Off on the wrong foot

[ColliesCorsos]

Ok, since I seem to have gotten a bad start here, I would like to get to know everyone. I am a dog trainer and I graduated from National K-9. I have been training for several years now and have tried several methods. So far, I have found that each dog does best with a custom method, lol. My collie for example learned through praise and leash corrections. She did well, but I am trying some clicker training to develop her abilities more. I have a co-owned rottie with my sister. She is on an e-collar because when my sister got her, she did EVERYTHING wrong. I mean, stuff that all of us would agree was wrong. So, I stepped in and took over. Now, with the help of a paging reminder from the e-collar, I have control over the dogs minor aggression (all bluff for now, but would have bitten in time had I not trained her). I don't electracute the dog, I simply page to remind her that she needs to listen. The dog would have been euthanized, but now lives a happy life. Others that I have trained have done well on a training collar, prong at times, and tons of praise. As my signature says, I believe in discipline. Not abuse, but the understanding of what is okay and what is not okay.

I love all dogs, but my top five favorite breeds are: rough collies, cane corsos, great danes, pomeranians, and malinios. I also am an animal fanatic, having worked at the pet store as an animal care person for years. I am a reptile queen, if you will. I love lizards, live for them. I also like fish and some small animals. I have no birds right now, but I want a caique and a lory.

I don't have kids, I'm not married, but I have three wonderfull neices, Hailey (4), Hallie (6 mos), and Danielle (newborn). I love kids, as long as they are not mine, lol.

So, if you would like, introduce yourselves here...

 

[Richard D.]

THEY ARE DOGS, NOT REPTILES!! STOP TREATING THEM AS SUCH.

I only read your post about collars, I don't completely disagree with you but some of your ideas seem old school to me. I have a choke chain on my new Pit rescue for safety but not for training. I'm not worried about it choking her but I wouldn't use one on less muscular breeds.

I agree that a combination of methods is best for individual dogs but those combinations should include positive reinforcement and negative punishment. If positive punishment is used it should be for rare cases of safety and is usually a sign that you failed to figure out a better plan. If it isn't effective within a few tries it becomes abusive and could lead to worse problems.

If you are a big propoinent of positive punishment you are going to **** off a lot of people on the forums so you better get a thick skin. Think of it as a jerk of your collar.

 

[Zoom]

Hi and welcome to the forums! I'm Zoom and I've got an Australian Shepherd named Sawyer and a RottieX name Aubrey. Both were rescues. I'm known as the 'dog lady" in my family, I work for a boarding/daycare/grooming facility that caters to the overly-spoiled section of the population (great use of an English degree this is ) I'm apprenticing under one of the better trainers in the United States and am learning quite a bit about numerous techniques so I can adapt to any situation/dog that might come up. I'm also learning how to train service dogs and am working this great black lab right now that's going to be ready in a few weeks to go to her new person. I'm already known as the person to call when faced with a kennel aggressive dog or a fear biter.

I use lots of body language, voice tones and positive reinforcement, though I do know and occasionally use different 'harsher' techniques when the need for a different approach arises.

 

[ColliesCorsos]

THEY ARE DOGS, NOT REPTILES!! STOP TREATING THEM AS SUCH.

I only read your post about collars, I don't completely disagree with you but some of your ideas seem old school to me. I have a choke chain on my new Pit rescue for safety but not for training. I'm not worried about it choking her but I wouldn't use one on less muscular breeds.

I agree that a combination of methods is best for individual dogs but those combinations should include positive reinforcement and negative punishment. If positive punishment is used it should be for rare cases of safety and is usually a sign that you failed to figure out a better plan. If it isn't effective within a few tries it becomes abusive and could lead to worse problems.

If you are a big propoinent of positive punishment you are going to **** off a lot of people on the forums so you better get a thick skin. Think of it as a jerk of your collar.

They are dogs, not reptiles?? How do you think I treat my reptiles then?

I am trying to start over here, but if it's not going to work, then I'm just done. People should be able to keep an open mind to different techiniques. I am in the process of learning positive, because I feel that I should learn all that I can about training. But, with the more I learn, the more I like my methods better. And the people.

 

[Richard D.]

Lighten up, that's just a joke. These are just words on the Internet which is a very cheap commodity indeed. Don't take something personal from some knucklehead like me, 3000 miles away just because I have a computer. Enjoy the exchange with others who share your passion for dogs. Some will agree and others will not. Learn from it but don't take it personally.

 

[yuckaduck]

People should be able to keep an open mind to different techiniques.

This statement does go for you too.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your stay, just open your mind to other ideas.

 

[Julie]

Welcome to the forum......

I'm Julie. I have 3 children: daughter 15 years old, 2 sons - 3 & 6 years old.
I am married. We have 3 dogs - 2 labrador retrievers and a German Shepherd. Since we are a dog forum I will tell you about the dogs.

Charlie - A big ole sap. Rescued from a "friend" of my husbands because he got tired of breeding, and all of the litter died except Charlie. In a dog house outside all winter.....I guess either the mother layed on the rest or they died of extreme temps. Charlie was "saved" and given a life of luxury for a lab. Inside and Out. Has other dog friends. Part of our family. And gets to hunt too. A great retriever, who woulda known?. Loves kids and an all around great family dog.

Shiloh - Our first Lab. Got her from a breeder. Tends to be excitable, but still great with the kids. She is from hunting stock, and lives up to her working background. But she is dog aggressive towards certain female dogs - Rocket included. She would rather kill Rocket as to look at her. She has been the cause of having to seperate her from the other dogs. Oh well, a little harder but she is still worth every bit of hassel.

Rocket - German Shepherd. She is a working K9 partner for hubby. And she is very obedient and trustworthy. She loves the kids too. She lives in our house too. She is trained and certified in Narc, Tracking, Apprehension, and Protection. An all around patrol dog. Also an all around great family dog.

