I have started obedience training with Porky, but some of the things the book I'm using suggests make me think it is going a little too far. First of all, it claims you need to ban your dog from the bedroom, landing, and living room or your home. Well, Porky has been in our bedroom since the day we brought him home. Do you think I need to ban him from there to show my dominance over him?
The only rooms left in our house for Porky would be a small hallway, the kitchen, and the bathroom. That doesn't give him much space in our house to live in. Also, if they aren't allowed in the living room because that is where you eat and relax, why does this method allow for him to be in the kitchen??
Are these rules overboard in your opinions, or am I just too soft? Please let me know. Thanks!
All hands and paws raised here - OVERBOARD !
Where is he supposed to go ????? I have not taken classes and will be interested to hear the opinions of others who have.
Porky needs the big bed and the couch !!!!
Thats what I was thinking too. Porky only gets the big bed when its cold in the house and sleeps in his own bed the rest of the time, so I don't see the bedroom as a huge issue. Also the living room thing?? Why wouldn't I want my Porky Pie cuddled up next to me with a good book? He does know the "off" command for when we have company, but I really don't see the problem with him stting on the sofa or recliner.
Please send me more opinions about this. Maybe I am wrong in allowing him to do these things.
:crazyeyes: I too feel that the book you are using is quite overboard!!! I see nothing wrong with your baby sitting next to you while you are relaxing (I think that is called bonding)....I love to have my babies sitting next to me and petting them while I am watching television...it is quite therapeutic for all of us! As far as the big bed...I have never made that off limits to any of my babies. At night we snuggle :headbang:
Just because it is in the book does not mean you have to do it if you do not have a problem with Dominance issues I would forget it. All you really need to focus on is the heel,sit,down,stay & come the best way to train a dog is read allot of training books. Take what you like out of them if you do not like something do not do it you know your dog best.The book is just that persons thoughts on the subject everyone has different ideas on Dog Training you just need to find a middle ground you do not want to be too soft nor do you want to be too hard.Who knows that person that wrote the book may have been training a hard type dog German Shepard,Pit Bull or something. Allot of trainers are writing about dogs with Dominance problems.Aggression problems & Separation problems. You do not have to buy the books go to the Libray or Amazon.com get used books that is where I get my books they are so expensive new so I get used they are in good condition.
Papbouv
I think its overboard too!
Cookie does do better sleeping in her own bed, but she still sleeps in her own room. And every evening she is the sofa with us having "pre-bed nap" while we watch TV. To me, life would be sad without her by my side. She is our baby.
The only thing I do when she gets really bossy and fiesty is I roll her on her back and make eye contact with her and pet her sides until she snaps out of her mood and calms down.
Other than that I am a big pushover. :rolleyes:
Overboard! Willy and Alex are in their pen during the day. When I get home, they get the run of the downstairs and get treats, then a walk outside. At night, when its time for bed, they are allowed upstairs and sleep with us in the big bed. I love having them snuggle with us in bed. Geez, they are penned up all day, the last thing I am going to do is make them sleep in their pen at night. Night time is our "together time." That is probably why Willy and Alex willingly go into their pen in the morning without being asked, its just the daytime routine, but at night, they get to be with us and snuggle, on the couch and in bed.
OVERBOARD! What's the point in having a pet if you can never be around it?!?! Berman and Lucy are by my side (or on my lap, on my head, on my stomach) no matter where I am! Of course, this can drive a girl crazy sometimes, but when I really need them, I know where they are!
I'm not thinking much of the methods you are being taught. We don't want rigidly obedient guard dogs, we want companions. If you aren't having dominance problems then you don't need to deprive Porky and yourself of the pleasure of having the dog really be a member of the family. If you are having dominance problems I suggest "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell. (no relation to the "Dog Whisperer") She has a very low key way to take care of the dominance issues without traumatizing Porky or you. I've noticed that when Sophie gets a little too bossy, just using a couple of the techniques in this book for 24 hours will get things back to normal.
Thank you all for your advice!! I was really feeling uneasy about that bad advice. I would think Porky would become quite a depressed and sad dog if i chose to follow that advice. The book does have other good advice, but that part I did not agree with at all.
As far as buying books goes, I'm not too worried about that expense. I work in a bookstore so I get a rather large discount on the ones I buy from work. Plus, I can order just about any book in the universe on that subject. It pays to work in a book store. :thumb:
I did find a trainer and a great obedience class I might be taking Porky to for 6 weeks. Assuming i can get the time off from work. :xfinger: The trainer is very GENTLE and will give private lessons if needed. Porky does know how to sit, stay, walk on a leash, and the command "off" already so I figure we will have a head start there. He can't seem to grasp the "down" command yet though. He doesn't understand that I want him to lie down. Also he needs to learn the command, "drop it." He is a fast learner so this class and the books i got should work well. At least, I'm hoping so. Also, I need to work on being more firm in my commands. I'm too soft with him. :doah: I hate scolding him so mostly these classes are for me. :grin:
If you have never trained a dog classes get you started I hope it is the type of classes where you are with the dog at all times. I do not recommend giving the leash over to the instructor.I did that once long ago and the dog lost his trust in me took along time to get it back. The instuctor was not mean to him but it just did not go over well with that dog,Porky maybe different just something I wanted to share you know your dog best.Buddy & I are going to start classes April 15 since I found my new shoes I can walk with out pain.Have been dealing with Plantar fascitis.Achilles Tendonitis & now Calcification of Heel Spurs since Sept of 06 these new shoes are amazingjust cannot get overhow well they have worked for me NO Pain cannot belive it.Hope you and Porky do well in class as for down take a treat put it between his front legs close to his chest. Since he is a Doxie you do not want to be pushing on his rear.He may follow the treat and go down for you just a thought.
Papbouv
Thanks! That should work. I was trying to get him to do "down" by putting a treat by his nose and dragging it to the floor no luck. the Your idea will probably work. These classes are the kind where he will remain with me the entire time. The instructor comes highly reccommended by the veterinarians in my town and is very kind.