Training the trainer?

This may be totally stupid but are there classes you can take (without dogs) to teach you how to teach your dog? To learn how to read behavior, etc? To learn how to be more assertive and handle issues better? Jonah and Gabe are both great dogs but we have some problems we've never had before and I may well be part of the problem.
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I think you might be looking for guidance from someone more like a behaviorist, who could come to your home and kind of observe what's going on. Have you thought about doing something like that?
there are also seminars you can take without your dog -- my behaviorist says this is the best way. to go to a seminar and get the most out of it.

I also work with her with the dog(s) and she corrects my handling more than anything - seems I am training puppy to look for the treat before he obeys me (sounds just like my other two :( )

Look for a certified Iaabc behaviorist and interview them by phone or email to see if they can work with your concerns. I also did a private consultation which was pricey but well worth it in the end.
Holly, that sounds like a class I'd like to take!

Jill's suggestion is great, but I've found that Boo is a perfect lazy gentleman when the behaviorist is in the house. :roll: I know, no big surprise there.
Holly: What kind of problems are you having? Sometimes it is just mixed signals that dogs are getting from the humans & things that can easily be corrected. Your boys are at thier "teenage years" now so that could also be some of what you are experiencing.
We have a food problem :( With my last 4 we free fed and not once had a fight about food or treats. We have stopped free feeding , Luke and Rosco eat in their usual place, Gabe is in my bathroom, and Jonah in the bedroom. Since Jonah's up north I have the 2 old guys and Gabe here. This usually works fine with this wrinkle I have to put Luke and Rosco outside, put Gabe in the bathroom, let the old guys back in, coax Luke to eat. When they are done I pick up the bowls and sweep the area just in case there is any food on the floor. I give Rosco a treat so he goes outside, go to Gabe and wait while he finishes, pick up his bowl and let him out of the bathroom. This morning (6:15am :evil: ) I didn't shut the doorwall all the way and Rosco was outside the bathroom door, instant fight :( . Gabe knows that's his spot to eat and didn't want Rosco there. This was my fault for not closing the doorwall properly but how do I convince Gabe that he'll never go hungry and Rosco isn't getting his food? I also take a covered container of food to the bathroom when they aren't paying attention because if I walk down the hall with a full bowl and another dog is around me Gabe will start a fight. I'm also very careful with treats. If one drops on the floor (usually Luke's) Gabe will go after the one who tries to get it. This isn't happening all the time at every meal and Gabe is such a sweet kid that I think maybe I'm at fault for not being able to fix it. Gabe is from a wonderful breeder, has always been well fed, and is not a mean dog. My current solution is really no solution at all because it's not very practical and doesn't address the problem. My main concern is someone getting hurt, Luke is almost 11 and if he gets knocked over he can't get back up without help from me, making him a target for being injured.

Sorry for being so longwinded :)
It would be great if you could register so we can send you private messages. that said. resource guarding is a tough issue but can often be worked through. actually it was the topic this week on another list.

I am copying a couple of book recommendations from that here:

MINE! describes how to desensitize and counter-condition your dog as to
his guarding his resources from his humans. It covers dog to human
resource guarding in other words.

FIGHT! describes four categories of OFF LEASH dog-to-dog problems, how to
learn to read which is which and then protocols for working on each of the
four issues.
kerry wrote:
It would be great if you could register so we can send you private messages. that said. resource guarding is a tough issue but can often be worked through. actually it was the topic this week on another list.

I am copying a couple of book recommendations from that here:

MINE! describes how to desensitize and counter-condition your dog as to
his guarding his resources from his humans. It covers dog to human
resource guarding in other words.

FIGHT! describes four categories of OFF LEASH dog-to-dog problems, how to
learn to read which is which and then protocols for working on each of the
four issues.


She is registered but I know she has problems staying logged in on her remedial dialup connection. Her user ID is bestdogsx4. If you have specific advice for Holly but you can't get it to her through PM, send me a PM and I'll give you her e-mail address. I'm pretty sure she won't mind considering that I know she wants help.
thanks
Holly, sorry you are having such a hard time feeding your puppies. I just can't imagine what you are going through! My boys eat together and when I have another dog staying with us the third dog learns our rules fast and we never had any problems at feeding.

I also say I am a "Certified Dog Trainer" but honestly I train people more than dogs. I prefer to show people how to communicate with their dogs and I let them train their own dogs.

Are you located close to me? If so, I can come over and help you otherwise I can only recommend you some books or help you via emails.

A "MUST HAVE" book is from Brenda Aloff - Canine Body Language A Photographic Guide - I call this the 'human-dog' dictionary. You can get it from amazon. I also have a list of recommended books that you can check out.

I would love to help you but I need more information. If you would like to you can PM me or send an email to kata@cavecanis.com
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