I didn't see the Dateline bit with the two doxies but they are talking about it over on golden too because there was a golden in the show too. From what I can figure from reading some of the posts on this guys methods they weren't that great.
The two devil dog doxies in NYC should have been put through obedience school as puppies AS ALL DOGS NO MATTER WHAT BREED SHOULD BE!!! It is amazing what obedience school with the right trainer can do for a dog. And when I say the right trainer I don't mean the one who is jerking dogs around with choke collars and throwing things through the air at them. The only time I use a penny can is when my dogs are outside in the backyard barking incessicently at something and they can't hear my voice. The noise of the can breaks their barking mode. Then I can get my voice heard.
It's funny but people with small dogs seem to think their dogs do not need to go to school. When I taught classes I probably had 80% large dogs and I think in all the years I taught I had one doxie who never came to class. Those are usually the dogs that need to come to class the most.
I have seen many Devil Dog-type doxies over the years. My first bit of advice for anyone looking to buy a doxie puppy is to first find a GREAT breeder. Don't buy from pet shops or backyard breeder who advertize in the newspaper. Contact the your local kennel club for a list of breeders in your area or call the AKC in North Carolina ( if anyone needs the number I will be glad to email it to you if you want it). They can help you find a reputable breeder in your area. Another way to find a good breeder is to attend a dog show (not a fun match)a real dog show (either AKC or UKC) in your area and hang out in the doxie area and buy a catalog so you can have names and addresses. Talk to the people showing (but wait until they are not busy or waiting to go in the ring). Even better see if there are any doxies entered in obedience try and talk to the handler to see where their doxie came from.
Now after you have bought your little bundle of joy, I advise taking them to puppy kindergarten. This is not obedience (at least not formally). Believe me it is great for socialization and teaching the little ones how to get along with other dogs and also starting to form the basis for good obedience. When they are about 5 to 6 months old then you should think about starting your obedience school. Go to at least 2 8 week sessions. You will see so much more improvement if you go to a second session for intermediates. You may even get hooked on a great hobby and end up putting a Companion Dog title on your little doxie. Also many trainers teach the Canine Good Citizenship exercises. This is a great thing for any dog. Please check into it. It's not hard and most dogs do great at it and your dog gets some neat initials after his or her name, he he!! But more importantly, if your dog passes it shows that he/she is trained to a certain degree and can behave himself in public and is a good citizen. It's fun too.
Usually dogs that are not socialized properly or have been mistreated are the problem ones. If you have adopted a mistreated dog from someone else you need to seek professional advice in your area. If you need to find out if there is an obed. school in your area but can't find one, first check the yellow pages under dog training and if there is no listing then ask your vet to possibly recommend a good trainer or school. Then go attend the class one time without your dog. Just go to observe. If you don't like the methods the trainer uses or you aren't comfortable with something you observed that probably isn't the school for you and your dog. However, if may be just something you don't understand and it might be beneficial to stay and talk to the instructor after class. Note: If you can't find an obedience school in your area, I'll be glad to try and assist you, just email me at golden@ncweb.com. Let me know where you are located and what major city you are near.
So see, Devil dogs don't have to exist. But it takes some work, love, training, consistency and patience. Sorry this got sooo long. If you have any questions I'd be glad to help. Doxies are sweet little dogs but unfortunately get some very bad publicity.
Good Luck with your doxies
Cheers from Ohio,
Donna Sadlik and the Gang
Marivonne wrote:
If *every single* dog owner took the responsibility of taking their dog(s) to a basic obedience class seriously (and this would cost orders of magnitude LESS that that idiot is paying that guy), boyohboy would there be a lot less problems by and for these dogs. Sigh..... As if all there is to dog ownership is shots, feeding, bathing, and throwing a ball once in a while. Those people need to stick to stuffed ones. If people understood that you don't just take a dog to a class if it has problems, but that you just take it, period, boy would that dog's life be enhanced. Sigh.....this is my #1 button, sorry.
I have to agree that training and discipline from day one is very important. We cannot wait until we have behavior that needs correcting to decide that it is time to do something about it. We need to anticipate the strong-will that Dachshunds are famous for, and be sure our dogs know that they are *not* the ones who are going to be making all of the decisions, after all. This takes consistency, commitment and effort, but it is worth every bit of that in the long run. The result is a dog that does not control your life, but complements it instead.
Barbara
Silja Linko-Lindh Wrote:
In my opinion unhappy dogs in unhappy surroundings would be avoided if the hoomans were put through proper "dogtraining" *before* they even think about having a dog. :-)
Boy is this ever true! Every dog trainer I know that teaches basic obedience always says the dogs are NOT the problem! It's the *owners*!!!!
Marivonne
Janet Wrote:
Believe in obedience training. If you go to a class, teach at home, get a tutor or a video tape ... you bring up you dog, in principle, the same way you bring up your kids. You look after them physically and emotionally. You do your best to ensure them a good life and help them be their personal best. Thats what love is, at least in my opinion.
Right on! IF all dogs were run through at least obedience training, it would cut probably by 2/3's the amount of dogs being turned back into Humane Shelters in this country. Dogs are turned back in because of behavioral problems/housetraining problems, almost of of which could be avoided by proper housetraining and obedience training. It is SO SAD! Andi and the Fur Family Andi
Hey Guys. It takes more than throwing a beanbag at a dog or a magazine to train them for PERMANENT change. It takes patience and a slow and steady rate of training. CONSISTENCY is the key here, folks and don't forget that! Dachshunds should be obedience trained. I am not saying this because I compete in obedience. I am saying it because they can be very naughty and their personalities are such that it is hard to resist their naughty little personalities. Every Doxie should go through at least a basic obedience course. Andi and the Fur FAmily