Stella's evaluation with the trainer...

[katm4110]

Stella had her eval today. She definitely may be dog aggressive so we have to start out in private classes. He thinks she's a great dog with lots of potential! We bought a prong collar today but it will only be used during training, he said not to put it on her until he teaches us how to use it. He thinks she's definitely all dutchie and was very knowledgable about the breed. His dogs (GSD) were so well behaved.... they will be there to "help" with Stella's classes and her socialization. He thinks what happened yesterday with the baby and my mom was no big deal and just Stella learning her "place" in her new family. We want her to be protective but don't want to do bite work with her. So he suggested another type of training where we can teach her to bark aggressively on command.... he demonstrated this with his GSD and I think it will be perfect.... I forgot what he called it. I'm so excited about these classes!!! He said for us to think about what we want from Stella and we'll focus on that I've never been a "dog person" but Stella sure has transformed me.... now if only they had an obedience class for my kids

[Dutchringgirl]

Fantastic!!!! I love the "bark on command" It has come in very handy. Yeah.... obed class for kids... Ill enroll!!!

[Selena]

My kids get same sort of ob routine as the dogs.
Not that different..consistent, honest, yes = yes, no= no. Praise,hugs, corrections and punishment when they understand what is meant.

[katm4110]

Consistency seems to be the key ingredient with dogs.... and kids.... the only difference is they don't make prong collars for children

[Selena]

Holding at the shoulder blad is an alternative

[Marjolein]

Sounds good! And you seem to have a really nice, good trainer

I had a trainer once, that just gave me the advise to use a prong, no explanation, and vanished later on when my dog resisted it and it started some problems...yay...thanx

[feraloup]

*lol* love the kids/dogs training comparisons. So true. Currently, I work as a para-educator in a school, and I work one-on-one with high-needs kiddos.

I used to work full-time at a horse barn, and before horses had worked at a boarding kennel and for a doberman breeder. I ended up accidentally falling into education when my son, (now 5,) was about 2. I'd done barnwork right into my last month of pregnancy, and 2 months after he was born, I was back full-time, wearing him on my back while mucking stalls, slinging haybales, and etc... Finally though, by the time he was 2 I could wear him, and do all the work, and not be feeling crippled the next morning! As much as I loved the barn, it got to where I was paying more for childcare than I was earning and had to do something else. I started subbing at a local school, and before long, became a full-time para.

Years of working with dogs and horses prepared me well for a career with children! (and parenthood!). *lol*

Not that I would say that to a parent of one of the kids I work with, because they'd take it the wrong way, ("Are you comparing my child with livestock?!!!") But really, a lot of the same basic principles apply... Guided Socialization, Consistency, Positive Reinforcement, Reasonable Consequences, being Able to React to a situation quickly and effectively, but Without being too "Reactive," all very transferable skills!!!

Being both a multi-time dog-owner and a parent of a 5 year old boy: hands down, the dog is easier to obedience train. *grin* (and housebreak! )

[katm4110]

Oh I totally agree! (I have 3 boys 8, 6, and 3 a 6 month old daughter and an 11 year old step daughter) Stella has been much easier on me!!! I love that you wore your son on your back! I have worn all of my children.... in fact I'll be sticking Vivian in the stretchy wrap here in a few minutes so we can take Stella for a nice long walk before the rain starts!