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Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 8:16 pm
by rabeatz
I hope this is OK to post since we aren't really sure if Lola is a DS or not yet (see http://www.dutchshepherdforum.com/viewt ... =60&t=5115 ) but I wanted to talk a bit about training and venture out of the "Is my canine a DS" forum (I've been lurking in other sections but not posting).

I reached out to a friend of mine with a Beligian Mallinois trained for S&R and asked if he had any recommendations for a trainer in our area (Orlando, FL). He recommended Ed Reyes ( http://edreyesk9.com/ ) Has anyone heard of him, have anything to say, or any other recommendations for a trainer?

We're really not looking for a trainer where Lola is boarded and shipped back to us "trained" (or a totally different dog we don't recognize), but something where we do training sessions with the trainer and at home without the trainer and have someone we can reach out to as issues develop.

We know that training is an investment - his rates seem very reasonable. He recommended first meeting her and doing some behavior training (group sessions, I believe) and if he feels shes ready, at about 8 months getting into some bitework and other related training.

We want a family pet - but I know Lola needs a job. Our training goals are behavior first - and then training to have her protect our family in an event it's needed would be next. Is this a realistic goal? I know some people say it's all or nothing - they're either a working dog or they aren't.

A bit about Lola - she's a rescue, currently about 36 lbs, 5 months old. Very vocal, independent but loves playtime with the family or with our Australian shepherd. Definitely the alpha dog of the house - but she doesn't seem like her drive is overkill. She does not show any signs of food or toy agression - She and Ezekiel have eaten and drank out of the same bowl and do so regularly - to the point we have to separate them when feeding so she eats puppy food and he eats dog food. She does have a prey drive, it seems - as the toy she wants to play with is whatever one is flying by, or that Ezekiel has - regardless of the fact she already has one in her mouth.

Any tips or feedback is greatly appreciated.

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 12:36 pm
by centrop67
It sounds like you are on the right track, and hopefully someone has reached out to you via IM.

OR, it just be that no one here on the forum has experience with that trainer.

I know this is a struggle, because I have reached out to the local Schutzhund club and a working dog trainer locally and I got zero response - frustrating.

One thing that I have learned form this site is that this breed has a tendency to become a one-person dog. That might complicate things in a family setting. Search and Rescue and tracking may be a good training path after obedience.

I was lucky enough to have one member provide good detail on finding a breeder. Perhaps I can get someone to do the same for trainers?

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:19 pm
by ICE
Trainers are very subjective. What may work for you may not work for me no matter what the dog is like. Each person has to decide how they want to train (positive, corrections, e-collar, etc). Then the trick is finding a trainer that supports your style. One very important piece of advise, DO NOT EVER let a trainer push you into doing something you are not comfortable with. It doesn't matter how many titles the trainer has or how many dogs he has trained, if you don't feel good about the method, your dog will know it and respond accordingly.
I am from Illinois so I am not familiar with the trainer you are looking at. I would suggest you go and watch (without your dog) a class or two so you can get a feel for how he trains and how comfortable his other students are. Or sign up for a class but be willing to forfeit your class fee if you are not comfortable with the training style.
I am not sure from your post if you are concerned about doing bitework. I do many sports with ICE, IPO included. He is a crazy man when the decoy is on the field. ICE absolutely loves the fight the decoy brings but he is also a house dog and plays just fine with my other 3 dogs, has no issues with human family members and is my cuddly lap dog. So, my point being, bitework done correctly does not make a dog aggressive or out of control. I hope this helps.

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:10 pm
by Patrick
There is an expression. Get two trainers together and the only thing on which they will agree is that the third trainer is doing it wrong. 😂

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:24 pm
by Dutchringgirl
Patrick wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:10 pm There is an expression. Get two trainers together and the only thing on which they will agree is that the third trainer is doing it wrong. 😂

HAHA perfect

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:27 pm
by Dutchringgirl
They are one person dogs, my Thalie REFUSES to listen to any one else, except my dad, but he is a special animal guy. The kids get frustrated because they call her and call her or tell her over and over to sit and NOPE, only if I tell her. Sadie is a bit better since I had Sadie since a pup with the kids so I made sure she would listen to the kids, but I am still Sadies Human. You can have the other family members work with her at training sessions to help teach them too, but she will always be a one human dog.

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 11:51 am
by Patrick
Dutchringgirl wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:27 pm They are one person dogs, my Thalie REFUSES to listen to any one else, except my dad, but he is a special animal guy. The kids get frustrated because they call her and call her or tell her over and over to sit and NOPE, only if I tell her. Sadie is a bit better since I had Sadie since a pup with the kids so I made sure she would listen to the kids, but I am still Sadies Human. You can have the other family members work with her at training sessions to help teach them too, but she will always be a one human dog.
Ha ha!

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 11:54 am
by Patrick
rabeatz wrote: ↑Thu Feb 02, 2017 8:16 pm I hope this is OK to post since we aren't really sure if Lola is a DS or not yet (see http://www.dutchshepherdforum.com/viewt ... =60&t=5115 ) but I wanted to talk a bit about training and venture out of the "Is my canine a DS" forum (I've been lurking in other sections but not posting).

