Dog training - help please!

[sophie274]

Hi all,

 

I recently moved in with some family members, in another part of the country, and will probably be there for 6-8 months. They have two adorable dogs: one Australian Shepherd/Sheltie mix (7 years old), and one Corgi (1 year old). I absolutely love both of their dogs. However, both dogs have a few behavioral "problems", and I would love to train their dogs a bit while here to see if I can make any headway.

 

Aus. Shep.: is quite a nervous dog. His main problem is that he barks A LOT - in the house during the day if anything is passing by, when we answer the phone, when he gets excited. He is also quite protective when we walk him, and will go CRAZY if he sees another dog nearby. I have to shortleash him, and he just jumps around like mad and barks, looking like he wants to have a go at the other dog. (He is not at all aggressive with people, neither family nor strangers.)

 

Corgi: ADORABLE dog. His problems are that he doesn't come with called (even when he is just in the yard to poop), unless you yell "TREAT" and give him one. He is also pretty bad on the leash - pulls like crazy. He also doesn't know how to "SIT" or "STAY", and I would like him to be able to obey those commands, so that I feel a bit better at intersections, or if another dog is walking by.

 

I am a complete beginner - have never trained a dog before. I am currently reading a "Dog Training Solutions" magazine, which seems to have some pretty good tips. (Recommends using clickers and treats). Is it at all reasonable for me to think I could improve some of those behaviors? If I train the dogs some, will they obey my aunt and uncle's commands when I am gone? They are all for me trying some training; I think they would love to have well-trained dogs, but both work all day and are quite busy, so they've pretty much let training go. (On the whole, the dogs are pretty well behaved, IMO).

 

Does any one have any advice, techniques, tips?

 

Thank you very much !

[hers]

i'm a dog walker professionally and i've seen so many dogs change in an instant that that lead goes on. i can walk them with one finger now.