Don't Blame The Dog

[CalamityKate]

Did anyone see this last night? It's on catchup if you missed it.

Basic synopsis: Backyard Breeder of Staffie Crosses (typical "in it for the money, my dogs don't need leads" type) and Princessy type young woman with delinquent JRT go to Australia to work for a week in a shelter.

Very interesting.

I've seen some clips.
I'm not too comfortable with the idiot trying to 'bite train' his JRT and wondering why it bites him.

But thanks. I forgot it was on so I will keep my judgey pants down to a reasonable level until I watch it!

i saw the start of one episode where two people were sent to south africa (i think) to work with a guy who uses dogs to protect rhinos. i had to turn it off. he was telling them to yank the dogs down by the leads and talked of dominating the dogs and being the pack leader. nuff said.

Oh really Booyhoo?? That's disappointing. I do wish they'd weed out the dominance/pack leader type trainers when they do these shows :(

It's very pervasive though. The behaviourist/trainer at the shelter on last night's show was really good in the main; she used a clicker and seemed heavily reward based - but then there was mention of the importance of going through doors before your dog etc

I suppose that's fairly harmless though to be fair. I mean it won't accomplish anything in itself, but at least nobody was recommending alpha rolls

yes i think it was last week's episode (i watched on iplayer, it might still be available). i had never seen it before so thought it was another victoria stilwell type programme. was quite upset that people who need to learn how to care for tehir dogs properly were being sent to someone liek that amd made to feel 'soft' for not liking what they were being asked to do. didn't watch any further so dont know how it ended. although i'm sure it was edited to look like it was all happy ever after.

going through doors is useful TBH. i teach my dog to sit and wait to be called out teh door as often i am trying to get ds1 and then ds2 out in teh buggy with changing bags, school bags etc so having a massive dog rushing out amidst all of that could end up quite painful so yes i think it's a useful thing to teach.

I totally agree it's useful to be ABLE to ask your dog to wait before going through a door! They should all know a decent "Wait" command. Endless uses.

However, some trainers seem to teach it not as a useful command - but in a "If You Let Your Dog Go Through Doors First It Will Think It Is The Boss Of You" way, much like the "Pretend To Eat A Biscuit Before You Feed Them" school of thought so beloved of dumbinance theorists.

ah right. yes i see what you mean now. is that one of cesar's tricks?

Oh, probably. It sounds like something he'd advocate. You know, in between kicking them and pinning them down

I'm fairly sure it's a Jan "Barking Mad" Fennell thing but I could be wrong.