Experiences With Pet Resorts Terrigal & Trainer Steve Austin

[aussielover]

. There is NO right piece of equipment and NO wrong piece of equipment...just as there is NO one way to train a dog. Only closed minded people see it that way.

[Hawkeye]

Like I said, I have only heard that. But I know several trainers that have worked with him and they walked away unimpressed. But I have only heard these things, I have not seen Steve in action (seen him IRL, but not training).

The OP should go to all the kennels and talk to the trainers herself I agree. Only the OP knows her dog and what training methods will work. I know if I tried a check chain on my greyhound and started 'popping' she would fall to pieces.

I train with Steve and Vicki Austin. The comment about him only using check chains is absolute rubbish. My dog trains on a flat collar. We use positive reinforcement with lots of treats and happy voices and my dog responds well to that. My young Border Collie loves training there. Steve talks about having a toolbox and using the tools / techniques which are appropriate to that dog at that time. The comments about Steve were deeply concerning. Please don't go with what you 'hear' but go and find out for yourself. You will find a person who is passionate about the well-being of the dog.

[d0gl0ver]

Thank you all for taking the time to give your experiences and feedback.

From what I understood I doubted very much that Steve would actually be doing the training but figured it would be based on his methods etc and if he owned the facilities and was using his name in promoting that the trainers used would be ones he approved of.

I have no issue with check chains if they are used correctly but thats JMO.

Our girl is really good at home and knows basic commands and house manners but being a typical Boxer gets very um .... enthusiastic around new people and new dogs so I was wanting a little help working on what I believe is called proofing - being more responsive to our commands in highly distracted situations and if need be we will follow up with weekly classes. I just figured she has to go to boarding anyways so get a head start with daily lessons while she is there - hopefully it will keep her busy and give her more people time while she is there - which I know she will miss .

I plan on phoning and organising a time to go have a look and a chat with them before I book in just to make sure I feel comfortable with the place - I didn't have this much trouble picking a school for my skin kids

Thanks again

Hi MyBoxderGirl, I have booked my dog in for 2weeks of training at Terrigal. I have a poorly trained maltese cross. My fauly he is poorly trained. I have spoilt him, he sleeps in my bed, gets lots of toys and treats. I feel bad he will now have to go through boot camp because I spoilt him. I am very keen to know if you went ahead with the training at Terrigal and what you thought. Not looking for any criticisms just a rating out of ten to give me an idea of how effective you felt the training was and did your dog come home with the same personality only better trained ?

[MyBoxerGirl]

She actually went to the Dural facility as at the time there was no trainer at Terrigal and they were lovely. She had a bit of sep anxiety at first and was not eating properly but she settled in and they did a wonderful job. Of course it is a waste of time if you don't continue to work at home - no such thing as a quick fix, but it got the ball rolling in the areas we were having a little issues with, she is still a very excitable dog - trainer even commented on this but we have the tools to work with it now. She has been back since with her new baby brother (if we are away for 2 wks or more they do board and train as that is the minimum time for B&T) as we would rather board and train when we are away than just boarding - they are both used to having people with them all day long so we feel better knowing they are getting all that extra attention and hey it won't hurt! I won't rate out of ten (i just wouldn't like someone to rate me like that) but you can tell I was happy because I was happy to send her back, she is still the same goofy silly girl we love but WE have tools to work with her, YOU need to continue the work at home. IMO she has calmed a little or maybe it's just we have the tools and confidence to see it early and work with it.

[Erny]

Hi MyBoxderGirl, I have booked my dog in for 2weeks of training at Terrigal. I have a poorly trained maltese cross. My fauly he is poorly trained. I have spoilt him, he sleeps in my bed, gets lots of toys and treats.

I feel bad he will now have to go through boot camp because I spoilt him.

Don't (feel bad, that is).

You've taken two very important steps that many people might not. The first is that you've become aware enough and are honest enough to acknowledge that you've made some mistakes (haven't we all at some stage in our lives??). The second is that you've done something about helping to get things on track.

