Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject: Being Soft with dogs????????
I am just being curious here, just been reading a thread in the field trials section and this is what has made me start this thread.
I use to be told be one particular trainer at my club, that i was to soft on Bailey and i need to toughen up and i should get him a full check chain ( this use to drive me nuts) and another trainer would say to me, "he's so lovely a big softie"
I remember one incident can't remember what we was doing but Bailey has a half check (advised by the club) this trainer was taking the class at the time, she was doing whatever it was and she was holding bailey in front of me and she checked him on his collar, Bailey then came and sat right up close to my leg. I think she done it to hard and that's why he done that, i could be wrong though
I was not happy about that, didn't say anything to the trainer but came home fuming and moaning to OH.
Perhaps i am to soft, i don't know, I've had my ups and downs with him but on the whole i dont think he has turned out to bad
Wondered whether any of you's had experienced something like this or your thoughts?????
TBH, I think that as long as you are happy with his behaviour and he isn't a nuicance to other people, then you've done a great job. that's all we want for henry.
My OH says I'm soft on Leo, and in all fairness Leo does respond a lot better to OH where training is concerned.
As long as you are happy and Bailey is happy then I wouldn't worry what anyone else says! I don't think there is a "one size fits all" training routine.
I think as long as you are happy with how Bailey behaves then don't worry. If you're not happy with something the trainer does though, I would say something. When my Emma was a pup, we went to training classes and although she was very good, she was very distracted by the other dogs. One time, the trainer really yanked her away from the other dogs and shouted 'NO". It really frightened her and after that she thought she wasn't allowed to approach other dogs and shied away from them. I was furious! Needless to say I didn't take her back there.
I don't think its about being soft, its about you & your dog both being happy.
I only have to raise my voice to Pheebs and she hits the deck - just ask Rach! I've never had to use physical methods of punishment apart from having to deal with an episode of growling.
Phoebe needed firm handling right from the beginning for her own safety and my sanity because she was a hyperactive bundle of puppiness. Firm boundaries had to be set or I would have ended up being one of the poor posters on this forum who say "I'm not cut out for this I need to rehome her" because they have a puppy who has grown into an adult body whom they cannot control! I'm not having a go at these people, I'm just stating a fact. I'm sure some of the problems that people experience with out of control dogs could have been prevented with firm boundaries as puppies (not beating or hitting before anyone jumps down my throat).
There are certain behaviours that I allow because I don't consider them to be terrible in the grand scheme of things....most of you will disagree with me but I don't stop her from jumping up people in our home for example. She NEVER jumps up people she doesn't know in public so I know random adults and children are safe....again Jacque will vouch for that!
I think the main issue for me was to help her see what is acceptable and then as she grows up to relax more with her BECAUSE she knows what is expected. She had the boundaries firmly set as a baby and so there is no reason for me to be harsh with her. Firm YES but not harsh.
I have never had to raise my voice to Fidgit in training nor use a check/choke chain. If that makes me soft then game on!
At the end of the day it's you that your dog responds to not some 'Know it all' trainer who only sees your baby for maybe an hour a week.
If anyone did anything to Fidgit that I didn't like or even felt uncomfortable with, then I'de certainly let them know about it. This may come as a suprise to my friends, but I can be quite confrontational sometimes
I think it all comes down to knowing your own dog really. My first lab Rosie was allowed to get away with more I think, and if anything she is the one that will 'try it on' sometimes, but she also knows that if voices are raised she is 'in the doghouse'. I think some trainers use far too much physical stuff with their dogs and think they should do it with others, and to me that's not the way to train.
I also agree with you Lucy cos all pups no matter how cute will usually try to 'rule' us unless they are given boundaries and know who's boss. After all there have been enough postings on here about dogs needing to follow a leader instead of being given the responsibility themselves .
If you don't agree with a trainers methods speak using your feet, and walk!!!!
I will muse a bit about the subject line rather than Sharons case as she has been given excellent advice.
I think, in general, we probably are too soft with our dogs in the main in most cases. I think one of the problems is that many people don't really learn about each individual dog they own (not probably forum members but the general dog owning public) and try to grasp that each dog is different and so some method or 'strength' of correction does not fit all.
Some dogs are soft dogs without a doubt. Coming down heavily on them can devestate a relationship.
Some dogs are FAR harder of nature and naturally more assertive. They can and should be handled more firmly.
Handling the two the same would be disasterous, with the soft dog a shrinking violet, terrified even though the same level of correction BOUNCES off the harder dog.
When I train someone or think about my own dogs, I train gently and softly for an assessment period. Its important to establish what you have infront of you. In that time you must be treating the dog as a soft dog. Then, if he proves to need firmer handling he will benefit greatly from being so.
The problems all start when people assess incorrectly or just don't assess at all and treat this one like 'their other one' or the 'past one'.
In general however even soft dogs can play you, finding that by cringing away or creeping to you can immediately change your behaviour from 'angry' to 'ohhh come on sweetie, come on, i'm so sorry, so sorry...' What dog wouldn't use that against us
We create a lot of our own behavioural problems by giving the dog too much rope, often too young, not creating clear enough boundaries, being inconsistant and so on. Dogs can usually be treated in a far firmer manner than we tend to as pet owners, with a lot more boundaries, than we tend to use. BUT we are not machines, we can only do our best.
Interestingly, at the last training class I took, two dogs in it were handled by very soft ladies. Obviously in a group situation I use a lot of vocal encouragement and am never shy of telling a handler they are being a wet lettuce! Their dogs kept bringing the retrieves back to me... they saw a firmer figure and wanted to please it.... Their owners were mortified because I was 'nastier' than them yet their dogs craved that.... they wanted authority...
grin, i love these topics.
Di
____________
The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
Some dogs are soft dogs without a doubt. Coming down heavily on them can devestate a relationship.
Some dogs are FAR harder of nature and naturally more assertive. They can and should be handled more firmly.
Handling the two the same would be disasterous, with the soft dog a shrinking violet, terrified even though the same level of correction BOUNCES off the harder dog.
I'm going to ask you more about this at the weekend after you have spent more time with her...but how do you view this in relation to Pheebs? She is hyperactive, bold and confident BUT she can be nervy and introvert too.....
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
and another trainer would say to me, "he's so lovely a big softie"
