2 week boarding with a trainer. I have a few questions for the forum.

[Beerswimmer]

I'll be leaving for 2 weeks(my wife too) at the end of January and have decided to not just board my puppy(18 weeks when he'll be there), but board him with a highly recommended trainer. A 2 week puppy boot camp. The training will incorporate the use of an e-collar and 4 1 hour sessions after the 2 weeks are up so my wife and I can learn, and to correct any problems later on. I have a meeting with her next week to discuss the process and what to expect, plus anything I wish him to be taught. I wanted to ask here if there is anything specific I should ask for or to avoid? Any Doberman specific things I'm not thinking of right now? 2 guys I work with have done the 2 week boarding with her and have raved about her and how their puppy is so well behaved and attentive since. A new, improved puppy. My wife and I are pretty happy, since the cost will be reasonable for us. We have been training him ourselves and have no issues with it, but since we'll be boarding him anyway this is just a bonus as far as we can see.

 

[bomary]

*Disclaimer*....Jax is my first "baby," so I generally use what I find to make the most sense here and also from my own trainer and combine those suggestions to do what I feel is best for Jaxie...SOO...1/4 grain of salt is what you should take from this!
It does sound like you have found a great place to board your boy with people whom you trust, and that is HUGE.
However, 4 & 1/2 months sounds pretty young to begin incorporating an E-collar. I suppose it does depend on what commands the collar will be used for...if the puppy doesn't know the commands almost 100% on a long lead,with/without distractions, and even off-lead, the collar can confuse him (or make a problem/potential problem worse.)
I had the option to board and train Jaxie, but I had to pass because I want to be the one to teach the most important commands (like recall) with the help of my trainer. I do use that same trainer, but we take EVERYTHING very slowly. Do your two coworkers (the ones who used this trainer) have Dobermans?
This could be an ideal situation, and I am admittedly a "pansy" when it comes to other people training and working with my boy (especially in my absence), so take my words with less than a grain of salt.
I'd certainly want to visit the facility and watch the trainer work their dogs in addition to seeing their sleeping (hanging out) quarters) for the two weeks.
AGAIN....I'm a worrier!

 

[MischasMomma]

I think it's a great opportunity to jump on, especially if you HAVE to board anyway. Personally, I think that's a little young to start the e collar, but I could be wrong. for some reason, 6 months is jumping out at me. @bomary is correct though, the puppy or dog needs to fully understand the commands before corrections can be made, or it will confuse them and they won't understand what is being expected of them. my biggest question would be, how much doberman specific experience does she have? doberman do not train and learn the same way as other dogs. they can not be trained with a heavy hand.

 

[Beerswimmer]

Don't worry, I'm salty AF, you can't hurt my feelings I'll be going next week to visit and see everything, plus go over the methods and see some training in action. An e-collar is only an option right now. It's a puppy obedience training class, but she does offer classes for older dogs and other kinds of training. She does IPO/French ring stuff to therapy. He'll be getting mostly the basics: sit, stay, come, etc... but fine tuned to be closer to 100%, not just when I have a treat in my hand. He already knows most of them. The other 2 dogs were an English Lab and an Australian Shepherd, both were only a few months old also. The Lab didn't use a collar to my knowledge, but the Aussie does on vibrate only. I have zero experience with e-collars. We all think it's better than having him in a jail cell all day with zero training vs. going to a trainer. I understand wanting to do it all yourself, this is just an opportunity I had never considered that came up and sounded like a win-win for 2 weeks. She can do months worth of training in days from what I hear. If anything, just getting a little better at what he already knows is better than the nothing that would happen(or even regression or bad habits) at a kennel.

Is there any certain commands other than the usual that I should request? My last dog I taught to go and look out all of the windows and doors and bark aggressively on command when my wife was home alone. He would also hold "smile" until told not to. My wife had him do this a few times when she was out for walks. Only going potty on GRASS was a good one too. Just brainstorming here. I'll have a written list when we go to the trainer.

 

[My2Girls]

I am no expert by any means... my friend who has a bouvier Flanders has used this type of training at a young puppy age- mostly they work on manners type stuff- jumping up on people, not sitting on the sofa that's sort of thing. I would definitely ask what specific things they will be training. I started using my ecollar at about 1 yr old but I mostly use it as a tone to remind her that she needs to pay attention to me and obey my commands. We do a lot of off leash walking.

