Am thinking of asking for an 'at home' training session, as much for our own confidence with our adolescent pup as for him - he's pretty easy, just a few budding habits I'd like to nip in the bud, as it were.
I've been told the local BarkBuster people are good, and they certainly sound dog-friendly...although there is a slight mention of 'pack' stuff in their website that made me 
a bit as I believe its outdated. I've provisionally booked someone to come over in a week or so, but wanted to ask if anyone here had experience/knowledge of them? I think they're a franchise, so imagine it depends a bit on the individual as well as the company - iyswim - but would give me a rough idea!
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17 replies
Elibean · 08/01/2012 21:05
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Elibean ·
09/01/2012 09:45
Oh dear. Ah well.
The person I spoke to said they use clicker training, and never fear/pain type stuff 
They do charge a lot, but it seemed to me many of them do?
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Elibean ·
09/01/2012 11:06
Ah - yes, that makes sense. Sounds as though its the business as whole that is not great, rather than individuals, but hard to assess the individuals when they are franchised.
The trainer nearest us is listed on separate websites, and has done lots of training outside of BB, has her own dogs and kids (which is our main need) - so might let her come for a chat and assess as an individual. Nothing committed, I suppose.
But will be wary. Thank you 
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Elibean ·
12/01/2012 16:20
I guess it really depends on the individual trainer - quite a gamble. But as we paid the deposit (hindsight: the company woman was pushy, which I don't like ) we'll go ahead with the chat part and keep fingers crossed.
I wouldn't do it again, tbh, because if I don't like the way the company operates I do'nt want to give them money - however good/nice the individual trainer is.
Will keep you posted - defo need the back up as Mouse has turned the adolescent corner (look out squirrels!) but have to say, just the act of booking someone has made me knuckle down and start more general obedience training stuff. With great results, even in days - shows how slack I was being before 
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Elibean ·
17/01/2012 22:23
OK: update.
Met the woman today, have mixed feelings - I really liked her, and she did know a lot about dogs, and has a rescue dog of her own. 90% of what she said made sense, fit with what I've learnt here, and with how I feel. She gave some good tips, practical things, and lots of info on BARF diet if we want to try it (dh is keen - for the dog, that is, not for him 
).
OTOH, some of their stuff is clearly based on outdated pack theory, and the literature she left us irritates me - I have no intention of following any of that. Nor will I spray him with water (body, not face, but still) when he ignores my commands (not that she thinks I need to, but the literature talks about it .
Here's what I learned: to use a word other than 'no', which Mouse hears too often with kids around and takes no notice of. I'd already started saying a brisk 'Ah!' instead to stop anything out of order before it starts, iyswim - like chasing cats, jumping up, etc. Seems to work well - followed by lots of praise when he checks his behaviour.
I also learned that I'm not to give treats from my hand anymore for now, because since I have done Mouse comes and licks my hands/kids hands non-stop: hands=food. So now I'm to drop treats on the ground till the licking stops, at least.
I learned that I'm probably under feeding for the amount of exercise he's getting.
I learned that I'm doing lots of right things already
I learned some things I can say to the kids to get THEM to do what I want around the dog (ie not follow/chase him around, not tell him off, not hang off his neck for 'cuddles'). They are already listening better to 'the trainer's advice' than they ever do to mine and this, I admit, is a major reason i wanted a professional involved
Have to say though, I've learnt more from Minimuu and others here!
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CalamityKate ·
18/01/2012 01:24
That works as long as you've got a dog who likes being outside... my older dog has trained me to let her in when she barks, which is generally within 2.3 seconds of being left outside
CalamityKate ·
18/01/2012 10:35
God my dog goes HYSTERICAL at squirrels! If we got them in the garden, I genuinely think she'd spontaneously combust
Bad enough the pigeons that sit on the pole at the end of the garden, taunting her.
Elibean ·
18/01/2012 10:49
Mouse caught one a couple of weeks ago though. Not pretty (for either of them). Hence training!
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