What Dog Owners Do...

PANZERIA

THAT DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!

I am a dog trainer and I have been working with and rehabilitating dogs for several years now. I have rehabilitated and re-homed a number of dogs, so it really drives me nuts when I get stupid questions from clients who don't do their research BEFORE taking home that adorable little puppy in the window.

Here are questions/situations that drive me crazy:

Q: When do I start training my new puppy?
A: As soon as you walk through the door of your house.

Client: My little dog jumping up on me is so cute, and I love it when he/she rushes to the door to greet me when I walk in! But I wish he would calm down the rest of the time...
Me: ...Srsly?

Q: How do I discipline my little chihuahua/other small canine?
A: Exactly the same way as if he were a 100lb german shepherd.
Q: BUT I DON'T WANT TO HURT HIM.
A: ...Are you trying to actually hurt, or are you trying to discipline? Discipline: no hurt. Abusing: Hurting.

Client: My dog always pulls on the leash. I tried it your way for a couple of walks (light corrections and treats whenever they pay attention), but it didn't work. So I just went out and bought a prong collar...and it still doesn't work!

Client: I'm afraid of my neighbors' pit bull! You should test it and put it down!

And so on and so forth. My main clients are the ones with larger dogs (because they pose a real danger if not trained properly), but it's definitely the people with small dogs who have no clue on how to train them or know how their small dog is SUPPOSED to behave.

In short: DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE GETTING A DOG, PEOPLE!

EmCarroll1990

We have our Rotti pup in his third level of training now. Prong collars do help, but there are certain ways in which to use them. Obviously you're aware of that, but most people just think "Yes, it's on he can pull as much as wants, he'll learn." It sooo doesn't work that way.

FluttershySweetie

I 100% agree! I work at a vet hospital and I see it on a daily basis.... It`s disgusting.... keep on doing the great work you do!

bethgames

I have the BEST retriever and the BEST chihuahua EVAH!!! big and small they both listen like champs. Take them everywhere and anywhere. Yay for well trained dogs!

cessnaholly

True!

PANZERIA

We have our Rotti pup in his third level of training now. Prong collars do help, but there are certain ways in which to use them. Obviously you're aware of that, but most people just think "Yes, it's on he can pull as much as wants, he'll learn." It sooo doesn't work that way.

I'm not completely against prong collars. My first labrador retriever had to have one - nothing else worked. The way I see it: if it works for you, your dog is easier to control, AND you're using it properly, then hey, go for it.

But yes...the pulling thing drives me NUTS! And then they're shocked when it 'magically' doesn't work. It works for some dogs, but if the dog is still pulling, STOP FREAKING USING IT!!!!! It's just going to injure the poor thing!

MaryPhillips90

Not everyone is so well informed. Considering the fact that you're a dog trainer, it's kind of your job to expect andanswer these questions. Especially to new dog owners who haven't the slightest idea.

PANZERIA

I 100% agree! I work at a vet hospital and I see it on a daily basis.... It`s disgusting.... keep on doing the great work you do!

I could NEVER work at a vet hospital!!!! =( =( At least when I work with dogs, they're healthy(ish...on the outside, lol). You have to have a pretty strong spine to work at a vet hospital. Keep doing the great work you do too!!!!

angieleighbyrd

I have 3 dogs. 2 of them are getting up there in age and both have arthritis so walking them is getting rough on them.

My youngin' is a pit. I don't even use a regular collar. I use a harness. I had issues walking him, pulling on his collar only choked him. Why the hell would I want to choke my dog??? As soon as I got a harness, my issues with walking him were gone.

Those poky/spikey collars piss me off.

I am a firm believer that the stigma with pits is BS. It's all in how you raise them. Mine is the equivalent of scooby doo. A big dumb cuddely loveable bear!

Bridge_CG

Amen! My when I come home from anywhere, my heelers are sitting at the door with toys in their mouths... Wiggling their tails of course. Leash training my pup is a tad bit frustrating, but... I'm going to keep working on it, because she's getting better!!!

EmCarroll1990

Not everyone is so well informed. Considering the fact that you're a dog trainer, it's kind of your job to expect andanswer these questions. Especially to new dog owners who haven't the slightest idea.

Which is why, this: In short: DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE GETTING A DOG, PEOPLE! was said.

HMVOL7409

While I appreciate this and understand it; please remember no one is a perfect pet owner/parent just as there no perfect parents to humans. We all make mistakes, we all get frustrated but if we are presented with PATIENT AND UNDERSTANDING, trained people when seeking help we can get a lot further. Research can only get you so far. No 2 dogs of the same breed are exactly alike. You can read all you want; doesn't mean you have knowledge.

yourpalacf

Sooooo, about the pulling...I have a ~50 lb lab mix who is sometimes really pull-y. We tried training her with treats to walk beside us, but she'll do it for a bit, then take off ahead. Come back for a treat, repeat. Any suggestions?

