Dog Training or should I say Human Training

[Momily]

So, we're going to go meet this dog next week who might become our newest family member. According to the breeder she's got basic training, housebroken, leash trained, come, sit, etc . . . But we (my son and I) have basically no training at all. I'm thinking classes, but I'm not sure how that will work if the dog is better trained than we are -- do we go to beginner classes because half the class is beginner? Do we take one or two private sessions to "catch us up" and then we join the intermediate class or something?

Or would a book or video be better, and then when she's reliable on the basics do something more advanced (I'd love her to do a little agility, rally, or flyball with my son as the handler)? If so, are their suggestions? DS isn't an enthusiastic reader so a video would be great. Is there one we could get and watch before she comes home?

Also, the breeder suggested that we keep the dog either on leash or in her crate all the time for a few weeks to a month. She said that will help the dog feel connected to us and bonded to us. Do other people agree? If so, do we limit outside contact during that time or is it OK for us to take her out and about as long as she's on leash? I've also heard that if I want to have her bond to DS as much or more than to me I should have him do a fair amount of feeding (always asking for a sit or something first) and have her sleep in his room (initially closed in her crate). Does that make sense? Any other suggestions for helping a dog adjust to a new house? This particular dog is a 2 year old sheltie who is coming from a show breeder if that makes a difference, but I'll probably have the same questions regardless of what dog we get.

[SevenVeils]

Originally Posted by Momily

Also, the breeder suggested that we keep the dog either on leash or in her crate all the time for a few weeks to a month. She said that will help the dog feel connected to us and bonded to us.

I've only seen this advice given as a means to housebreaking. That is, if I am understanding this correctly... leashed to you inside of the house?

I don't agree that this will help the dog bond to you. If she isn't housebroken then this may be necessary.

[I~love~pie]

Also, the breeder suggested that we keep the dog either on leash or in her crate all the time for a few weeks to a month. She said that will help the dog feel connected to us and bonded to us.>>>

How old is this dog? how old is your son? I would take a basic training class. Bring your son. when we took training class I took everyone, dh and all the kids down to age 6. It definatly helped.

Does the breeder mean keep the leash on in the house? If so it can help until your dog learns not to bolt out doors. But take it from me, we where told that, but this worked so much beter . before you go to the door, tell the dog to sit, and stay. open door, if the dog gets up , close the door put dog back into sit and stay. I really should have started this way. Its teaching them door manners.

[mom0810]

Originally Posted by SevenVeils

I've only seen this advice given as a means to housebreaking. That is, if I am understanding this correctly... leashed to you inside of the house?

I don't agree that this will help the dog bond to you. If she isn't housebroken then this may be necessary.

TOTALLY not true.... this is done to help dogs bond all the time. The Monks of New Skete recommend this in their books, as a matter of fact. It's a great thing to do.

[mom0810]

I think that a couple of private sessions with the new dog and a trainer would be great. Or, if you have the time, you can go to a beginner's class. It would be fun for both of you, and as I recall your son is old enough to train, isn't he? Like, 10 or something?

Alternatively, you could get a book... the Monks of New Skete are great, and so is anything by Wendy Volhard. Dog Training for Dummies is one of hers, and it's wonderful.

A book won't give you the "real world" experience, but it will give you insight in to what real training looks like and sounds like.

[Ola_]

I would definitely suggest a basic class. The skills you list will probably be covered in the class but likely there are others as well. In general, trainers say that classes are to teach the owner, and then the owner teaches the dog outside of class - so this is exactly what you need. Plus just because she did the commands for her previous owner, it doesn't mean that she will "work" for you, especially around distractions (which training classes are great for). However I would definitely recommend sitting in on a class (without the dog) to see how they handle the dogs and make sure there's nothing violent, etc.

Re: leashing inside, I would say a few weeks sounds good. Even housebroken dogs often regress in a new home that is not automatically part of their "den". Plus you don't know what she will chew or get into till you get used to her a bit.

For books I would recommend "My Smart Puppy" (not just for puppies) but it is definitely not the same as actually having hands-on instruction and someone who can spot what you're doing incorrectly and give you advice.

[Momily]

Thanks everyone! This is really helpful. I will start calling around to find a beginning obedience class. I already found one that has a policy that you can call any time with questions and they'll talk you through them, plus they allow kids to attend the classes and handle the dog during the class and they have more advanced classes like rally, agility and flyball which the breeder says she thinks this dog would really like. I will call them and see if they seem as good in person as they do on their website.

Should we start classes right away or wait until the on leash time is over and she has started to know that we're her new family?

Also, any suggestions for a video instead of a book, or maybe better yet since I definitely learn best through reading a book and video by the same person so they don't contradict each other? DS would definitely do better with a video or a book on tape than reading a whole book.

[mom0810]

Right away with classes.

Also, Ian Dunbar has videos and books, and I am pretty sure the Monks of New Skete have both, too. They are my favorite!

Good luck and happy training!

[betsyj]

My Smart Puppy comes with a DVD.

[Sol_y_Paz]

find a training place here:http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/training_clubs/

[oneKnight]

Originally Posted by Momily

Also, the breeder suggested that we keep the dog either on leash or in her crate all the time for a few weeks to a month. She said that will help the dog feel connected to us and bonded to us. Do other people agree?

Ed Frawley recommends that method as part of establishing yourself as the pack leader. It makes it clear to the dog who is in control, and as the dog understands that you are boss and learns the rules of your pack, he earns freedom in the house.

[greenmagick]

I think the biggest plus to this is that you are setting your dog up to succeed. He wont have the opportunity to "get into trouble" because you will be right there with him teaching him the rules and reassuring him if he encounters something hes wary of.

I would say it would still be fine, and a good idea, to get him used to other people and visitors as well. You always need to keep up the socialization...I wouldnt throw a party the first day he was home, but I wouldnt wait weeks to have visitors or go places either.

Originally Posted by Momily

\Also, the breeder suggested that we keep the dog either on leash or in her crate all the time for a few weeks to a month. She said that will help the dog feel connected to us and bonded to us. Do other people agree? If so, do we limit outside contact during that time or is it OK for us to take her out and about as long as she's on leash? I've also heard that if I want to have her bond to DS as much or more than to me I should have him do a fair amount of feeding (always asking for a sit or something first) and have her sleep in his room (initially closed in her crate). Does that make sense? Any other suggestions for helping a dog adjust to a new house? This particular dog is a 2 year old sheltie who is coming from a show breeder if that makes a difference, but I'll probably have the same questions regardless of what dog we get.