puppy training

we have just enrolled billy in puppy training on a one to one basis with a guy called john uncle, he lives very near us and apparently he is famous. I googled him cause i never heard of him, and he has written a few books.

Has anybody heard of him, any comments about him, good or bad let me know, the course is for 6 weeks.

Yes, I have heard of him. Personally I wouldn't use him because he is an advocate of 'pinch' or 'prong' collars which I detest (see here.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1-E5e8rqTU).

That's not to say that he uses them all the time, but he does use them. The video makes it look all fine & dandy, and miraculously easy, but I'm not convinced. I much prefer reward training.

What made you go for a one to one trainer? I always think that you're better off going to a training club so that your dog can get used to training with other pups around. It's great for socialisation. After all, you want your dog to behave when there are distractions, not just in the peace & quiet of your own home.

Please don't take this as a criticism (I know it sounds that way!) but I just don't like that sort of training.

Nno offence taken, i am just a beginner and you are the expert, I need all the advice you can give.

We went for him because, he is the nearest one to us, we went for one to one because we have missed the puppy class course and the next one starts when my hubby is in cyprus so we would have to wait quite a while, he does then during the day when Ii am at work and hubby is home.

Do you have any recommendations for puppy training classes in North London. I can't see the video cause I am at work at the moment, but i will look when i get home, don't fancy the collar.

thanks

I'm not saying for one moment that he'd sugest the prong collar for your pup! I doubt that he would, I just thought you should be aware.

The Kennel Club Good Citizen Sceme is a great way to work your dog through the general obedience you need from day to day living. Have a look here for any clubs that might be near you........
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2593

John Uncle may be a great trainer, I really don't know because I've only heard of him through another forum that complained about his use of the prong collar. However, you might still want to join a training club for the socialisation which is every bit as important (especially for staffies!) as obedience!

thanks for the link - there is one not too far from me

Alpha Dog Training Club P B S G Finsbury Park N4 Ceri Evans 020 8809 6762

have you heard of ceri evans

"I'm not saying for one moment that he'd sugest the prong collar for your pup! I doubt that he would, I just thought you should be aware."

i would kill him if he did

lynne wrote:thanks for the link - there is one not too far from me

Alpha Dog Training Club P B S G Finsbury Park N4 Ceri Evans 020 8809 6762

have you heard of ceri evans

"I'm not saying for one moment that he'd sugest the prong collar for your pup! I doubt that he would, I just thought you should be aware."

i would kill him if he did

I haven't heard of them (been a long time since I lived in London - about 25 years!) but as they're registered with the Kennel Club they will have to have a certain minimum of qualifications & experience. Also, if you're not happy with them you can complain to the Kennel Club, so you have a back up. They'll also get you through the stages of the award scheme - bronze, silver & gold - and will probably have contacts for taking the obedience further if you want to.

If the guy uses force to train pups I wouldnt use him. Regardless though I don't think too much could be achieved on a 'one-to-one' basis with puppy training as a lot of this is lifeskills and socialisation which works best with other dogs and puppies being there. The busier the environment the more experience your dog can get as a pup

Ceri Evans sounds quite good.........

http://www.londondogforum.co.uk/alpha-dog-training-club-i209.html

Give them a ring & have a chat. Ask if you can come & watch some of the classes & see how they interract with dogs & owners.

I have just phoned her up and she is so lovely and really resonably priced
she does thursday and sundays. I would like top do sundays but i explained that i did not have a car on sunday, and she said no problem, come on the tube


she said he should be fine on the tube and i should not be scared to bring him, just keep calm as he will feel your energy. Just carry him down the escalator.

let you know what happens

Brilliant! Sounds like you hit it off with the trainer? That's a good start. I take it she wasn't fazed by the fact that you have a staff?

no she said, she loved them

but nothing every straight forward with me, hubby has already enrolled him for the other class and said he is going to go along to see what it is like, would it harm billy if he was going to different types of classes, my initial reaction is yes.

No, not really, as long as the training methods don't conflict & confuse him. Which one's first?

I did puppy classes with Samson and there a great idea as they mix with other dogs while training so its socialization as well as training with distractions i would say better at a young age i've always felt 1 to 1 is more for sorting problems

good luck any training is better than none

He is with Paul Uncle first, see how that goes then I will take him to Cceri, if we are not happy. Cceri does the bronze silver and gold for the kc club, so I think we will go to them afterwards