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Conference 7.286::canine

Title:CANINE
Notice:Topic 4-Directory/10-Adoptions/18-Dogs For Sale
Moderator:BIGQ::BITTICKS
Created:Thu Aug 29 1991
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2202
Total number of notes:20805

2185.0. "trainer needed" by FABSIX::L_PETROSINO () Thu Apr 24 1997 19:43

    hi...
    
    my friend and i need a good trainer to help us to get
    these two alpha dogs to get along. 
    
    we will be roommates soon and we need to get some behavior mods 
    into them
    
    they are alot alike
    
    1. is mix female spayed chow and black lab 6 yrs old
       - she is very protective of her mother and is afraid of small
         children
       - she also doesn't play well with other dogs
    
    2. is a male neutered golden retriever 3 yrs old
       - he is afraid of small kids but is gentle when approach that way
       - he is obsessed with playing with any toy, especially the ball
         will not share with other dogs, he growls at them and may attack
       - he is persistent on playing only with adults andis very verbally
         demanding when not attended to immediately
    
    
    the historys are similar where both dogs did go thru changes of 
    living with other dogs then not, then playing with other dogs
    and not, owner schedule changes, and moves
    
    so, feel free to send information on a trainer in massachusetts
    please
    
    thanks
    lynne
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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2185.1Be careful!OBSESS::BOLTONAkita Friends of New EnglandFri Apr 25 1997 13:5917
    Lynne,
    
    First after reading the descriptions of the two dogs I would advise you
    to be very careful with these two.  It may end up that you need to keep
    them seperated when you and your roommate are not home.  I can talk
    with you more off line but here is a professional trainer I trust. 
    Give her a call and ask her what she thinks....
    
    Donna Duford (Companion Dog Training) 508-885-1144.  She holds a
    variety of classes for dogs at all levels and with different behavior
    problems.  So, I know she has alot of experience, but I don't know if
    she does any "behavior modification".  She could probably offer you
    some advice, meet the dogs, or give you the name of someone else.  I'll
    be seeing her Monday evening, so I can ask her if this is something she
    can handle.
    
    Carol
2185.2Donna's great and another suggestion...SMURF::RINGFri Apr 25 1997 16:1832
    I second the opinion that Donna is a very able trainer.  She also
    holds classes at a facility in Manchester, CT called Tails-U-Win
    which is run by another superb trainer named Leslie Nelson (203-646-5033).
    If Donna doesn't deal with this kind of behavioral stuff I'd
    highly recommend Leslie -- she's worth the trip.
    
    One of the things that is absolutely certain is that you will need to 
    put alot of energy into managing these dogs' environment, perhaps for
    the entire time that they live under the same roof.  I would suggest
    that the following will need to be done (another trainer will have 
    more to add, I'm sure!).  These aren't ordered by priority:
    
    1) A program to desensitize the dogs to one another, preferably BEFORE
    you move in together -- programs like this have many components  
    
    2) Crate the dogs when they are unsupervised
    
    3) Remove any "triggers" from the dogs' environment -- the Goldens toys
    will have to go if he is really that possessive of them
    
    4) Do some individual work with each dog and owner to make sure
    that those relationships are in good working order!!!
      
    5) Exercise, exercise, exercise -- as Dodman (Dodson?) says in The Dog
    Who Loved Too Much, "A tired dog is a good dog"
    
    
    I too would be happy to talk with you further offline and good luck!
    
    Nolan
                                                              
    
2185.3PCBUOA::DEWITTchasing rainbows...Fri Apr 25 1997 17:304
    Maryanne McDonald - she used to note here - there's a note somewhere
    with how to get ahold of her...
    
    joyce
2185.4OBSESS::BOLTONAkita Friends of New EnglandFri Apr 25 1997 17:414
    You can leave a message for MaryAnne at her sisters: 603-356-6262.
    I should have recommended her first! 
    
    Carol
2185.5more helpFABSIX::L_PETROSINOWed Apr 30 1997 22:234
    hi...i would like any assistance you could give us...
    
    thanks
    lynne
2185.6more help welcomeFABSIX::L_PETROSINOWed Apr 30 1997 22:243
    thanks again...like donna, any help is welcomed help
    
    lynne
2185.7Donna or MaryAnneOBSESS::BOLTONAkita Friends of New EnglandThu May 01 1997 14:3712
    Lynne,
    
    I didn't get a chance to discuss this with Donna Duford Monday evening,
    but I did speak with MaryAnne MacDonald last night (she's happy to hear
    that Notes folks are still thinking of her)!
    
    MaryAnne said she would love to try to help you out, so please give her
    a call if you would like.  She also knows Donna Duford, and felt she
    could also help you out as well.  So, feel free to give either one a
    call.  
    
    Carol.