When Pigs Fly!: Training Success with Impossible Dogs

I thought I was doing a great thing when I adopted my dog, a schnoodle, from a group who rescued him from a puppy mill. At two months old, I figured he was still young enough that I could shape his behavior and he wouldn't have any lasting trauma from his unfortunate start in life. I did my research and read many, many different training books and websites and watched training videos. When my vet warned me that my puppy was almost outside the "socialization window", I decided to sign up for a group training class. Ringo was one of the worst dogs in the class, barking in his ear-piercing tone almost the entire time. I didn't know that the instructor's method, relying on choke chain corrections, lures and voice commands, was doing more harm than good...until I noticed one day that the chain was ripping out the hair on my dog's neck (no wonder the end of his training sessions were the only times he sat obediently so I could remove that awful thing!).I tried very, very hard to do everything the right way, and when none of it really worked I felt like an awful failure who had picked the "wrong dog". Or maybe, despite my lifelong love of animals, I wasn't cut out to be a dog owner at all. While my dog was capable of obeying basic commands, he would pick and choose when he wanted to obey. He was a hyper, leaping ball of energy whenever guests came over, and he jumped on me, too, when he wanted something. He was also very fearful. I had a love/hate relationship with my dog and often beat myself up wondering "What was I thinking?!" I was about ready to sign up for more training classes that I couldn't afford and that might not work when I happened to find this book. Thank God.This book is different from the start. Unlike many other authors I've read, Jane Killion doesn't spend time stressing how important it is to choose the "perfect dog for you" or fill you with apprehension because a dog can be "ruined" if you don't train perfectly and early enough. There is no arrogant belief that the human can essentially BE another dog. No, this is a reassuring book that promises *any* dog can learn to do the behaviors you want as long as you understand the animal and have patience. Jane Killion understands how to work with animals and can communicate her understanding better than other experts I've read. One thing she mentioned early on that hit me with a ton of bricks was that trainers don't try to use corrections on killer whales!To be honest, I wasn't sure I had any patience left, but during the first training session guided by this book, I realized that I did and that training my heretofore exasperating dog could actually be fun for both of us. Instead of seeing my dog's frustrating antics as bratty disrespect for me personally, I learned to observe what he was doing, including the very naughty stuff, as simply behaviors that he was experimenting with. He didn't know the difference between good and bad, he was just trying various things to see what worked. As an observer, I don't get angry with him the way I used to. I wasn't sure I was up to the task of training him, but the clicker/treat method Killion teaches is easy and really, really works. After a week, I have trained my three-year-old schnoodle to touch a box with his paw in order to get a treat, and that was done without me uttering a word or showing him what I wanted him to do (except with the clicker and treats). It's just amazing to see the animal's intelligence at work, and the mutual respect we are building is very, very rewarding. We have a long ways to go yet, but already my dog is calmer and has learned that pouncing on me and/or barking isn't going to get a treat. The attention and rewards he gets during short training sessions carry him through the day a happy, relaxed dog.Jane Killion does a very, very good thing in emphasizing that ANY dog can be a good dog with understanding, patience and the right kind of training. While other "experts" emphasize finding the perfect dog and training them perfectly, or else, Killion's can-do attitude means that dogs of all types and backgrounds can be loved. There are so many dogs sitting in shelters who may be overlooked because they aren't perfect even though they could be great. Killion teaches you to work with the dog you love, not to learn to love the dog that works. Not every dog is a "Pig's Fly Dog", but I think this training method is perfect for every dog. Even if I wind up with a "biddable" breed in the future, I will use the methods I learned in this book. It's the best training book I've read.

I bought this book after acquiring my 7th beagle. Of my previous 6 beagles, all adopted as adults (ages 2-7 yrs), only 2 had been house dogs. Nonetheless we worked things out; they were good with toenail clipping & teeth descaling, fair with leash walking, didn't nuisance bark and were all around great companions. I had professional help with two of them and classes for one other, but mostly worked with them myself.Bella, acquired at one year old, had a low boredom threshold and limitless determination & energy. It was 2 months before I could leave her uncrated or unpenned for more than 10 minutes. She ate or chewed jackets, bedding (ours as well as hers), my retainer, pill bottle tops, hats, shoes, underwear, glasses -- even the carry handle off her crate. From the inside.Her behavior improved marginally after I started taking classes with her at the local dog club, which uses only positive training methods. She did ok but certainly was no "star". Part of the problem was that I was very busy so we didn't practice much -- but also, we were both bored by training at that point.I finally joined the dog club -- I needed the member discount as the classes were draining my cash and although Bella wasn't progressing much, she was worse when we stopped going to class.Then I came across this book online. I read it and laughed, got out my clicker, and had a ball.About 4 weeks later Bella earned 3 AKC tricks titles back-to-back in one go (the only dog to do so that year). She learned half of the tricks in the last 9 days before the tests.After that, I was invited to assist with several classes. A number of professional trainers expressed great surprise at Bella's performance in various classes, stating that they've always found beagles to be pretty much untrainable. Mind you, although Bella is wonderfully well-trained by now, I don't fool myself. She is not inherently "obedient" -- this is a classic "Pig's Fly" dog.This book is the most effective introduction to clicker training that I've come across. It explains things at an intuitive level, and in an entertaining way that sticks in your mind. I have bought several copies for friends. I would rate this 50 stars if I could. Jane Killion, I owe you! Your book has helped me create the best companion dog I've ever had, who passionately seeks to figure out what I want. No longer a chore, "training" is entertaining, and producing great results for us both.

