Ep 078 DIY In-Home Dog Training VS Doggie Boot Camp

Deciding your method of dog training depends upon what you want, and what works for your family.

Discover the difference between Doggie Boot Camp Training versus In-Home Dog Training and some of the expectations of owners for each method. 

In this episode, learn how to walk your dog on the leash with concentration on your dog.

Show Highlights

• Welcome Bennie’s training partner Nicole DeVito!
• You have two options when wanting to train:
  • Sending your dog away to a Doggie Boot Camp
  • Having someone train you to train your dog
• Nicole is staying at a client’s home while they are on Spring Break and working with their dog Grizz
• Nicole is working with Grizz and the neighbor’s dog Brookey
• Brookey is recently back from Doggie Boot Camp and has good manners, but her owner does not feel comfortable with walking her on a leash
• Absentee owner training is when the trainer works on commands at the kennel and then is generally sent home with a pamphlet with a short summary explain what basic commands their dog now knows and how to ask them to accomplish them.
• Differences between In-Home Training and Doggie Boot Camp:
  • There are some behaviors that could be fixed and adapted in your home setting if she is sent away to camp.
  • Therer are also some behaviors that cannot be fixed when they return to your home and need to be addressed on a one-on-one basis with a dog behavior specialist.
• One specific item is walking your dog on a leash.
• The environment at a doggie camp is much different and less controlled than the environment in your home.
• When a trainer works on walking your dog on a leash, they are in control and know how to correct any issues that may arise from your dog’s behavior.
• It is different when you are home taking your dog around the block and you are alone and unsure if you are doing it correctly, or it is simply not working between you and your dog.
• Owners may need some one-on-one time to know how to handle their dog if she darts for a squirrel, or hears a new noise, or wants to wander from your side when on a leash.
• Owners need confidence when walking their dog so their dog knows who is in charge and that they can trust their owner.
• The point of In-Home Training is about forming communication between the owner and the dog which creates trust and a better relationship.
• An owner who sends their dog away can expect their dog to come home knowing some manners. They are not usually looking for anything else – such as correcting an extreme behavior issue or an extremely bonded relationship.
• With In-Home Training, the owner gets to go through the blood, sweat, and tears of training—just like their dog.
• This creates a stronger bond and helps them understand what their dog is going through during the training process.
• Owners have to ask themselves if they really want them to be a part of their family and have a special bond between them.
• Sending a dog to boot camp is a good jumping-off point and will get the basic commands done, and you still need one-on-one time with your dog, plus a trainer to build your communication and understand how to handle issues that may arise.
• You can also see a personality difference between dogs who go to boot camp as generally will come back and still be anxious and not very confident becase they still are unsure of what their job is or place in the family hierarchy.
• Dogs who have more one-on-one training are much more confident, have a stronger bond with their owner, and know their place in the family hierarchy.
• If you want a very close bond with your dog, you have to understand why it is important to have communication and personally train your dog.
• The cost difference between In-Home Training and Doggie Boot Camp negligible.

Homework:

Taking your dog for a walk on the leash (see Ep 039):

• Really pay attention to your dog and have intent with your walk!
• Praise your dog when she is loose on the leash so she knows what is expected
• As a owner, you need to know what you want from the walk and you must remain focused
• Also make a note on what they are doing and what you don’t want them to do – for example pulling you on the leash
• Say no, tug on the leash and change directions, then praise for the good walking behavior
• The change of direction which changes your dog’s focus, IS the correction!
• If your dog is lagging behind on the walk, give positive verbiage to motivate your dog to walk beside you and then give constant praise.
• Praise your dog doing what you WANT, correct her if she is doing what you DON’T want, and motivate when she is lagging behind.
• Always have a phrase or a word to let your dog know you are moving; for example “let’s go.”
• Whenever you say that phrase, you have to be moving because it teaches your dog that it’s time to get moving.

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