EmCarroll1990

Those poky/spikey collars piss me off.

I am a firm believer that the stigma with pits is BS. It's all in how you raise them. Mine is the equivalent of scooby doo. A big dumb cuddely loveable bear!

They shouldn't piss you off. They're meant for bigger dogs (and mine being a Rotti has a VERY high pain tolerance) they're not meant to abuse, they're meant to discipline.

And yes, the stigma about pits is stupid. Every single one I've met has been a freaking sweetheart.

flsunshine

ive been working with animals for 15 yrs- i dont agree with prongs or chain collars unless you know how to use them correctly. i tell people all the time buy a gentle lead first. those things are amazing!!!!
i worked in mostly shelters and people all the time came in wanting a dog and not researching the types of breeds they really want. gotta look at what you are willing to committe first. and grooming so many people dont realize how often some dogs require to be groomed- yea that toy poodle is cute but are you willing to pay out of pocket every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the fur trimmed or are you up for daily brushings to keep it from matting inbetween.
another note- im currently workin at a vets and little dogs are horrible and its because the owners refuse to properly train them because theyre little- i say fudge that- begin training them to be held and restraint asap this goes for large dogs too.
and cats theyre a different story

PANZERIA

Not everyone is so well informed. Considering the fact that you're a dog trainer, it's kind of your job to expect andanswer these questions. Especially to new dog owners who haven't the slightest idea.

But they should be! If you bring an animal into your house, especially one as intelligent, sensitive, and social as a dog, they NEED to do research beforehand! If they don't, THEN I have to come in and reverse the damage. I just recently had to have a seized dog put down because it was too aggressive to handle. That was the first time in my entire dog-training career that I've had to make that call. Usually with the support from the family and enough training, they can change...this one was too far gone, and I just didn't have the facility for her. That was really hard...and completely not the dogs fault, but the owners'

I suppose my main point is some of my clients call me in, listen to me for an hour...and then go right back to their bad habits because mine are 'too hard'. Yes. Because your way worked so much better, lol.

Bridge_CG

I have 3 dogs. 2 of them are getting up there in age and both have arthritis so walking them is getting rough on them.

My youngin' is a pit. I don't even use a regular collar. I use a harness. I had issues walking him, pulling on his collar only choked him. Why the hell would I want to choke my dog??? As soon as I got a harness, my issues with walking him were gone.

Those poky/spikey collars piss me off.

I am a firm believer that the stigma with pits is BS. It's all in how you raise them. Mine is the equivalent of scooby doo. A big dumb cuddely loveable bear!

Pit bulls are such amazing dogs! Ban bad owners. Not the dogs. I live in New Mexico where the pittie population is given the worst stigma. It saddens me. I volunteered with the Humane Society and it would pain me to see all the older pits who would stay another day in their kennels- not knowing if they'd get a forever home.

flsunshine

try a gentle lead- its similar to a horse harness it controls the head with out being like a muzzle

EmCarroll1990

ive been working with animals for 15 yrs- i dont agree with prongs or chain collars unless you know how to use them correctly. i tell people all the time buy a gentle lead first. those things are amazing!!!!
i worked in mostly shelters and people all the time came in wanting a dog and not researching the types of breeds they really want. gotta look at what you are willing to committe first. and grooming so many people dont realize how often some dogs require to be groomed- yea that toy poodle is cute but are you willing to pay out of pocket every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the fur trimmed or are you up for daily brushings to keep it from matting inbetween.
another note- im currently workin at a vets and little dogs are horrible and its because the owners refuse to properly train them because theyre little- i say fudge that- begin training them to be held and restraint asap this goes for large dogs too.
and cats theyre a different story

We've been working with our pup since the day we got him. We sing this song we created called "Pieces and parts" at least once a day, and pick him up, touch his teeth, mouth, ears, toes, legs, genitals everything; so he'll be good when he's at the vet.

This is so lame, now that I've re-read what I wrote lol.

PANZERIA

I have the BEST retriever and the BEST chihuahua EVAH!!! big and small they both listen like champs. Take them everywhere and anywhere. Yay for well trained dogs!

Aww yay!!!! =D =D =D I love that.

I've got a 100lb german shepherd, a border collie, and a poodle/terrier cross. Love the big to small ratio...and they are all treated the same! YAY FOR TRAINING!!! Well done with your dogs.

LBash03

We have our Rotti pup in his third level of training now. Prong collars do help, but there are certain ways in which to use them. Obviously you're aware of that, but most people just think "Yes, it's on he can pull as much as wants, he'll learn." It sooo doesn't work that way.

