Intense training

BigJake · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:27 am Post subject: Intense training

I have found a trainer in SC which is about 5 hours away from me. It is a 6 week course where Loki will be staying with them. I have not called them yet so I am not sure what it is about. I have heard many good things about him from friends that live in the area. I am just not sure I want to be away from Loki for 6 weeks. I want to start out right with Loki and I see him already picking up bat habits from his brother and sisters. If I like what I hear when I call and speak with the trainer I am probable going to send the other three down there.

From what I understand It is a very intense course for 6 weeks and then when I go back to pick him up I will be filled in on how to keep up the training he has just learned.

I guess what I am looking for here is your opinion on the idea of being separated from my little man and to see what you think about the program.

Here is the link:

www.k9goodmanners.com

Please let me know what you think!

CherrystoneWeims · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:18 am Post subject:

This guy is a protection dog based trainer. Protection dogs can take a much harsher correction than a Weim. I would suggest that you look for someone who is used to training bird dogs.

What exactly are you looking for? Is it just basic obedience or more of a polished dog?

I have two trainers in this area whom I HIGHLY recommend. They have trained quite a few Weimaraners and know the breed.

Brenda Roe at Walnut Hills kennel http://www.walnuthillgsps.us/training.htm You may want to ask her if she is still doing obedience training or strictly bird dog training.

Mark Fulmer http://www.sarahsetter.com/index.php I know he is still doing obedience training. I have worked with him in the past for bird dog training.

BigJake · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:19 pm Post subject:

Well Loki would be the first of 4 to go through that training. I need more order in my house. My first two were great. Then we moved in with a 3rd and the first two started to slack. When we brought Loki home the other 3 are really him and miss with listening.

I know he is more of a protection trainer but as he told me today when I talked to him every one of the dogs he trains for protection must start with a very strong obedience base.

Now, I don't want this so I can command their every little move. I live in a city and when I need my dogs to listen it needs to be now, not after they finish smelling or after they go and see the other dog or person. NOW! It is more of a safety thing.

I do however see what you are saying. It might be a little harsh for them. I am going to look into the two you mentioned and I will let you know what I think.

Thank You!

versatilek9s · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject:

Agree with Pam about finding someone who knows the breed. I have done work with a schutzhund trainer, and tend to like them better than the mainstream trainers. The difference is that I am with my dog when training with them, I can read my dog, and I know when to stop working, when to change tactics, and when the repetition is too much. I don't think I would send my dog off to someone that had such a strict protection/obedience background. But that's my 2 cents.

meredith

LANichols · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

I sent both of my dogs (weim and GSD) to a trainer for 6 weeks (it was only supposed to be 4, but because of their issues w separation it took longer for them to warm up). Our dogs (1 and 2 yrs at the time) had been treated as children by my SO and had developed some issues. The GSD began displaying aggression towards the weim at times and that needed to stop ASAP, which was the precipitating factor to our decision. At the time, the trainer was affiliated with a training school, so they were at the school on-site in a kennel sort of setting. The majority of the dogs at the school were trained for protection (PSA), but like you said, they must firt clear the obediance hurdle before protection training can begin. In fact, they would not train your dog for protection unless it could pass obediance tests. It is also important to note that they train offensively, rather than defensively. It is a big misconception that all protection training is "harsh". We have ended up training both for protection because they absolutely love it!

Obviously, I was very nervous about sending them, but the trainer was more than willng to answer every question I had. For us, it was a very good move. I was amazed at the transformation in the dogs after 6 weeks. They were kept separate for the majority of the time to encourage development of their own personalities outside of each other. The trainer has since left the school and gone out on his own and he continues to train our dogs. My best friend, owner of two weims, took her dogs to him after seeing our results. After obediance, they have moved on to protection as well.

I know it is common for people to send their puppies to our trainer before bringing them home. The philosophy is to teach them good habits before they have the chance to make any bad ones. It's amazing the things an 8-10 wk puppy can do. I've seen puupies this age sit, down, bang, spin, under arrest, speak, heel off leash, place (extended stay), as well as beginning protection.

So, in a nutshell, I would contact the trainer and ask about how he trains. Also, ask if there are any references you can speak to or demonstrations you can attend of him working with other dogs. Yes he may specialize in protection, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's harsh. Also, a board and train program takes out a LOT of the leg work. Granted, I know that that's part of having a dog, but for us, there were so many complex issues (separation anxiety, aggression, etc.) that could be nipped in the bud immediately. A professional almost had much more insight than I ever would have had training them myself. In the end, I feel both my dogs are much more stable and happier than they would have been if we did NOT board them. Hope that helps!

CherrystoneWeims · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:31 am Post subject:

When I say harsh I mean louder and not as positive based. The trainers that I recommended are very quiet with their training process. Not much talking is going on.

I'm a huge fan of a "less is more" type of training.

The two that I recommended have been used by quite a few Weim owners. People from the Chattahoochie Weim Club use Brenda for training. Mark Fulmer has trained many Weims over the years for my fellow club members and in fact trained the first conformation Ch/Master Hunter bitch of the Weimaraner breed. I have left some of my own dogs in his care when I haven't had birds available for me to do my own training. The dogs in his kennel are extremely happy and well-balanced. He's not very far from Greenville, SC.

A fully broke gun dog at Master Hunter level MUST have a lot of obedience training. They must heel off lead; retrieve promptly and tenderly to hand; stand completely still (NO movement what-so-ever) through another dog's point, flush, shot, retrieve; Stay still until released by the handler. All of the obedience work is done before the dog is brought back into contact with birds after the Junior Hunter level.