I need a dog trainer/dog whisperer

[lonestar]

No jokes, I am in serious need of a competent, aggressive dog trainer. Someone with experience who can teach and train the two pitbull mixes and owners before I have to put one dog down.

[Observateur]

Unless the situation is immediately dangerous (as in: you have to wear body armor around the house), I recommmend the Staten Island Companion Dog Training Club -- http://www.sicdtc.info

It's an AKC-approved nonprofit, has eight-week group classes at all levels -- from beginner obedience to AKC competitive -- and is cheap: $160 for an eight-session class (first class is $144 if dog is a rescue). The trainers are very experienced and down-to-earth and they give extra help/time when necessary.

SICDTC really helped folks I know who despaired re: their dogs' aggression and undiscipline and didn't know which pricey private trainer to choose. They signed up for SICDTC just to get some basic control and a read on their dogs' behavior and ended up being fans and regulars. (The classes also hugely helped my dog, a rescue with PTSD.)

[lonestar]

thanks, but going to Staten Island is not an option.

[MQS1110]

Going to Staten Island should never be an option......*running from room*

[lonestar]

by MQS1110 » Wed May 23, 2012 11:22 am

Going to Staten Island should never be an option......*running from room*

agreed

[Madonna]

I hired Brett Shelby. The website is www.dogsrshelby.com.
He did a housecall in my home here in BayRidge. He's expensive @ $150 per hour. I hope he can assist you. Good luck!

[Observateur]

thanks, but going to Staten Island is not an option.

Do you need training as in "these are new(ish) dogs that aren't trained at all -- unrulies who need some discipline"? Or is it "am at wit's end due to significant, even dangerous, behavior problems" (ripping up your house and-or each other, aggressive/snappish, neurotic, unpredictable)"?

If it's the latter you might want to see an animal behaviorist (who also would deal with training issues). When we thought that our dog might need one we got two recommendations from local vets:

-- Peter Borchelt, PhD -- http://www.animalbehavior.com (certified animal behaviorist; Michigan State doctorate in comparative psychology/animal behavior; Brooklyn)
-- E'lise Christensen, DVM -- http://www.nycvetbehavior.com (NYC's only board-certified veterinary behaviorist; Iowa State and Cornell; Am. College of Veterinary Behaviorists, Am. Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior; Manhattan, W. 50s)

We ended up not seeing a behaviorist: Our dog's problem was that he was terrified of everything (stairs, wind-blown paper, leaves, bird tweets, trashcans, plastic bags, glinting sun ...) but eventually he felt secure and came around. However, these are options if you think you might need one.

[lonestar]

i need training for certain issues dealing with dominance in the pack, aggressive behavior for one male 2 years old, pit bull mix (don't know the mix maybe american staff) and a 3 years old female pit bull mix (terrier). Both are shelter animals adopted separately, before they were 1 year The female was adopted first so she is the dominant and 1 year later the male was adopted but wants to be the leader. I also need a trainer to help with walking. It's always the male, he wants to lead and pulls. The male also barks from my porch whenever someone is walking their dog past my house, like he's patrolling the block, that causes the female to bark and then the male will bark and go after the female.

[Observateur]

That sounds like a just-plain-training issue. You've probably already asked your vet for recommendations -- but I'd also ask folks at Sean Casey Animal Rescue (718-436-5163), since they do rehab and training and some local trainers work with/volunteer/foster for them.

[lonestar]

thanks, i will def. give sean casey a call, i know he does lots of work and has experience with pits. i need to stay local because i want my two sons invovled and would probably need some in-house training as well

[rickshawsue]

Oh, I do know someone. Schmidt girl - Let me see if I can find her. She is from a wonderful family and
did not want to go into their "Universe" when it came time to grow up and look for work.

And there was someone I met at Kettle Black who was telling Jimmy and Eddy about who he worked with on behalf
of his pitbull who he loved dearly. They may remember who he is. They seemed like good friends.

[rickshawsue]

No jokes, I am in serious need of a competent, aggressive dog trainer. Someone with experience who can teach and train the two pitbull mixes and owners before I have to put one dog down.

Do you still have my resume on file?
It may have been taken out of the LimeSlicing file and placed into the Olive Stuffers file.
If you catch my drift.

[lucy6643]

Is that you, Sara?