Training has restored our SANITY!

Clone1008

We had reached a point with our bully Zeus that I would consider a cross roads. I bought him as a "surprise" birthday present for my girlfriend who had mentioned numerous times that she had always wanted a bully. As many of you on here have written our breed can be very high strung and very stubborn. I travel a lot for my business and am not home enough to help with his rearing. It finally came to head when Zeus started getting aggressive with her and started biting. In her anger and somewhat fear she told me that something had to change.

After a lot of research on trainers fairly close to us I finally made a decision on Victoria Smith with Take The Lead K9 Training. We set it up to where Zeus would be with her for a 2 week Board and Train while we were on a 2 week cruise. When we got back she brought our little guy to us and spent about 4 hours "training" us on all of the things that Zeus had learned. I was worried that he might be too young at 7 months to really be trained. What I found out was that was totally false. We have now had him back with us for 2 weeks and I have to say that our bully is a TOTALLY different dog. I can't say enough about our trainer and the fact that she saved our SANITY. Here is a link to her facebook page with a lot of videos on Zeus's progression while he was with her.

https://www.facebook.com/k9.takethelead/videos

Djammy

I am happy for you to read that things have changed so much.

To me it feels kind of odd to think about giving my dog to another person and have it trained for me. It is not about consulting someone to help with the training, but rather the fact that I would not be present and working with my dog.

I am not judging or criticizing you, please, don’t feel offended.
I am rather learning once again that there is more in life than black and white.

I think where this odd feeling comes from is that this situation reminds me of taking my car to the repair shop and having it fixed for me.

Working with my dog is a strong part of developing the relationship, getting to know my dog and giving her the chance to study me.

Therefore it is hard for me to imagine building a relationship with my dog without having worked with her.

However, this is not the first case of that kind I have heard of with great results for the owners. 

And it seems to me like there is a lot more to it than just “having the dog fixed by someone” .

After all, many people are willing to spend a pretty Dollar on that. And if the result is satisfying, this seems even more than reasonable.

As long as “teaching” the owners how to work with their dog in the future and continuing to work on the relationship is part of the training, there is obviously nothing wrong with this method.

After all, the dog gets a first lesson on what’s right and what’s wrong. It doesn't really matter, who teaches that. As kids we also have teachers in school and do not only learn from our parents.

At this point it probably really shows, if you have a GOOD trainer - the good trainer doesn’t forget to train the owners also, as the dog-owner relationship is a mutual thing.

Our last Bull Terrier had been a very sensitive and rather unusual Bull Terrier. She was shy and so devoted to obeying in order to make us happy. Our happiness just meant EVERYTHING to her. It was her nature. I could place a plate full of the most juicy meat right in front of her and leave to go shopping without her even looking at it, if I told her not to touch it. And we never trained such things with her. She chose that level of obedience on her own. It only took 2 or 3 days to teach her sit, stay and leash walking - that was it. She was a very polite dog.

When she died after a long Bull Terrier life, we decided to get an EBT puppy. I was kind of nervous looking out at having a really young and untrained dog in my house pretty soon. Cute for sure, but not yet housebroken, wild and full of mischief. Our last EBT had already been one year old, when we got her. So that would be my very first time with an EBT pup.

Out of nervousness I decided to read a lot and do lots of research on the Internet about dog behavior and training in order to be prepared. That eventually lead me to not only housebreak her, but also do all of the obedience and even trick training with her successfully on my own. I am still not a professional dog trainer, but satisfied with my results.

We had and still have so much fun together and there were hardly any behavior problems during her youngster days. She has grown into a very nice young lady now (18 months old), still a little more rambunctious than her predecessor, yet not a bit less fun and also obedient! I sometimes wonder where time has gone.

We have a strong relationship. Communication works like a charm and I am really happy that things have worked out so well.

Just the other day I had an argument with her over a new toy she was about to destroy. I had to take it away from her to prevent her from eating it, which for the very first time she would not accept.

Yet, even in that situation I was not afraid of her “hellish” growling. And I knew in my heart she will eventually give in. My confidence allowed me to stay calm and react appropriately.

I was happy to notice that all of my preparations and working with my dog paid off for the both of us in this critical moment.

She has not done it again with any other toy or treats she has received after that.

However, I can absolutely understand that not everybody has the same amount of time available to spend with a dog. I am working in my home office. On the one hand this can make things more complicated, because I am almost always available to my dog. On the other hand it allows me to be around her a lot and easily incorporate my training with her in our everyday life.

I understand how some people may feel overwhelmed by the EBT character, especially with young EBT’s and how the dogs can go overboard when sensing no boundaries.

I am starting to get the idea of seeking help from a professional in such cases, even if that means having to board the dog somewhere and being absent.

I hope you have found a good starting point now and your mutual understanding has a solid foundation to grow on.

I am really happy that you decided to go this way rather than giving up on your dog.

Reading such stories just reminds me that there is never only ONE way to handle a situation successfully. 

Either way - while methods and ways can differ - this story is another strong argument FOR dog training!

