Polish Dog Trainer from Chicago area

I know it's a strange request, but I'm looking for a professional dog trainer from Chicago area (+- 50 miles or so) who speaks Polish and can professionally train the dog using the Polish language. It would be training for obedience and guard (I live out of town and have a big over 1 ha garden).

My family is Polish so obviously I want the dog to "speak" Polish too.. lol. I had one dog trained when I was living in Poland and I was satisfied with the results.

I'm going to bring a pedigree dog/pup from Poland (German shepherd). I would like to start at the end of 2007 or the beginning of 2008 when the dog is about one year old.

Please post your comments here when you know the right person or company. Thanks.

Barlomiej

Don't be daft.

My dog works to hand signals, which are the same in any language.

And if it works with an owczarek podhalanski it will work with any other dog.

Besides it's not what you say it is how you say it. Dogs rely on tone not words.

Why don't you train the dog yourself. That way you will build up an understanding between you and it.

Are you sure that you are suited to looking after a dog ?

I know quite a lot about dogs (have had 2 so far; each one has been with me over 10 years). My last dog knew how to obey hand signals too. But when it's night, it's hard to rely on hand signals.

I wouldn't have a problem training a dog for obedience, but I don't have enough stuff to train a dog to go on a ladder, beams, or hop over the walls. Not to mention dog poser (?) [in Polish "pozorant"] who are required for guard training.

Ah! now I understand. Sorry.

But why do you want a dog from Poland ?

Well, I still have a family in Poland and I know the person who sold me my last dog so when I'll be in Poland I'll arrange a meeting with him and buy a dog from him. Also, I think german sheperds from Europe are "better" than those raised in the US (don't know why but when I look at the dogs here I don't usually like them; Polish dogs are more aggressive and "smart" - maybe that's food, I don't know). Also, the total price for a dog from Poland is better than here (even including the shipment).

What you say is interesting. There is a thread somewhere in which posters talk about dog food and how it affects the dog.

Also, big well known breeds do seem to be quite cheap. Small exotic dogs are more expensive.

Our are better.

Hey Bartlomiej, I'm getting a long-coat german shepherd from Poland next year. I think they are smarter and better-looking than the US. The long-coat variety is very popular in Poland, not as much in the US, and the ones here go for a lot. What kind you getting? Let me know. I'll be training mine myself in both languages. I had a collie who was trained in both English and Polish. I'll check around who trains them in Chicago area.

Hi Krysia, I am getting a "regular" coat. I feel there's less work to groom short hair and have always had the "regular" shepherds. Do you train for guards too? (I mean to guard the field + attack on command + not to eat food left by strangers + supervise a thing or a person that is left even for several hours (like a bike or a child). Thank you.

B.

I don't train guard dogs. Just the basic odbedience: sit, stay, daj łapę, waruj, zostań, nie rusz, szukaj, daj głos, etc. Oh, my dogs know what 'bierz go' means, but it's only to chase the horses. I also tought my collie to get the paper and shut the door. I used kiełbasa for that. I would stuff kiełbasa on the door handle and she had to jump on the door to shut it. I didn't tell my mom I did that, and one day when the door was open, my mom got up to shut it, and I told my dog to shut it. And was she ever shocked!!!
Are you getting a boy or a girl? Are going to register it with the AKC? That's what I'm going to do. Not sure yet what sex, because it all depends on the pedigree. And even if you get someone train your dog in english, once he knows the stuff, you can give him two commands, one in Polish the other in english and he will learn quick.

Here's one place, but they teach in english. But maybe if you talk with the trainers, they will do the commands in Polish. I know dogs that were trained in German.

rsz_1821548.jpg

Krysia,

Your last point. I trained my dog in English. The family speak to her in Polish. It works.

Useless information time. The Americans helped to save the Owczarek Podhalanski during WWII.

Grzegorz,

You're correct.

Wow, thanks Krysia. I'm going to get the male, of course . As I wrote, I had two German shepherds in my life. The first one wasn't a pure breed but I didn't care as I was young and needed a friend. He was a great friend (called him "Cedro"). He didn't get any training. Then after he died I got another one - with pedigree (but actually I didn't get the formal papers for him and didn't register him as it was cheaper without the documentaion and I didn't want to go to any shows etc.). When he was about one year old I had him trained. I basically left him with a professional trainer and a few other dogs for 3 months. I only visited him once a week or so to learn the commands.

I was happy with the results. Especially when I came back after 4 years in the US -- and he still remembered 95% of ALL commands -- even though he wasn't reminded of most of them for 4 years! It was amazing.. That's why when I get a new dog I definately plan to have him trained. When I see people leashed by dogs it's silly - my dog would go without a leash for 10 km if needed and wouldn't go even if he saw a deer or other dogs running around. That's what I call good training.. Of course, it must be done by the right person so that the dog is not hurt.

