Trainers near Akron, OH?

 All I can suggest is using this link for a search for an APDTrainer:

 http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx

 Thanks for the suggestion, but this is a special case that requires a different type of trainer.  She's been referred to http://www.nk9.com/Index.aspx

 I have attended some awesome seminars and a class at Posidogs in Grove City (near Columbus) - if they are too far, they may know someone closer!

I second the recommendation for Posidogs.  No dog is such a "special case" that good, solid, knowledgeable positive training will not work. I'd trust my own dogs to Chad before I would take them to that other place.

In this case, it isn't about the dog as much as a person in the owner's home, who has no respect for "pawsitive, et al" style trainers.

spiritdogs

I second the recommendation for Posidogs.  No dog is such a "special case" that good, solid, knowledgeable positive training will not work. I'd trust my own dogs to Chad before I would take them to that other place.

How far away are they willing to travel?  Looking at a map, I know of quie a few trainers between Pittsburgh (2 hrs away) and Akron but it depends on what you have in mind? I can also ask around if you think they would want to travel in this direction.  There is one competitive training center in OH I have visited that is about an hour from Akron.

miranadobe

In this case, it isn't about the dog as much as a person in the owner's home, who has no respect for "pawsitive, et al" style trainers.

spiritdogs

I second the recommendation for Posidogs.  No dog is such a "special case" that good, solid, knowledgeable positive training will not work. I'd trust my own dogs to Chad before I would take them to that other place.

  Anne, you and I have very different positions on whom we would take our own dogs to.  Some things are not about a trainer's personal agendas.

spiritdogs

miranadobe

In this case, it isn't about the dog as much as a person in the owner's home, who has no respect for "pawsitive, et al" style trainers.

spiritdogs

I second the recommendation for Posidogs.  No dog is such a "special case" that good, solid, knowledgeable positive training will not work. I'd trust my own dogs to Chad before I would take them to that other place.

  Anne, you and I have very different positions on whom we would take our own dogs to.  Some things are not about a trainer's personal agendas.

That's right. I would never, ever, ever take my dog to anyone who would put a shock, prong, or choke collar on any of them. If a person has no respect for positive trainers, I would let them sink or swim with their own choices before I would knowingly send them to a person who would use those methods. I think that some things are also not about client agendas either when they conflict with my ethics.

The owner doesn't have an "agenda that conflicts with anyone's ethics", other than the person in the home who is attempting to beat the dog.  I do not presume the trainer the owner chooses is, or is not, someone who uses one method or tool exclusive to another.  She was simply directed to NK9 for a referral of an area trainer.  What do you know about NK9's trainer referrals that makes you think the trainers they suggest will "put a shock, prong, or choke collar" on this dog?

In this case, it's about delivery of the message being HEARD - which is important for the safety of this dog and the relationship of this owner and family member, while the owner works to keep them separated and search for alternative housing.  The family member needs to hear the message that he cannot beat the dog and expect a worthwhile outcome.  We are all familiar with how a message can be obscured by its delivery.

Thank you for your offer of help, Xebby.  That's really helpful and kind.  When/if I hear back on the names of the trainers the owner has been directed to, I'll PM you.  I'm pretty sure because of the urgency of the situation, travel is less important than safety for the dog. 

 Paige, Chad at Posidogs is a +R guy but he is not over the top about it like some and works well with those who use other methods (he is into protection sports for example), so he may be a nice balance. He won't use choke/prong/electric collars, but he also won't tell someone they are being abusive or otherwise try to shame them into converting; he practices what he preaches. He's also adept in both pet and competition circles, so can help with almost anything imo.

Thanks Erin, I've got an email in to the owner, but with all the drama in OH today, I don't expect a response right away.