Dangerous dogs/ training.

[Onelife]

Did anyone watch this program last night? If you did then you will be as disgusted as l was with the way some of these so called " much loved pets" were being treated by their so called "loving owners". As far as l am concerned there are no inbetweens.....if you don't know how to train a dog then go to dog training class and find out. If you can't be botherd to train your dog then don't have one...end of. l have owned, competed and trained many dogs over the years and in all that time l can catagorocoly state that l have never seen a contented dog/handler combination without both of them having undergone some formal training....and of course perfecting thoses skills to a level that makes you a responsible dog owner.

Are you a responsible dog owner?

If you can't let your dog off the lead and have it come back at the first command.....get your dog to stay on command.....then you have neglected your responsabilities as a dog owner....oh yes you have!

If you are thinking of getting a puppy make sure you take it to puupy classes....because 4 months of training will give you and your dog a lifetime of pleasure.

Regards

OL

[Dark Knight]

Sage advice Keefy Woodhouse

[Silver_Shiney]

I wish my sister and her husband had done this when he acquired a German something-or-other - it's a hunting/working dog and shouldn't be kept in a house. Now it's huge, "only" bites strangers, never gets taken out for a walk - totally out of control. I now have to make an appointment to go round there, so they can lock the wretched thing away first, but then you can't hear yourself talking because it's barking and howling the place down. How the neighbours put up with it I just don't know.

[Onelife]

Hi DK

Talking about dear of Barbara Woodhouse. I was watching a report the other evening where her training methods were being brought into question. Basically the report was saying that her regimented, no nonsence approach wasn't nesecerily the best way to train dogs, arguing a softer approach would obtain better results... and indeed be kinder to the dogs. I think there is some truth in this as no two dogs are the same, however the basic principle of dog training applies and that is what she administerd very well in my opinion. As we well know, all dogs come in different shapes and sizes, temperaments and needs. I have no doubt she would have known which dogs needed that softer approach as and when required which is why dog training classes are of such importance for those thinking of getting a dog. DIY shouldn't even be considerd unless you're comptent and knowledgeable about what you are doing. I'm sure you, like me have have seen timid dogs turned into quivering wrecks and dominant dogs turned into nasty peices of work due to improper training methods. Btw how are Brutus, Butch and Fang?

Anyway, must dash, l need to go and cock my leg

Regards

Keith.

[Onelife]

I wish my sister and her husband had done this when he acquired a German something-or-other - it's a hunting/working dog and shouldn't be kept in a house. Now it's huge, "only" bites strangers, never gets taken out for a walk - totally out of control. I now have to make an appointment to go round there, so they can lock the wretched thing away first, but then you can't hear yourself talking because it's barking and howling the place down. How the neighbours put up with it I just don't know.

Hi Mr Shinny,

The saddest part about this story is that the dog will most likely have already developed irreversible psychological behavioural problems which even a trained dog psychologist would have trouble putting right. Even if the dog was removed from this environment the chances are it could never be re-homed. Shame someone doesn't report them so the dog can be put out of its misery.

Regards

Keith

[Dark Knight]

evening dog whisperer
My 3 well trained and ever so well mannered hounds are fine thank you
Training is paramount with a puppy, as is socialisation

[Silver_Shiney]

I wish my sister and her husband had done this when he acquired a German something-or-other - it's a hunting/working dog and shouldn't be kept in a house. Now it's huge, "only" bites strangers, never gets taken out for a walk - totally out of control. I now have to make an appointment to go round there, so they can lock the wretched thing away first, but then you can't hear yourself talking because it's barking and howling the place down. How the neighbours put up with it I just don't know.

Hi Mr Shinny,

The saddest part about this story is that the dog will most likely have already developed irreversible psychological behavioural problems which even a trained dog psychologist would have trouble putting right. Even if the dog was removed from this environment the chances are it could never be re-homed. Shame someone doesn't report them so the dog can be put out of its misery.

Regards

Keith

My thoughts exactly. They've been to a canine trickcyclist but he/she couldn't do anything.