I'm not completely against prong collars. My first labrador retriever had to have one - nothing else worked. The way I see it: if it works for you, your dog is easier to control, AND you're using it properly, then hey, go for it.

But yes...the pulling thing drives me NUTS! And then they're shocked when it 'magically' doesn't work. It works for some dogs, but if the dog is still pulling, STOP FREAKING USING IT!!!!! It's just going to injure the poor thing!

I love the prong collar. I have an 80 lb German Shepherd and she is still a puppy. She can pull me on walks but not with the prong collar. We have used it for about 5 months, and now, we don't have to put it on her because she learned from the prong collar. She is great and walks right next to me.

rukusmay

If these sort of questions make you crazy, maybe you should get into a new line of work. I appreciate that people should research their dogs before they get them (having 2 jack russels- I am a firm believer in research first) but I don't go to my doctor thinking I know more that her or tell the personal trainer at the gym that I know how to do all the right exercises to do to make me thin. I go to these people and ASK QUESTIONS- maybe even stupid ones to them but they are the expert, not me. At least these people are asking so you can educate them. I am happy that people are taking dogs into their home and loving them or at least trying to find a better way to take care of them.

flsunshine

ive been working with animals for 15 yrs- i dont agree with prongs or chain collars unless you know how to use them correctly. i tell people all the time buy a gentle lead first. those things are amazing!!!!
i worked in mostly shelters and people all the time came in wanting a dog and not researching the types of breeds they really want. gotta look at what you are willing to committe first. and grooming so many people dont realize how often some dogs require to be groomed- yea that toy poodle is cute but are you willing to pay out of pocket every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the fur trimmed or are you up for daily brushings to keep it from matting inbetween.
another note- im currently workin at a vets and little dogs are horrible and its because the owners refuse to properly train them because theyre little- i say fudge that- begin training them to be held and restraint asap this goes for large dogs too.
and cats theyre a different story

We've been working with our pup since the day we got him. We sing this song we created called "Pieces and parts" at least once a day, and pick him up, touch his teeth, mouth, ears, toes, legs, genitals everything; so he'll be good when he's at the vet.

This is so lame, now that I've re-read what I wrote lol.

no i educate people with day with new pups to do those things. you have to get them used to being handled period.

flsunshine

We have our Rotti pup in his third level of training now. Prong collars do help, but there are certain ways in which to use them. Obviously you're aware of that, but most people just think "Yes, it's on he can pull as much as wants, he'll learn." It sooo doesn't work that way.

I'm not completely against prong collars. My first labrador retriever had to have one - nothing else worked. The way I see it: if it works for you, your dog is easier to control, AND you're using it properly, then hey, go for it.

But yes...the pulling thing drives me NUTS! And then they're shocked when it 'magically' doesn't work. It works for some dogs, but if the dog is still pulling, STOP FREAKING USING IT!!!!! It's just going to injure the poor thing!

I love the prong collar. I have an 80 lb German Shepherd and she is still a puppy. She can pull me on walks but not with the prong collar. We have used it for about 5 months, and now, we don't have to put it on her because she learned from the prong collar. She is great and walks right next to me.

ive trained most of my dogs with gentle leads-

PANZERIA

I have 3 dogs. 2 of them are getting up there in age and both have arthritis so walking them is getting rough on them.

My youngin' is a pit. I don't even use a regular collar. I use a harness. I had issues walking him, pulling on his collar only choked him. Why the hell would I want to choke my dog??? As soon as I got a harness, my issues with walking him were gone.

Those poky/spikey collars piss me off.

I am a firm believer that the stigma with pits is BS. It's all in how you raise them. Mine is the equivalent of scooby doo. A big dumb cuddely loveable bear!

I've got a 4 month old pit that I'm fostering right now. He's adorable, lol.

Aww, poor things. =( My eldest, Tugs, is a 7 year old terrier/poodle who is also getting arthritis for her knees. We've got her on a great glucosamine supplement, but I know it's only a matter of time before I'm going to have to start just keeping her mind exercised.

Prong collars, if used improperly, are quite terrible. I've seen dogs who have been at the end of a lead their entire lives WITH prong collars on, so they've been pulling and jerking, and it's not pretty. At the same time, people who use it responsibly are good dog owners - they have found what the dog reacts to. Some are more food reactive, others need toys, others can use the gentle lead, and others are fine with the basic collar and leash. Whatever works for the dog and the owner - both need to be confident on the walk, so I figure, whatever works for them!

Blacklance36

I see it all the time too, Im on my third German Shepard (the two before died of old age) and I have a Retriever as well.

I was on a dog walk and a small dog came running up to my Shep barking and snapping at it. The owner came slowly over, picked her dog up and cradeled it in her arms:

Me: You know you just rewarded your dog for that behavior don't you?
She: I dont know why he does that. I think its because your dog is so big.