I will most likely get a male too, but I'll see yet. Here a picture of a long-coat.

efendi.jpg

That's what I'm talking about - great spine/back/fur. Actually, it doesn't look very long-coat - my current dog has about the same long hair. The biggest problem with German shepherds to watch for their bones as they seem to be sensitive with age. That's why I prefer a pegigree dog to have better chances the overall health will be fine until old age.

I know. They get hip displesia.

i love dobermann pinchers,german shephards too, but something special about the pinchers

Hello from Iowa (USA)
I see that Krysia and Bartlomiej are possibly importing dogs from Poland. I've been researching the Owczarek Podhalanski (Polish Tatra Sheepdog), and I'm considering getting one from Poland. (a female puppy) This particular breed is very difficult to obtain here in the US but it seems much more available in Poland as well as Finland as well as other locations out of the US.
Can you tell me how much the actual transportation from Poland to the US is? An rough guess would be great. Above all I'm very concerned for the safety shipping a puppy such a great distance. Have you done this before?
Perhaps it would be possible to have a puppy from the breed I'm seeking shipped into the US along with someone like Krysia or Bartlomiej.
I've located several breeders in Poland that I plan on contacting on this as well.
We're located in the Southeastern corner of Iowa, approximately 5 hours from Chicago.
Any other information pertaining my post would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

budnikski.

The Owczarek Podhalanski. A great choice. Are you familiar with the breed ? I am now looking after my second Podhalan or rather she is looking after me.
A word of warning. They are great dogs and will look after you and your family, but don't expect to train her like any other dog. They are very strong willed but loyal.
With my first dog we made a call to the best dog trainer in town. when we mentioned the breed they laughed and hung up. The second best said 'we'll have to take the dog away and you don't want to know what we'll do'.
I trained my first dog myself and she would do anything I asked. The second dog is learning the same way. You should be able to train her to sit in less than five minutes. The rest takes a little longer. Be calm, gentle and patient. Then you'll have a friend for life.
It's possible that you will have a problem with a puppy from the mountains. They need time to re-adjust to lowland city air.
One more thing. Don't expect her to go chasing balls. It's a case of you threw it, you fetch it.

Hi budnikski from Iowa
It costs about $160 for a plane ticket from Poland. The pup should have his shots and health certificate from the vet. The Owczarek Podhalański is much cheaper and more popular in Poland. I had a friend bring one with her from Poland a few years back, but it got killed on the road a few months after she brought him to the US.
I'm bringing a Longhair G. Shepherd pup from Poland in April. If you would be interested I could bring your pup with me also.
The flight is about 9 hours where he would have to stay in a kennel. If the pups get along they can travel together if they fit. If not I'd need another kennel. The airlines allow only a limited amount of pets on board, but rarley there are any so it shouldn't be a problem. you just call ahead and tell them about it.
Let me know what you decide, I would be more than glad to bring your pup. I'm in Wisconsin, so it's not that far for you to pick him up from my place.
Think about it and let me know. Here's your chance!! Don't let it pass you by!!!

Budnikski,

Krysia knows her stuff when it comes to animals. Go for it.

Thanks so much for the quick reply! I appreciate the advice too. We currently have a Viszla, purchased here in Iowa about a year ago. As far as the fetching goes, Tanner as we call him drives us batty with the fetch thing. He loves it.
About 2 years ago we moved back to Iowa (our home state). We opened a BBQ restaurant and get out of the rat race life style we've lived for to many years. We bout a nice piece of land with a big pond and a house that needs to much work.
Krysia, I may take you up on your offer. However, I first need to find a puppy that's available and works with your timing. I'll dig into this deeper this weekend after we get through the BBQ restaurant stuff.
Thanks again...I look forward to talking with you further.

OK. You can contact me later.

Krysia
You mention that a friend of yours purchased a Owczarek Podhalanski a few years back. If it's not to much trouble, would you mind finding out who she purchased her puppy from? I've found a couple breeders thus far.

Lovely weather we're having is'nt it? We serve Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream from Madison, Wisconsin at our restaurant. Not sure if you've ever tried their product but it sure is good.

Thanks again for your help!

Hey Krysia...
What's the date of your trip to Poland?

I think with this post I can now email you via the forum.

Talk to you soon.

You can e-mail as this is becoming a personal matter.

I would like to know how to find breeders in Poland...I have a friend going next year to Russia & would like for her to be my facilitator :-).
Thanks much,
Corinne
scottdlogan@hotmail.com

I got a long-haired GS from Poland in November of 2005 and she is gorgeous! You will need to purchase a ticket for $100.00 for the dog to travel in the plane's passenger compartment with you. Also, the dog must be of a certain age. If they are under a certain age, they may not need shots as they are not indicated for puppies under a certain age but it will need a "passport"

Hi. Pardon the intrusion and reply to your old post, I was hoping you could help me. It seems from your post that you are at least bi-lingual Polish, English. I am learning Polish, and it's slow going. I have a puppy I am training for protection and would like to use Polish words. I have a great dictionary and grammer book, but cannot begin to understand how to pronounce the words. Any way you could help with phonetics?
kesnowr@hotmail.com