Dogs

#152
#152
Lilly: poodle/chiuahaha mix 6 years. has cataracts in both eyes.

Stella: blue heeler 5 years. hates cats & squirrels.

Bambi: not sure but has some terrier in the woodpile. 3 years. found her hangin out around the house we were buildin, very skittish when i got her home.
 
#154
#154
J-P said:
Where most dog owners go wrong, is in trying to treat their dogs like they're people. Dogs are happier when they are treated like dogs (notice I didn't say "mistreated"). If you've ever watched The Dog Whisperer much, you probably have seen this. It's one of Cesar Milan's pet peeves.
Click to expand...

What behaviors are you speaking of? I've only watched the Dog Whisperer a few times.

Colby has the tendency to bark like a banshee when he first gets into the car. He's not mad, he's just super excited. Once he settles down, he loves riding in the car. When I consulted a trainer, (a trainer who idolized Cesar and even had a pic of the 2 of them in his office), I was not happy with the way he wanted me to treat Colby. He said something along the lines of me being too nice to Colby and treating him like a person.

Needless to say, I didn't go back after 2 sessions as I wasn't willing to be as "strict" (in my opinion, mean), as he wanted me to be. Colby didn't seem to respond to it either. I have a hard time thinking my dog would be happier if I used a choke collar on him and used a hateful tone.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#155
#155
I use choke & shock collars...the latter is not used until the dog has been trained to understand how to turn "off" the shock. I also "toe pinch" when I force fetch my dogs. To the unknowing, it would appear that I'm being mean. I've never been mean to any dog I've owned. Being hateful to a dog is a sign that you shouldn't own one.
 
#156
#156
Let me clarify my statement: I know it is a common Cesar theme to treat them like dogs, but what is considered too "human"?

I understand some dogs are so big and/or aggressive that choke or shock collars are necessary. Yorkies have sensitive tracheas and aren't even supposed to wear regular collars.
 
#157
#157
TNVolGirl said:
Let me clarify my statement: I know it is a common Cesar theme to treat them like dogs, but what is considered too "human"?

I understand some dogs are so big and/or aggressive that choke or shock collars are necessary. Yorkies have sensitive tracheas and aren't even supposed to wear regular collars.
Click to expand...

I dunno...it's a stupid thing to say. I've never been that impressed with him.
 
#158
#158
TNVolGirl said:
What behaviors are you speaking of? I've only watched the Dog Whisperer a few times.

Colby has the tendency to bark like a banshee when he first gets into the car. He's not mad, he's just super excited. Once he settles down, he loves riding in the car. When I consulted a trainer, (a trainer who idolized Cesar and even had a pic of the 2 of them in his office), I was not happy with the way he wanted me to treat Colby. He said something along the lines of me being too nice to Colby and treating him like a person.

Needless to say, I didn't go back after 2 sessions as I wasn't willing to be as "strict" (in my opinion, mean), as he wanted me to be. Colby didn't seem to respond to it either. I have a hard time thinking my dog would be happier if I used a choke collar on him and used a hateful tone.
Click to expand...

Now you've hit on one of my favorite subjects.

When a dog is in an excited state, you, as the alpha, need to remain calm and confident, first of all. You can allow the dog to do what you want the dog to do, but you must require the dog not do what you don't want to allow, and you can accomplish this without having to cause the dog any pain.

I would practice going to the car with the dog on a leash, stop at the car door, make the dog sit, open the car door, keep the dog out of the car until he displays a calm and submissive state, then invite the dog to enter the car. Practice, practice, practice. The dog will get it. If you let him get in the car while he's still excited, you will be positively reinforcing that excited state. You might even walk the dog first and make sure he is exercised, before attempting the car exercise. That way, his excess energy will be spent and he will be more submissive and pay more attention. When you walk the dog, don't let the dog lead you, you are the pack leader. Hold the leash to your side, only allowing the dog as little slack as necessary for him to walk beside you, not ahead of you, and you need to walk with your head up, chest out, focused ahead, as if you expect the dog to follow your lead and your confidence. Dogs understand what that means and it may take practice, but that's one of the first steps we take in making sure a dog understands their position and ours in a pack.

Remember, if you watch a pack closely, you will notice that, first of all, the alpha dog is ALWAYS calm and confident. I would recommend you watch The Dog Whisperer if you are able to. In my opinion, Cesar is terrible at actually explaining or verbalizing what he is doing, but watch closely how he does it and what he does. He really does understand the silent body language type communication that dogs have. I have learned a lot from watching him.
 
