Some help required

Rowley69 · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:21 pm Post subject: Some help required

Hi all
Me and my wife will, in about 4 weeks be getting a chocolate labrador puppy dog. He will be about 7weeks when we get him, we're both looking forward to it immensely. I've been reading a few books on training, diet etc, just for any tips i can pick up. One book i got off a friend was the dog listener by jan fennell, which i've almost finished. I dont want to show our dog i just want a well behaved companion/pet , and thus i was wondering if anybody has read it with more experience of dogs than me if what she says is good advice. Its been 25 years since i last had a dog and i was a small boy so i know very little. I like what she says and it seems to make good sense to me, i would just like to know of testimonies besides what i read in the book. Any pointers on training a puppy or indeed any information anybody out there might think be useful would be gratefully recieved.

So cheers in advance

littlelab · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 6:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Rowley

I can honestly say hand on heart the The Dog Listener book is fantastic, I have used Amichien Bonding (as the technique is called) since Jack was 8 weeks old, when I got him, he is now 3 years old, compared to other dogs his age he is amazing, people always comment on how well behaved he is and ask me how I do it, I have had very little chewing, he comes when asked, I don't have to shout and we understand each other.

Its all about learning to communicate with your dog in his language, its about teaching humans to think dog!!!

However its a technique that must be used for life, you also have to convince family and friends to follow the rules of ignoring the puppy when they first meet him. Its tough but very very rewarding, so much so that my neighbour (who was nervous of dogs) has got her first puppy and has also read The Practical Dog listener (you might find this more useful). He is 4 months old and is extremely well adjusted to his pack status.

I am now booked on Jan's course for next year to learn the technique myself hopefully to help other people.

As far as food is concerned, you'll hear all sorts of differing views, but I have fed Jack over the years on dried, wet, special you name it, however we are now happy with Greek Yoghurt and weetabix in the morning and Pedigree chum and mixer in the evening, he's a perfect 36kilos in weight healthy and fit....... So there you go.

What more can I say good luck and enjoy!

Natalie

CharlieBrewer · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 10:50 pm Post subject:

Hi Rowley

Congratulations on your new addition!!

I can not say anything about the book you mentioned, although having read Natalies comments I may well go an purchase it now!! Wink

One thing I would stress is the importance of socialising, we socialised Charlie from when he was 9 weeks old and he attended puppy romps at our training school - people often comment on what a lovely friendly dog he is and I put some of that down to the puppy romps.

Also, find a good training school - one that promotes reward based training rather than negative training, dogs learn more from being praised than being punished!!

I am sure that you will have many adventures over the coming weeks/months - cant wait to see some piccies!!

Take care
Sarah

mommy · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:10 pm Post subject:

Hi

Have to say I agree with Natalie...I have the book, bought some years back and before there were forums like this available to ask questions from ' real ' people.

I found the book informative , easy to understand, and easy to be able to get into the dogs mind. I learned a lot about the way a dog thinks and ticks........and reminded me to ' think dog '

I liked the ' no nonsense ' kind approach, using the Amichien Bonding technique and thought this addressed and sorted a lot of probs.
It also addressed the ' dominance issue ' which, in my opinion is blamed to often for to much, these days.

........ and this led me naturally onto John Fisher books. Which are, in my opinion, excellent.

Be interested in others views on this......

Rowley69 · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:38 am Post subject:

thx for your replies, i've nearly finished the book, and i think i'll go down that route, but i'll need to get the wife to do the same so there is consistency. I like how her technique doesn't involve hittting the dog, i always thought that it was just a part of training ( by hitting i mean a tap on the nose or something like that not knocking the thing senseless). is this the case, is it a last resort or can u train your dog without hitting it, i would like to avoid it if i can, anybody got any advice here. Hope you all don't slate me here i'm just looking for the best way to make my dog a happy pet. Its been 25 years since i had a pet so i'm really a newbie to all this.

kittie970 · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:44 am Post subject:

Jan Fennel is the most amazing person and her books are wonderful there is also another book by a gentleman John Fisher and his books are brilliant too and well worth reading

hope all goes well with new addition

Sarah x

mommy · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:34 am Post subject:

Hi Rowley,

You have done the right thing to ask questions, don't worry.
Yes you can definatley train your pet without ' hitting ' and should do so.

When you get your head around the whole concept these books are demonstrating, you start understanding the dogs mind, then you realise that hitting is not only counter productive but cruel, in my opinion.
Even when you are your wits end with another chewed skirting board, keep a grip as one raised hand will either undo everything you have done and confuse, hurt, scare the dog and potentially create a life long problem for both dog and owner.

Below is a piece I copied from the home page that Julie put in......

" Trying to treat a dog like a human is called "Anthropomorphism" the dictionary states that this means "Attributing human characteristics to things that are not human" . Your labrador is not a small hairy person, he is of another species known as a "Canine."

Humans are capable of complex emotions like love, sadness, despair, jealousy, sympathy, hatred and loyalty. A dogs emotional state is more reactive, instinct driven and survival orientated. Instinct is something which is either there or not
there, and it covers survival, maternal, hunting, guarding, pack, and self preservation.

Dogs are living in the present, they react to the immediate smell, sound, and movement. Dogs experience aggression mostly from their "Owners" who do not understand that the dog does not understand what they are talking about.

Dogs are unable to reason and when they lay on the floor are not capable of thinking "I wonder what mum is making for dinner", the dog will react only to a sound, smell, and to the immediate situation.

Many owners of pets will punish their pet after an event just like a child. This is non productive, and is called "Anthropomorphism." Try asking a dog what one and one equals ? or simply deduct one from two, I bet he cant work it out!

Our pets are still wolves in disguise, and still ninety five percent wolf, they will roll in mud, eat faeces, but have many qualities that humans could learn from. They will always greet you well, not answer you back, ask for nothing, and if you do
not feed them they will still love you.

Commitment, Firmness, but kindness. "

So, in answer to you question, in my opinion, don't use your hand to train, educate and use your mind instead and use that.
I am a bit of a stickler on this subject, sorry, but if I see an animal being struck I stick my nose in.......usually gets me a mouthful too but hey.....

Stick with the kind approach and you will have a lovely confident well adjusted pet...good luck.

Karen · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:44 am Post subject:

I got a DVD called Training Dogs with John Fisher and it was really good to see the training techniques in action rather than reading.

Rowley69 · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:58 am Post subject:

thx for your replies. It's good to hear from people using the ideas in the book and that they work. It really does make a lot of sense to me. I've got loads of questions, so i'll keep on posting more. thx again

Trina · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 11:17 am Post subject:

Karen

Is the dvd just a good watch or did you learn things from it? We've been taking Penny to training for quite a while now. She's done really well and I know I'm biased but she's a lovely girl. However, the timing of the intermediate class doesn't suit us (it's at 9 pm and my husband's constant nightshift) and I really think she's bored at beginners and so won't do what she's told. I'd like to keep up her training at home but need something to give me some pointers. Therefore, is the dvd really good, is it only for puppies or are there useful things for older dogs. If it is only for pups, can anyone recommend anything else. Is the practical dog listener book good for dogs of any age?

Thanks, Trina