From: shazam@drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Need help with chosing a dog to adopt
Date: 12 Jan 93 11:05:00 -0500
Organization: Carnegie Mellon Computer Club

In regards to adopting an older pet and training.......it all depends
on a couple of things in my opinion.  It depends on how much time
you are willing to spend with the dog and how persistant you are willing to
be.

I adopted Min, a Soft coated Wheaten Terrier (The Go-Go Girl! *smile*),
who was 2 years old at the time.  That was a year and a half ago.
I have obedience trained her myself, but I seriously recommend you
find an obedience class and attend.  It is not only beneficial for 
the dog, but it is also beneficial for *you* as well, because you have a 
lot to learn too. *smile*  Believe you me, after having dogs all of my
life, I am *still* learning!  *smile*  Min and I are going to attend an
obedience cclass so that we can learn to socialize with other doggies,
and so we aren;t so aggressive and domineering.  *smile*

Min had run loose her entire two years, was owned by people who did
not care about her.  She had never even had a collar on.  She now
walks on a leash perfectly, heels wonderfully, knows basic obedience
commands and performs them very well.  I have also taught her tricks
that she adores showing off with.  *smile*  She *is* a Terrier, so she
is still very stubborn, and excitable, but that is her breed and part
of being a good friend to your animal is understanding that breed, AND
your pet individually.  If you do not, you are probably going ot have problems
in my opinion, and you are not going to be a very good friend to 
him/her.  To me, that is extremely iumportant for a good, fun relationship
with your dog.

I had to work with her daily and I still do.  If you let up, they get rusty.
I had to have patience....oh what patience...*smile* and I had to be
extremely persistant.......VERY persistant.  That is all part of training.
If you show them over and over what to do, most of the time they are
going to learn, and usually very quickly.....remember, this is *my* opinion.
Others here may disagree a little or a lot.  *smile*

The first things I would suggest is to call your local obedience club
and see about an obedience class.....and at the same time, get some
good books (many have been recommended here, like the Monks of the 
New Skete books, ANYTHING by Carol Benjamin, Second-Hand Dog is a MUST
for you since you are adopting an older dog, I wish I had had it when
I got Min) and read them, more than once.  Also, I personally would recommend
crate training.  I thought it was cruel at first, but it really works and
Min loves her "house".  It is her den.  She is a people dog, like most,
so she is constantly around me, but if we are in the same room as the
crate, she goes in and lies down to sleep.  *smile*  CarolBenjamin does
a wonderful job of helping with crate training in her Second Hand Dog book.
I highly recommend it.  At our local shelter they have copies for people.

If I can help, please feel free to email me.  It was not always easy with 
her, we had ot housebreak her too, that was HELL....but we all came 
through it and she is my best friend.  I love that little smily face
with all my heart and would not trade her for millions of dollars and
that ain;t no bunk! *smile*

Suzanne and Min