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Hannah

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  1. Hello everyone, we have a delightful 23 week old Manchester Terrier but needing recommendations on dog trainers ( one on one) as COVID has disrupted our progress and also resulted in him developing bad separation anxiety. He Is a smoochy guy but can be very wilful and bark at you when he doesn’t get his way ( in a cheeky way but also defiantly) and is very hard to catch if he senses he is going to be put in his pen. However, he is also a big scaredy cat when we go out on the lead, can even be hard to get him out of the driveway. Loud road noises really scare him. ....when we are on the walk he is keener but teaching him to heel is a struggle. To burn off his huge energy we sometimes take him to a secure off leash oval which he adores ( he loves other dogs) but has zero recall. He now has huge separation anxiety as has had someone at home since we got him and now everyone at home with COVID Isolation measures and can now leap over toddler gates we have used to keep him zoned so now getting to be a handful. He sleeps separately to us and does sleep through the night but as soon as he wakes up in the morning he barks and howls to get our attention and is beside himself with bouncy excitement when he sees us. We have already tried Kintala puppy school but he got so revved up with the puppy play he wouldn’t settle for the training and to be honest we did not score a trainer familiar with a feisty little terrier, while a lovely woman she was totally overwhelmed by him and kept saying big dogs are calmer which was nt helpful, the other instructors seemed much more on top of things and one actually offered us additional advice on the drop command which worked almost instantly back at home ( so we were a bit unlucky I think with the match up)....Sooo he failed puppy school with our particular trainer declaring he was a challenge....however, he is smart and trainable as we have made some inroads at home but there has to be no distractions. He is quite wilful ( selective hearing) which makes me wonder if the gentle method is right for him....or the Kintala approach perhaps too cookie cutter??? Not sure I want to throw more money at them after our experience even though I think some of the other trainers might be better. I have since been recommended John at AusDog but a bit wary as have read polarised reviews and after speaking to his wife I get the impression they are very my way or the highway and incredibly expensive for a one off session which they claim the dog is cured of all behavioural issues. I ve also been recommended Alpha Canine group by a petbarn staff member who witnessed our puppy school debacle but they are on other side of town. If what Ausdog claim is true then I don’t mind paying but I can’t help be a tad cynical and wonder if too coercive from one review I read....he also doesn’t like off leash parks etc either which won’t work with our guy....he is really athletic, needs a gallop and a chance to play with other dogs. So keen to know if anyone can advise on a trainer with a bit of a behavioural bent who can work with the dogs personality but not break his spirit and of course train us too.... If anyone has used John at Ausdog would also be keen to hear views. He is a ripper of a little dog so want to get on top of this before he gets more set in his terrier ways. Our initial goals are to address the separation anxiety, nervousness on the lead, defiant tendencies, toddler gate jumping and recall. We live in North Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.....any recommendations welcome. Apologies for the long post. Thanks Hannah
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