Yeah this about sums it up. Although, I can see how it can turn into an isolation training situation with people who work full time and don't have the sort of dedication the program requires. Yes you confine your dog when you can't supervise but I think there is an assumption that you're going to be working with your dog throughout the day and providing plenty of exercise.
I've read Ruff Love several times. I think some people do have a bit of an...emotional response to it. I do think it can give the wrong idea, even though she does say in the book that it is not intended to be an isolation program but a means for you to prevent your dog from practicing bad behaviors. Truth be told, I know very few people who would have the dedication to follow this program to the letter because it is hard, especially if you have multiple dogs.
I have heard from several people who say they have set up by SG, camped near her at trials, etc and all said her dogs are very well rounded and allowed far more freedom than most people's dogs in those settings (like they are almost never on leash, go to their crates or expens when asked and stay until re;leased, etc).
I agree with Pan and this ^^^. I had a knee jerk reaction to the book as well when it first came out. I have also done Recallers, much better but based on a lot of the material in Ruff Love. I think the biggest problem is SG assumed that ppl could read between the lines and she didn't break it down enough.
I have camped beside her as well, dogs absolutely had more freedom than most well trained dogs in that situation. Anyone that has met her, knows that her skills and relationships with her dogs are very high..........her people skills no so much lol. I know someone that has spent a lot of time in her home, her dogs are not crated all the time.
I also agree with the statement that she does spend a lot of time with her dogs, therefore it could make it hard for someone to apply a lot of it, if they work all day etc. But not impossible, remember training is about thinking outside of the box.
I do believe it is a bit of a trade off, do the Recallers with a lot of RL exercises for a few weeks. The rules are simple and black and white. In the end have a dog that has more freedom than the average dog could ever dream of. Then everyone is happy and life goes on.
I would recommend that anyone that has the book to do the ecourse Recallers the next time it is offered. Gives a much better perspective of what RL really is and fills in those blanks
Or to those that haven't read the book yet.
As for marketing, yes that has happened, but I would rather give my money to someone like her that doesn't cause harm over CM. Having done Recallers.......you are always getting free stuff, discounts and FREE ecourses from her..........not that bad of a deal for a one time payment and a lot of excellent information.