Would you pick a trainer based on your dog's reactions?

[evybear15]

To clarify, I'm certainly not going to be picking the trainer based solely on Baxter's reaction to them. My own personal feeling of the individual, along with their training methods absolutely play a role in the decision.

I have now met with three trainers. The first ones gave a good overall impression and Baxter was calm and relaxed around them. The second one he was a little antsy around, but he wasn't acting negatively...just not as calm. However, she did play a few video demos that got him tense. Apparently even seeing dogs on screen is too much for him. The third trainer made me feel uneasy. Baxter did alright with them during the "training"/evaluation phase, but there were several points during the interview process that just didn't sit right with me.

I have a meeting with a 4th trainer this weekend, and I will see how that goes. So yes, I do watch Baxter and his reactions to the person...but I also keep my own gut feelings and impressions in mind.

[Twyla]

Originally Posted by evybear15

Apparently even seeing dogs on screen is too much for him.

This isn't exactly about a trainer....

Woolf had the same issues with dogs on TV, hearing them on TV, radio, computer etc. What we did was spend time each day bringing up You Tube with dog videos. They may be playing dogs, pups barking/whining, dogs barking, fighting.... every video possible with dogs, the sight and sound. Also did .wav searches online for the same thing. At times we would practice oc with him during the videos, other times just let him be while he watched them. To begin with it was a rough go, but as he became desensitized to the sight and sound on TV it became easier. Now, he does still watch the TV but he doesn't alert to it as he did. He isn't as quick to react to dogs barking out in the world as well. I wish the rest of his training was going as well... <sigh> Luckily I think we may have hit jackpot with the trainer we have now.

As for the trainers.... like others have said... they will be training you to work with your dog. Find the one that fits you the best. If your search has been anything like ours, be ready for those that promise miracles and run the other way. We met a couple that would have been a lawsuit waiting to happen if we had gone with them.

[evybear15]

Originally Posted by Twyla

This isn't exactly about a trainer....

Woolf had the same issues with dogs on TV, hearing them on TV, radio, computer etc. What we did was spend time each day bringing up You Tube with dog videos. They may be playing dogs, pups barking/whining, dogs barking, fighting.... every video possible with dogs, the sight and sound. Also did .wav searches online for the same thing. At times we would practice oc with him during the videos, other times just let him be while he watched them. To begin with it was a rough go, but as he became desensitized to the sight and sound on TV it became easier. Now, he does still watch the TV but he doesn't alert to it as he did. He isn't as quick to react to dogs barking out in the world as well. I wish the rest of his training was going as well... <sigh> Luckily I think we may have hit jackpot with the trainer we have now.

As for the trainers.... like others have said... they will be training you to work with your dog. Find the one that fits you the best. If your search has been anything like ours, be ready for those that promise miracles and run the other way. We met a couple that would have been a lawsuit waiting to happen if we had gone with them.

Oh, I view the training more for me than anything else - but I'm also not going to pick someone who he is clearly uncomfortable around, regardless of how I feel about them. But I've definitely discovered some that claim to work miracles, and just shrug it off. Others may claim to be wonderful...but I've also heard and read many many good things about them. Ones that flat out say, "We're the best!" on the phone are the ones that I'm skeptical on.

I also balk at the ones who tell me that it's a shame that I neutered Baxter. Yes, he is a great, beautiful, and smart dog. But not every dog is destined for breeding, especially not when in the hands of someone who does NOT want to take the time and effort it takes to run a GOOD breeding program (me). I leave that to others far more knowledgeable than I.

...or the ones who tell me that I shouldn't have paid what I did for him. Or the ones who flat out tell me I should have bought a dog from them instead when, in my opinion, their dogs don't look as healthy as mine. Their temperaments may be wonderful, they may be extraordinarily well trained...but health counts for something too,and a dull coat and yellowed teeth aren't necessarily indicators of that.

Anyway. I'm getting off topic....but no, Baxter's opinion is not the only one to count in this decision!

Unfortunately, I don't know many trainers in my area, and I'm the first person out of my friends/family to really look into training, so I have no help from them, dog people or not.