Yep, decided to take the plunge and "enroll" Renny in "doggie bootcamp".

After having him for @2 months now, I'm noticing more "issues" with him, issues that I'm unsure of how to handle, e.g., his super excitability when seeing other dogs, and excitability with me in the backyard (running at me full-steam and practically knocking me over). Bottom line, I need to learn what to do to make sure he doesn't escalate any unwanted behaviour....especially since he's so strong!

Sooo, a friend/co-worker of mine suggested this behaviourist/trainer in Delaware Ohio. I met her a month ago, with Renny, and I like her approach. At first I felt as if I didn't want to spend so much money, BUT, I've decided to go ahead.

The training program is called a "Residency Program" where Renny will stay with her for 10 days in which she will teach him the fundamentals of virtually everything, including approaching other dogs, socializing him, etc., etc.

After the 10 days, I will meet with her for 4 consecutive Saturdays where she'll relay all the info to me and train ME in her methods.

Another perk is that, in the future, if I need to board Renny, I can do it at her facility for $25/day and she'll work with him to refresh his learning.

I'm dropping him off on Wednesday, 1/9/13.

I'm excited about this, and feel this will really help me feel more confident with Renny, and more certain of what to do training-wise.

For anyone who's curious, here's a link to Amy's website:

Home Page

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Wendy

Now the proud Mom of Renny, gotcha-day 10/19/2012.



My beautiful Lacey, always loved, never forgotten.
- Gotcha Day April 28, 2008 at @3 years old
- Crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, at the age of @8 years old, on Sunday, August 5, 2012

Good for you to find someone to work with your guy. Sometimes a rescue needs a little more intensive training that most of us don't have the time for.

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Wiseman Wildfire Grayling Fish On "Lucy" http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=520329
Hunter my rescue boy
Reilly CGC http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=536281
Tiger Brandy Lee 1999-2012 http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=528567
Pennie 2000-2007

Very impressive...Woody would have been okay until she tried to walk him by those other dogs...HANG ON...cause you no longer have Woody's attention.

Looks like you'll end up with a well behaved perfect little angel.

Please be sure and let us know how it works out for you.

Pete

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Sonny, the black lab, ran ahead to make sure there were no gophers or jackrabbits in the way. If you don't give a dog a specific job, he'll improvise one for himself and it will invariably be fun. There's a lesson there.
John Gierach

Today's the day I drive Renny to doggie "bootcamp". It's about an hour's drive to Delaware, OH.

I'm missing him already! I mean it's going to be for 10 whole days!
I'm bringing his bed and a towel that has my scent, his food and some pumpkin, an antler, and of course his collars & leash.

I know he's going to be pretty busy. My friend at work, who had her dogs trained at this place, said Amy takes the dogs into town for socialization work, etc., etc. I'll get a more detailed list of what she'll be doing with him when I drop him off, and let you all know!

I dug out my film camera today, and luckily the batteries were still working, so took tons of pics of him....just laying on the sofa! LOL

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Wendy

Now the proud Mom of Renny, gotcha-day 10/19/2012.



My beautiful Lacey, always loved, never forgotten.
- Gotcha Day April 28, 2008 at @3 years old
- Crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, at the age of @8 years old, on Sunday, August 5, 2012

Hugs going your way - it will be a long 10 days.

Does the trainer send you pics or updates via email, FB or otherwise during this time?

Hope it goes well, I know you'll be missing Renny.

Good question! I plan to sit with her before I leave asking her a ton of questions, including this one. She's probably already answered most of them, but since I'm so anxious, I'm forgetting everything!

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Wendy

Now the proud Mom of Renny, gotcha-day 10/19/2012.



My beautiful Lacey, always loved, never forgotten.
- Gotcha Day April 28, 2008 at @3 years old
- Crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, at the age of @8 years old, on Sunday, August 5, 2012

I dropped Renny off at "bootcamp" yesterday. Boy the house is quiet now! Now, I'm thinking "what can I do to keep busy??" I've got 10 days, sooooo I'm going to do a major house-cleaning AND start down-sizing! There's so much "crap" in my house that I need to either donate, sell or throw out. So, now's the time to at least START!

Anyway, I talked to the trainer yesterday about what she'd be working on. Basically "everything". Luckily there's another dog there who she's training, too; very mellow/friendly, so Renny will have a buddy.

Amy had put him in his kennel while she and I were talking. He could just see me from his kennel, and since he couldn't get to us, he starting whining/hootin' & hollerin'! Wow what a ruckus! LOL Amy told him to "quiet" and he stopped. She explained he's just confused, but knowing Renny as I do, he won't be upset for long. She'll keep him plenty busy, and he's got a buddy.

She will be training him to walk with and without the prong collar (I've been using it on our walks and I really like it; it's like power steering for dog-walking). Training in all the basic commands, most of which he knows already, but she'll be concentrating on consistency. Also, training the recall.

She'll also be taking him on long walks into town where he'll have the challenge of seeing lots of people/places/things.

She doesn't keep me updated as to his progress; she's just too busy! But, she said I could email her anytime.

I'll fill you all in on the details of what he'll be trained in after 1/19 which is my first session with her relaying the info to me.

__________________
Wendy

Now the proud Mom of Renny, gotcha-day 10/19/2012.



My beautiful Lacey, always loved, never forgotten.
- Gotcha Day April 28, 2008 at @3 years old
- Crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, at the age of @8 years old, on Sunday, August 5, 2012

Chatted again with my co-worker whose dogs were trained by Amy. She explained that Amy boards and trains a few dogs at the same time, including puppies, so she trains Renny in all sorts of socialization situations.

She'll bring Renny into her home (he stays in her kennel when she's not working with him), he'll have doggie playtime with other dogs, etc., etc. and all under her supervision.

Renny's biggest issues for me were his escalating excitability when seeing other dogs on our walks, and his very intense barking (close to "red-zone") at "aggressive" dogs that are too much in his face and never let up.

I'll send Amy an email this morning, and ask how he's doing.

To be continued...

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Wendy

Now the proud Mom of Renny, gotcha-day 10/19/2012.



My beautiful Lacey, always loved, never forgotten.
- Gotcha Day April 28, 2008 at @3 years old
- Crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, at the age of @8 years old, on Sunday, August 5, 2012

Let us know

I am pretty sure he is having a blast in there! You just have to hold on a bit longer and you will have your boy back, behaving just like a gentlemen