Dog obedience class reccomendation? (Portland: credit, home, community college)

[OmShanti]

Well, we finally did it...we adopted a dog!

After weeks and weeks and weeks of searching and meeting 20 dogs, we finally found the one! We are adopting him through Multonomah Animal Control. He's a 1 year old Aussie x Border Collie. We're naming him Gromit (like Wallace and Gromit, the claymation guys!) He's a total sweetheart and really well behaved, but he needs some obedience work (it's also a requirement for adoption).

Anyone have any suggestions for a good trainer? I'm not really interested in Petco classes, I have found in the past that they are very generic. I would like somewhere that works with my dogs specific needs and issues. We are interested in agility, although I am not sure if Gromit is...he's been really stressed at the shelter and won't play.

Thanks guys!

[LuvABull.Denver]

Congrats on your adoption! You have saved a life!

I would suggest looking for a local behaviorist and ask for references. You can get one on one attention specific for your dog, which always works out better. Please do not choose someone that takes your dog to train, you need to be involved in the process. If you are not satisfied with your choices, there is a great book, "How To Be Your Dogs Best Friend" by the Monks of New Skete. They train all breeds but breed German Shepherds.

Even if you don't do the training yourself, it is still a great resource.

Best wishes and again, congrats!!!
LuvABull.Denver

[OmShanti]

Thanks! I'll definitely pick up that book!

I have actually worked as a professional animal trainer before (with horses) so I am very particular about the kind of training I want, and I want to do it myself - I definitely am looking for something one on one that will focus on his needs (being a herding breed, he's smart but ADD).

He he works out and gets settled in nicely, we might go back and pick up our second favorite doggie, a female purebred BC. She's so neurotic in the shelter, she's been in there for 2 months and no ones taken her so she's at risk of euthanasia (they were both actually at risk...no one wants the BCs!) She however is untested with other animals due to kennel cough (she won't be tested until she's completely healthy again, in 2-4 weeks) so we couldn't risk bringing her home with a cat or the neighbors dogs.

[Wicked Felina]

Try Mary Rioux-Forker (she's also on FB). She's an absolutely superb trainer.

PAC - Links to Trainers

Congratulations on your new doggers!

[OmShanti]

Originally Posted by Wicked Felina

Try Mary Rioux-Forker (she's also on FB). She's an absolutely superb trainer.

PAC - Links to Trainers

Congratulations on your new doggers!

Thanks so much! That's a great resource! There were a few trainers that the shelter recommended to me on there.

[figmalt]

They used to do obedience classes at Portland Community College (non-credit, community classes). I don't know if that is still going on though. Portland Community College

[hamellr]

We went through Steve at Canine Classroom. We choose him because he's Pit Bull knowledgeable and helped us curb some of the worse behaviors. Dog Training, Animal Behavior Services, Canine Classroom - Portland, OR

[OmShanti]

Originally Posted by hamellr

We went through Steve at Canine Classroom. We choose him because he's Pit Bull knowledgeable and helped us curb some of the worse behaviors. Dog Training, Animal Behavior Services, Canine Classroom - Portland, OR

He's the one that came most highly recommended by everyone. We're definitely looking into starting some classes ASAP. Our guy Gromit does't have any major behavioral issues, he's just untrained but INCREDIBLY smart. In 24 hours he know stay and leave it, both really hard because they require a lot of impulse control. I want to work to get him Canine Good Citizen certified to use him as a therapy dog...he's such a loving guy!