Dog Behaviourist In Adelaide - Recommendations Please

[BDJ]

Hi guys,

One of the ladies at work is looking for a dog behaviourist and I would appreciate any recommendations (she is NE of Adelaide if that helps)

She has 2 poodle crosses - a 1yo and a 3yo (both male - both desexed).

From what I understand they are both quite strong willed - especially the youngest who is not afraid to express dissatisfaction when she does something he does not like (as in "he snapped at me this morning, but it was my fault because he raided the bin and was shredding a tissue and I tried to take it off him and I know he does not like that")

The stipulation she has put on is that it must be based on positive reinforcement - and from general conversations she is very strongly in the 'no check chains, they are cruel' camp (personally I am 90-95% positive (praise, set up for success etc), but there are consequences (not hitting, but ignoring, setting boundaries etc) for unacceptable behaviour - she is in the 100% positive camp)

She is looking for someone to help her make them better citizens - they have done some basic obedience (sits etc), but are a bit reactive when out walking, boisterous in the house, recalls only work if there are no distractions etc, etc

I haven't met either dog, so dont have any idea what they are like, and can only go with what I have been told.

Any suggestions appreciated

thanks

[Nekhbet]

I recommend Mark Singer http://www.caninetraining.com.au/

As for the owner stipulating how the dogs are to be trained, frankly if owners like this knew what they were doing well enough in the first place these problems wouldn't be there. He's a great trainer, he's not going to abuse the dogs and he is extremely experienced.

[kiesha09]

I recommend Bodil Schou-Hansen from Adelaide Pet Dog Training - www.petdogtraining.com.au. She's a positive reinforcement trainer who does private consults and group classes. She's fantastic and I would highly recommend her.

[BDJ]

wow - really appreciate the quick responses, I will pass them on tomorrow

thanks guys

[Weasels]

as in "he snapped at me this morning, but it was my fault because he raided the bin and was shredding a tissue and I tried to take it off him and I know he does not like that"

I know it's a hackneyed phrase but positive doesn't mean permissive!

Sounds like you have some behavourist recommendations but if she wanted ongoing training - I was looking into classes in NE Adelaide recently and was recommended here - http://positivelydogs.com/ (under the FAQ they have contacts for home visits too)

[megan_]

What?

I have never met Amy however given the amazing results snook has had with justice she would be my first port of call if I was in SA.

Ps - all trainers, include positive ones, use negstive punishment (ie don't give the dog something that they want when their behaviour is unacceptable). It is a myth that positive trainers just give dogs treats. One of the most hardass trainers out there is Susan Garrett and her dogs don't get physically punished.

If the owner doesn't want to use a check chain that is there choice. No point a trainer suggesting something that the owner won't do.

Please lets not turn this into yet another tiring prong collar/check collar debate.

Edited November 12, 2012 by megan_

[MsKatie]

Another tick for Mark Singer - he has worked with me and one of my friends and I would highly recommend him.

[BDJ]

thanks again guys - appreciated

Sorry Megan if you thought I was trying to make this a debate about collars/harness/check chains/prongs - I only mentioned that to give an idea of the owners thoughts and prferences, not about what I thought was appropriate or best

As I said, I have not met the dogs, so cant say what I would use - to be honest I would possibly use a choker (yes, I am old school, that is what they were called 20 years ago) to walk them, simply because she has said they drag her everywhere in a harness (they are not SWFs, they are poodle/lab crosses), or something like a head halter, so that she is working on the physics of controlling the end of the body, if they decide to bolt it is easier to offset the head/neck to (attempt to) gain leverage than it is to stop them when they are using their combined body strength.

And before anyone has a fit and responds with ' but harnesses work............................' I do know that harnesses work, but not what I would recommend for a 5'4" woman with dogs that weigh over 20kg each who have had years of experience pushing the boundaries and barging when wearing a harness. Whist she has the best of intentions, she is not an experienced trainer who has the timing perfect and can see a situation developing 10 mins before it does.

[Tralee]

Robert Holmes Behaviourist

[Guest Panzer Attack!]

Dr. Robert Holmes is based in Melbourne :) if the OPs friend wanted an appointment with him they might be waiting a long time!

BDJ - I am kinda in the same boat as your friend re choke chains, has she looked at a Sporn or Easy Walker harness? If the dogs are big pullers and her timing is poor I would hesitate to recommend a check chain or a halti. The main thing is that she uses whatever she uses as a training tool and not a band-aid. A week after buying my new dog (who pulled like a steam train) an Easy Walker, we are transitioning back to a flat collar.

If she's uncomfortable using certain training techniques, she will be even less likely to execute correct timing.

[Rebanne]

and not all trainers click with all clients. Doesn't mean either party is 'wrong' just that they weren't a good match.

[Guest RANDCMOORE31]

I can also recommend Julie Earl from Nutts About Mutts - positive reinforcement training - based on delta methods.

[Salukifan]

I think any half way decent dog trainer would probably be effective here provided the owner recognizes that these are largely problems she has created and that it's she that must change her practices before things will improve. That said, it does sound like she's got herself a resource guarder.

[ness]

Worth checking out anybody on the positively dogs website.

Debra Millikan is full of knowledge and extremely helpful. She would be a good starting point. She has been instrumental in positive training methods in the state.

Her details are listed here - http://positivelydogs.com/faq/

Edited November 12, 2012 by ness

[ness]

The person in their original request also stipulated the following: "she is in the 100% positive camp".

I do stand to be corrected but I am not sure Mark's training method would fit within this criteria. I have had no personal experiences with him so can't comment directly. I am sure he is good at what he does but I don't think he would classify himself as 100% positive.

If this person is in the 100% positive camp, regardless of people's personal views on the reliability or otherwise of these methods then she is better off seeking out one of the others recommended.

[BJean]

Another tick for Mark Singer - he has worked with me and one of my friends and I would highly recommend him.

Another tick for Mark Singer. He has worked with one of my Anatolians - HA reactive dog. Mark Singer is the only trainer I recommend for ASD and CAS owners in SA.

Edited November 13, 2012 by lilli

[ness]

AdelK9 (Mark Singer) since you are in this thread - can you clarify how you would best describe your current training methods?

Edited November 13, 2012 by ness

[AdelK9]

Balanced approach ness.

[ness]

Thanks - that is as I thought - nothing wrong either way.

[AdelK9]

Yes I believe in a balanced approach using positive and negative reinforcement. My methods and theories on dog training and behaviour modification are all discussed in my articles on my website. I also discuss why in my opinion in many (not all) instances purely positive isn't effective, and really only masks unwanted behaviour. Feel free to have a read through them. If one chooses to use purely positive, I respect their choice, and hope it works out for them. If it isn't effective, then I do hope for the sake of our dogs that dog owners will seek out alternatives, and not try to make excuses for their dog.