 

[bomary]

Well, it certainly sounds like you are doing your "homework," and that is likely the most important thing! You and your wife love your guy, and I know you wouldn't take the decision of where he will stay "lightly." I definitely agree that doing even a little "bit of something" is better than just hanging out and learning bad habits and/or regressing in the training he has under his belt! Good luck...looking forward to updates!

 

[Gelcoater]

It all sounds good to me. On another note it's also good to condition them that sometimes the human has to be away.
I have to think it helps curb separation anxiety? He's young enough now that through the years he will not remember anything else but sometimes human goes away.

Mine have never destroyed anything while we've been away for days at a time. Their own beds excluded, but no drapes, couch, door frames, etc we hear horror stories about on occasion.
They got(get) a brief visit from a relative for food/water and a ball toss or two.
No crates here.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Well, my opinions and feelings that you can add to the mix (or toss out ) are that this trainer had better be top notch. Your pup sounds too young to be introducing e-collar training. Can it be done? I bet so, but it had better be a very competent trainer.

For me, it is not something I have at all desired – to have anyone else work with/train my Dobe. I'm a control freak about things I am really into, and I also have this notion that I want my Dobe to take orders from me and my immediate family, but not learn to do what anyone else says. I also don't like the feeling I get that my Dobe might develop a loyalty to anyone else but me and my immed. family.

My wife would LOVE it if I'd allow my Dobe to be pet-sat by someone in our home, or boarded at someone else's house. I just – yeah no – it ain't happening. On the occasions I have had to board my Dobe I have given very firm, specific instructions that I do not want any of the workers to try to "train" my dog. Take him for his walks, throw a ball or whatever we agree to, but my boy takes direction from ME.

So that's just me. I know it's different for everyone. Hope it goes great for you!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Hee hee. I'm reminded of the time I was in the lobby of our local veterinary clinic with Oji. A woman comes in the lobby from the street and starts telling Oji "sit. sit. siiit." I'm like really? I know everyone has their "way" with dogs but you presume to come and try to order my dog around?!? Well, joke was on her. He's trained mostly in a different language.

 

[Rits]

I think whatever the trainer is training can be accomplished without the use of an ecollar and that it is honestly too young to use an ecollar on him. Basic obedience is just that, basic. What everyone said earlier about the ecollar comments are true. Also, I agree that I would double check that he has experience training Dobes or shows that he can adjust his training techniques for every dog. Using the ecollar makes me think not. Just my opinion.

As far as boarding, it'll be good for him to learn to be away from you guys. You never know when they may need crated or boarded and you wouldn't want him stressed out because he's never done that but yet you are in a bind because you need to board due to an emergency or something.

 

[My2Girls]

...also (and I'm sure you're on top of it) make sure you leave instructions for posting/posts. Like in the event they get wet.

When we traveled for a week and left our pups with a dog sitter, I took the posts out completely. I did not want the sitter to be messing with the posts, nor did I want her taking Shadow to the vet to have them reposted (they were awful the one any only time they posted her ears). But Shadow was further along in her posting and I knew that leaving them out would extend the length of time I will need to post. Again, that was just me.

 

[LifeofRubie]

I think it sounds like a good opportunity but I would go by what other said about the age and use of E-collar! Quick question, though, are his ears done (I forget!)? We had to leave Rubie for about a week when she was 5 months old. I made sure to give explicit instructions and included contact info for her (local) breeder in case her postings started to become questionable. We were on a cruise so pretty unreachable. When we went to pick her up, one ear was totally sideways, inward, and they'd gotten wet somehow. Poor puppy! Needless to say, we don't go there anymore, not that I expected the place to take them off and repost, but removing them would've been better than the condition we found them in. I don't think it's bad for a dog to be able to take instruction from other folks, especially if it's a place you'll use when you travel. Rubie get's boarded anywhere from 1 night to a week often enough and I'd rather she listens to them than cause a sh*t storm. She gets to play with other pooches during the day so she's always ready for a few days of down time, too. A tired puppy is a good puppy!

