Training gone to pot!!!

sezpet · #1 03-05-11, 05:47 PM

Heres the thing guys
My two youngest shepherds are aged 2yrs(Leah,female,spayed) and 1 yr(Shey,male,entire) have both been with me since they were 8 weeks old.When i got Leah in 2009, she was quick to catch on and soon learned the basic commands and usually obeyed me.All was going well and apart from a pretty inconsistent recall,she had mastered the basics in just a few months.Then in 2010 we introduced shey to the mix,as a young pup he soon learned to sit,and leave but would not lie down on command nor stay.My theory was that he was distracted by the older dogs and i could not get him to focus on me during training.As time has gone on he has grown into a lovely natured dog who loves to play and loves human company too,However he is ultra excitable and whenever we go out to play or i pick up the lead to walk him he will bark like crazy and leap up at me in a frenzy of excitement.This causes mayhem in the house as leah sees his behaviour as threatening and it sometimes causes them to square up to each other and i have to intervene very quickly to prevent a fight.I have recently decided that back to basics was the only way forward and i have tried to train shey seperately,however Leah makes the biggest noise if i go outside with only shey and she gets herself in such a stress that training is always short and sweet and therefore it is slow progress.I am toying with the idea of taking him to behaviour classes,but at one year old i am struggling to find a suitable class for a big dog that needs to learn all the basics as these are usually puppy classes and they wont take him!!! I am not made of money and therefore cannot stretch to one to one training and so i need some advice as to what to do or where to go. It is clear that both dogs,although strongly bonded to each other(a problem in itself seeing as i am supposed to be in charge!!!) are also competing for attention and holding their focus is getting more and more difficult!!!!Meanwhile my 13 year old(and very well behaved)shepherd looks on in total disgust at their rebellious behaviour!!!!Any advice or recommendations for behaviour training classes would be welcomed .I am in Blackpool.Lancs. Sarah x

#2 03-05-11, 05:53 PM

sarah why not pm blackpool ottos mum (clare) i know she takes otto to classes in that area and he is a little sweetheart, she may be able to point you in the right direction! trisha

sezpet · #3 03-05-11, 05:57 PM

Thanks Trisha, i will do that...somethings got to give before i go mad!!!lol

GobbySchäferhund · #4 03-05-11, 06:06 PM

Hi Sarah

I would also recommend Otto's mum Clare, i know that Otto attends some classes in Blackpool.

Jess says say Hi to her sister for her, big hugs and kisses

sezpet · #5 03-05-11, 06:10 PM

Thank you Liam, i will ask her,however like i said,Shey needs to start from scratch so its tricky.Leah is fast asleep on the sofa after a pretty long play session with ball.She sends Jess a great big hug right back!!!!

GobbySchäferhund · #6 03-05-11, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sezpet

Thank you Liam, i will ask her,however like i said,Shey needs to start from scratch so its tricky.Leah is fast asleep on the sofa after a pretty long play session with ball.She sends Jess a great big hug right back!!!!

Jess says thanks, we should meet up some time as we meet up with Clare Andy and Otto at St Annes shore, It would be good for Jess and Leah to see each other ( I think ), Do you think they will know they are sisters???

Clare is online now im sure she will look at this thread vey soon, There will be schools out there that take dogs of all ages, you just need directing in the right direction

sezpet · #7 03-05-11, 06:24 PM

Yes i am sure they would love each other Liam, and if they didnt we would have our hands full!!!Leah is not an aggressive dog, she is very friendly as a rule, its just my other young dog that she cannot tolerate!!!lol She is a big softy,i agree we should introduce them sometime,just give me a little time to perfect her recall as she is the most headstrong young lady when she wants to be!!!! I have spent many a happy hour watching her dance around just feet away from me as if to say"Bet you cant catch me and get that lead on again!!!"lol

GobbySchäferhund · #8 03-05-11, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sezpet

Yes i am sure they would love each other Liam, and if they didnt we would have our hands full!!!Leah is not an aggressive dog, she is very friendly as a rule, its just my other young dog that she cannot tolerate!!!lol She is a big softy,i agree we should introduce them sometime,just give me a little time to perfect her recall as she is the most headstrong young lady when she wants to be!!!! I have spent many a happy hour watching her dance around just feet away from me as if to say"Bet you cant catch me and get that lead on again!!!"lol

Have you read the lead training thread which is on the front page now, Long line is the future for that kind of situation and plenty of reward, We would love to meet up once you are confident enough, Jess & otto are best friends to they lurrrrrv each other so all will be good as long as Leah does not snatch him lol

Otto 's Mutter · #9 03-05-11, 06:29 PM

Hi Sarah

You would be more than welcome at our classes. When I get on my computer after I have had dinner I'll pm you with the contact details. Just on my phone right now

sezpet · #10 03-05-11, 06:30 PM

that wouldnt do now would it....sisters arguing over a man!!!!lol