[Onelife]

evening dog whisperer
My 3 well trained and ever so well mannered hounds are fine thank you
Training is paramount with a puppy, as is socialisation

Hi Darkestcaninefriend,

Pleased to hear you've got some control over your mutts but l've had a request from your neighbour who is asking that you look out for his wedding ring and watch next time your dogs pop out to the loo.

As you say Dk, socialisation is imperative and should be started (under supervision) soon as the dog has had it inoculations.

Regards

keefy lardyarse

[ItsmeAnnC]

Both other dogs and people socialisation are important. Dog training not only trains the dog but trains them to be obedient around other distractions (other dogs and other people), too. That's quite different from a dog's recall being good at home or when no other dogs/cats/birds/children/strangers are about.

[Onelife]

Hi itsme,

Natrually your home will be a place where your dog feels most secure and relaxed and therefore won't have the same restrains/distractions that he/she would encounter whilst, lets say walking round your local park. I'm not quite sure about the point you are making but if you are saying that a dog is less capable of obeying the same comands in the home as they would in any other environment then that is only because you are allowing your dog to do so. Dogs are natrually inquisitive and prone to distraction but if you have gained the respect of your dog through propper training then the commands used outside will be obeyed inside irospective of the distraction. That being said, dogs are a loving member of the family and l would be the first to admit l let my dog get away with things which will allow her to rise in the household pecking order but never allow her to think she will get away with it on a regular basis (mixed messages perhaps) What is important is that she knows the difference between a request and a command..... as dose my wife and will jump when l say so.....please dont tell my wife l've said that....squeak squeak.

Please get back to me if l have misintrpreted what you were saying.

Regards

Keith

[ItsmeAnnC]

Hi Keith

I was saying that a dog might obey a command in the home, but when outside, meeting other animals and smells, might not be so keen to obey if they have only been trained at home. So a formal training environment, or training done in public areas, reinforced at home, is more effective. My dogs behave the same way at home as they do when they are out. I do not have to tell them they are not allowed upstairs, for instance. They don't even put a foot on the bottom step. When we are eating they both go under the table and go to sleep. Don't get me wrong, they are both loved and know it, but they know their places.

[Onelife]

Hi itsme....again

Couldn't agree more. You clearly have a good understanding of doggie training, Incedentaly, if l've heard the phrase "my dog will do it at home but not when he/she is out" l've heard it a hundred times.

I think most dog owners manage to get their dogs trained to a certain level, with or without going to dog training classes even if it is at the expense of their dogs developing a few bad habits...to be fair this probably applies to the vast majority of dog owners who jump in without realising that having a well behaved dog requires a little more effort than the "dog" taking "them" out for a walk at night.

Perhaps l'm being a little self rightious but it's only because l know with that little extra imput their lives and that of their dogs would be so much better.

As an aside l would like to see every potential perent attend dog traning classes becase once you understand the principles behind dog training you will have everything you need to bring up a balanced and well behaved child. I know this because my daughter could do a down, sit, stay before her 2nd birthday......the only thing l had a problem with was her toilet training as she would insist on going outside

Keep smiling

Regards

Keith.

[ItsmeAnnC]

As long as she doesn't cock her leg, Keith!
Both my labradors have their Kennel Club silver awards for obedience. One took the gold course and both did mini-agility and dancing to music. Great fun! I really don't think you can successfully train dogs just in the home. They miss out on all the socialisation.

[JoanneB]

Onelife, how can you pick a traing class that is good? I imagine anyone can set one up.

[Onelife]

Hi jonneB

Its been a very long time since l last took dog training classes but l think you are right in that anyone could set up dog training class if they so wished. I think to a certain extent how good a club is will depend a lot on how comfortable you are with the trainer taking that class. The principles of dog training won't vary that much from one club to another. (That being said l have seen some trainers bring some owners to tears due to their style of training) Generally speaking if someone has gone to the trouble of hiring facilities, getting personal liability insurance, mats etc then one would presume they have the training ability to get "you" and your dog to a certain level of obediance.

In esence l think you would have to be most unfourtunate to find yourself in a bad "beginners" class.

Regards

Keith.