I love dogs too, but

[Blue]

I really do think the biggest challenge in dog training is coordinating the entire family - and visiting friends. So everyone is sending the right signals and the dog doesn't get confused.

My husband isn't as active as I am - in reading and educating himself in dog behaviour/training, so he questions everything I'm doing - to the point of my great frustration! I try to have him read some of the information I've been reading (all kinds from alpha to just positive reinforcement methodology) and he falls asleep reading the books (can anyone say huge *siiiiigh!*).

As far as visiting friends, I ask them politely not to allow Blue to jump up. Two seconds later there's Blue up on them, giving them big sloppy kisses and the visitor giving all the pets and cuddles Blue could ever want - and me looking all the while like a tyrant trying to tell Blue to "off" and "sit"!! After having Blue successfully in a sit-stay before they come in... *woe*. Or I'll find some of my closest friends alone in the living room (while I left to go get snacks or go to the bathroom) with the dog halfway into their lap on the couch - front legs up on the visitor, one rear leg already up and the second poised to follow - a sheepish look on the human as well as the dogs face when they get caught in the act! Blue is too big for a lap dog!

Hmm... talk about the signifcant other wailing here, but it seems to me that there needs to be a book made for men where it's 'exciting' and 'macho' enough to keep their interest for longer than five minutes! Most men can 'control' a dog without making it 'heel' - I know my husband is double my weight and Blue's pulling barely moves him. So he just didn't consider it a problem to let her pull. Until he heard me out (in practical hysterics because my arm felt out of it's socket after a particularly daunting walk not long after we got Blue) saying that unless he was one hundred percent behind me in her training, we would never have children because he wasn't one bit interested in simply training the *darned* dog! (how could he ever be expected to help with children!? ).

Well...he is slowly learning now.

From what I remember you've already had children MaxHollyNoah so that probably won't work for you... but perhaps there's something else you could influence your hubby with ...

LOL

Blue

[Annie]

You guys make me laugh
A book for men would be great.
My husband goes out with the dog, refusing a leash ( it´s pretty safe here) and whenever he gets back I am told stories of deer and cars and fights....I can work on her for months getting her not to chase things in the forest, and then he´ll walk in all suprised ( and slightly proud) of his excellent 'hunting' dog!!!!
We have the same problem between us and the kids as well. Papa is all treats and rule breaking...mama the Ogre!
Better yet, instead of a book, could it be a short, musical MP3 version....I think he may listen to THAT! I can see his eyes glaze over when I mention a training 'idea' I´ve heard of......
Thanks for the laughs
Annie and her band of merry followers