Opinions Needed - Which training??

[bally]

Hi,
I'm new to the corgi world. I currently don't own one etc.. will post an intro after I finish this post.

Currently, I'm the roommate of a Giant Schnauzer and his owner. The roommate travels a lot so as part of our roommate agreement I 'dog-sit'. Well Giant Schnauzers have a temperment unto themselves.

I enrolled us both (Bally and I) in a basic obedience class. Bally is 5 y.o. and has extensive training. The class was for me to better learn how to control Bally. I highly recommend obedience training for everyone.

Bally's Nanny

[milles2]

Sweetlychee:

Can you call your Vet and ask if they can recommend a "play group" situation or classes aimed at social play?

My experience w/ Petsmart classes is that they are obedience focused. I belong to a dog training club (I found it the most economical option for a long term training program) and it's all business - no time for play. Agility class is the same. The dogs (even Tucker!) have fun but it's not play time or socialize w/ other dogs time.

I wanted the "play group"/just be a dog opportunity for Tucker and it is absolutley not Obedience Class.

I think all dogs + families should be in an obedience (in a perfect world!). It's good discipline for all involved. But it is not a time for your dog to play. I'd start looking into "play group" opportunities.

My puppy sitter moved from the west coast back to upstate NY. She started her pet sitting business on the west coast where house calls and "play groups" are common. Less common here but a great idea. My two go 2 days a week and are just dogs, other than behaving (basic manners learned in Obedience Class), no expectations for performing.

My sitter belongs to a professional pet sitter organization here in the Capital District, I will ask her if she has contacts in NY and mail you if she has any info.

Good luck!

[corgimom]

If Milo is not very dog friendly and afraid of other dogs, I am not sure how he
would handle a "play group". I know where Cody goes - every dog that participates has a 2 hour temperament test done with their two "in house" dogs and if they show any reason that they are afraid, not having fun or are aggressive, they can't participate. If you don't utilize their facility within a 6 month period of time, they have to be temperament tested again.

I think in Milo's case it would be good if he could be around other dogs where everyone is on a leash and not able to come after him; but I think Mabel is looking for some instruction from a professional with this in helping him deal with his fearfullness.

[milles2]

My sitter monitors the play groups very carefully and picks which dogs play on which days. She has a boxer/client who just didn't know how to play w/ other dogs. For the first few months he never played w/ Tucker because she didn't thnks he was safe with smaller dogs. After a few months playing w/ bigger dogs she introduced him to Brutus the JRT who can handle any large dog then w/ Tucker. Now the Boxer even is allowed to play w/ Puppy Lulu (God help the poor boxer...)

It's not a typical doggy day care situation, she is able to evluate the dogs and give them the proper attention and engage them at their own pace.

[Dillydoodle]

deleted my post

[corgimom]

Susan,

I see what you are getting at, but in the situation you described, the Boxer was not fearful - but one to possibly be fearful of; and he was okay playing the bigger dogs, it was a matter of getting him to be able to play with the smaller dogs. And what a better match than a JRT. And your Lulu sounds like she can hold her own.

Hopefully Mabel will be on tonight, but I think Milo is fearful of all dogs based on what she has described and he did have those two negative experiences with the Rottie and the Pug. I am just going by everything Mabel has said(and what I can remember) and I am not sure how he would handle being in a room with a bunch of dogs off leash. If a trainer could work with Mabel her fiance and Milo first with some obedience, and then introduce Milo to a well mannered, non hyper small dog to begin with, it may be a start.

[milles2]

Fair enough!

I guess if fear is the real issue, then maybe looking to a good professional trainer w/ experience in this area might be a way to go.

But again, I'd investigate the options. I love my Vet Clinic for so many reasons. Their medical care has been excellent. But I took a class with their behaviorist and I would never use her. I attended a lecture over the border in Massachusetts given by a Vet/behaviorist. I was so impressed I took her card just in case of future needs.

There are lots of behaviorists and trainers out there, finding the right one could be a challenge but very important.

[sweetlychee]

I'm on tonight, guys. Thanks for all the input.

We looked into Jessica's training place but it is still too far from us - we're in Brooklyn. We want some place closer and we have found some. Our vet suggested a place to us also in Brooklyn.

Even though the first step is hard, we have to take it and be brave. I can only do the research and all but would love a professional for some help. I rather start out slow and smaller and then work our way up to help Milo. I hope to not just have someone train/help Milo but also train us. And of course, we are still looking.

[milosmom]

Sometimes my Milo can get very distracted when we are "out in the world." He will do his commands great at home...but on the street he gets so distracted. This was an issue when he started Pet Therapy training. He had to learn not to fear medical equiptment, or get distracted by other dogs, or medical equipment sounds that often can send a dog barking, etc. One method taught to me is to always be able to make your dog focus on you, the "Watch ME" command. If you can get that down, it will be a huge help! I used a favorite treat and "Milo, watch me." While holding the treat so he could see it and let the medical equipment or wheelchair, dog, etc. roll by without getting freaked. He was so focused on me and the treat, he would sit intently & virtually ignore any distractions. It didn't take long for him to catch on that the "Watch Me" command got a treat. I buy small dried liver bits for a treat and he only gets them when we do Pet Therapy visits. That helps too... giving one special kind of treat only when doing a certain activity. It also helps if you have friends or relatives with dogs that you can make puppy play dates with so he can get more socialized. I also took him everywhere with me that would allow dogs so he could get used to being around everthing and anything. Be persistant & patient! It took Milo 2 obedience classes and lots of patience to get him where he is now. He isn't 100% all of the time...but neither are we humans! Corgis are smart little creatures....I was warned by many a Corgi owner to watch and make sure he didn't get the upperhand because if they can, they will! Good luck!

[Michael Romanos]

Debbie - what you say in response to my post is interesting.

My Taylor might be well bred etc but what about all the other mix bag of dogs he encounters who also run freely before and after the agility training sessions.

I have found that very very few dogs have any aggressive attitudes or tendencies in agility circles in NZ - and this from those at the very top of the tree (and world class) to those such as Taylor.

Agility and socialising - dogs and humans - go hand in hand in NZ. It could be that in the USA, agility people are more sensitive and less easy going than those in New Zealand. I suppose we are a more laid back, 'she's right mate' country. We don't have class distinction and most if not all the people 'pitch in' to help out at the meetings- so the picture here is mostly of dog and man all in it together.

It is not like this here in conformation and obedience. But the agility people are a different race.

[mochamix79]

After carefully reading these posts, I agree that Milo would not be a prime candidate for a general dog social...it would surely lead to further insecurities and possibly some large vet bills. I know in my neck of the woods, we have obedience/behavior specialists combined...and they work in small groups. I found this info from doing a yahoo search on dog behaviorists in brooklyn,NY. Dr. Borchelt's name was on an extensive list of people certified in the Animal Behavior Society. He may not be able to help you directly, but may be able to point you in a good direction.

Peter Borchelt, PhD
Animal Behavior Consultants, Inc,
2465 Stuart St.
Brooklyn, NY 11229
Email
FAX: (718) 769-9394
Phone: (718) 891-4200

Hope is not lost...just be persistent and patient. Good luck!!!