is 1.5 yrs old too late for obedience class

[TysonB]

I know i shoulda got it done when tyson was a pup. but im in the military and it was hard to afford for a bit. Now we have a baby on the way ( next june) and im afraid tyson will not adapt well. While i was gone my wife spoiled him to no end ( its her baby ya know) . He listens to us and is smart as any dog ive ever seen ( no common sense though ) but around company he loses his mind. and around other dogs and other peoples child we have to lock him up is it too late i need to do this

 

[mancin]

It's never too late to train your dog and expose him to new situations.
What do you mean he goes crazy around company? Jumping, barking, etc.? Obedience class would be a good idea, but there are also things you can work on at home.

 

[TysonB]

jumping barking acting as is he wong and slobbering all over them

 

[ladyluck_t]

Just remember, training classes are for you, they teach you how to train your dog. They also afford you a safe and controled environment to work in with distractions. I have had both good and bad experiences at training classes, so when you decided to go to one, ask to sit in on the current class, that way you get a feel for their methods and can see some results. But ultimately it is you who will do the training. I might also suggest a couple of books that are routinely suggested on this board. I have used a combination of both training methods with my foster dog and have seen some AMAZING results. But i also see, that the things he has trouble iwth are the things i have just been "half-hearted" about training. gotta get my act together myself the books are "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell and "Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson. And to tell you the truth, i found training my 1.5yr foster easier than when i trained my girl at 4 mo's. They settle down alot faster and are less distracted. Also, my foster would walk on water for a treat or a cuddle! so i guess that makes it easier for me. Good Luck!

 

[TysonB]

samw with tyson hold a treat in your hand and he is a siant for how ever long u need him to be minus a few ansy moments

thanks for the suggestions

 

[Stacy W.]

I did not even get my dog until she was 1 yr. 3 mos. I started obediance class just after I got her and now we are taking agility classes and are doing really well. I am sure it is not too late, give it a try.

 

[kassa]

You're in the last gasps of adolescence -- no, it's not too late!

A book I'd highly recommend to everyone is "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell. It's a look at how we (as primates) mishandle and misinterpret and generally bungle our interactions with dogs, because we're operating from one set of characteristics (the primate kind), and they another (the canid kind). For example, we greet by approaching straight on, looking in the eye, reaching out to the person. To a dog, that's a phenomenally rude way to greet.

Likewise, as primates we're hardwired to reach out with our hands and hug and manhandle and talk and talk and talk and talk. And all the talking and figeting is information overload for the dog, who usually will rely more on physical movements for information about what we want. Moving towards them is a direct order (in the dog's mind) to stay still -- and yet when calling a dog to us we generally will step toward it!

So we're saying one thing and doing another and wondering why the dog just doesn't get it.

It's not the least bit boring or academic but you'll learn a lot about both humans and dogs, and be able to catch yourself doing a lot of the mixed signalling. I know it's helping me.

Also can't recommend the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic channel enough. I wouldn't encourage people to do serious dog aggression work based on watching it, but for the common household rudenesses, and taking charge of an adolescent dog, you'll learn a lot, principally from how to walk the dog and establish authority and discipline.

The principle benefit of the show is demonstrating what he calls "calm, assertive energy." It's not about battles for domination, just stepping up, grabbing the leash, and taking charge.

As with the book, you'll spot your own weaknesses and mistakes in the examples of others.