Dog Training

I've never heard of the Perfect Dog Trainer. Give it a shot an be the first to review it on here!

Scott you forgot my weeping pine tree that he chewed down to the stump...

Labs take forever (~1.5 years) to grow up out of the puppy stage. But when they are done they are the best dogs around. That is why they have been #1 on the list of dog breeds for so many years. It's just the puppy stage, we all have to get through...it can be done. My last lab was voted class clown, had a laundry list of things he destroyed, but years down the road I had the perfect dog. I miss him...

I'm no dog trainer Bruce, but can I ask why you got a dog in the first place? You have four children, and like to entertain that much. Not that it's my business, but both are good reasons not to get a dog at this point. However, since you have a dog, I'm assuming for the kids, GL.
Also as a side note, for the back yard "duty" (no pun int.) have the 5 year olds learn how to properly clean up after the dog. You have three of them, and they could switch days. This is what my siblings and I did as children in our fenced in yard. We always had a clean yard, and learned a thing or two about taking care of pets, and responsibility along the way!
And it may seem strange but I would rather clean up the yard before I would do the dishes when I was growing up!

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Originally Posted by tincup

I'm no dog trainer Bruce, but can I ask why you got a dog in the first place? You have four children, and like to entertain that much. Not that it's my business, but both are good reasons not to get a dog at this point. However, since you have a dog, I'm assuming for the kids, GL.
Also as a side note, for the back yard "duty" (no pun int.) have the 5 year olds learn how to properly clean up after the dog. You have three of them, and they could switch days. This is what my siblings and I did as children in our fenced in yard. We always had a clean yard, and learned a thing or two about taking care of pets, and responsibility along the way!
And it may seem strange but I would rather clean up the yard before I would do the dishes when I was growing up!

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Wasn't my idea to get the dog. I don't think my wife fully thought it through when she bought the dog. She now regrets it. Hopefully, we can make the best of it.

Call Cesar! Watch the Dog Whisperer on discovery channel.

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Originally Posted by tincup

I would rather clean up the yard before I would do the dishes when I was growing up!

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I would rather clean horse manure than the house! :)

hey bruce - i have learned that cheap zip lock baggies work great for dog duty... just turn one inside out, put your hand in and start the picking up. (works best on dried not warm/fresh...lol!) then you just hold on, turn the bag right side out and wala! the kids could learn this easy - and you could "pay" a bonus for the most collected...

Ironically, my co-worker is getting his rot trained right now. He calls me up and says, "hey my dog trainer's brother is a professional poker player, Tristan Wade. Have you heard of him?" I vaguely remember hearing his name, but not so much. He actually has a good resume, (mostly online). I then just happen to log on to pokerroad and listened to an interview w him and mike matusow, (only listened cuz i heard of him the day b4). He is an instructor for deepstacks university.

just curious, is matusow still a full tilt pro? i never see him online anymore.

Pet Butler - poop scoopers 800.738.2885 petbutler.com

From someone who has been training one of the most stubborn breeds for the past 10 months i can tell you a few things.

1) if your dog is peeing in its crate, the crate is to big or your not letting it outside enough. the crate should be the size of the dog laying down and that is all, nothing bigger. any larger and it will pee and poop. The reason you get a crate the size of the dog is because 99.9% of the time it will not defecate where it sleeps. Also at 6 months old this dog should be going to the bathroom every 2-4 hours like clockwork. if you don't keep track and manage its bathroom time, that's when you get your puppy peeing in the house.

2) your dog is a puppy! its a small child just like your children. you can't keep it locked up for the majority of the day its cruel. you have to let it run, play, and tire himself out. Take him to the dog park and let him socialize with other dogs and run and play. i guarantee you if you take him to the park and bring him back home he will sleep for 2+ hours and not be all crazy excited. Labs don't mature until the age of two so you have to keep him busy...teach him how to swim, Labs love to swim.

3) go to petsmart and put him in puppy kindergarten. its like $120 for 8 weeks and it will not only teach the very basics of dog behavior but it will socialize the dog also and teach you along the way.

4) Tivo Dog Whisperer and Its me or the Dog. Both are great shows for dog behavior issues.

5) If you have a problem with your dog pooping in the back yard, take it on a walk instead and bring a poop bag. its not tough i do it every day with my dog and your yard won't be a mess but from the sounds of it you all don't want to walk him and aren't really keeping track on how many times hes pooping which should be at this age 2-3 times a day.

6) If you don't have the time or your wife doesn't have the time or your kids don't want to interact with the dog, Maybe you shouldn't own a dog. from 2months-1 year is the most critical time to train your dog. its like you teaching your kid everything he/she needs to know from age 2-15 in the matter of 10 months. you have to be disciplined you have to show it attention and play, and teach it tricks and let it be a dog. Labs are amazing with kids and are extremely social animals you just have to be its guide.

good luck! and if i think of anything else ill post it up. or if you decide to get rid of it. i would strongly consider taking him off your hands! we would just have to sort out shipping =)

oh yea, there are books at petsmart specific to your dogs breed, i forget the company that makes the book but its white and has the dog on the front and a training DVD inside the book. BUY THAT BOOK AND READ IT! its a great tool to understanding your dog and the breed.