Most of the time folks are going to be fine with a “strong suggestion” to the dog, but….
There are times when it’s has to be a *commandment*, and not a suggestion, and that’s especially true when the dog is off-lead.
This is why proofing is so important — but it has historically been quite difficult.
Proofing is much easier now with e-collars, but it’s still constant repetition in the absence of a leash.
Rudd Weatherwax was the trainer of the first Lassie, and he could never get the dog to stop chasing motorcycles — which is why Lassie was abandoned to his care in the first place.
Lassie was Weatherwax’s training failure!
The good news is that today, any competent dog trainer can quickly — and gently — break a dog from such maladaptive behavior.
The good news is if you need an off-lead behavior to be more than a forceful suggestion, it’s never been easier — even if it still takes time and repetition.
2 comments:
I see very few people use e collars correctly in the wild. I also take exception to the term 'gentle', again they're rarely used correctly. They're pure punishment in the hands of those jokers. I'm starting to view them like retractable leashes at this point: that's a poorly trained dog in the making. E collars have become a crutch for those who know no other training methods, because they don't want to learn anything themselves.
Dog is barking? quick hit the stim that is set too high and watch the dog twitch. No thanks.
I just like reminding people that the entire concept is right there in the name: OBEDIENCE
It's not called OPTIONAL, but maybe that's how it identifies these days. If people can't grasp that obedience is what it's called because that's what it IS, then perhaps there is a very good reason I no longer train dogs anymore apart from my own.
Post a Comment