Well, I think we have decided to finally do it... nothing for sure yet, but me and Kevin are thinking of getting Mic a professional trainer.  We can afford it now (barely) so we think its time.  Plus, this weekend was a bad bad weekend for the Micster.  He was not a very good boy   I think he purposely slept all day so he could keep us up all night barking... and then when Kevin decided to get up to tell him to stop barking... Mic bit him   He hasn't done this since he was a baby!!  I think maybe Mic was just startled and it was dark... I don't know.  He's my beebs, he doesn't do any wrong!

Anyway, I am curious about all of your thoughts on a trainer.  We were thinking of the kind of training like a boot camp, where they take him away .... this was actually Kevin's idea since we are going back home for xmas, it would work out the best and we wouldn't have to find him boarding.  Plus, Kevin is really angry right now.  He won't even play with Mic   He's starting to warm up to him again, but its slow going.

Also, if anyone has any recommendations on a trainer or boot camp type thingie in San Diego, I'd appreciate it!! 

So this isn't set in stone yet, we're just in the "talking" phase of getting a trainer.  Plus we're torn on do we have a trainer come to our house (which is probably better for training reasons) or send him away (which is better on our wallets for xmas)

See, I would rather have a trainer come to my house, or I go there, I just want to be there and learn ya know? But Kevin's thinking on it is boarding is about $350.00 when we go home for xmas, so why not get it done at the same time.... blah blah blah.

I don't have any argument though, I just know its not as good to send your dog to "boot camp" because you the human aren't learning anything... So why else is it so bad to send them away? Just gathering opinions here...

This was the place I was looking at, but they might be to much $$. I actually spoke with the trainer here for about an hour, she was very nice. http://www.westcoastk9.com/


This is where Kevin looked for "boot camp"... http://betterdogtrainer.com/ I guess he spoke with them too, and they say they will take your dog for as long as they need to, and then when they think he's ready, they send him home, and do as many follow-ups with you in your home as you need to learn how to keep up with his training.

There are several places in Indpls that offer this kind of training---ususlly for bigger dogs and for "security training"----personally, I would rather board my dog just to let him relax and be boarded and NOT have someone train him while I wasnt there.  I'm sure that some of these places have high ratings and reviews, but in MY opinion, I would want to be part of the training procedure and not have my dog perform like a professional for some professional trainer, but still be my same old unruly dog when he was away from that person and that environment.  But that's just me.  I took Darmok to 4 different training schools or classes---puppy classes (more socialization than anything else), basic obedience, advanced obedience, and basic agility and it was ME that learned way more than she did.  That's the way I wanted it to be.

Kim -- I pm'd you and suggested you communicate with Shannon (Mario07).  You wouldn't believe the transition that little Mario has made with just a few one-on-one sessions! This was one little timid dog at one time... but with the commitment that Shannon has made with Mario's training, this little guy is not timid anymore. He's very sociable and well adjusted. Just a suggestion... good to talk to someone who has had some "hands on" one-on-one training.  And... Shannon has had NO training experience at all !!

that's a good idea... I would like to see them "at work"... I think when I narrow it down I will find out if I can do that

 I love you guys, you always make my problems seem manageable   Just had to let ya know!

Ok, so I'm looking at these 2 places right now.  Are either of these a place you would send your rattie?  (for the private - in home training) 

http://www.westcoastk9.com/

http://www.johnknowsdogs.com/index.html

I'm going to call both after work, explain Mic's behavior issues and see what they would suggest.  I wonder if they have a package for aggression (towards Kevin!), sep. anxiety, socialization, dominance.  This is gonna cost a small fortune isn't it...

I actually called the 1st place about 1 1/2 yrs ago when we were having issues, but we couldn't afford it.  But the women on the phone gave me some tips and emailed me some articles.

Does anyone have any tips on anything I should ask?  I'm just so  overwhelmed by looking at all these sites that my mind has been worn out for the moment

me thinks me found it!

http://www.rat-terrier.com/Home/tabid/37/forumid/5/tpage/1/view/topic/postid/82675/Default.aspx#82699

is this what you were referring to?

"1. What "standard" methods does the trainer use and why? (realizing that the "standard" methods have to be flexible depending on the owner AND the dog and the owner's relationship with the dog!)

2. Can the trainer's method be easily explained? (can YOU understand the trainer's method? If the trainer understands the methods and you don't... you can't teach them to your dog.)

3. Can/will the trainer provide you with an honest explanation of the pros and cons of methods he or she will use if asked? (keeping in mind that any method can have an adverse outcome depending on application)

4. Does the trainer provide any guarantees, include follow-up support, and at what cost?

5. What experience does the trainer have? "