What to do with my dogs??

candr09

I have two dogs, both about 1 year old. They are generally well behaved dogs. I know theres been chat on the boards recently about preparing your animals for a new baby, and I do plan on reading the books and websites recommended, but DH and I are also debating doing a general obedience class before getting into the specific "baby training".

Like I said, they are pretty well behaved. They know basic commands (sit, stay, drop it/leave it, down). One dog I would say listens about 90% of the time, the other dog I would say listens 40-50% of the time (he's not bad, but you can tell him to sit 10 times and he just cocks his head and stares at you...). Anyway, do you think a general obedience class is a good idea for both of them? Or do you think the one who already listens most of the time won't really get much out of it (its over $100 per dog, so I don't want to spend the money if it's not going to make much of a difference with her). I kind of think it will benefit them to do it together so that they learn all the same commands, etc.

Thoughts?

Bailey81

Obedience classes are really about training you how to train your dogs. What "they" get out of it or not wholly depends on you.

Taking the less obedient dog through a course might focus your efforts and help you with feedback about how to motivate him. Putting in the time at home every day is going to be crucial, though. As long as you're doing the homework with both dogs, I can't see spending the extra $100 to have both of them in a class.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

Kitiara5512

Our dogs, at 3 and 4, are about the same, but we arent sending them through any training, since they really just need the basic commands and are doing pretty good on not jumping on me anymore. I have been using baby soap and lotion for the last couple of months to get them used to the smell, and they have dealt with my friends baby and toddler since they were born, so are used to the young kids a bit. I am so glad. We wish you the best of luck, and hope you enjoy. What I hear most about training classes is that they bring you closer to your puppies.

Sareclark

I would recommend doing an obedience class with the less obedient dog. Find a place that offers training with positive reinforcement, and that will teach YOU how to control your dog.

I can tell you that just from your post I know one issue... you shouldn't tell your dog to sit ten times. Give the command once, if he doesn't follow through, then reinforce (by pressing on his butt or however you choose). Commands should be given once before the dog is expected to listen, otherwise it is like nagging your dog... your dog will tune you out, thinking you don't really mean 'sit' until you've said it X number of times and start to sound mad.

Does that make sense? It's a really common mistake. 

candr09

Bailey81:

Obedience classes are really about training you how to train your dogs. What "they" get out of it or not wholly depends on you.

Taking the less obedient dog through a course might focus your efforts and help you with feedback about how to motivate him. Putting in the time at home every day is going to be crucial, though. As long as you're doing the homework with both dogs, I can't see spending the extra $100 to have both of them in a class.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

Very good point. Thank you!

candr09

Sareclark:

I would recommend doing an obedience class with the less obedient dog. Find a place that offers training with positive reinforcement, and that will teach YOU how to control your dog.

I can tell you that just from your post I know one issue... you shouldn't tell your dog to sit ten times. Give the command once, if he doesn't follow through, then reinforce (by pressing on his butt or however you choose). Commands should be given once before the dog is expected to listen, otherwise it is like nagging your dog... your dog will tune you out, thinking you don't really mean 'sit' until you've said it X number of times and start to sound mad.

Does that make sense? It's a really common mistake. 

Def see your point! He's weird tho, sometimes we can just say something once and he'll do it no problem. Other time's he stares at you like he doesn't understand. And when we reinforce (like pressing his butt down) he'll either fight it, or put it down and then the second our hands are off of him he stands back up. Its a pain. Like I said, he's not a bad dog. He doesn't chew, he's not destructive, he's never bitten or attacked anyone... he just doesn't like to listen! Our most recent problem with him is that he doesn't like to come in the house when we call him in from the yard. He used to always come in when we called, and then about a month ago he started not coming. We can't really figure out why. DH has been late to work once or twice because he couldnt get him in! We have a big yard, and its been hot here so leaving him outside all day is absolutely not an option. So then we started taking him out on a leash... but he doesn't "do his business" when he's leashed, so then he ends up not going to the bathroom in the morning and goes in his cage during the day! Its like a lose/lose situation right now, which is whats making us consider the obedience classes.

Thanks for your input! I think DH and I will just take the less obedient dog to the classes

max1563

In-home training is the best and preferably by someone who focuses on training you as well as the dog.  Regardless of behavior now, it is always good to have a professional come in and focus on basic problems within the home and with the owners.

Connys1976

Bailey81:

Obedience classes are really about training you how to train your dogs. What "they" get out of it or not wholly depends on you.

Taking the less obedient dog through a course might focus your efforts and help you with feedback about how to motivate him. Putting in the time at home every day is going to be crucial, though. As long as you're doing the homework with both dogs, I can't see spending the extra $100 to have both of them in a class.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

I agree with this, we are going thru classes with our 9 month old GSD but our other 2 dogs who listen semi ok we now know how to train better because off the classes we been taking with our puppie

ausx

We have two dogs- one is 2.5 yrs and the other is 10 months. We were concerned about preparing them for the baby, but we wanted something a little beyond obedience training. They know sit and stay etc, but we wanted a general manners training so that we could tell them to leave a room or get out of our space  and work on walking them without having to be dragged behind the leash etc. Anyway, we did not feel that a class would accomplish these goals so we went with a company called Bark Busters. They are nationwide and were recommended to us by a friend. The cool thing about Bark Busters is that they will come to your house, the park, etc as many times as it takes to meet your goals. Also they have a life time guarantee, so they will come back anytime in your dog's lifetime if there is another area of behavior that you want to work on with your dog. Anyway, we have had about 6 or so sessions and it has been amazing. Our dogs are listening better and we have been thrilled with the confidence and control that we have over them now. The training cost us $600 for the two dogs, but with the lifetime guarantee, we thought it was worth it. Anyway, you may want to check into this if this is in your budget because I think that it is really worth it. GL!

preglicious

$100 is nothing if you get a better dog by getting them trained! My dogs have issues. One of them is a rescue dog who doesn't like children no matter whose and has separation anxiety. She knows basic commands from a general obedience class I took her to at Petsmart. But she chooses when her command of "stay" is over and doesn't listen to me at all if she is off leash and outside. I have had many occasions of trying to find my mutt in the neighborhood. The other dog we got from our SIL and he also will not listen to me when off leash & outside. So I put them in a better training class which is expensive but it will all be worth it! These people train K-9s! I say find a good dog trainer to train your dogs and work on their issues. If you are curious what my dog is getting trained on check out www.petathleticclub.com