My Staffie terrier was a nightmare. She came to me two years old with out any training or manners. She couldn't even go outside to the toilet. Understanding how to train her was a godsend. She was extremely independent. She had not idea how to conform and no intention of finding out. By the end of this book, three trainers had quit but I got her to put envelopes into the waste bin, find my keys and take washing out of the machine. (she never learned no to shred the post if she got there first) but this book helped me give her independence a focus. By the time she died I adored her. I am now trying the techniques on an ex racing greyhound. This dog has the exact opposite problem of my Staffie. She doesn't do anything without being told how, except to barge and grab her food. She is learning to wait until her food is put down. She is learning how to play and have fun. So I have found out that this book works not just for an independent dogs but for a passive, untrained prima donna, used to not having to do anything but walk around a ring, run after a electronic hare and not mess in her kennel. She literally just stands frozen when she is unsure what is expected. The free shaping is proving invaluable.

I have a 5 year old Female spade BT and her 13 month old intact son BT. This was an eye opener for the male (his mum very settled). I feel I have a real improved understanding of the psychology now. Some of it doesn’t always translate into real world use (some people like me just really struggle to use a clicker when they rely on other people being able to give vocal commands and vocal rewards with as much success), but helpful to know either way. I feel I get the funny but frustrating quirks of a terrier breed and can tell you what my dog is thinking much more.Whilst I may not always follow the book by gospel, I always come back to it and would recommend to any terrier owner, rescue owner etc.It’s written in a very sympathetic and funny way- it’s an easy read with good chapter breaks that you can go and work against. Glad I had it during 6Month+ teenage years!

I bought this book on the kindle app after I saw it recommended in a thread on training unruly beagles after a frustrated google search. We have had Dexter since he was a 6 month old pup and he's now 13 months. He learned some basic commands and housetrained relatively quickly but his leash walking, recall and general behaviour in a crowded or stimulating environment left a lot to be desired, despite some sessions on socialisation with our local dog trainers and pack walks. He didn't respond to the techniques they taught (if anything it seemed to spur him on in his pigheaded ways). I read this book in 2 days and even with a few days of implementing the shaping behaviour and clicker training, I just felt I had to leave a review to say THANK YOU SO MUCH JANE, I was close to giving up on my beagle this week!We had already invested in a clicker when we got him, but not conditioned him to it or used it consistently enough. The book makes great sense and really gives you a good insight into your dog's way of thinking. I feel a lot calmer and less frustrated with him now I can see why he does certain things (even if they are still annoying). He is already walking better on the leash and behaving better around the house.If you can't train, manage! What a great mantra. :) If you are having difficulty with training your dog, this book is HIGHLY recommended!

This is exactly what I've been looking for and wish it had been recommended to me 8 or 9 months ago, before I got my wonderful, reactive rescue dog. Jane explains everything so clearly and the difference between our dogs and "biddable" dogs. She had me on the first page under introduction and I knew it was the right book, for me. A bloke has given this a poor review saying Jane advocates punishment - she does no such thing, she simply explains (that sadly) it's used by un-educated handlers/owners. This book is all about rewarding wanted behaviours (and how to get them/train them) using clicker training. I ordered clickers, they came the next day and so did the training. In a short space of time, I've seen a huge difference and can't wait to move onto the next stage of training. She's even quite humorous; she provides examples, not great pictures, but it doesn't really matter. This in a nutshell, is a game changer!!!

This is good for getting started and it is entertainingly written. It could be a lot more condensed though for easy reference.It’s hard to remember the detail but hard to go back and find the bit you need.This is fault in a lot of dog training books through. Having said that this does work and I had success with my puppy.