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Author
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Topic: We are new to the forum
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Rico'sMom
Junior Member
Member # 337
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posted November 12, 2003 07:02 AM
We just got a boxer/Rottweiler puppy we named him Rico for a very strong puppy.we hope to learn more on training him ourself.
RicosMom
Posts: 1 | From: Michigan | Registered: Nov 2003
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Freckles
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Member # 281
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posted November 12, 2003 02:00 PM
I would strongly suggest you get Rico to Puppy Obedience with a trainer. His mix is going to be a challenge .... the alpha (head honcho) will need to be redirected ASAP. I can speak from experience in dealing with a border collie/cattle dog mix. They all want to please, and showing them what you expect is top priority...if it is done with love and reward with proper guidance from a trainer you will reap the rewards in a loving and well mannered fella. In years past I did it on my own, but after working with a trainer (PetsMart is a good source for group classes - which are great for socializing them).. It was so much easier and a lot more pleasant in a training class.
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Lou in Texas
Posts: 122 | From: Southlake, TX | Registered: Oct 2003
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fullhouse9873
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Member # 222
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posted November 13, 2003 11:48 PM
I agree with Freckles. If this is your first time training a dog - you're going to need help. Especially with a big dog - you want to make sure they are well trained. A 100 lb dog can do some damage when he jumps up on you!
Most training classes teach you how to train your dog - so you get to learn everything. So it is kind of like training him yourself - just with a little help.
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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FancyBC
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Member # 371
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posted November 23, 2003 06:23 AM
I agree with Freckles too, but don't reccomend Petsmart. They have a "training program" that any sales associate can complete and become a "trainer", virtually over night. Contact your local obedience club and find out if they host group classes. From there you may find a private trainer you'd like to work with. Obedience club members have a dog community they have to answer to and most members are amature behaviorists facinated by what makes dogs tick. This is what makes a dog trainer. Add experience to this, and presto! A 6 week course from Petsmart makes the equivelent of someone that's read a book. Most of the Petsmart trainers in my area are barely legal and have no clue what exercises are required in any organization's obedience test, much less any titles. Oh, except the CGC. They get training in that, but they can't and won't work with aggressive or overly difficult dogs. A real obedience trainer will work with a difficult dog or find you someone that can.
Posts: 5 | From: Las Vegas, Nv | Registered: Nov 2003
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Freckles
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Member # 281
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posted November 23, 2003 07:10 PM
I guess Freckles and I were fortunate in the trainer I had at PetsMart here in Southlake, TX. She trained and showed several of her own dogs in Obedience Trials all around the state. We observed one of the shows and she was right up there with the best of them. She even brought her dogs to class sometimes to let us observe. She was a firm believer that the class was more for us "parents" than for the pooches! So I don't think a blanket statement for all PetsMart trainers is quite fair. She has since gone into private training. The good ones have to start somewhere.
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Lou in Texas
Posts: 122 | From: Southlake, TX | Registered: Oct 2003
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Freckles
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Member # 281
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posted November 23, 2003 07:15 PM
P.S. to the PetsMart training... as to difficult dogs not being trained...she had Freckles...a border collie/red heeler mix doing a 5 minute sit/stay in the sales area of PetsMart when she was not quite two (and with me out of sight)... and a male doberman in obedience trials at a year old. Guess you can see I am pretty loyal to the trainer and grateful for the good job we received....she loved the dogs and it was obvious.
Okay, I am through... guess that just "yanked my chain...." sorry.
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Lou in Texas
Posts: 122 | From: Southlake, TX | Registered: Oct 2003
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fullhouse9873
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Member # 222
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posted November 25, 2003 12:50 AM
I would be against the whole PetSmart thing - but I'm glad that you met an awesome trainer Freckles! I would take Rico to a trainer that specializes in his kinds of breeds. If not properly trained he will be quite a handful. When we were training our pit/boxer mix - we took him to a trainer that specialized in "vicous" dogs (you know - pits, rottys, dobs - those kind!) He knew what made these breeds tick - and could better help in training him.
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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broker123
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Member # 978
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posted May 13, 2004 08:49 AM
I recently went through the 8 week basic training class at petsmart...I was skeptical, because it was so inexpensive, and taught in a store. It was excellent....I had an experienced trainer...who was absolutely amazing with my dog (a rotty). I agree people should always check out their trainers, because most are not great, but just because they work for petsmart does not make them a bad or an inexperienced trainer. I got to know my trainer pretty well, and asked him why he would work at a store like this as opposed to going private. His answer really surprised me. He said that even though he didn't make as much money he got to train over 120 dogs per week, and got 20 new clients per week. He felt that he was able to make a lot bigger impact on the local animal community than at his private facility. Mainly because it is the people who are only willing to spend $100 on training are the ones that really need the help. Anyway, I had a great experience and hope other can as well.
Posts: 1 | From: Cincinnati | Registered: May 2004
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ellierat
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Member # 612
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posted May 13, 2004 03:41 PM
Welcome Rico, hope you have some fun on the forum, if you need any help just ask, and in my opinion so long as you get some training in at the beginning it doesn't matter where from!!! If your dog becomes a problem at the 3-4 month age then I would suggest something a bit more defined for your breed. Just don't let him nip at you or any of your clothing, and that goes for every breed of dog!!!
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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BreeZy/sheltiepups
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Member # 297
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posted May 13, 2004 10:08 PM
Hey ! welcome to the forums !@
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this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose
Posts: 147 | From: PA | Registered: Oct 2003
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