Dog boarding school

[houselikeashed]

Our dog is about to go to boarding training school. Has anyone done this? And was it successful? I'm imagining we'll miss him terribly, as will our other dog. He is out of control though so we need to do something. I know it's our fault we didn't train him enough when he was younger, but we've never had a Spaniel before and just weren't thorough enough.

[adaline]

Ignore the people who say you need to give the dog up. You have clearly tried and there are some very smug people on this thread.

Most of the people who have said that have had their own struggles with their dogs. I know Wolfie had some serious problems with separation anxiety, for example, and the damage her dog caused could have caused lots of people to rehome.

What people are saying is that the solution isn't to send your dog away for a month and expect the problems to disappear. Dog training involves regular (as in, daily) sessions either with a trainer or using their techniques yourself, often lasting years. And in most cases, it's the owner who needs training just as much (if not more).

Which is why sending your dog off to training school won't work. You could send your dog to the best trainer in the world and the dog could behave impeccably, but if the owner doesn't learn the same techniques and doesn't dedicate the same amount of time, it's a pointless exercise, because the dog will just revert back to its old behaviour.

"only experienced dog owners should have dogs".

See, this I disagree with. But unexperienced owners should be careful picking their breed. They need to think about the time they have, what they can realistically dedicate to a dog and whether the time they have is enough for the breed they want. By all means get a working dog if you live on a farm and stay home and have several hours a day to dedicate to your dog - but if you live in a flat and work full-time, maybe accept that a husky or collie isn't for you. I do think picking the right breed is a BIG factor in succeeding with your dog.

Anyway the whole argument is pointless as OP has already sent her dog off and spent the money. Hopefully it works and things settle down for both of them.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Which is why sending your dog off to dog training school won't work
Tell that to the gundog trainers who take in dogs for weeks or months to train them for the field (some of whom no doubt have bad puppy habits already), and then pass them back to owners who use them as peg dogs or whatever.

And to people who foster problem dogs for rescues and sort out the bulk of their issues and then pass them on to new owners with advice.

Yes, I know this is a bit different since OP was there as the problems became established, but provided she applies the advice she is given, and continues to train on walks, the dog should respond.

She also needs to go back to the trainer if problems crop up - which they will, shit happens, dogs are inventive critters.

Yes, people should pick the breed with care: I 100% agree. People should also look at pedigrees and talk to the breeder: is that lovely Vizsla puppy descended from generations of unworked show-line dogs, or is its recent ancestry thick with field trial winners?

But people don't always. But at least this owner is trying to fix it. Better that than a spaniel that chased a deer out onto a main raid and gets itself killed whilst causing an accident.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

*chases

[houselikeashed]

Quick update.
So I'm feeling positive. We had a long session with the trainer on how to get our dog to take us as seriously as he does her. Lots of support on hand and instructions to go back immediately if we start struggling.
We have to get this right now.

[Stellaris22]

That's great, glad it's going well! The support for any upcoming issues is brilliant to hear.

[houselikeashed]

Update.
All going super well. We can walk him off lead and keep him under control. Still having training sessions (for us) with the trainer and its all pretty impressive really.
I know its an extreme measure but I have to say for us it's working out very well. Money well spent.

[Guardsman18]

So pleased to read your update.

[Stellaris22]

Fantastic, good to see trainer helping you and dog. Glad it's going well!

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Great - that's good news. You might even find that you enjoy training and are inspired to keep at it.

Don't be despondent if it all goes backwards for a bit: dogs and people all have off days. Just keep your resolve and go back to the trainer if you ever need to.