new dog to train

[()relics]

So I'm a self proclaimed dog trainer.....I train bird dogs...or try to train bird dogs. I advertise in a local paper and have gotten many responses...I have worked with GSP's...I have 2....labs...english pointers.....even 2 blue heelers for agility events....the add is very brief and I guess I don't pay alot attention to the people I talk to.....I'm sure I can figure out their dogs problems without them telling me....because 2 days ago I got my newest student.....A Lhasa Apso.....I guess I never asked the owner on the phone what kind of dog they were bringing me....What can I teach this dog...he can't point...he can't retrieve....he certainly can't fit a bird into his mouth....and they want it "trained".....I'll be happy if I can teach him not to growl at me when I pass too close to him.....

Really he is a good dog but...my training methods aren't going to work; I can already tell this. He is intimidated by everything which seems to make him afraid of everything. He doesn't act like a dog...at least not the dogs I usually train. He does love to run after the other dogs....I hope cleaning him up isn't part of the training.

Anyone have one or know about them....other than what you can read on the internet ??

 

[Karlachix]

When they arrived with a ball of fluff did you look around and ask them where their dog is?

I hope things go well for you.

 

[Carole AM]

Maybe he was from a puppy mill breeder. We see alot of that in our rescue dogs--the shyness. They don't know how to be a dog.

BTW- You never answered me about the coonhound. Do you know anyone that may want her?

 

[jenjscott]

You need to call the people back up and 1) tell them you can't help them, to come get their dog, or 2) ask them what they expect to get out of training to see if you can help. A lot of people want basic obedience, training, some people want a dog whisperer for behavior problems.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Oh geez! Good luck with that one. I would be half tempted to tell the owner that you are a "hunting dog" type trainer and after a few lessons with their dog, have determined that it might be best for them to take them to obedience classes at somewhere like PetSmart. Tell them that those lessons will do a whole lot more for their dog than the lessons that you are used to giving hunting dogs. Tell them you are very sorry, but it just isn't working.

In my experience and opinion, honesty in situations like this goes a long way. If I was the owner, I would very much appreciate your being open with me about it.

 

[uglydog]

When I work others peoples dog we have a "clear" expectations for the dog before I let them leave the dog in the first place. Some people just want their dog to learn manners, others just want their dog to be "normal" when they don't realize they are the problem and not the dog. Two weeks of living in a kennel and being a "dog" seem sto make them normal again for awhile, until they fall back into the habits of the owner again. I hate to say it but my older trained dogs do most of the training for me.

I suggest if you are going to "work" for people, then you will have to communicate from the first.

Alot of these people want to talk bloodlines, and tell you the whole history of their dog owning experience, I have learned to ask specific questions , get what I need to know and then tell them what I will do with the dog, then let them know I will give them detailed e-mail updates every few days, letting them know the dogs progress, and generally I will be very critical of the dog, when they get the dog back they are usually very pleased because I told them the ol Blue was coming along slow and they view is the dog is great, so when the dog regresses with time, back home without consistent handling, it is still better than they were expecting.

I am always honest about the dog, never lead-on that the dog can be more than it is. Word of mouth references keep me always with a dog to work with, so I have no need to advertise more than a few simple lines on my website.

I am not telling you what to do, but offered more as suggestions, as I have learned the hard way about dealing with the public - they will waste alot of your time wanting to have conversations, that I consider time I could be spending with the dogs, chickens, donkeys or mules, and that is what I would be more effective doing, than talking about stuff that does not affect anything.

 

[thebritt]

I would think the first step would be in gaining its trust. Sounds like this dog is the opposite of what you're used to - less energy and drive to please and all that. Start with getting it to focus on you: Let it sniff a very SPECIAL treat, held low (while you're standing) and then brought up to your face as you say "Fido, LOOK", said with the voice raising in pitch towards the end of the word. As fido looks at your face (follows the treat) it's "GOOD Fido! "(said in a very happy, encouraging way, not scary too loud, though) and Fido gets the treat. Repeat a few times until Fido looks at you whenever you say "Fido, LOOK". The first step in obedience/manner training is just getting the dog's attention (in a happy way). Once you're able to get it's attention, "sit" "down", and "stay" are a lot easier. Good luck.

 

[()relics]

The owners, after futher questioning, want their dog to be trained so their child can show him at open and 4H shows......Good luck right....Maybe not. He has made progress in the few days that I have had him but he is still very shy....He will not accept a treat from my hand but will only take it if I drop it onto the ground.....I think he may have had a rough life and no understands him.....but me.....yeah right...at least now I can pick him up and carry him without the growling....and I can touch him and pick up his dish while he is eating.....Its a start...I told the owners that I didn't have any experience training this type of dog.....They said they have had him to several "trainers" and if they can't see results they may have to get rid of him.....I will not let that happen....I suggested maybe their child should show one of my shorthairs and leave "Jethro" to me for awhile....That isn't his name but thats what I call him.

Any way..thanks everyone for the advice....Wish me luck....I feel if I can't make this dog "better" he may end up at a shelter somewhere.....

Just an fyi...jethro sleeps in the bed with one of my daughters....his owner says they can't even trust him not to bite them.....I smell owner problems....What would be new