Training in NYC + general questions

[upsidedog]

I'm looking into training for our approximately 2.5 year old girl. We adopted her over the summer and now that she's settled in some bad habits are coming out more and more. She has some typical minor issues, like jumping up on people when they come in the door, as well as some pretty severe separation anxiety, that we can't seem to break with everything we've tried from reading books and the internet, and watching Dog Whisperer and It's Me Or The Dog. She seemed 100% dog-friendly when we brought her home, and all of her behavioral evaluations indicated this, too. She has now become testy with some dogs, and I've witnessed SEVERE aggression towards one dog, who is unfortunately the dog of a family member, a VERY recent rescue (only a few weeks), not a pit, with some severe behavioral issues of his own (he bit a stranger), more severe than our dog it seems but she ended up looking worse at the time because of her extreme aggression during their meeting. She also attacks anything that leans against the wall (the broom, boyfriend's guitar). We tried to play pool in her presence once and she kept going after the pool cues and bit my boyfriend's leg pretty hard in the process. Not sure if she was going for the cue or his leg. She was a "throwaway mom" in the city, so probably did not come from the nicest circumstances. But I know that bad behavior from her means WE'RE doing something wrong. I just don't know what. So anyway, I'm looking into some training and would love any recommendations or advice. I'm thinking about Instinct Dog Behavior & Training, as they seem to have some pit bull expertise. Does anyone have experience with them, or another NYC-area trainer that was helpful? How much should it cost? I'm of course willing to pay as much as I possibly can but I have no idea what the rates should be like and don't want to pay more than I should. Is it best to do individual training sessions, or the "boot camp" type of training, where they take the dog for a week of intensive training? I'm worried about her separation anxiety with that, and that we won't be there for the process and therefore maybe she won't learn to listen to US, but if it's much better than individual sessions I'd go for it. Thanks in advance for any wisdom you may have to offer! I'm still a newbie and this forum is so helpful in figuring stuff out.

[CountryGirlKristy]

I applause you for asking for help and looking to do all you can to fix the situation - too many people are too willing to just give up now a days.

I am hoping Tyler will chime in, since he trains some of the SPBR dogs in Buffalo and would be your best bet for ideas and maybe even know a trainer.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I am not a fan of the boot camp method. As you said, this is between you and the dog, and that completey removes you.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but I really do want to applaud you for 1) choosing to adopt an adult, and 2) not giving up when the going gets tough!

[upsidedog]

Thanks so much for the support, Kristy! It really means a lot. We could never give up on her! She really is a wonderful dog, and she seems very teachable. We just don't know as much as I originally thought we did about how to go about training her. I grew up with multiple dogs, but never pits and it's a whole different ballgame! (In a great way, but also in a way that makes me feel not as experienced as I thought I was!) It's a little scary to ask for help though, for sure. I feel so guilty and responsible for her bad behavior (which is only sometimes, other times she's an angel of course) and there's always that fear that someone's going to scold me for her becoming this way. I'm sure it is something we're doing wrong, I just wish I knew more as to why. I'm hoping that's what the trainer will teach me!

I also forgot to add, as I'm being reminded this morning, that she's also become a bit "bossy" towards my boyfriend and I occasionally. Mostly when she wants to go out or eat, rarely but sometimes when she's bored. She jumps up a lot and bites our hands/sleeves (not hard at all, almost as though she's trying to drag us to do what she wants). When I'm getting ready to take her out she'll jump up on me so much that it makes it difficult and takes longer to actually get ready. She does it more to my boyfriend, I think because his energy is a little more stressed. I'm the calm one of the two of us and she generally listens to me better and doesn't get overly excited with me as much. Aside from the seemingly accidental leg bite when we were playing pool, she's never shown human aggression, but she does get mouthy and jumpy when she's excited, and she gets excited a LOT, which is another thing I'd like to work on, and hoping a pit bull experienced trainer will be familiar with this. Not sure if this is a relatively normal behavioral issue for the breed or not...

Thanks again! And thanks in advance to anyone else who can help. I'm already reading through some of the other threads for training tips and looking forward to trying them out right away.

