new members on DSNN

[Elaine]

We have a few new members on DSNN… hope we make them all feel welcome. They may like to say a few words about themselves here … or just chime in and post, as some have already done. If any of you would like to post photos and are having trouble, simply email me. :)

[dobielvr]

I'll bite :) I'm new to this forum - actually I'm not on any other forums either. I'm currently on the long search for my first doberman, which is incredibly exciting! Thanks to Elaine for all of your help and getting me pointed in the right direction. :)

I own a grooming salon and pet boutique in PA so that keeps me pretty busy, but hopefully soon I will have a new friend to take with me every day. My first dog was my "heart" dog. I competed in obedience with him, but unfortunately, I was with a bad trainer at the time and he hated it :( so we achieved our CD and 2 legs of our CDX and that was it. I let him be a dog and we also did Therapy Dogs Int'l, which he really loved.

Anyway, I look forward to getting to know you all! I have been reading for a while so I'm glad I am finally part of this forum.

[Elaine]

Welcome Phoebe... I really enjoyed our conversation the other night. Hopefully Bob and Cheryl will see this and chime in... I think you will enjoy each other... and you live fairly close. :)

[Kissntell]

Dobielvr:

I know what you mean about obedience trainers. I went through that too when I first started in obedience. You will find all kinds of methods of training in obedience. What works for me now is to train on my own. The only thing I need is the long downs. You can actually get that on your own too by going to different dog events and doing a long down there.

There's nothing worse than having a dog sour and then dislike obedience work. That's when your scores go down. A happy working animal will score the high scores. When I do show in obedience, I am not looking to just qualify. You will score the high scores only if your dog enjoys what he is doing.

I had the experience of having a high scoring obedience bitch. However, she use to bore of the long down and just say ok, "I'm done" and take off. A rough trainer told me to punish her for that. I didn't know any better. So then she would decide enough, run away, look for anyone willing to catch her with a treat and get the best of the whole thing.

I bribed her back with staying for a piece of cheese which she loved. So, "let's see cheese or cookie, I'll take cheese." But I really had a problem for awhile on that one.

In this competitive world you have to just find your own way and do the best you can. Some dogs can take a rough hand others can not. Mine could not.

[dobielvr]

I can't believe that up until mid-90's those methods were so widely popular and acceptable. Positive training really is a new thing with more people catching on all the time..it was nowhere to be found in my area when I first started training (and I got that dog in 1994!). There are now two fabulous trainers in my area whom I trust implicitly - they really care and the dogs are soooo happy to work for them - which should be every trainer and owner's goal. I agree that's the only way to gain high scores, and everyone loves watching those dogs the most!

We are having the crazy Christmas rush around here so I haven't yet spoken with Bob and Cheryl but I actually carved out some time for a phone call later this afternoon :) Thanks again.

[doberdogsfd]

Ok....Bob is doing "interviews" in NY City, I want ot stab myself..... or someone else...at work of course!!! :D
"Tis the Season to be grumpy....:mad:.

Hey Pheobe!! Welcome to DSNN! I hear you are somewhere in PA...what area?
Bob and I live in Collegeville, PA. That is near Valley Forge if you are from the West side of the state.


Please feel free ot email me or just post.
Cheryl

[doberdogsfd]

Welcome my good friend and fellow dog show warrior on the East Coast!

You will find no one here is afraid to express their opinion which wonderful and that their is a wealth of exprience and knowledge.

Cheryl