I reached out to a friend of mine with a Beligian Mallinois trained for S&R and asked if he had any recommendations for a trainer in our area (Orlando, FL). He recommended Ed Reyes ( http://edreyesk9.com/ ) Has anyone heard of him, have anything to say, or any other recommendations for a trainer?

We're really not looking for a trainer where Lola is boarded and shipped back to us "trained" (or a totally different dog we don't recognize), but something where we do training sessions with the trainer and at home without the trainer and have someone we can reach out to as issues develop.

We know that training is an investment - his rates seem very reasonable. He recommended first meeting her and doing some behavior training (group sessions, I believe) and if he feels shes ready, at about 8 months getting into some bitework and other related training.

We want a family pet - but I know Lola needs a job. Our training goals are behavior first - and then training to have her protect our family in an event it's needed would be next. Is this a realistic goal? I know some people say it's all or nothing - they're either a working dog or they aren't.

A bit about Lola - she's a rescue, currently about 36 lbs, 5 months old. Very vocal, independent but loves playtime with the family or with our Australian shepherd. Definitely the alpha dog of the house - but she doesn't seem like her drive is overkill. She does not show any signs of food or toy agression - She and Ezekiel have eaten and drank out of the same bowl and do so regularly - to the point we have to separate them when feeding so she eats puppy food and he eats dog food. She does have a prey drive, it seems - as the toy she wants to play with is whatever one is flying by, or that Ezekiel has - regardless of the fact she already has one in her mouth.

Any tips or feedback is greatly appreciated.
I trained with Ed a handful of times. I liked him. I like that he trains real-world dogs as I have come across many sport dog trainers that think training Schutzhund is the same as training personal protection.

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 11:59 am
by Patrick
centrop67 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2017 12:36 pmfinding a breeder[/url]. Perhaps I can get someone to do the same for trainers?
I think it depends for what one wants to train. I once took my PPD to a world champion Schutzhund competitor and trainer for PPD work and I thought he was AWFUL. Some of these folks think they're a Jack of all trades. Usually, they are not.

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 10:09 pm
by rabeatz
I'm sorry for not replying to everyone - I thought I was being ignored and never got any replies - email notifications must not have been configured properly!

My wife and I have taken Lola to Ed's training for about a month or two now and we LOVE it. Trainer is a great guy and it's not too expensive. I've actually referred a few new clients to him as well by having them come out to the sessions and watch and learn. Lola is doing really well and picks up on things very quickly. Ed got us set up with the pinch/prong collar as well, which we were a little weary of because it looks like a painful torture device - so I put it on myself and saw it definitely isn't a torture device and we are completely comfortable with it.

We got a Herm Sprenger collar for her, I don't have her on her all the time, but I had recalled some forum members talking about putting it on with a lead inside the house and I have done that a couple times during her *crazy hour* to get her to chill out - without really even needing to do any corrections.

While at her last training session I learned she has a LOT of fun with the schutzhund wall / a-frame - and I will build one for our yard soon.

Time to go check my settings so I don't let a thread disappear like this again!

Edit: I guess there's not an option to automatically subscribe to a thread you start? I'll have to pay attention in the future.

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 3:46 pm
by Duke
ICE wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:19 pm
I am from Illinois so I am not familiar with the trainer you are looking at.
Where do you recommend to go in Illinois? I'd like to get Duke involved in either of the popular dog sports. He has a high drive for protection, and agility. I'm thinking schutzhund would be great.

Also, you mentioned not to ever let somebody force you do do something you aren't on board with. I went to an intro class somewhere and some poor rescue who was a bit mouthy didn't want to go through the agility tunnel and the trainer kept insisting on trying, the poor dog was like hanging from its prong collar fighting to avoid it! So sad

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 7:10 pm
by ICE
Duke wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2017 3:46 pm
ICE wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:19 pm
I am from Illinois so I am not familiar with the trainer you are looking at.
Where do you recommend to go in Illinois? I'd like to get Duke involved in either of the popular dog sports. He has a high drive for protection, and agility. I'm thinking schutzhund would be great.

Also, you mentioned not to ever let somebody force you do do something you aren't on board with. I went to an intro class somewhere and some poor rescue who was a bit mouthy didn't want to go through the agility tunnel and the trainer kept insisting on trying, the poor dog was like hanging from its prong collar fighting to avoid it! So sad
I go to Plainfield for agility, Kirkland and Grayslake for IPO and Rock Falls for dock diving.
Where are you located?

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 7:59 pm
by Duke
ICE wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:19 pm
I go to Plainfield for agility, Kirkland and Grayslake for IPO and Rock Falls for dock diving.
Where are you located?
I'm currently in Evanston, however on weekends traffic isn't too bad and could consider any of those. Thank you for the info.

Re: Ed Reyes K9 Training

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 1:55 pm
by ICE
sent you a PM Duke