Has anyone used a professional dog trainer?

[luvwinnie]

Left a message for a professional trainer yesterday...vet gave me her name. We were there because Lady (11 yr cocker we took in last May when my in-law's had to move) lost a canine tooth (her teeth are in poor shape)after a brawl with Winnie,our almost 5 yr old English bulldog. Lady had to get stitches in her mouth about 6 weeks ago after another fight. For a few weeks after that Winnie was ANGELIC...she knew how mad we were. She was so good I thought she was sick! Now the past few days every move Lady makes seems to annoy her. There is no rhyme or reason that WE can see. The stress is horrible and I can't live like this, so a professional is our last hope. We are keeping them separated all the time now.
I admit Winnie is spoiled...we have no kids, she's our baby. We never planned to get another dog, but we had no choice. No rescue agency would taker Lady due to her age. She is very passive and Winnie is ALPHA all the way. We have respected her Alpha position, as the books say we sh ould. She gets fed first, sleeps with us, she is greeted first, etc. We have tried reasserting that WE are in charge (above HER)...but we need help. Winnie is VERY good with people, kids, etc. Mostly she ignores dogs she sees outside the house.
Wish us luck!

 

[RUDisney]

I know several people who have done this, for a variety of reasons. One friend has a great dane and wanted to show Mack that she, her DH and DS were the alphas in the house. The dog is too large to let him think otherwise. He went to stay with the trainer for 5 days then he had personal training in the house with the trainer teaching the family how to handle him. He is an angel now.

Our next door neighbor did the same thing for their jack russell. He was a chewy dog and, as typical of the breed, very rambunctious. I think he'd be better if his humans kept up with the training after it was over, but he is still much calmer than he was before they started.

Good luck with your new adventure.

 

[Dodie]

The key to remember here is that training the PEOPLE is at least 50% (if not more) of every dog training situation. If you use a professional trainer, make sure that a good deal of training for you WITH the dog is included. (Not a situation where the person takes the dog away, trains it, and then hands it off to you.)

 

[nativetxn]

Good luck with this. I hope the professional trainer turns the trick and there is peace in your house, soon.