So I hired a trainer...

Had a THREE HOUR consultation last week with a trainer. I know this trainer from the school Archie attends (she taught one of the classes we took). So I hired her to help with loose leash walking (LLW) and to gain Archie's attention while out and about. Well, our 3 hr consult consisted of her basically observing him and giving me ways to mentally stimulate him because he was exhibiting anxiety behavior. Mind you he has been home bound for 2 weeks while recovering from his tweaked knee so he was a bit bonkers. So now I have to cover my windows so he doesn't see outside and go nuts from the animals out there. Provide a bunch of marrow bones. Not let him roam free in the yard without a leash (because apparently it's contributing to his lack of self control). Only take him outside on a leash even to the bathroom (he has a fenced yard). She also suggested to medicate him which I was not thrilled about. He has a tendency to chase his tale and chew at his feet when he doesn't get the attention he seeks. It's not bad to the point where he doesn't snap out of it but I had been concerning me. When this happens I distract him with a toy or give him something to chew on.

This is ending up to be a long post...

Anyway, the closest we came to LLW is her recommending a sensation harness. She said I can use it to take him on walks/hikes. Um NO! I tried that thing and it makes almost do difference at all. Yes, I fitted it properly according to instructions. I'm just becoming beyond frustrated with this walking thing. Now that we had a couple days where I took him outside twice a day to sniff around and get back on track on the leash his anxiety behavior subsided. Not totally gone but better in just 2 days. What do I do about this trainer? We're suppose to schedule another session in 1-2 weeks. I don't want another talking session. I want her to train my dog! If I can take him outside for a 30+ min walk he'd be much more calm indoors but I can't do that if he's bonkers on the leash! And this 2 wk break he had just set us back by 4 months with walking. I'm about to just lose it. :torn:

Anxiety.

I highly recommend PetCalm (granules, not liquid). Sunnie is living proof that this stuff works: PetCalm? - Homeopathic Medicine for Nervous Pets

trainers don't train the dog. they train the human to train the dog. if you want her to train your dog you'd have to have her come daily to work on training sessions with him. she cannot train and generalize behaviour like LLW in one session.

no tool will teach the dog to LLW. the tool a gives you control to teach it. So, I don't know exactly what she said, but putting on a harness or tool then going off into a high distractions area to walk will do zero to help with LLW. you need to start in a low distractions boring area and train what you want and then slowly increase distractions working up to a highly stimulating area.

personally i'd exercise without walks, and do short training sesssion on leash (very short, low distractiosn area)
Loose lead walking - 300 peck method - YouTube

I wanted her to correct my technique. Tell me what I'm doing wrong because I'm stuck (well, now totally regressed).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It sounds like you got a working line dog, so you need to work the dog to make him healthy and happy. Working line dogs don't always make the best pets UNLESS the family can commit to giving the dog what he needs for his mental and physical health. A lot of people end up in dog sports because they inadvertently got themselves a working line dog and *needed* to put it to work. So, welcome to the world of dog sports! :)

It sounds like the trainer is trying to help you find ways to keep the dog from getting over threshold (hence the blinds, leash in the yard, etc.). Which makes sense. I also think that instead of waiting until he is chasing his tail or chewing on himself, you need to focus on preventing the behavior vs. redirecting. Similar to the suggestion about not letting him get himself worked up in the first place.

He sounds a little like my yellow Lab, Linus. Linus has an off button, for sure, but if he is not getting what he needs, especially mentally, he starts licking and chewing himself. Regardless of training style/method/technique, there is nothing I can do to correct it, other than giving him what he needs. Or drugs. IMHO, if a mental or physical problem can be corrected with a lifestyle change, I'm not going to add drugs to the mix, human or animal.

Also, agree with Tanya. She cannot train your dog, she can only show you how to train your own dog.

What about getting involved in agility or nosework? Barn hunt? Obedience? Do you train him daily, even just tricks stuff?

If you want to tell me where you are in PA (PM me), I might be able to find a trainer for you in the various disciplines through my network. At this point, if I were you, if you could find a regular class, private lessons, etc. I would not worry about the sport (as long as you were both able), just find something that you both like where there is a good trainer and go for it.

We got our trainer do a home training.its alot different and I see more benefits. Its so different as gigi has done 5 classes of 6 weeks eacg with the same trainer in a group setting. Now at home she gave very targeted behaviour input.

Plus it's also easy to fix issues at home where they live.


She comes for a visit every other week and talked for an hr and half. We are going to do some group walks and then go to bass pro shop. Off leash bike riding one day way down the road. But again as mentioned her role is to tell us how to train . Again she trains us .


Gigi was very hyper as per people who have owned other labs,my wife and her mom who are all previous lab owners.

Yet we did not Medicate her. She is close to 2 yrs and starting to wind down alot.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk