I started taking my 150lbs Rottweiler to her last year after I lost all control of him. He was…read moreactually to the point that if he got any worse, I would have to put him down because he drew blood on me twice while I was attempting to correct his issues. Around other dogs, he would into attack mode, and if he couldn't get to the other dog, he would snap at anything close to him. Around people, he started to growl at anyone he didn't know. Would he bite? I don't know.
I went to a positive training trainer who during the hour training session, admitted, not outright, that she couldn't control her two Rotts. How in the world would she be able to help mine? At the end of this training, I asked what to do about his aggressive behavior. She told me to take him into the public, and give him treats when he acts as I want. What about when he bites someone? No answer.
Many wasted months after that, I started seeing posts on Facebook about this trainer that was donating her time and knowledge to help shelter dogs that were unadoptable due to behavior issues. So I set up a training session to see if there was any hope for my Rott. Sara recognized that he was a troubled pup, and needed a lot of training. To be fair to my pup, I needed the training, to correct the screwed up training I was providing him.
After multiple training sessions, he was improving some, he also made a facebook post or two from Sara. Not the good posts! After normal training methods failed to correct Atlas's aggressive behavior, Sara recommended the use of an e-collar. This was not something Sara took lightly, this was the last option.
She introduced the collar to me and even gave me the option to have it operated on me. On the level I use on my Rott, it feels like a needle prick, hardly noticeable. After training me on the correct and humane use of the collar, we started training my dog. Starting at level 1, and working up till he just responded to the "shock" at level 13.
Now, when he starts getting out of control, a verbal command, and followed by activation of the e-collar, as needed. When he corrects his bad actions, a positive word and, a treat. He has responded beyond belief!
The change in him has been swift, and daily he is becoming a better behaved dog! I have been able to start to bring him out into public events, working towards him becoming a well-adjusted dog. I have also been able to walk him with my other two Rotts now, without the chance of getting drug into a dog fight! I had a Greman Sheppard jump a fence and charge us, and he didn't chargeback. He maintained his place beside me and stayed calm. A yell at the dog, and away he went, and Atlas just turned around with me and continued our walk.
Sara at Innovative Dog Training & Education has saved the lives of countless dogs with her knowledge and techniques, including Atlas! Is my work with Atlas done? No, but the change in him is tremendous!