes the vets will give you sheets with info on Boarding, trainers obedience schools etc. At least that's what my vet Up here in Northern NH. We live just North west of Cannon Mt. Where the Old Man once looked on so proudly. My vet is in Vermont because I didn't like the local vets. She's about 15 + miles. Well worth it she's so much more upto date on Shelties and their sensitivities to certain meds. Best of luck on locating a trainer and again welcome to the forum.:biggrin2:
 
Before you make a commitment to any obedience school/instructor, you should arrange to visit when a class is being taught. This will give you a first-hand look at exactly how the training is done and if it is the positive way you want to have your pup learn.
 
I would second Jan's advice. Going and having a look at the classes will give you more information than any recommendation. There are so many different types of trainers out there, and each person is going to have a different opinion on which ones are good, and which aren't.
For instance, here in Louisville, there is an agility/obedience instructor who has trained some top dogs. He is excellent for tougher breeds, and has helped numerous people with their problem/aggressive dogs. However, he was not the right trainer for Athena and I. His personality, and the way he trains/methods he uses caused Athena to go into his class loving agility, and not afraid of anything, and come out hating it, terrified, ruined. I spent 3 years fixing the damage he did.
Is he a bad trainer? No. He is very skilled, and good with certain types of dogs, but he's not for everyone.
*I* should've taken this advice starting out. I just didn't know any better though at the time.
It is worth mentioning this same dog, with the right training, and the time put n fixing her, is now competing in excellent in hopes of achieving her MACH, and has won many classes. We found the right trainer in the end.
 
elaine2004 said:
proudly. My vet is in Vermont because I didn't like the local vets. She's about 15 + miles. Well worth it she's so much more upto date on Shelties and their sensitivities to certain meds. Best of luck on locating a trainer and again welcome to the forum.:biggrin2:
Click to expand...

Who are you seeing in Vermont? I have 4 vets that I consider "mine" at this point, all of them are good for different things.
 
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