Dog trainer recommendations?

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

My 3-year-old terrier mix has been acting up and barking a lot more recently - anyone have experience with a dog training service that's good with adult dogs?

Comments

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

Dogs bark. It's what they do. Terriers are purported to be more yappier than some. I don't know any "dog training service" where you send the dog away and they return totally trained. Most training has the owner do the training, and it's more about training the owner how to best deal with their dog rather than train the dog. The major, superior place I'd recommend is Canine University in Malden http://canineuniversity.com/. It's really close (2-3 blocks) to the Oak Grove T station. Their staff is really really excellent with training people to train their dogs. While they have puppy classes, they have mostly adult dog classes. If you call Canine university and explain your issue, they would be able to either tell you the right class to take, or point you at a super-expensive personal trainer who can help.

A few years back when I first got my dog, I went there. He was 5 years old and barely trained at anything. They put him in with "larger puppies" for the first class due to his inexperience with anything, and gave me special training techniques that worked specifically for my dog's learning style. I ended up taking lots of classes with them because not only was it fun, but it's great mental exercise for the dog too. They're big on "clicker training" and I'm sure they can help you learn why your dog is barking and give you tools to lessen the frequency of his vocalization.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

That's the kind of thing I'm looking for. We've done puppy kindergarten with her and she was great with it, but recently has begun taking an unpredictable dislike to strangers on the street and it's worrying/embarrassing. It's not merely "my dog is noisily enthusiastic." If it were just that, I'd know what to do.

[omnia-mutantur.livejournal.com]

Amy from wagswhileyouwork has done wonders for my 11year old yorkie-mutt (who is a bit of a problem child). She might be able to help, or point you in a good direction. She's at wagswhileyouwork@gmail.com

[tequilamckngbrd.livejournal.com]

Just watch episodes of the Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan.

It's more about training you and your family, than just having your dog trained.

I've had dogs since I was born, and trained my previous dog (a rescue) that was my wife's years before we met where she thought he wasn't trainable. It took a few weeks to correct most of his bad tendencies, but training for the perfectly behaved dog is a long-term project.

Our current dog is a 100lbs Rhodesian Ridgeback (also a rescue) where the shelter had numerous dog trainers come to correct his rowdiness and pulling when going for walks. He now doesn't pull when properly walked (though when he sees other dogs, he still does, sometimes), and knows the commands, "slow", "stop", "sit", and "wait" when walking.

Heck, you can train dogs to do just about anything. My two previous Ridgebacks also knew "go left", and "go right" when I went rollerblading with them. They just pulled me along, I just told them when to turn.

To correct your dog when she barks, is to do the hand correction technique while voicing "shh" (see the Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, you'll understand) while being firm, but not tense. You need to be relaxed in order for your dog to be relaxed. If you're tensing up to try and stop her from barking, she'll get more aggravated. Learn to be relaxed, but firm in telling her how she shouldn't be behaving. Also carry treats with you. If she starts barking and you just do the "shh", and she stops, give her a treat.

Moving a treat near her nose when she's constantly barking and won't stop could also distract her for a moment for you to get her attention. Just don't give her the treat until you correct her, she stops barking, and is relaxed.

[witchdogtor.livejournal.com]

For group classes (great for working with distractions), the New England Dog Training Club holds classes on thursday nights at the Cambridge armory (near the Fresh Pond rotary). http://nedtc.org/

For a one-on-one approach, the best resource for finding reputable trainers is at Boston Trainers Network: http://bostontrainersnetwork.org/find-a/

Both of the above employ only force-free methods, and the quality and level of knowledge is exceptional.

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

We had a very good experience with Adria of Dog Willing (http://www.dogwillingma.com/). Our dog is only a puppy, so I can't speak to her skill with older dogs, but she is great to work with.

[witchdogtor.livejournal.com]

Adria's great with adults, too.