[Tyler Muto]

Look up K9-1 dog training in NYC. Mike D'Abruzzi is one of the best around.

[upsidedog]

Thanks so much, Tyler! I just saw this for some reason. I'll check him out. The advice is much appreciated!

[heather]

One small suggestion i can add from my time working with pit bulls at The shelter i volunteer at is to first have dog to dog intros done first on leash In a neutral area, gentle leads as well. First just walking, then a sniff together, dont bring them together too quickly. Have your intros In House with leash and gentle leads as well, then once a comfort level has been reached, leave The dogs leashed but let go and watch, it can take time for them to make friends. Dogs are den animals and bringing a dog into another dogs home is like asking it to welcome it into its den.

[jennya10]

Hi,
I went through similar issues with my girls (and also live in NYC), so I know it's frustrating and can be overwhelming. I spoke to a lot of people and spent time trying to find the best training method/trainers and was lucky enough to be referred to Kristen and Rob. They have many years of training experience (especially with bully breeds) and have personal experience since they have quite a few dogs of their own..they are very easy to talk to (they "get it") and are always available for questions and follow-up. They genuinely care about your relationship with your dog, your training, and progress.

Kristen came over and did private lessons in my apartment so she could address my needs/concerns for both of my dogs specifically. We went on walks together as well. That's a huge advantage over a group setting or large class. I can't say enough good things about our training and experience with Kristen and highly recommend her. My life got so much easier!

I know this post is old but if you haven't found a trainer yet, feel free to drop Kristen a line directly or let me know if you have any questions. She can be reached at kristenrobertvallejo@mac.com

[chelsea]

Hi Upside dog !!
I am by NO means a trainer, or anything of the sort, I'm actually a vet tech and they never taught us how to train dogs in school or any dog psychology! Bummer!!
But through my own experience i can share some knowledge.
How much exercise is your baby girl getting a day?? I found with my youngest that part of her acting out was due to A LOT of pent up energy i didn't even know she had! We know now we have to manage her energy to keep her happiest and best behaved. We also make her work for EVERYTHING. If she wants to go out, she has to sit and wait 5 seconds with the door open, same goes for eating, and coming in the house. She has to CONSTANTLY be reminded that the "humans" control everything and if she gives what they want, she gets what she wants (food, to go inside/outside ect.). It seems mean/harsh but with her very STRONG and BOLD personality it is our way of keeping her in line. ANY unwanted behavior she is escorted to her crate away from the "general population". She too jumps on people like a nut when they come in, so when we have company, i crate her. Once the initial "OMG SOMEONE IS HERE!!!" wears off, and she quietly lays in the crate, she can come out. I ask all guests to ignore her until she is sitting/laying down/being calm and not lunging on/at them. It has really worked wonders. You shouldn't blame yourself (like i did) for her behaviors. It doesn't mean you're doing something wrong but it just may mean you need to do something DIFFERENT!!

Also ditto to Heather on the introductions, adult dogs, esp mommas with unknown history may be leary of other dogs. They don't know their intentions. With our newest (Olive) we let the dogs integrate over a 3-4 week period. Olive had no idea what the other dogs wanted from her, so she was very defensive until she realized they were not there to harm her/take her food.
Not all dogs, esp bully breeds can just be tossed together and get along great. Also sometimes the nicest dogs can be VERY leash reactive. My Sophie is included in that. Her excitement to see other dogs spirals into crazy noises, hair standing and insanity. I don't allow her to meet ANY dog when she is dragging me towards them. She has to sit nice and eventually lay down or she doesn't even get a sniff.

It's great you're getting a trainer , they can give you the best advice and methods. Just know you're NOT alone and we all have been there and just needed to take a step back and change things.

[upsidedog]

Thanks SO much, everyone! These are all super helpful and it's very nice to know I'm not alone. She's gotten a bit better and the first trainer we wanted to use didn't work out. They wanted all of the lessons to be done in their facility, not in our apartment, and while I'm no expert I really didn't think that would be helpful when a large part of her problem is separation anxiety when we leave her alone. I have one other trainer that a friend recommended but I will definitely check out Kristen too! Thanks again everyone!

[cathespo]

this is why I love this forum.