Again, I am very happy for you! Congratulations for taking the step and the results that speak for themselves!

philsergeant

At the end of the day i am just glad that, through whatever method, it has once again been realized that inside every Bull Terror there is just a mis-understood ANGELIC creature. (Well truthfully inside just about every misunderstood dog ) I am glad you are finding a way to take Zeus' reins and will see that there is no better friend (human or even female) than a Good, Well Loved Bullie.   I have had the privilege of owning many over the years, now that I am an old fart, and must say that they (I) get better every time. My current two have moments of pure mischief that they both recognize as being mischief, but other than that, they are a total joy.  I hope you and your girlfriend love and enjoy Zeus the way he deserves and thanks so much for sharing your story.  (Many would not have been so frank).  Just in time for the New Year too!  Where did you cruise?

Gypsy123

I have a 8 month old bull terrier who I also sent away for training.not due to any major issues,she was a typical bullie pup,hard work and sometimes frustrating.while on holidays for 3 weeks we chose to put her in kennels that also did training,mainly because I figured she would be kept busy and not bored.best thing I ever did!!Solo returned happy,well socialised and much better at listening.it prooves to be a good basis for our continued training at home.my baby bullie is now the pride and joy of my life.

philsergeant

Great Story, glad you're in love..... But where are the photos?, you gotta post photos to stay on here!!!  )
Didn't anyone explain the rules?, Happy New Year!

Gypsy123

Gypsy123

Pic is of Solo and my daughter Gypsy,Solo very comfortable,Gypsy not so much

philsergeant

Wonderful Photo... Typical Bullie pose, More! more!

Gypsy123

Gypsy123

Gypsy123

Gypsy123

Sorry everyone,having problems posting pics I'll work it out eventually 

BulliesofNC

The photo's look great!!!!  Thanks for sharing them!

Djammy

I love the one with your dog jumping/ running! Real nice shot! And such a beautiful Bull Terrier!

Gypsy123

Thankyou ,I have people stop me all the time to say they always thought bull terriers were ugly but now they've seen one in real life they can see how beautiful they are,it always makes me smile:)

philsergeant

She's awesome! Is that a lawn or a carpet?, I wish my lawn looked like that.
She looks somewhat like our Isabella with the opposite ear.

Gypsy123

Yes that's our lawn back here in the uk,where we have tea and cucumber sandwiches back here in England:D (not really,it's astro turf at kennels/training camp Solo went to)our garden is mud bath full of bull terrier styly holes :D and yes you're right Solo and Isabella are mirror images of each other,both beautiful:)

philsergeant

I thought you had rolling hills of green in the Worcester Area?, but Astro Turf is far more practical when it comes to diggy dogs! :-) My Mum was born in Hereford, that's near you right?

Gypsy123

Yes philsergeant Herefordshire is neighbouring county to Worcestershire ,and whereas we do have rolling green hills there are no other bullie owners (

Gypsy123

Well I'm sure there are but I don't know any.this forum has become invaluable to me.i like and appreciate the way advice is given without being judgemental.Inly wish I'd found it sooner:(

philsergeant

@Gypsy Thanks so much for such a wonderful assessment of the site, exchanging experiences is so valuable to us all.  I find it hard to believe there are not that many ENGLISH Bull Terrier owners in ENGLAND!  There are many in the USA but not many here in Florida.... People think the heat is no good for their coats, but in truth, for the most part, the heat is not too kind on their (the owners') brains!  In South Africa, when we lived there, there were hundreds of Bullies.  The locals called them VarkHonds (translated from Dutch that's Pig-Dog)... but although the term is unkind, they loved them.  I believe they are popular in Aussie too. Please keep contributing.

abau004

I agree its a huge knowledge base...BTW in South Africa we also refer to them as "China Dogs" I think its the eyes.
Here is Jinx 8 mnths and Jenna 6 Months in the Bush

LokiLostCoast

Forum has been very helpful to myself also as there doesn't seem to be many bull terrier owners in my area either. I've only seen a few around and heard that there was a white litter born around the same time I got Loki ( I got him in Portland over 300 miles away) . I took him to his first night of foundation puppy class last night and got a bit more info about showing etc and found out about a dog expo where I am hoping (fingers crossed) to find someone that is willing and able to mentor me so I can learn more about conformation showing etc. because right now all I have are forums, books and you tube lol which surprisingly there are no videos on how to show a bull terrier.

philsergeant

@abau004 ... Angename kennis! I should have recognized Johannesburg from the grass! Beautifull Bullies though... where do you live in Jo'ies?

Looks like Jena's ears are up permanently and Jinx has been rolling in FAB.

RoscosMom

I sent Rosco for training as well and it was the best thing we ever did.  Congratulations on your success!!

abau004

Yeah we are in the West Krugersdorp area...Jenna `s ears sems to be sorted...much better and the Boy is just growing and even more fun ...  

philsergeant

@abau004... great, sounds like you are out in the country, hopefully where you can be free and safe... Who knows, you could start a whole breeding farm there! are their parents "local" or imports?

abau004

We are fairly safe and we have two Bullies !!!!!!! They both local the male is from a very famous camp "Brillow" winners of almost all SA catogories..The owners Louw (passed away) and Heila Brits have been with Bullies since 1969...He is from a SA champ...Jenna is from a different breeder but he started with bullies from Louw and Heila...

buddrick

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