#159
#159
TNVolGirl said:
Let me clarify my statement: I know it is a common Cesar theme to treat them like dogs, but what is considered too "human"?
Click to expand...

I think what is meant is that dogs are different than humans, they have a different way of acting and communicating, different ways of behavior. The first tendency of many people is to treat the dog like a little child. They speak to the dog in a high pitched, child-like voice, which puts the dog in a highly excited state. Once the dog gets into an excited state, it's a lot harder to teach them anything. Puppies naturally learn by watching their mother, and while they are watching, they are calm and focused on what she is doing. The mother is in general ignoring them and focusing on what she is doing, whether is burrowing for a critter, or whatever.

Another example of the difference, when dogs get in each other's faces, that is often a sign of aggression. When people do it, it's to kiss or show affection. How many times have we seen somebody come up to a cute dog they don't know well, and try to kiss the dog on the head, only to get bitten. They showed aggression to the dog and the dog responded in kind.

When people smile, they show their teeth. When dogs in a pack show their teeth, there's about to be a fight.

I could go on and on...
 
#161
#161
Winnie, a terrier mix. She will be 3 in about a week. The shelter found her dumped on the side of the road as a puppy. She is black and looks like her paws were dipped in a white paint can. Will post pics later.
 
#163
#163
Question for just in case my daughter wants a dog. What breeds have less dander? Shes allergic. Doc says once 1st round of shots are done we can get another pet.
 
#164
#164
J-P said:
Yeah, several of our dogs eat grass. Often they do it because they have an upset stomach or constipation. It doesn't seem to hurt them, as long as you don't have any toxic plants in the house that they may be able to chew on. Occassionaly it may cause them to hurl. Fortunately, my wife has gotten really good at identifying "that look" before they do and getting them out in the back yard just in time, most of the time. The rest of the time, well, that's just one of the joys of dog ownership.

Our dogs also like to eat dirt sometimes. The vet said they do that out of an instinct to supplement their mineral intake, even though they probably don't need to with modern dog food nutrition. We try to discourage it, but heck, dogs gotta be dogs.

Where most dog owners go wrong, is in trying to treat their dogs like they're people. Dogs are happier when they are treated like dogs (notice I didn't say "mistreated"). If you've ever watched The Dog Whisperer much, you probably have seen this. It's one of Cesar Milan's pet peeves.
Click to expand...

Yeah, she only does it sometimes and very rarely does she actually get sick, but she makes the most interesting noise before she does. Sometimes she goes under my bed and I hear that noise...creepy
 
#165
#165
rmsmith said:
Question for just in case my daughter wants a dog. What breeds have less dander? Shes allergic. Doc says once 1st round of shots are done we can get another pet.
Click to expand...

LabraDoodle and Portugese water dogs supposively. Ask Obama.
 
#169
#169
Tina Mae--you're dog is so cute! I used to put clothes on my dog when she was a puppy to keep her warm because they get really cold. Now if I tried to put clothes on her she would just stand there and stare at me all stiff. She hates it so I don't even bother.
 
#171
#171
mcompton-albums-jack-picture3828-a.html
 
#173
#173
3 ADBA certified American Pit Bull Terriers. Have a beautiful blue fawn(red) red nose that is solid muscle named Rocky, a female Keyla. She is like Spud Mckenzie with black patch over eye and their son Onyx which is almost solid black obviously. Please no idiotic posts about how they are man eaters. My dogd are great indoor pets and bred from titled weight pulling dogs, not fighting/game dogs. I have 3 children that the dogs have never shown aggression towards. I wish people would give the breed more consideration. They are an awesome all around breed.
 
#174
#174
VolForLife83 said:
3 ADBA certified American Pit Bull Terriers. Have a beautiful blue fawn(red) red nose that is solid muscle named Rocky, a female Keyla. She is like Spud Mckenzie with black patch over eye and their son Onyx which is almost solid black obviously. Please no idiotic posts about how they are man eaters. My dogd are great indoor pets and bred from titled weight pulling dogs, not fighting/game dogs. I have 3 children that the dogs have never shown aggression towards. I wish people would give the breed more consideration. They are an awesome all around breed.
Click to expand...

I know someone who had a pit bull and she was the sweetest dog. Whoever had her before tried to make her into a fighting dog and actually cut the flaps of her ears as torture. Fortunately she was rescued and given a good home but she passed not long ago. It makes me sick people do that. They could be great dogs if people would stop mistreating them, IMO.
 
#175
#175
I used to have some pits. I have found that they are people dogs and love attention. Mine werent too fond of strange dogs coming around. Once they got to know them they were fine.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement





Back
Top