I have a question for everyone to ponder....

[fomorii56]

Hey I've been following all these posts and such and have just a quick question. A lot of the advocacy for Richiling seems to be that his dogs work under stress i.e. loud sounds, smoke, gunshots. What is the difference between training your dog to work under stress and simply desensitizing them to loud sounds/scary situations so they no longer fear these things and still do what you ask?

Oh, and I'm 24.

 

[Doberluv]

Hey I've been following all these posts and such and have just a quick question. A lot of the advocacy for Richiling seems to be that his dogs work under stress i.e. loud sounds, smoke, gunshots. What is the difference between training your dog to work under stress and simply desensitizing them to loud sounds/scary situations so they no longer fear these things and still do what you ask?

Oh, and I'm 24.

No difference except that dogs desensatized don't have to have the additional stress of wondering if they're going to get hit or scolded...whatever....or not. My dogs aren't afraid of gun shots (we target practice right here on my property about 75' from the house.) They never heard that until recently. I fed them yummy things while my son was shooting and they're completely fine with it and will do anything in spite of the noise. They associated it with good things. They are not afraid of thunder or a bon fire or anything much that I can think of, not only my bigger dogs but even my little dumpling Chihuahuas that are not "real" dogs....(yeah right) couldn't care less. They totally "listen" to me. No, they aren't attacking anyone. But they're very much doing what they normally do. I hardly had to train them at all. They trust me because I never do anything to cause them any pain or fear, so whatever happens, they figure it's just one more weird thing humans do......whatever......and they shrug their shoulders. LOL.

 

[Renee750il]

That's a really good question, Fomorii I can't answer you since mine aren't reactive

 

[Doberluv]

It is a good question and I'll bet a million bucks that that is how the police K9 units do it that use positive methods. I should think that police dogs should start out with a solid enough temperament that they aren't too reactive in the first place. So in that case I have no idea what the stave and the stress of all that punishment is suppose to do.

 

[Charliesmommy]

And they don't know anything either . . .

True, but they tend to have more energy

 

[heavyjay]

True, but they tend to have more energy

To paraphrase the song, "I'm not as good as I once was, but more than once, I've been as good as I ever was."