[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Britster

As a dog trainer, then you should know that the AVSAB disapproves 100% of these methods.

http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonli...0statement.pdf

Here is their statement on dominance training. ^

I would like to know why you are utilizing a theory that has been disproved by the very people who created it? Just curious.

I've been able to enjoy the experience of bonding and learning with a dog through truly positive reinforcement. Then I discovered clicker training as well. It's really amazing what you can do with a dog with a little encouragement and positive vibes. And as I said, I'm not taking never saying "no" or that I'm perfect, but I don't want a "perfect" robot dog.

I am not my dogs "pack leader" nor his "alpha". He doesn't obey commands because he HAS to... he does because he WANTS to and he ENJOYS pleasing me. He's my best friend, my every day companion, and my heart.

And with positive reinforcement, he knows well over 100 commands and tricks and names. He comes to me happily when I call his name (ok, most of the time! ), he has gotten over his fear of strangers, he has graduated agility classes, and is well on his way to becoming a canine good citizen. He's friendly with all other dogs he meets, he's able to walk into a store or go anywhere really and be on his best behavior. And this, plus much more, was accomplished without physical corrections, without dominating him or rolling him on his back, or forcing him to walk behind me (though I don't allow to pull, typically speaking), or using a prong collar/choke chain/shock collar.

Most of all, we have FUN together. We have a freakin' blast and he and I both enjoy training equally. We're a team... I'm not "above" him. We have a mutual respect for one another that's created a strong bond that will last a lifetime.

People will eventually see the light. I used to be one of the posters defending him. Looking back, I can't believe I ever watched in awe.

I watched an episode with a sheltie who was terrified of the toaster. Cesar took the toaster and pinned the dog into a corner and kept flicking the popping mechanism. The poor sheltie was terrified. His eyes were wide and he kept trying to get away. Finally, the dog was so stressed that he laid on the floor and was panting heavily. Cesar said that the dog "overcame his fear". No that's just a dog who is broken down and absolutely terrified. And this dog was not "aggressive" and shelties are known to be somewhat quirky.

When Jackson is scared or unsure of something (and he has some VERY weird quirks), I simply encourage him to check it out, bring some high value rewards, and start treating him for being close to it, or near it. I did this with the oven. He was deathly afraid after the smoke alarm went off, so he wouldn't come into the kitchen for a few weeks. It just took time and patience. I can't imagine if I had just dragged him in there and pinned him down. OMG he would be traumatized.

Veterinary Behaviorists Take a Stand Against Cesar Millan

Couldn't agree more. I saw that flooding episode with the toaster! I've tried that in the past and one dog just freaked in slobbering panic, crouched low down to the ground, ears back, mouth gaping, heart rate off the charts, white gums, wall eyes and was extra fearful for a good while around his trigger fear of a swinging door after that for days - just ran. The first one I tried it on seemed to accept flooding and it helped him right away - walking through a narrow area that spooked him over and over until he lost his fear within the hour. Flooding used to be a popular technique but once I saw outright panic in a dog from flooding, NEVER again. Not a good method. I changed my thinking entirely all those years back. Anything that can do that to a dog is cruel beyond measure for some dogs and you never know which dog might react that way - just suddenly go into shock from terror of repeatedly triggering his fear! I went back to the old rewards and praise method of training - basically positive reinforcement - and began to learn that pleasant associations with the trigger in very, very short sessions followed by immediate retreat and treats are far more effective for real hard trigger fears. Once the dog is beginning to accept the trigger, treats during the triggering session are great, if the dog isn't too fearful to take them but afterward if he is. Soon, the dog will take them during the triggering event as he desensitizes. Plus, any fearful dog needs to be involved in regular positive-reinforcement obedience training, life enrichment, challenging games, frequent exercise and making it all fun for the dog with lots of enthusiasm and a great deal of cheerleading and ginning up the fun. These methods are far better ways to train a dog without stressing or confronting it.

Later I did see CM desensitizing a GSD and he used short desensitization sessions with immediate retreat and that seemed to work fine for that dog.