We use crates, all dogs, mandatory, never had a problem and we have 10-20 dogs together at a time. Use of a crate will give it a safe place to settle down when not working.
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We use crates, all dogs, mandatory, never had a problem and we have 10-20 dogs together at a time. Use of a crate will give it a safe place to settle down when not working.
I do not recommend an e-collar for this situation. You need to resolve the issue.
Hey , you're not going to get away with just that. :)
Why do you say that?
any suggestions as to another approach?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ugo
Well...I believe dogs can sense moods/emotions (mood transferals) - not what you are actually thinking per say but your moods and the supporting body language. In a way, this behavior may have been unintentionally elicited.
Some questions at the forefront might be:
- does this dog nudge you for attention or do things that will get him attention?
- does this dog recall reliably or....most of the time?
- did you initially condone this behavior defined as, "...he's just protecting us."?
Dogs can also sense an insecurity in an owner. I'm not here to assign any of this on the OP or his family. I'm just responding to Sharon's request.
In any case, you need to redirect this dog, initially away from the distraction by having fun games that the dog must perform in order to EARN attention (a brief amount of praise). Recall exercises should take place in mixed environs as well as at home so that the dog can be redirected when it gets unruly, followed by that fun game where everyone laughs and enjoys the experience. The OP MUST have leash and command control away from the issue mixed in with the structured fun times (stimulation that the owner controls) where the dog earns attention.
Petting and treating a dog for inhaling/exhaling can contribute to this behavior as well as many others. Beyond this, a behavior specialist could resolve the problem however I stand by my original comment which is, discipline/e-collar etc. is exactly NOT what you want to do. I don't believe it will address the underlying issue. Furthermore, if the OP perceives it to have resolved this issue, I expect another problem will manifest itself, then another, then another....
Excellent response Ugo ! I feel exactly the same way based on my experience with working dogs mainly high energy Siberian Huskies out of working lines as well as Alaskan Huskies. Many years ago when I had winters off I had the opportunity to work with sled dogs that were considered not trainable, uncooperative and a menace to the team. I found in most cases it was the owner(pack leader) was the cause based on what you described above.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ugo
My approach has always been a very calm and in most cases after starting from scratch, gaining the dogs trust , having the dog feel secure and then add (correct timing) them to the team. About 90% of the time I was able to get them working in the team without any issues.
However my Springer Spaniel was trained using an e-collar by a pro-trainer and if I could do it over again would of gone another route. My Labrador Retriever I recently trained myself without using an e-collar. I was able to apply my methods(experience) along with assistance from other trainers who do not use the e-collar method for upland and duck hunting. It probably took me a little longer to get her where she should be (maybe not) but is well worth the time spent with her creating that special bond we have. I do believe temperament (genetic) is a big part of the equation that can either speed or slow the process down. I am not saying that an e-collar is a bad tool to correct particular issues but the owner leader of the pack should take a good hard look at what they may be doing to create the issue first. Nothing wrong with starting over from the beginning as long as the entire family pack is on board with a set of ground rules.
Sounds like your dog is assuming the role of the leader and claiming ownership of you. If you step up and assume the leadership role most of this will probably go away. If this has been going on for a long time it will probably never completely go away but it can be managed.
Start with simple things like putting the food dish in front of your dog and making them wait to eat. Make sure you always go through the door/gate first. If you are letting your dog out, open the door and make them wait before going out. If the dog is lying in the middle of the floor in a room you are passing through, go through the dog and make them move. Start to take ownership of the things in your house and anything the dog thinks is theirs. The dogs toys are your toys, you are just letting the dog use them. Don't let the dog step on your foot or lean against you, claim your personal space. Make them wait and only come on the couch when asked. There are countless easy and simple things you can do to let the dog know that you are the leader. These are things everyone in your family should be doing with the dog, he is the lowest member in your pack.
An e-collar will not fix this and if you allow this to continue she could easily start doing it to humans.
To the Op, you have a problem that has developed and you've inquired about a strategy....an e collar to deal with your problem. You've received some reasonable responses. The real problem you have is that you asked the wrong question.......
The question that should have been asked is what approach do I take to attempt to resolve the current issue I have??
That question will give you some alternatives to try that have been stated and there are a number of other actions on your part that can lead to better behaviour on the dog's part. Since the behaviour has become somewhat engrained it will take a concerted effort on your part.
I would return to re teaching the basics, that includes sit(sit means sit!), here, down, no, heal and 'leave it'. The standard in each needs to be between 95-100% for any reliability. Many people talk about teaching 'basic' to their dog but few really understand what that entails, what it looks like and what reliability there is.
If that was my dog he would be put at sit, I'd move him to a 'down' position if I read his body language that he intended to chase after another dog, animal or person and I'd be absolutely ready to enforce that command. Back to yard work to put this stuff in place.
Here's where I differ from the others.....I would use the collar. However my dog would have been through a complete collar condition program such that he understands when there is lack of effort or complete defiance there is repercussions. Note I said to go through a solid basics program that requires C conditioning.
You don't want to introduce the collar without the above being put in place. You don't want to use the collar as a teaching tool as in your situation.
I trained a Field Champion prior to the collar, it was work beyond what most can or are able to do. I have trained one after along with numerous AA dogs who compete at the Open level. The collar is the single most important tool that has come into the arena of dog training. Rex Carr, a retriever trainer laid the basis for the current program most adopt.
A reminder, many will tell you they have trained their dog to a certain level sans collar but not to the high levels the Carr program would take you.
I think you can resolve your problem without a collar and good leg work on your part, however in good hands the collar would be a good choice to correct the behaviour.......guess it's your call but best to link up with a high level retriever(dog) trainer for more guidance.
It has been my experience that using a pro trainer is pretty well the best money spent on my dogs. Especially if you are not retired and have limited time and access to training grounds.
I agree that using a pro is a good option for some (maybe even most) amatuer trainers.Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
The mistake I most often see, is an amatuer that spends the money, but doesn't follow through with the commitment.
If I were to use a pro, I would want ton know and understand every aspect of what the pro has taught, and follow through with those lessons.
If you don't have that kind of time, you might be throwing your money away. You also need to be able to pick the right pro. Anyone can hang a shingle.