Cosmolo

As someone who uses phyysical corrections at times- (though nowhere near what i used to) i agree with Aidan. There is negative fallout to be aware of but that doesn't mean everyone who uses a particular quadrant is damaging the human-animal bond. Also, choosing to use a quadrant that involves compulsion does NOT always mean the trainer 'did not want to build foundations'. And compulsion and positive reinforcement are no mutually exclusive for some trainers. Some trainers are great, some are not- regardless of technique used.

Seriously impressive!!

I agree with Corvus. A dog that does not appreciate rudeness and warns another dog is not necesarily weak nerved, nor is it inappropriate for them to do so. The response of the other dog is not appropriate if the description given is accurate. This is one of the reasons why i have to be careful with some of my dogs- they do not appreciate rude behaviour and will warn off appropriately if needed- i don't allow this to arise with strange dogs in an uncontrolled situation because the day the strange dog takes exception to being told off is the day i increase the risk of one of mine getting hurt.

I have had a completely in tact kong get stuck on my JRT's jaw b. efore. I prefer the clear treat balls and amaze a balls from clean run.

So true. How long did the issue take to resolve properly? Sometimes i think people like short cuts or the quickest method which is not always the best one. Just out of interest, can i ask what you suggested she do to fix the problem? : )

Not sure if you have already but for comparison sake, look at the NDTF cert 3 as well. Do you have any existing trainers that can mentor you as well?

With that change, i'd be looking at a cocker spaniel. Don't remember the boxer, sorry!

I just saw this on the news- this report said the cyclist got off their bike and came toward the dog and owner and then attacked them. The dog needed 30 stitches- thats one hell of a stab wound. Owners arm looked awful too.

The flat coats i have met have been highly strung and high energy- may not be typical but certainly my experience. I still think with Haven's experience, a boxer is a good choice- well bred and well trained fits the criteria.

I actually second a boxer- ticks all the boxes! Although if you want more sedate, why not a Bull Mastiff?

Hmm.. hard to think of one who looks imposing but is also dog friendly. I think PF's suggestin of a black lab is a good one. The more pointers i meet, the more i like them and they'd tick all of the boxes except imposing looking.

I didn't say it was imperative for dogs to find other dogs highly valuable and rewarding and i certainly do NOT have dogs that 'want it all the time' and thats not what i aim for in training- my dogs or clients dogs. But as this is being considered OT, i won't keep on about it.

Neutralisation is not for me and impractical for 90% of my clients- they would hate it and wouldn't do it if i tried to get them to. For those who neutralise but allow their dogs to interact with other dogs at home or safe and appropriate dogs they know- sorry but thats not really the definition of neutralisation. Neutral means neutral. Positive values even when low are still positive values, not neutral. I think blurring these lines becomes very confusing when some of us are actually talking about the same thing. My dogs run together, play together, are a pack together and i LOVE it- if i didn't like this i would not have 5 dogs. I do understand why people like seeing happy dogs interacting together. I love the body language, i love the subtleties, i love the variation between dogs, from play session to play session and play combination to play combination. I love watching them learn from each other- acceptable behaviour, unacceptable behaviour, care giving behaviour, care seeking behaviour. There is nothing quite like it. Also, there are ALOT of generalisations made about all off lead areas- i think that sometimes people use a handful of off lead areas in a particular area or state as the reference point for all off lead parks and there is so much variation. Facilities, demographics etc are important considerations. And i agree with Corvus about conditioning- i believe it gives you the option to have the best of both worlds.

Sounds like a very difficult situation. Do you know how the dog responds if another dog goes and stays in the home with him for a few days? Severe separation anxiety is very difficult to resolve, especially if you can't block some of the symptoms likely to be a problem. eg- while bark collars alone don't help anxiety, sometimes you need to stop the bleeding so to speak AND try to stop the neighbours going insane and calling the council while the anxiety is being resolved.

What poodlefan said

I'm still waiting for my Jack Russell Terrier to turn feral- like i was told they all do by a number of people. Whatever!!

The sedation used in the example i gave was intravenous too. Which is why i don't understand the need for it.

I have seen many dogs pts (and cats). I had never seen a bad one until a few years ago. I took the dog in, they sedated him but didn't have enough sedation- vet said, he'd be right. He wasn't and proceeded to stumble around the room for half an hour before the vet finally gave him the lethal injection. This was an aggressive dog who had to be muzzled and restrained for the first injection (sedation) and then restrained again for the second. I just don't understand why the first injection given was not the lethal one and it has seriously put me off ever having sedation before PTS if i am in that situation again. This dog was mentally still there but physically losing control and the fear and stress he endured is something i will never be able to get out of mind. No euthanasia has stayed with me like that one.

Just to add human doctors are not let loose on live patients straight after their study- vets are.

I'm a bit in between Corvus and PF with my own pups. My dogs do learn how to ignore, interact or diffuse dogs that lack social skills or show aggression. But they learn it outside their critical period of development in a very controlled environment at distance to start with. Its important to remember that the average dog owner has different requirements to many of us and its important to teach them where possible how to socialise their dog in a way that meets those requirements. One of the areas i work in is highly urban with many apartments and tiny yards AND lots of off lead parks. I know that 90% of the people in these areas are going to use dog parks so i teach them how to do it safely and effectively rather than simply say "don't go". A well run puppy pre school is NOT a waste of time. A rubbish one is. Its that simple.

The horse/ dog comparison is interesting and i do think we're only just starting to catch up in terms of providing things like massage/ chiro etc for dogs. But with horses, they also have to deal with more dramatic differences in terrain as well as the weight, balance and co-ordination (or lack of) of their rider. However, i think fat horses are generally acceptable in some horse sports and this is something that needs to change. I like my dogs lean but they are often mistaken for 'skinny', though my vet loves them lean too.

Just wanted to add that using a prong collar and a system like LAT don't have to be mutually exclusive. In some cases, it is beneficial to stop the dangerous behaviour first and then begin to use something like LAT to change the emotional response that was driving the behaviour.

Thats true but in many cases it is not time that is lacking with regard to working on behavioural issues- its lack of having skilled employees thats often the problem.

Just to add- so much bite inhibition is learned with Mum and littermates before the puppy even goes home. Humans are crappy teachers of bite inhibition- how much is too hard varies so much depending on the person, the clothes we wear etc it is far too confusing for most people and most puppies- the potential for inconsistency is huge. Pups can learn quickly that mouth on humans is a no go and then be redirected to appropriate items to mouth. I have never seen an established link between stopping mouth on people and lack of bite inhibition in a dog. I have seen poor bite inhibition in pups removed from littermates too early, hand raised or those who are poorly socialised and/ or denied interaction with other dogs.

Yes thats right Sheridan. The new law does not require dogs to be kept for 28 days or longer, it just allows shelters to if they wish. I'd also like to see mandated environmental enrichment.