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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Bit concerned about friend's training methods

12 replies

Ughughugh · 27/10/2013 22:31

I know there's nothing I can do about this situation, but I'm really shocked at the way a friend of mine has trained her dog.
The dog is a labrador, but unlike every other laid back lab I have met, this one is a nervous wreck - growls at strangers, particularly children, looks miserable all the time.

If the dog misbehaves, or growls at someone, they put the dog into a submissive position - on its back - and stand a foot on the dogs neck :(
If the dog has growled at someone, they owner then makes that person stand on the dog's neck. The dog then becomes even more wary of the child or adult.

This is shocking isn't it? This method was taught to my friend by a private dog trainer. I find it so upsetting that someone can use such cruel methods and not see that their dog is clearly unhappy, nervy and terrified around people.

I have tried suggesting to my friend that the hierarchy/pack think is largely discredited now, and that his methods could make his dog dangerous and aggressive, but he knows best, of course pack theory works.

Like I said, I know there's nothing I can do, except hope the poor dog never hurts anyone. Just having a rant about it really after a very uncomfortable visit today.

OP posts:
Ughughugh · 27/10/2013 22:33

Tried to change a couple of details there so it wasn't identifying, hence confusing uses of his and her - sorry!

OP posts:
Tillypo · 28/10/2013 08:10

There is something you can do report them even if they are your friend it's animal cruelty. You wouldn't let them get away with it if was a child they were mistreating.

everlong · 28/10/2013 09:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kerstina · 28/10/2013 12:45

Very upsetting to read this please report it.

Ughughugh · 28/10/2013 12:53

The dog is about 3 or 4.
The trainer was recommended through their vet, who is a staunch believer in pack theory.

I have reported other animals to the RSPCA, horrifically neglected, badly treated animals, and the RSPCA are barely interested :(
This dog, although being trained badly, or dangerously, isn't neglected at all. I will try though.
Is there anywhere I can report the trainer so they can no longer use these methods?

OP posts:
kerstina · 28/10/2013 13:28

Do you ever see them showing the dog love? Do you feel they love the dog?
I am new to dog owning and am finding a lot of conflicting advice online about training dogs its a bit of a minefield!
As far as the pack instinct I read about something that happened close to where I live about a poor whippet being chased and mauled by a group of dogs I think it was the greyhound that killed the poor whippet. I cant help but think in some situations you do need to be the dominant 'pack leader' Please come and tell me I have got it wrong as I hate animal cruelty in any shape or form Sad

Ughughugh · 28/10/2013 13:38

They love the dog, it's a real member of their family, they look after her well.

The dog is their first pet, they've followed the vet's advice to the letter, including his recommended trainer.

The dog is well behaved, but very wary about people - to the point where I won't visit with my toddler.

OP posts:
MrsSquirrel · 28/10/2013 14:00

Kerstina the pack leader theory has been discredited because it was based on faulty assumptions. There is a good explanation here. Where dogs attack people or other dogs, if you were to able to look into it, you would find the reason is usually to do with the dog being mistreated.

That is really sad Ughughugh. I agree there is nothing you can do. It can't be a happy life for the dog.

viperslast · 28/10/2013 14:31

One thing that might be worth a try is speaking to the dog warden. I know round here they are very good at giving advice where dogs aren't being looked after well even though they may be fed and loved (e.g. worming/vaccination advice) If you explain that the dog has become nervous and potentially dangerous and you feel they need advice from someone with authority on how better to train?

idirdog · 28/10/2013 15:44

Absolutely no point in reporting this as noone will do anything at all not the Dog warden, RSPCA,Vet etc.

Take your friend to a positive based trainer and show him the difference in the dogs. Get him to contact Nando Brown via Facebook. Nando Brown is a trainer that has converted from old fashioned dominant based trainer to positive reward based trainer. He is ex Marine so some men find it easier tot take advice from him.

Give him some books to read
Jean Donaldson
Karen Pryor

Get him to read the Cross over Trainer Blog

Just keep at him all the time - take him to an agility club where generally dogs are trained positively and see the active willing alert dogs that are desperate to work.

Lilcamper · 28/10/2013 17:57

Thoroughly agree with Idirdog. Send him some links to some Nando vids, like this one, . Nando is a thoroughly decent and approachable bloke.

kerstina · 29/10/2013 08:30

Thanks Mrssquirrel that article makes a lot of sense.

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