OB Training

[Kelly]

So I've been looking for an OB Trainer for when I get my corso puppy. Whenever that is...

Has anyone ever worked with Todd Keir in Coquitlam / Port Moody? Or heard of him or anything about him? Several years ago I approached him for training but that was a bad experience. He seems to be the only person I've seen locally tho so if I can find out anything good about him maybe I'll give him another shot.

I went into the shop the other day and asked if Id' be able to watch a class and the dude there said no he wouldn't let you watch the class and learn all that for free... like what I could learn everything I need to know by observing one class? is that standard? I'd really like to know what Im getting into before I part with hard earned cash and expose my baby to a potential bad experience.

I've never taken any classes so not really sure what questions to ask to find out if the trainer is going to be a good fit for me. Im hard of hearing and legally blind so a trainer would have to acknowledge that.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

If you had a bad experience it is not a place I would take my dog. I don't take my dogs to trainers I don't trust or agree with. I would sooner order stuff from on-line from someone I agreed with than taking my dog to someone that gave me the a bad vibe from teh start. It takes very little to wreck a puppy when they are initially working at building up their confidence.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I agree with Blackshadow, anytime you get an odd feeling listen to it. There are many "trainers" out there but very few that know what they are doing. Might want to try some working dog clubs in the area they could refer you to someone.

 

[angelbears]

Ditto to both of the above.

 

[Kelly]

Yes I think you all are right. IT's a good idea, DD I think I'll try that.

 

[Amtecinc54]

Does your dog walk you? If the answer is "YES" then it may be time for some obedience training.

 

[Kelly]

I think I found a trainer! I've spoken to her, and she's really close to me and she welcomes me to go watch a class. They do PP, OB, and Im not sure what all else.

Very excited!

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

Sounds great! and I wouldn't trust anyone either who wouldn't let me observe 1 class.

 

[Ron Ackerman]

Here's something I found a while back:

Looking For A Trainer


[FONT=&quot]A few "general" (and I do mean general) rules you might consider when looking at a trainer. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]

1. Generally, (don't forget that word please!) you will find a higher level of skill and knowledge with a professional trainer that is a full time dog trainer. A person that has committed their time and resources to pursuing a career instead, of working with a club will usually be more able to keep up with the latest training information, they have more time.

2. All the training skills in the world do you and your dog no good if you don't understand what is going on in the training process. Any trainer you choose should be able to communicate to you what is going on in a clear, concise way. Ultimately you will administer all the training techniques learned, you must understand them fully to be effective and fair to your partner.

3. Not every question you may have can be answered off the top of the trainers head, but the trainer that does not have an answer on the spot should be willing to get the answer for you before the next training session.

4. Each session with the trainer should produce a new behavior for the dog to learn and you to understand. If the trainer bogs down teaching the same lessons with different wording you might want to move on.

5. While references are nice, ask to sit in on a training session or two.
You wouldn't by a car without a test drive. Don't select a trainer without at least hearing how their engine runs. At my kennel the sales pitch is simple, we train on such and such day and hour "please come watch and talk to the other students. If you think this training program will work for you and your dog, we'll talk business."

6. Maybe the most important "Go With Your Gut" if anything in the program makes you uncomfortable politely excuse yourself and find another trainer. It is your dog, your partner, and you are responsible for all aspects of the dogs life, if you are uncomfortable the dog is uncomfortable.

Remember there are a lot of trainers and methods and one that works for you may not be the first you encounter, but dogs are pretty intelligent and versatile. Usually they are only restricted by the human at the end of the leash, but they are also dependent on that human to make the right decisions about their future.

Good Luck[/FONT]

 

[angelbears]

Great advice.

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

Great post Ron!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Agreed! Ron

 

[Kelly]

Thank you Ron!

This trainer was actually recommended to me by a trainer I found about an hours drive from me. I was impressed the lady sent me to her to begin with and when I spoke to her on the phone I got a really good vibe. im excited to go check her out.

 

[Todd]

Hello,

I recently came across this post and wanted to respond. My name is Todd Kier. I own and operate Kier Dog Training & Consulting.

I have been working with people and dogs for over 23 years now. Since then and now anyone interested in attending one of my group classes to get a feel for the way I teach is welcome to do so before signing up for a class. That has always been my policy. As I contract my services to a number of doggy daycares I do not operate my own training centre perhaps you spoke with a employee at one of those locations.

Along with operating Kier Dog Training & Consulting 14 years ago I began working with PADS in Burnaby BC where I did my apprenticeships and became the first certified Service Dog and Hearing Dog Instructor in Canada, in accordance with the standards set by Assistance Dogs International. I spent a number of years with PADS before resigning and in 2004 I founded Canine Assistance No Boundaries. CANB teaches, trains, places and certifies Assistance Dogs to individuals living with disabilities other than visual impairment or blindness. CANB is registered with the Government of British Columbia Canada and has been so since 2005.

I take what I do very seriously and operate my programs in a very professional manner. Working with people and dogs is not just my "job" it is is my life's work. Kelly I would be interested in knowing who it was you spoke to and at what location you stopped in at. Thanks Kelly I hope to hear back from you.

Sincerely,

Todd Kier