Anyone sent their dog off to training camp??

MrsTinks

I wouldn't start the Dog Whisperer debate if I were you jimbugalee
More to the point - whilst I btw wholeheartedly approve of his methods! - they are not training methods you should "try at home" and infact all the programs clearly state this!
Using the methods under the guidance of a good dog trainer though I think they could be highly effective But if someone who didn't actually understand it just tried to follow what he's doing on the programs they could do some serious harm to their dog...

jimbugalee

MrsTine wrote: »

I wouldn't start the Dog Whisperer debate if I were you jimbugalee

I considered it might not be something everyone agrees with

Also agreed that when you try it at home you are unlikely to get it exactly right and this could cause more damage than good.

Still .... I do think that if you have the principle in mine (even if you don't use the methods) that you may see where some of the negative behaviour lies which may help you make a decision on the next best steps.

I hope that helps without being too opinionated (sp?!)

Gemma

marshallka

jimbugalee wrote: »

I haven't read all of the posts on here but had a scan through so apologies if this has been mentioned previously.

Wolfsong touched on it - have you ever seen The Dog Whisperer? It talks about everything people mentioned on here but really brings everything together and makes it simple. It's about dog psychology rather than dog training.

I could ramble on about all the methods here but I would advise to watch the programme/read the books. I am certain there is nothing like real life but I think it really gives you a different perspective and an overall approach rather than trying to tackle each problem individually.

Not sure of everyone else's opinions on this?

I am happy to give specifics on approach and how you could go about working with your dog but didn't know if it was my place as although I've worked with dogs for years I'm not a dog trainer (although I'd love to be one!)

Gemma

He was seen by an actual doggie psychologist rather than trainer and in the end she said he needed some calm me downs in order to do any training. he was only 18 mths then. We tried the herbal calms and it did not work but we have perservered and its only just that we have had to make numerous vet visits that this has all come to head. I will get this sorted out though and thanks for your reply.

marshallka

MrsTine wrote: »

Wiccaways specilise in collies and as a rescue I would personally recommend them - I have no experience in their training though but I'd certainly trust them in having their heads screwed on right
As for a good trainer... I would honestly recommend Lynne Davies - she's not cheap but certainly cheaper than a 3 week boot camp...
Serene'um will not work over night and it's not a cure.
Whilst where you are in the country will depend on whether Lynne is a possibility or not then she does have good experience and understanding of collies (mine is half collie) and she really does know what she's on about! Soon as this baby is out and I can start doing things again then we're going to group sessions there (as is my vet with her dobie btw ). She's based in MK so it's a bit of a drive for me but definitely worth it. We've been following her advice for the last 6+ months and it's showing. It's not a quick fix though and at 8+years old I'd not expect an overnight solution to your dogs problems either...
However - please don't send dogs on these boot camp training sessions unless they are residential courses where YOU have to go too... A friend of mine looked at basically doing it as a trainer (she's already a dog trainer) and she was so disgusted by the methods used and the attitudes of the people running it... whilst the money would have been handy then she couldn't with a clear conscience hand a dog back to an owner and whilst it would certainly behave for her then 2 weeks down the road with no proper training for the owner they'd be back to square 1...
If you want a dog you have to do the hard work yourself - not hand it over to someone else to do it for you and "fix" the dog.
Kira is 3 now and she's still very hard work, but I would never dream of sending her off to be trained without me going - she's our dog and our responcibility...

Mrs tine, I appreciate your reply to this but do sometimes find your posts a little judgemental. I am not after an overnight cure and I DO realise he is my responsibility to deal with and I am trying to deal with it. He is a lovely dog who has problems with over excitement and whilst we are not the best dog owners we are certainly not the worst either. We have put up with this for 8.5 years and will continue to do so but I was just asking for opinions on residential camps. I was not asking for "someone to fix" the dog for me and not put in any work myself. I was asking for help.

jimbugalee

marshallka wrote: »

He was seen by an actual doggie psychologist rather than trainer and in the end she said he needed some calm me downs in order to do any training. he was only 18 mths then. We tried the herbal calms and it did not work but we have perservered and its only just that we have had to make numerous vet visits that this has all come to head. I will get this sorted out though and thanks for your reply.

I forgot to say good luck and hope you do get it sorted

MrsTinks

marshallka wrote: »

Mrs tine, I appreciate your reply to this but do sometimes find your posts a little judgemental. I am not after an overnight cure and I DO realise he is my responsibility to deal with and I am trying to deal with it. He is a lovely dog who has problems with over excitement and whilst we are not the best dog owners we are certainly not the worst either. We have put up with this for 8.5 years and will continue to do so but I was just asking for opinions on residential camps. I was not asking for "someone to fix" the dog for me and not put in any work myself. I was asking for help.

You asked for oppinions on dog boot camps and I gave you mine
I also suggested a trainer I felt would be suitable and that I would give personal recommendation for as well as my views of Wiccaways (as I said - not in a training capacity as I have never had any experience with them as trainers - only on the rescue side)
We all have a right to have our own views, including me, and nowhere did I say "you are a bad dog owner" - MY view is that sending a dog off for 3 weeks (or however long) isn't a solution.

You asked for peoples oppinons on something and then think when it's given it's "oppinionated"... well... yes it's likely to be
I'm glad that unlike lots of people you have stuck with it and not given up on your dog, I'm not questioning your love for your dog in any way. But MY view of boot camps... is that they are a cop out and don't work anyway. And until someone can prove otherwise to me then that will remain my oppinion of them.

Seriously though - Lynne is very good (and if you are happy spending £600+ on a 3 week course she'd probably be the MSE option too ) failing that then you could always try Rob Alleyne (he's one of the other Dog Borstal trainers) depending on where in the country you are. I haven't used him myself but did a lot of research on him when I first started thinking about using Lynne. His methods from what I have read would probably also be very suitable for your dog judging by what you have described. He seems to do well with skittish/nervey/highly strung dogs.

Best of luck

UKTigerlily

What's he like wearing a harness? I'm wondering if he has issues with the lead & if attaching it to a harness would make it feel less obvious to him? Silly question but i'm just wondering!

marshallka

UKTigerlily wrote: »

What's he like wearing a harness? I'm wondering if he has issues with the lead & if attaching it to a harness would make it feel less obvious to him? Silly question but i'm just wondering!

We had one ages ago and he was worse so last week we bought another one from pets at home and I tried him. He just jumped up me all the way and back doing the barking. I took it back .

puddy

is it possible that some animals, pets, have adhd? is that something that animals can have or just humans?

marshallka

jenner wrote: »

is it possible that some animals, pets, have adhd? is that something that animals can have or just humans?

jenner, I think that too. I really believe it can happen. I have googled this over the weekend but apparently lots would say ALL dogs have it.

http://gooddoggie.co.uk/adhd.htm