bradpattison.com

Just thought I would let everyone know how Guardian is doing. As you can see from another thread I just created, we still have a lot to work on. Unlike some of you guys and gals with doggies, Guardian still does not have refined manners. I say this because from what I read some of you are lucky enough to have dogs that sit on a snap, come when called, don't pull, etc. I envy you right now.

When I first heard about Brad, Guardian was a little terror. He ate baseboards, chewed cell phones, chewed expensive clothing, jumped on people, bit people who love him, barked incessantly and was just all around resistant to any attempt to train him. We tried it all and spent thousands of dollars on just about anything or service to try and control him. I was considering giving him away.

When I first started I was not too concerned about getting my dog to listen to commands. I wanted just to be able to enjoy his company knowing that he was not stirring up hell. At one time he even chewed through a wall at my house. He was even a master escape artist from his leash/collar/halti/harness/choke/shock. Yes, he was very skilled in escaping collars. The martingale is the one he has yet to escape from!

At the time I was most concerned with his problems. Now I am more concerned with him learning obedience. I want the pleasure of a dog that sits on a snap, does not pull, etc. Further more I want Guardian to experience these pleasures now that I enjoy his company. I should tell you he no longer barks incessantly (he is quiet), he sleeps at night time, and can be trusted around the house because he no longer destroys stuff. I have also crate trained him-all I say now is "crate" and he goes there immediately. I have also taught him house manners, he does not go to the door when people come here. He awaits for me to tell him it is okay to greet the guests. And people (me) go to the door first, dogs (him) come and meet the guests when invited to.

On a leash he can be okay provided he has had his dose of dog park. In the morning he pulls me (choking himself) down to the park. Even if i change parks (we go to different ones every morning), he still knows where he is going better then I do!! After about an hour of wild running with dogs at the park he is OK on a leash. Still pulls a bit but not nearly as bad as before going to the park.

He needs to be reminded of how to sit, I cannot just say "sit" or else he acts like he does not know. I have to pull up on the leash and watch for his bum to hit the ground. We got our first compliment on his behaviour a few weeks ago. Someone said that he was a nice well behaved dog. I was proud. But then I thought if I took off the leash he would certainly bolt out in to the middle of the road.

My problems are now reliability off lead- he does not come when called (he thinks it is game to catch him), does not sit without the leash reminder.

I see no reason why you should envy any of us, whom you think have "amazing" dogs. It sounds like you have had a LOT of successes yourself, and your training is paying off.
Re-read your thread and "listen" to all the GREAT ways Guardian behaves now. You & he have come a long way.

We all like to brag a little when we have had a great success with our dog (s) because not everyone on the street, in our house, etc. understands how having your dog sit at a snap or stop when you say stop makes us pop our shirt buttons off in pride - but people on this site sure do understand. Because most of us are here because we TRY SO HARD to train our dogs!
Frankly, when I see some episodes of At The End Of My Leash where someone who has almost given up on their dog, and thinks they'll never have a behaved dog - has a success like having their dog sit at a snap - I almost cry because I KNOW EXACTLY HOW THEY FEEL !
They want to SCREAM - "He SAT ! Did you see that ? He SAT for ME!"

I think when we post in the "successes" category, it should give eveyone hope, not make them envious. If I was to look back and read some of my old posts, I'd probably say "THAT? made me happy that day? THAT was so easy compared to trying to get him to. . . . .now"

They learn. We learn. It takes time. But the hard work - WORKS.

Pat yourself on the back GuardianPeggy !