Anyone ever send a dog to "boot camp"?

[Zack1978]

Hi everyone,
A few weeks ago I posted a thread about my uncle getting a 10 month old female Australian Shepherd. Well at almost one month later the dog is simply terrible. She barks incessantly, often has accidents in the house, is terrible to walk on a leash, refuses to come when called, and the list goes on and on.......
He is at his wits end with Molly, so we have been talking about "dog boot camp". I found a place that offeres this service not far from us. The cost is $990.00 for two weeks training staying with the trainer the entire time. She claims that she has had success with most dogs, and if she feels that Molly is beyond being trained as a pet, she will refund the money. At this point my uncle will pay almost anything to get his sanity back.
Any ideas on the "boot camp" HAs it ever worked for anyone else?

Thanks,
Zack

 

[wob]

Hi everyone,
A few weeks ago I posted a thread about my uncle getting a 10 month old female Australian Shepherd. Well at almost one month later the dog is simply terrible. She barks incessantly, often has accidents in the house, is terrible to walk on a leash, refuses to come when called, and the list goes on and on.......
He is at his wits end with Molly, so we have been talking about "dog boot camp". I found a place that offeres this service not far from us. The cost is $990.00 for two weeks training staying with the trainer the entire time. She claims that she has had success with most dogs, and if she feels that Molly is beyond being trained as a pet, she will refund the money. At this point my uncle will pay almost anything to get his sanity back.
Any ideas on the "boot camp" HAs it ever worked for anyone else?

Thanks,
Zack

That dog owns him now. She'll behave like a saint at boot camp, and then own him again as soon as she gets home. Some people, like my friend who I talked about in the thread earlier, are too weak to own Australian s***terds.

 

[canucksafari]

Sounds like he needs to assert who's Alpha. Lack Zack says, someone else asserting themselves as Alpha will not help him. Pinning and Alpha Rolls all work to enforce who is Alpha without beating.

 

[Sno bored]

I think it would be better to have your uncle try a local obedience class. Like Wob said if the dog goes to camp it would act the same when it gets home. I think your uncle needs to learn how to be a leader to the dog. A class would teach him how to keep the dog in line.

 

[Johnnymiz]

my wife had trouble training one of our dogs. we hired a trainer. she(the trainer) did NOT train the dog. she taught my wife how to train the dog...how to walk him, how to feed him, how to control him on and off leash, in the house and out. it worked

 

[Cuerno Largo]

my wife had trouble training one of our dogs. we hired a trainer. she(the trainer) did NOT train the dog. she taught my wife how to train the dog...how to walk him, how to feed him, how to control him on and off leash, in the house and out. it worked

^this

 

[ed97fzj80]

x6. Train the owner first.

 

[retrofive]

I think it would be better to have your uncle try a local obedience class. Like Wob said if the dog goes to camp it would act the same when it gets home. I think your uncle needs to learn how to be a leader to the dog. A class would teach him how to keep the dog in line.

my wife had trouble training one of our dogs. we hired a trainer. she(the trainer) did NOT train the dog. she taught my wife how to train the dog...how to walk him, how to feed him, how to control him on and off leash, in the house and out. it worked

^this

x6. Train the owner first.

xAll of the Above.

Train the owner.

 

[Zack1978]

Thanks everyone,

He is meeting with a trainer on Sunday, I hope it goes well. I will let you know.


Greg

 

[sirenmoses]

x^ more.

it sure worked for me, when I first got into dobermans.

 

[splitshot]

Tell him to go with a lab next time...All you have to do is say "Bird", "Couch", or "Dinner" (I have found "Fud" or "Cookie" works better)...

 

[IanB]

There are no bad dogs, just bad owners. It's your uncle that needs the training, might not hurt to bring the dog along, lol.

 

[canucksafari]

There are no bad dogs, just bad owners. It's your uncle that needs the training, might not hurt to bring the dog along, lol.

Once a dog has been turned bad, it is bad and can be very hard to change. Sometimes the best thing is to put them down. Also, many times people buy a working breed dog because they like its looks and haven't a clue how to deal with their temperament or realize that they are just plug and play for working and never meant to be pets. A number of the herd protection dogs are like this. They imprint on their human family and their livestock family while puppies and genetics pretty much do the rest. They'll never be a dog you can take to the dog park.

 

[shiptoshore]

Never too late to help a dog!! I've seen rescued fighting dogs become great pets!
First things first though, it's the OWNER that needs the school, NOT the dog. Find someone that believes that and your dog will be wonderful!!!

 

[canucksafari]

Never too late to help a dog!! I've seen rescued fighting dogs become great pets!

Some working breeds, especially herd protectors, were never bred to become pets and there in lies the problem. If they are working, they are happy. If not, then all hell will break loose if you try to confine them as a pet.

 

[sparkplug]

I have said this before, Australian Shepherds make great family pets and don't need to be worked. Bite that damn dog on the ear.

 

[Zack1978]

I have said this before, Australian Shepherds make great family pets and don't need to be worked. Bite that damn dog on the ear.

It is not working out well at all. He met with the "trainer" a few times, however she told him the dog needs training that is beyond her scope. I am thinking that tis is not going to work out. Now the dog is starting to bite a bit

 

[sparkplug]

It is not working out well at all. He met with the "trainer" a few times, however she told him the dog needs training that is beyond her scope. I am thinking that tis is not going to work out. Now the dog is starting to bite a bit

It seems to me that you guys made a valiant effort. If it was me, I would turn it over to someone else and hope the best and not look back. You have done your part.

 

[sirenmoses]

contact the Aussie Rescue group in your uncle's area. They can evaluate the dog, possibly help with it's training, and find a new home if that is the best solution.

Some working breeds, especially herd protectors, were never bred to become pets and there in lies the problem. If they are working, they are happy. If not, then all hell will break loose if you try to confine them as a pet.

Working dogs thrive when having work to do.

Herding dogs NEED to have an outlet for their instincts: if not, they can become destructive and neurotic.

All dogs do best with structure, physical excercise, knowing who's the boss, and what they can do that is right ('Sit') when they get corrected for doing something wrong ('No Bite').

 

[Zack1978]

Well my uncle just retired, and he is single with some cash to spend.........So he is taking her to the boot camp. It's not my money, so I am not saying anything. The dog is going there on Saturday for two weeks. I truly hope this works, and he is not flushing his money. I did listen in on the conversation with the owner of the boot camp, and she does seem very good. This has been her only job for 30+ years. I will keep you updated...........