 

[Tropicalbri's]

My only concern with what seems like an ideal situation is the use of an ecollar on a pup that really is too young to understand the corrections with an ecollar until they have the basic obedience training down pat.
Otherwise I think the board and train is great as long as you have checked references and watch the trainer work with the dogs.

 

[GennyB]

Is there any certain commands other than the usual that I should request?

The basics would be great, especially recall! Two weeks is not a long time so I would just get the basics covered. It would be a nice foundation for you to build on.
The e collar can be a wonderful tool, just wouldn't be on my dog so young. I would discuss that at length with the trainer. I just feel the e collar should be used when the dog has a solid understanding of what is expected and more for correction of not doing vs teaching a command, JMHO.

 

[Beerswimmer]

I agree on the e-collar, it was just an option listed on her website. I'm not sure if she even uses it for the puppy class. The one guy that uses it with his dog has been going to her for a long time, so maybe it was incorporated later on. She is where he will be boarded whenever I go on trips, deployments, etc.. from now on.

I never knew she existed, I'm in a pretty small town. I am a control freak about things too, such as vehicle maintenance etc... But this is just too good of an opportunity at a great price(barely more than a regular kennel, "friend of a friend" price). Just the socialization alone is a positive.

2 weeks in the hole with no training because...I want to do it all by myself but I'm gone? Or 2 weeks of outsourced training while I'm gone..... and when I get back I'll still train him on everything else plus 4 private lessons down the road? Easy call for me.

Recall is my #1 to have her focus on. #2 is NO means NO everytime. #3 is to wean him off of needing treats to any of those.

 

[Gelcoater]

I guess I would want to know more about the e collar.
Are they using the bite mode or simply using the tone or vibrate to interrupt the tangents that dogs of this age do?

Out of curiosity I'd ask how many Dobers they have trained.

I still maintain my opinion on separation issues and this will help with it especially if they can make it a fun and positive experience.
Would there be interaction with other dogs? Aimed at just fun?

 

[Beerswimmer]

There would be interaction with other dogs, and it will be supervised.

 

[bomary]

Like I said earlier....it sounds like you are on top of it and will have all the details (and be comfortable with them) before you have to go. I'm sure that even if the collar is something they incorporate (I bet you're right about it not being for the younger pups), they would listen to you and not do something you aren't comfortable with.
On the other hand...Jax and I are just a "little road trip" away! Jax could teach him how to remove all covers/blankets from any human during the night without even waking them up! It's a skill he has mastered to a fairly incredible level. Brrrr.
And, you're certainly right about needing a go-to place for any future deployment.

 

[Doberman Gang]

I agree on the e-collar, it was just an option listed on her website. I'm not sure if she even uses it for the puppy class. The one guy that uses it with his dog has been going to her for a long time, so maybe it was incorporated later on. She is where he will be boarded whenever I go on trips, deployments, etc.. from now on.

I never knew she existed, I'm in a pretty small town. I am a control freak about things too, such as vehicle maintenance etc... But this is just too good of an opportunity at a great price(barely more than a regular kennel, "friend of a friend" price). Just the socialization alone is a positive.

2 weeks in the hole with no training because...I want to do it all by myself but I'm gone? Or 2 weeks of outsourced training while I'm gone..... and when I get back I'll still train him on everything else plus 4 private lessons down the road? Easy call for me.

Recall is my #1 to have her focus on. #2 is NO means NO everytime. #3 is to wean him off of needing treats to any of those.

Glad you found someone you trust to train your puppy while you are away.

As a trainer I always ask my handlers what they want out of training. There are many that make the comment "wean my dog off the need for treats". My answer is why? You can change the frequency and duration of rewards to build drive and expectation of the reward. In turn building more focus and engagement with you, this enables better training sessions with your dog and quicker results of success. I still reward my all of my dogs during training and my 2 males will both be turning 8 next year.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[MischasMomma]

sorry way off topic, but had to point out, I click @Doberman Gang s name to see where you're from, if it's (probably) top far away for me (it is) and noticed you joined on my anniversary! exact! June 20, 2010 was the day we started dating! haha, sorry, I'm sure you probably didn't even know that was the day you joined, but that's a sign to me haha!! how far is MO from PA?