Dog Obedience Training

Question: Giving dog obedience training as a gift?

(Posted by: sweetieface on 2009-08-03 04:54:28)

Is that rude? Do you think someone would take it the wrong way? I know some people are super sensitive about their dogs so I dont know how someone would handle it? Any advice? I do have a personal interest in this dog though. I've been asked (and agreed to) dogsit 3 times. This dog is the most misbehaved dog I've ever met. He bites me when I try to put a leash on him, and refuses to go outside with me sometimes which means I have to clean up his mess. He was a rescue and was abused. However, the owner now spoils the CRAPPPPPP out of him which makes him really difficult to handle!

Posted by: <=Jally=> on 2009-08-03, 05:02:54

I think its a great idea, i wouldnt be offended at all, that is if my dog needed the training. Even though they wont admit it they are probably very aware their pup needs training.

Posted by: elle on 2009-08-03, 05:03:54

Give her the dog whisperer book or video series and offer to come help her with it. Otherwise, you will end up wanting to not dog sit for her in the future.

Posted by: AbbieBorderCollieismyBESTFRIEND! on 2009-08-03, 05:11:36

I'd LOVE to help my cousins' they have such trouble with their dogs, and I'd love to help, but I feel I'd be coming across incredibly rude to ask! I think if you just spoke nicely about it and asked if they'd like things changed; maybe you could tell us how it went, and I could get tips and ask my family! LOL

Posted by: Goldenly Addicted *Shoo BYBers!* on 2009-08-03, 05:14:03

Yes, some people will be offended by it because they will think you're saying that their dogs are misbehaving, stupid & that they're spoiling their dogs too much. I have encountered a few before, believe me. However, there are some that won't mind people advising them to bring them to OB classes. You can ask the dog's owner if he/ she's interested in bringing it for training. I know some owners take advantage of other people doing everything for them for free. It's nice that you want to help out but I really believe that the owners should be the ones putting in effort into training it & spending more time with it. Not you do everything for them. It's no point that you train it & then the owners don't make use of the training that has been done with their dog. If the owners are willing to train together with you then that's great. But it's up to you really...

Posted by: itsme on 2009-08-03, 05:19:09

It depends on the person you give it to. Personally I would love that as a gift. I wouldnt take it as an insult. I would feel very nice about our freindship that you felt enough love for my dog that you would care enough to give such a thoughtful and sounds like much needed gift. But then again thats just me. Someone else might take it as yoiu saying they cant do it on their own or they are not good enough to train their own dog. I would talk to the person first. Feel it out, bring it up in idol conversation just the idea and see which way the person sways. Then you will know for sure if they would take it as a positive or a negative.

Posted by: Chris S on 2009-08-03, 06:40:41

Hey there, I would approach this from the perspective that this is a rescue dog. Most rescue dogs come with with challenging issues that can be difficult for even the most experienced dog owners. Express your interest in learning to be a better dogsitter. Say you're very interested in learning more about how to work with rescues. Maybe you want to do more dogsitting? Or volunteer? Or rescue a dog yourself someday? Any of those could be the reason for your interest. From what you've said, my hunch is that a good trainer who comes to the house is the best option here, because I'm not sure that this dog would succeed in a class with these behavior problems, and because getting someone who comes to the owner is going to be a much easier task than bringing the owner to an 8 week class. Ask the owner if she would mind if you brought in a trainer to teach you. Chances are that they will be happy to have YOU learn to handle their dog better. And... that they will want to observe, if not actually participate. Once that happens, you've won them over. Best of luck to you!

Posted by: Maxi on 2009-08-03, 08:33:32

I have to declare my interest first before I comment as I do gift vouchers for dog training/ behavioural work/ TTouch/ Accupressure/ Hydro pool. So my answer is yes for obvious reasons, however what I will say is I introduced these 5 years ago and their use has increased 10 fold, with people buying them for presents for their family and friends and including their animals ( I also work with other animals beside dogs) Mine are fixed inside a card and I have often seen what people have written: Things like " looked for ages to buy you all a present and decided on this, so the whole family could benefit together " or "Know you guys love doing things together and thought this would be the perfect gift " or "These people are great blah blah blah so I'm not keeping this to myself, I wanted to share it with you...I won't say enjoy yourself, because I know you will " Everyone that has bought one for someone else has used it and after a few weeks I ask what they think about the gift....some will say " know we needed it but never got around to it, so it made it easy " / "what a thoughtful idea to buy for the dog as well " / " should have done it sooner, life would have been so much easier "/ " best christmas present hubby ever bought me " So I think it is how its presented, although some people will take offence at anything whatever you do or say

Posted by: wishnuwelltoo on 2009-08-03, 11:43:18

Wow, this is a really good question. I think the problem you would have is that people who have badly mannered dogs, don't comprehend it, and would be offended. I think you could offer to take their dog on obedience classes, and make it sound like you want the experience. I would also suggest that if the dog doesn't get the classes, you might have to refrain from dog sitting. You shouldn't have to dog sit a bad dog. I have to do that and it is terrible. The dog pees from one end of my house to the other, and has food aggression problems and bites my dogs. I just hate it. I think if you take the dog to classes, then the dog will go through it with you and behave when it is with you. Good luck.