How do you even start explaining to someone like that what they did wrong and how they need to correct it?

I could give you so many other examples... Dont get a dog if you are unwilling to train it properly.
Oh, and dont get a dog unless you are willing to exercise it AND pick up after it. I hate people that dont do that!

Great advice. Im sure you give a lot of wonderful advice to owners that are smart enough to hire a trainer.

EmCarroll1990

We have our Rotti pup in his third level of training now. Prong collars do help, but there are certain ways in which to use them. Obviously you're aware of that, but most people just think "Yes, it's on he can pull as much as wants, he'll learn." It sooo doesn't work that way.

I'm not completely against prong collars. My first labrador retriever had to have one - nothing else worked. The way I see it: if it works for you, your dog is easier to control, AND you're using it properly, then hey, go for it.

But yes...the pulling thing drives me NUTS! And then they're shocked when it 'magically' doesn't work. It works for some dogs, but if the dog is still pulling, STOP FREAKING USING IT!!!!! It's just going to injure the poor thing!

I love the prong collar. I have an 80 lb German Shepherd and she is still a puppy. She can pull me on walks but not with the prong collar. We have used it for about 5 months, and now, we don't have to put it on her because she learned from the prong collar. She is great and walks right next to me.

ive trained most of my dogs with gentle leads-

Everyone has different styles. My trainer recommended a prong collar.

EmCarroll1990

Just remembered something:

We were at PetSmart one day, and there was this Russian chick with her little Miniature Pinscher and the damn thing was barking, teeth showing, and snapping at my pup who was just sitting there looking at it like, "*****es be crazy." Anywho, the Russian chick picks up her dog and she's like, "Oh, he does that when he's scared." You're dog is not scared, your dog is aggressive and needs training!

LBash03

We have our Rotti pup in his third level of training now. Prong collars do help, but there are certain ways in which to use them. Obviously you're aware of that, but most people just think "Yes, it's on he can pull as much as wants, he'll learn." It sooo doesn't work that way.

I'm not completely against prong collars. My first labrador retriever had to have one - nothing else worked. The way I see it: if it works for you, your dog is easier to control, AND you're using it properly, then hey, go for it.

But yes...the pulling thing drives me NUTS! And then they're shocked when it 'magically' doesn't work. It works for some dogs, but if the dog is still pulling, STOP FREAKING USING IT!!!!! It's just going to injure the poor thing!

I love the prong collar. I have an 80 lb German Shepherd and she is still a puppy. She can pull me on walks but not with the prong collar. We have used it for about 5 months, and now, we don't have to put it on her because she learned from the prong collar. She is great and walks right next to me.

ive trained most of my dogs with gentle leads-

Everyone has different styles. My trainer recommended a prong collar.

I tried everything I could before resorting to the prong collar because I felt like it was going to hurt her. We had her in training classes and even the instructor recommended the prong collar because she pulled so bad, and is so big. After the first use, she was a completely different dog. And I definitely agree, all dogs are different!

rukusmay

YESSSSSSSSSS!

flsunshine

We have our Rotti pup in his third level of training now. Prong collars do help, but there are certain ways in which to use them. Obviously you're aware of that, but most people just think "Yes, it's on he can pull as much as wants, he'll learn." It sooo doesn't work that way.

I'm not completely against prong collars. My first labrador retriever had to have one - nothing else worked. The way I see it: if it works for you, your dog is easier to control, AND you're using it properly, then hey, go for it.

But yes...the pulling thing drives me NUTS! And then they're shocked when it 'magically' doesn't work. It works for some dogs, but if the dog is still pulling, STOP FREAKING USING IT!!!!! It's just going to injure the poor thing!

I love the prong collar. I have an 80 lb German Shepherd and she is still a puppy. She can pull me on walks but not with the prong collar. We have used it for about 5 months, and now, we don't have to put it on her because she learned from the prong collar. She is great and walks right next to me.

ive trained most of my dogs with gentle leads-

Everyone has different styles. My trainer recommended a prong collar.

I tried everything I could before resorting to the prong collar because I felt like it was going to hurt her. We had her in training classes and even the instructor recommended the prong collar because she pulled so bad, and is so big. After the first use, she was a completely different dog. And I definitely agree, all dogs are different!

im cool with using the prong collars and chokers if the people are willing to use them properly- ive seen so many people over the past 15 yrs use them incorrectly- glad yall are willing to work with a trainer to be taught how to use them- i recommend the gentle lead because it is affect pending on the dog and if the owner wants to work with their dog.
i have a client who had an 80 lb german shepard and she was using a halter the dog was literally dragging her around- so i told her about the gentle lead- i saw her a fews weeks ago and she was amazed by the difference-