So I'm trying to get some things together for when Frodo comes out here (I have to do SOMETHING with my time or I'm going to go insane before June comes!), and trying to be as prepared as possible for his arrival.
I'm beginning to realize that Frodo is a lot more insecure than I previously thought he was, and that bringing him to yet another strange place to start over again is probably not going to help at all.
I plan on getting the help of a behaviorist if possible, to work on his reactivity and insecurity, but that depends on who I can find and if I have enough money to afford someone good.
I found this site ( The Canine Coach Voted Twin Cities #1 Favorite Dog Trainer, behavior training, group classes in Minneapolis and St. Paul ) and was browsing, a lot of the trainers seem good (however I did read one review thanking a trainer for teaching them how to properly use a prong collar. I'm not necessarily opposed to people using prongs, but I want someone who is well versed in clicker training and positive reinforcement for Frodo!), and they charge $260 for 4 hours. Is that about normal? I've never had the opportunity to look at in-home training before and I do not think that putting Frodo in a class setting would be best for him.
There are A LOT of trainers in the twin cities area, so I have a lot of searching to do.
In case I am not able to get a behaviorist or someone to work one on one with me I'd like to be prepared in case I have to go it alone.
I see Click to Calm recommended a lot on this forum and others as a good resource for aggressive dogs, though I wouldn't consider Frodo aggressive I think it may be able to help me to help him. Thoughts on Click to Calm for an insecure dog?
I am also looking at On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas, The Cautious Canine by McConnell, Scaredy Dog by Ali Brown, and Feisty Fido by McConnell.
If anyone has comments on these books or suggestions for other books they would be much appreciated.
I do own Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson, The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller, and Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt.
Control Unleashed I can use some information out of, but a lot of the activities I cannot do as I do not have access to other dogs in a controlled environment.
Any other tips and suggestions on acclimating Frodo to living in the city would be appreciated as well.
TIA
I'm beginning to realize that Frodo is a lot more insecure than I previously thought he was, and that bringing him to yet another strange place to start over again is probably not going to help at all.
I plan on getting the help of a behaviorist if possible, to work on his reactivity and insecurity, but that depends on who I can find and if I have enough money to afford someone good.
I found this site ( The Canine Coach Voted Twin Cities #1 Favorite Dog Trainer, behavior training, group classes in Minneapolis and St. Paul ) and was browsing, a lot of the trainers seem good (however I did read one review thanking a trainer for teaching them how to properly use a prong collar. I'm not necessarily opposed to people using prongs, but I want someone who is well versed in clicker training and positive reinforcement for Frodo!), and they charge $260 for 4 hours. Is that about normal? I've never had the opportunity to look at in-home training before and I do not think that putting Frodo in a class setting would be best for him.
There are A LOT of trainers in the twin cities area, so I have a lot of searching to do.
In case I am not able to get a behaviorist or someone to work one on one with me I'd like to be prepared in case I have to go it alone.
I see Click to Calm recommended a lot on this forum and others as a good resource for aggressive dogs, though I wouldn't consider Frodo aggressive I think it may be able to help me to help him. Thoughts on Click to Calm for an insecure dog?
I am also looking at On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas, The Cautious Canine by McConnell, Scaredy Dog by Ali Brown, and Feisty Fido by McConnell.
If anyone has comments on these books or suggestions for other books they would be much appreciated.
I do own Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson, The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller, and Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt.
Control Unleashed I can use some information out of, but a lot of the activities I cannot do as I do not have access to other dogs in a controlled environment.
Any other tips and suggestions on acclimating Frodo to living in the city would be appreciated as well.
TIA