And you make Boarding & Training sound bad (ie "Boot Camp") - describing it that way (it seems to come with negative connotations, perhaps because people who have given the thumbs down for the thought of B&T described B&T that way) only sets up negativities that, when you have a good B&T kennel and trainer, is quite the opposite. B&T can be so much fun for the dogs .... think of it as though you are sending/have sent him to a fun scout group holiday camp.

[Rottifan]

I don't always agree with their training methods either. I have heard that Steve Austin believes every command/lesson can and must be trained using a check chain. *shudder*

eh where did you hear that? Gotta love second hand information

Steve does a lot of work with customs as well as TV dogs. I have met his dogs and a friend trusts him with her own home bred dogs. I think the OP should go have a look around first before listening to rumours, the governments trust steve with training their dogs and even handlers so I dont see why anyone else shouldnt. He thoroughly understands motivation, reward and getting the best out of a dog.

Make that that he does a lot of work with QUARANTINE not CUSTOMS - many dont know the difference. Quarantine, beagles and now labradors = search for food/feathers/animal products..... Customs, labradors only = search for narcotices or firearms/explosives....all training done in house!

[Rottifan]

I'm pretty sure they do set them up for a 'win' if they don't find anything for real

Yes - the dogs at the airport have regular "training runs" or "stims" set up as a part of operational runs. This is done for the dogs intent to remain at a high level (since yes they work for praise as they independently search or follow different search commands mid deployment BUT ultimately their intent is more driven by their play toy upon successful detection). The training runs are also set up to negate any identified issues, eg search becoming poor late in the run, not switching on early in a search, not searching "high" very well, losing independence, or losing focus to the scent upon detection etc. Never a perfect dog and always an issue to fix or improve. Its a great job and methodologies are always changing...and operational deployments must as well with the intelligence received from around the world of seizure trends. Exceptional dogs but they are bred for same so to be expected that most pass courses now

[Nekhbet]

Make that that he does a lot of work with QUARANTINE not CUSTOMS - many dont know the difference. Quarantine, beagles and now labradors = search for food/feathers/animal products..... Customs, labradors only = search for narcotices or firearms/explosives....all training done in house!

Sorry had a brain fart :D good pick up on that one!

[Tapua]

I had the pleasure of attending a Steve Austin seminar in Bathurst at the beginning of April. I was long ago made aware of the difference between Delta pet dogs and service dogs. In both cases the limitation is the handler not the dog. I cant tell you how many dogs I have seen that in 'experinced hands' would make a great dog. But not my dog eh. For myself my girls first job is to be sound in temperament & type, socialised to both the house and kennel and fit in with the pack and our life style. Currently I have 5 labs lying on the floor waiting for us to chill out and watch TV with them.( which generally means sleeping) Whilst inspired to do more personally after being around people like Steve I doubt if I have the time or the interest to train past the CD level for obedience. Steve is great I admire his committment and quality of training. I would trust him with any of my dogs.

Edited April 25, 2011 by Tapua

[d0gl0ver]

We picked up our dog a couple of days ago from Terrigal Pet Resort. The trainer said they had been unable to train him. This was due to our dog not wanting to bond with the trainer. He would not accept treats or affection. I can see how this would happen, he is extremely attached to my wife and very wary of anyone else. We were disappointed with this outcome but understand why this has happened. We totally appreciate that there are no guarantees in life, especially when dealing with a cross bred maltese. This is in no way a criticism of Pet Resort, I was very happy with the trainer and everything they did albeit not the outcome we were hoping for. They have offered us free lessons for as long as it takes to get some results which is fantastic. We will be able to attend training classes with our dog which is great and a very good of Pet Resort to offer.

Unfortunately the little guy came home with kennel cough but again we understand this is not in the control of Pet Resort or their trainers and i'm sure is pretty common. Nothing a trip to the vet tomorrow can't fix. Overall I would recommend Pet Resort. Everyone we dealt with there was very good and I know they did all they can to try and train our very mischievous and spoilt dog.

Would be interested to hear from anyone else who may have had a similar problem with their dog not wanting to bond with a trainers and any suggestions you may have.

: )