Do you think it's possible to train any breed to a good pet standard?

buzzyzoe

Mojisola wrote: »

Why not rehome a dog? At least visit a few rehoming centres and see if any of the dogs catch your eye?

I would like to do this but I have never owned a dog before and I'm worried going straight for a rescue might be a bit too much of a big step for me. We looked after a rescue dog a lot when I was a kid and he was amazing but had quite a few issues and needed more of a confident owner than I feel like I would be. My plan would be to try and learn as much as possible with this dog and then look to adopt a rescue next

buzzyzoe

elsien wrote: »

The short answer to your question is yes.

The longer answer is:
Not all dogs respond the same way, and you have to find what motivates and works for them, even if the basic techniques are the same.

Make sure your puppy is well socialised, not just with other dogs but we th people and the environment.

Get help if you need it - sometimes if something isn't working, a trainer can see the picture more clearly because you're too close.

Think about what they were bred for - when Gitdog has had to be returned downstairs for the 6th time in less than an hour, he's a terrier. They're bred to be stubborn, persistent and independent minded. If you don't want that then a terrier isn't for you. For example.

Don't get cross with your dog even when he's being an !!!!!! - you'll both end up frustrated and his behaviour is communication. You need to work out what he's trying to tell you, and often it's just that he doesn't understand.

It's usually the owner that needs training rather than the dog.

Know your limitations. Some dogs with all the training in the world are going to take off after a small furry. So don't let them off lead in that situation.

If I can train a 2 year old completely untrained and bullying bull terrier to do agility (admittedly in his own unique way) and become a calm(ish) household pet, you should be able to train a puppy. He (when he chooses) can sit, stand, stay, retrieve, do a couple of tricks. His recall is !!!!! and always will be.

Thank you for this, I'm hoping if I put plenty of time and effort (and lots of research!) into training I will see results. I don't think I would ever get cross with my dog, I know this can cause loads of problems for them and they wouldn't understand the reasons behind it. I would use positive reinforcement and shaping when training.

buzzyzoe

Thanks so much everyone for your comments, all really interesting and helpful!

elsien

Practice vs theory.
I've been furious with Gitdog many a time - he knows some swear words better than commands. All I meant was, know when to give it a break and walk away - some dogs are very skilled in knowing which buttons to push.
Have you got crate training on your list? Wish I'd known about it fir my first two.
Don't rule out rescue completely - not all have issues but are there due to a change in the owner's circumstances. I was looking at a dog a while back that was really sensible and well trained but was being rehomed because he was being picked attacked by the other resident dog.

Mojisola

buzzyzoe wrote: »

I would like to do this but I have never owned a dog before and I'm worried going straight for a rescue might be a bit too much of a big step for me. We looked after a rescue dog a lot when I was a kid and he was amazing but had quite a few issues and needed more of a confident owner than I feel like I would be. My plan would be to try and learn as much as possible with this dog and then look to adopt a rescue next

We've had a wonderful rescue dog for over ten years - he had obviously had a good start in life but had been picked up as a stray.

He was a lot less work than a puppy, especially for an inexperienced owner.

There are quite a few specialist breed rehoming groups if you do decide on a specific breed - they generally know quite a bit about the dogs they are looking after.

buzzyzoe

elsien wrote: »

Practice vs theory.
I've been furious with Gitdog many a time - he knows some swear words better than commands. All I meant was, know when to give it a break and walk away - some dogs are very skilled in knowing which buttons to push.
Have you got crate training on your list? Wish I'd known about it fir my first two.
Don't rule out rescue completely - not all have issues but are there due to a change in the owner's circumstances. I was looking at a dog a while back that was really sensible and well trained but was being rehomed because he was being picked attacked by the other resident dog.

Yeah I should probably say that I'm sure I would get annoyed with them at points! But I would try not to show it and just use positive training methods.

Yes I would definitely crate train them so they can use that as a safe place to retreat to

I have looked into rescues actually just to see, but the majority of the ones I've looked at have had issues (although some are only quite minor). I wouldn't rule it out completely though!

buzzyzoe

Mojisola wrote: »

We've had a wonderful rescue dog for over ten years - he had obviously had a good start in life but had been picked up as a stray.

He was a lot less work than a puppy, especially for an inexperienced owner.

There are quite a few specialist breed rehoming groups if you do decide on a specific breed - they generally know quite a bit about the dogs they are looking after.

Thank you for this, something to consider definitely. I will look into specialist breed rehoming groups.

jbkmum

I have a Sprocker Spaniel and she picks up training within half an hour. I taught her "leave it" within a day and without reinforcing it properly, she still understands two years later (you're supposed to reinforce training).

I've never followed "training plans" to get the perfect dog, just decided what commands she needed to know as we went along. Her recall is a lot better now and she understands lead on, lead off. She'll walk next to be if I keep saying "next to me"

But as soon as she sees another dog, she's off "HI HI HI HI"

buzzyzoe

jbkmum wrote: »

I have a Sprocker Spaniel and she picks up training within half an hour. I taught her "leave it" within a day and without reinforcing it properly, she still understands two years later (you're supposed to reinforce training).

I've never followed "training plans" to get the perfect dog, just decided what commands she needed to know as we went along. Her recall is a lot better now and she understands lead on, lead off. She'll walk next to be if I keep saying "next to me"

But as soon as she sees another dog, she's off "HI HI HI HI"

Thanks for this, they are meant to be a very intelligent breed!

Fosterdog

buzzyzoe wrote: »

I would like to do this but I have never owned a dog before and I'm worried going straight for a rescue might be a bit too much of a big step for me. We looked after a rescue dog a lot when I was a kid and he was amazing but had quite a few issues and needed more of a confident owner than I feel like I would be. My plan would be to try and learn as much as possible with this dog and then look to adopt a rescue next

Could I suggest you maybe find a local rescue to volunteer at? That way you can gain a bit more experience with dogs and the rescue would get to know you too so are more likely to overlook some of their usual rehome game criteria. Plus the right dog could just happen to find its way to you.

When I got my own place I desperately wanted a dog and wanted a rescue but like you was a bit nervous with it being my first own dog rather than family dog. I started to volunteer for a rescue, just helping out at fundraising events and meet and greet days they held. That progressed to me fostering, I wanted to keep a dog but didn't want to rush in and adopt the wrong dog that I couldn't provide the best for and this was a good way around it, I could see how each dog fit in with my lifestyle and could adopt at any point but in the mean time I was helping another dog find their forever home.

In total in 11 years I've had 18 foster dogs, adopted two of those, and adopted two other dogs that I'd never fostered. I'd love to still foster but one of my own is far too reactive. In the future I will foster again though.

Back to the original question though, I have never met a dog that cannot be trained no matter what the breed, however some dogs are a hell of a lot more work than others to actually get them trained.