Rocket was trained when she became part of our family.
The labs were trained by us, and we have used many techniques for them, and they have seemed to work for us. Anyone interested in hearing more just say so. lol Other than the fact that Shiloh is dog aggressive towards some female dogs, I think we have very well behaved/trained dogs.

It is our responsiblity to never have an opportunity for Shiloh to attack another dog, and we are accepting that responsiblity and living with it.

 

[Brattina88]

They are dogs, not reptiles?? How do you think I treat my reptiles then?

What kind of reptiles do you have?

Welcome to Chazhound, I hope you find what you're looking for.
And as a side note, a kind of personal side note; please keep in mind that while some people have an opinion on certain training techniques by what they've heard or read, others have had certain sensitive experiences with it. I myself foster dogs, and I've seen lots of situations with techniques or collars that has gone horribly wrong, and yet I do not knock it until I've heard/seen the whole story. There is a fine line between "what is okay and what is not okay", and that it is very easy for advice - though always well intentioned - to get skewed and screwed. So, anyway...
(Yes, sometimes I am a bit sensitive, but welcome none the less)

 

[my2girls]

Welcome to the forum! I'm Jamie. I am married w/ two girls, a soft coated wheaten terrier mix (kinda like Benji) Savannah that we rescued from the Humane Society a little over two years ago, and a 7 month old calico mix named Asia. We are getting our new bullmastiff puppy Sawyer next week.

As far as all the other stuff goes, I think it is best that EVERYONE keep an open mind and remember that what works for one may not always work for another. I have seen several posts in this forum that I don't necessarily agree w/, but had I chosen to debate I would have done it respectfully. I think that we all need to remember that we are all human, NONE of us are perfect and flawless and that should help things run smoothly for everyone.

Jamie

 

[Sheba]

*sigh*
Welcome!
I disagree with the statement in your siggy but I'll spare you...

 

[garyluer]

Welcome to the forum ColliesCorsos

I personally believe that prong and electric collars are simply a substitute for patience especially with a pup. Positive reinforcement and love is all that should be necessary unless you want to instill aggression and fear in your dog. But that's just my humble opinion.

We've treated all of our dogs as "people" and I believe they're the better for it.

Bens first day home from the shelter!

Showing some love. (3 months after adoption).

 

[Debi]

Hi and Welcome!

I rather like treating my dogs like people. LOL

 

[Boxer*Mom]

If people don't treat their dogs like they would human child, then maybe they shouldn't have one.

 

[Julie]

If people don't treat their dogs like they would human child, then maybe they shouldn't have one.

That is a little extreme.......I guess you don't have children.

Dogs are dogs and therefore cannot be treated like a child.

They communicate differently, learn differently etc.

I love my dogs very much and they are treated great.

But my children will always have to come first.

 

[chadanddenise]

Hi - I haven't read anything else...just you saying for people to introduce themselves...I'm not really into the debate side.

I have a Old English Sheepdog/Terrier Mix who we rescued from a shelter for strays and "lawbreakers". She was 8-9mos. old with little background...but when we took her to be spayed (mandatory 90 day minimum when you rescue a stray in NY)...she had 5 puppies inside!

Now those puppies are 6 weeks old today and such a joy! We've found them good homes and they turn 8 weeks on Christmas Eve!

Welcome! You should post some pics!

 

[joce]

Welcome! Diffrent things for diffrent dogs,I always laugh when people tell me how I should have trianed my husky cuz none of it worked. She was a terrror for a while but now shes a big baby. I have a husky,corgi,beagle mix and a dobe. I will admitt I treat the dobe like a kid but its a sickness for me And I'll admitt its ruined a lot of his training.

Were in ohio are you located?

 

[EliNHunter]

Welcome to Chaz. Not really understanding all the debate in an intro, however. Have you posted in the other forums outside of intro yet? Don't necessarily agree with your siggy, either...

 

[Sirius]

Welcome to Chazhound. Maybe you will find some other training methods on the forum and maybe you will give them a shot. I'll tell you about my dogs...

Sam: Sam is a 3 year old female bullmastiff. She is a great guard dog and is anything but a lazy bum. She is the one who keeps the peace while I am not home, so she is def. great to have around! She is my baby through and through.

Sam came to me through some neglectful people who didn't want her anymore. She is one of the best dogs I have ever owned and not for a second do I regret welcoming her into my home.

Harley: Harley is a 7mo male black Bouvier des Flandres. I bought him and his brother and sister (Sirius and Vixen) from a breeder in July, but Sirius and Vixen I had to re-home, as 3 puppies (especially this breed) were very hard to handle. They went to my family, so I still see them often. Harley is my boy, and he loves to be the centre of attention. Since his best buddy, Dakota, died, he has been in the dumps. He is slowly coming back to being that bounding bouvier I once knew.

Lemon: Lemon I got recently and she is the newest addition to my zoo. (lol, my zoo at home, I have 7 animals!) She is a female rottweiler, and she is a handful! I don't know much about her, except she is very friendly.

Welcome to Chaz, once again!

 

[Sheba]

Here are all my animals....

Wendy- Wendy is a black lab mix, that is all we really know about her.
Max-Tabby Cat mix we found in a forest
Tiggy-Tabby Cat that was abused
Figgy- Norwegian Forest cat that came with Tiggy
Buddy-black and white gerbil
Snickers-Russian Dwarf Hamster
Comet-Blue and purple Beta

and...Ben!He's not ours but I asked him owner if I could use his picture because he looks EXACTALLY like Wendy!

 

[Richie12345]

Hey, I got a pup named Cooper. He's a 7 month Hungarian Vizsla