I'm glad to read that you are not giving up on the dog. As for $200/hr for dog training, that's ridiculous. We had a trainer for $30/hr for our pup (she has since moved from Calgary). She just worked out of home, which probably kept her prices down. Keep looking around for a trainer.
In the meantime watch as much Dog Whisperer shows as you can, even pick up his books. I learned a lot from watching his shows and his books. Put in the time, it's worth it.
Well I've already noticed significant improvements in under 24hrs. Still a ways to go, but she's definitely learning who the boss is. From all the readings we've done, that's basically what we've learned. JRT's are very much pack dogs and you need to show them they are lowest on the totem pole. Long way to go but good to see improvement already.
I have a JRT, and they're insanely smart. She'll get it if you keep working on it, and before you know it will turn into a total suck around kids. Mine hides whenever he sees small children, because he knows he's not allowed to do anything but roll into a submissive position and take their abuse.
Love those dogs. It takes a strong owner to keep them in line, but the best part is how quickly they learn.
Great to hear you're working on it and willing to give her a chance. Are you doing NILIF, as part of her training?
In addition to being very smart dogs, JRTs are also very high energy. Luckily, mental exertion (i.e. training) tires a dog out far faster and more effectively than physical. That being said, I also think bumping up her physical exercise would be beneficial. How much exercise is she getting per day? If she's not already getting two walks (45-60 min) a day - morning and evening - I think that would really help you out.
Check out doggie backpacks at pet stores. Backpacks tire a dog out a lot faster than walking without them since they increase both mental stimulation (making the dog think they have a job) and physical (when you start putting stuff in the backpack for the dog to carry). The Urban Hound ones are pretty cheap and you can throw a water bottle in each pocket on her walks and let her carry them around.
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Basically what we're doing is making her sit every time she is doing practically anything (sitting before we go through a door, making sure we go through first), making her sit before we feed her (our kids are giving her the food so she sees them as her superior). Ive started walking her in the am and pm, and make sure she sniffs only when i let her and I make sure she never leads.
Doggie backpacks...great idea, I think we'll get one.
I don't know how rampant a day home is with snot nosed punks running around,,,but you might want to think about getting a wire kennel and leaving it in a quiet room, like your bedroom, some place the kids aren't allowed. Our dog, which is medium sized, Lassie type dog, actually likes being in her kennel. I think they feel safe nothing will get at them, like a mob of snot nosed demons.
First reason why - only a month to see how it goes. If your buffer time was 1-month you shouldn't have gotten a dog. Some dogs take over a year to adjust
Second reason why - only a month, is this day home a month old? Surely you knew the day home was a huge commitment
Third reason why - you've said your GF surprised you with her - but also you did a ton of research? The ton of research should have yielded "if you might flake out in 30 days a dog isn't for you"
Forth reason why - I don't know . . . Got nothing, but people dumping pets just pisses me off. Probably giving you an unjust hard time - but I don't care, I need to be a bigger ass on this forum from time to time. Maybe I'll fit in a little better.
Upon further reading you're working with the dog - glad to hear it! My possible over-reaction is still applicable though as I so desperately want to fit in! Also as a warning to other people.
Someone I work with, their dog just had puppies and they're trying to sell them on kijiji. I can't punch someone at work - as such your first few posts were the next best thing.
Last edited by ranchlandsselling; 02-10-2012 at 11:03 PM.
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I don't know how rampant a day home is with snot nosed punks running around,,,but you might want to think about getting a wire kennel and leaving it in a quiet room, like your bedroom, some place the kids aren't allowed. Our dog, which is medium sized, Lassie type dog, actually likes being in her kennel. I think they feel safe nothing will get at them, like a mob of snot nosed demons.
This is a good idea, and it really works. The trick is to make the kennel be like their own personal room. Never send them into it out of punishment for doing something wrong and give them a little treat when they are put into it, they will respond to the reward and the kennel will become their den to be in.
I originally thought this would be cruel to keep them in a kennel at times but after research and talking to friends of ours that train dogs, I found out it actually resembles a den for them just like wild dogs have, like foxes etc.
Our dog goes into it on its own now and we don't even have to close the door any longer...it works very well. But I will stress again, never put the dog into the kennel out of punishment...always put him in out of positive re-inforcement.
We received a lot of good reading materials from our dog trainer and could email some to you if your interested, just send me a PM. Our dog isn't a JRT but its a similar size so alot will be relevant.
Glad your giving the dog a chance...had ours for just over a year now and the little guy is really part of the family. I'm sure yours will become that way too!
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This is a good idea, and it really works. The trick is to make the kennel be like their own personal room. Never send them into it out of punishment for doing something wrong and give them a little treat when they are put into it, they will respond to the reward and the kennel will become their den to be in.
I originally thought this would be cruel to keep them in a kennel at times but after research and talking to friends of ours that train dogs, I found out it actually resembles a den for them just like wild dogs have, like foxes etc.
Our dog goes into it on its own now and we don't even have to close the door any longer...it works very well. But I will stress again, never put the dog into the kennel out of punishment...always put him in out of positive re-inforcement.
We received a lot of good reading materials from our dog trainer and could email some to you if your interested, just send me a PM. Our dog isn't a JRT but its a similar size so alot will be relevant.
Glad your giving the dog a chance...had ours for just over a year now and the little guy is really part of the family. I'm sure yours will become that way too!
Bah, totally didn't realize I wasn't supposed to send her into her kennel when she is bad, I've been doing it up until this morning. She bit me today for the first time and I threw her in her kennel. DOH...lesson learned!
