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by Sunsilver on 14 April 2009 - 15:04
"Would you like to pet or praise him?" the instructor asks. A snicker comes from the sidelines.
"Or," the instructor asks, holding out a small box, "would you like to offer him a tid-bit?"
Anger rumbles from the spectators. Obviously, Hans intends closing his mouth on something more satisfying than a piece of liver.
"Or would you like some help?"
The man nods.
The instructor slips his thumb into the hand loop and deliberately drops the full six feet of slack into the leash. The dog, preparing to hurl himself at the Dane, is not aware that the instructor has done a quiet right-about turn and has gone, unannounced, in the opposite direction. Quite impersonally but very, very swiftly, the instructor travels four feet before Hans's unhampered lunge carries him to within a foot of the Dane.
It is inevitable that the leash finally tightens and, because of principles of inertia and momentum as old as creation, it is just as inevitable that Hans's flight change to the direction the man has already gone. Thwarted as to direction but not in purpose, Hans, the opportunist, shoots past the handler in the direction of a Poodle. Even as the dog passes, going north, another stealthy right-about sends the handler southward. Again, the impersonal force of momentum has its way.
Frustrated and furious, Hans turns his attention toward this handler who refuses to communicate his intentions. He rears against the handler, mouthing his protests at the man's arm.
"Hans, sit."
by Sunsilver on 14 April 2009 - 15:04
His command unheeded, the handler makes a correction with such force and in such manner that Hans sits from physical necessity.
"Oh-my."
The protest is snuffed out by the vehemence with which the watchers whirl and stare at the four "wincers." The idea that anyone would consider an emphatic correction to be cruel or undeserved when needed to save the dog from future injury, seems to nauseate the other spectators. Seeing themselves the only kindly people present, the four fly away like frightened crows, in the direction of some picnic tables. The other spectators turn back to the business at hand.
"Hans, heel."
Before the Boxer has time for appraisal, the handler starts back toward the Dane. Hans stiffens, then his attention flashes to the handler as though recalling that no communication will foretell a change of direction. Apparently there is only one way of knowing what this man will do-and that way is by watching him. You can't learn his intentions by listening, as there is no talking; and you can't know by feeling, since there is nothing to feel through a slack leash; and when the leash tightens, it is too late. He's already done it. You can't outwit a handler you can't outguess.
They are close to the Dane when the man makes the next right-about turn. Hans sweeps around to the man's left side before the leash has begun to tighten, and walks attentively, regarding the nearby dogs as so many booby traps.
The dog sits promptly on command when the instructor stops in front of the bewildered owner.
{Bolding added by Sunsilver}
by Sunsilver on 14 April 2009 - 15:04
Hopefully, any sensible dog owner will realize these methods are harsh and cruel, and not use them. But I'm sure this is the main reason Koehler has fallen out of favour. New dog owners can't be expected to take the just the good bits of his training methods, and leave the bad ones alone.
by Two Moons on 14 April 2009 - 15:04
No the water in the hole doesn't work.
by Rexy on 14 April 2009 - 16:04
We were fortunate to have had a crash course with a police K9 trainer who basically taught Koehler methods which as I said in my original post works no question and has done wonders for our boy who responds only to harsh corrections when high level distractions are present. When in full drive, clickers, treats or chain throwing won't stop him, neither will a high pressure water blaster for that matter, where a harsh leash correction will control him.
I personally don't have a problem with harsh corrections if that's what it takes, but having said that, if another method that doesn't require cranking an 80lb dog off his feet by the neck to behave, it would be a welcomed alternative to try. Our boy is perfectly obedient without distractions of strangers or other dogs, heels off leash, does everything perfectly as I said providing he doesn't see a stranger or another dog, then everthing he has learned and knows, goes out the window.
by Two Moons on 14 April 2009 - 16:04
You could switch to a prong but you have to learn how to use it differently from a choker. Big difference!
Patience, persistance, consistency and some imagination may help.
Some things you may never overcome without someone elses help.
Don't give up.
by TessJ10 on 14 April 2009 - 17:04
Although it may give more control, a prong collar may only incite him further and may increase rather than decrease dog aggression.
It's a little too late for "early socializing" for this dog.
I agree that help is what's needed here; someone else to work with you to practice with other dogs at a distance, gradually working closer. If your area Schutzhund club cannot recommend a private trainer, perhaps do a search for certified behaviorists. OP is right that the ordinary dog obedience club wants nothing to do with aggressive dogs and doesn't know how to deal with them.
I understand that the SchH club doesn't want an aggressive dog there, I'm saying ask them about who would be willing to work privately with you and your dog (for pay), not during the regular SchH practice times. At least with the SchH folks you have people (hopefully) who understand the breed.
Good luck.
by Rexy on 14 April 2009 - 17:04
There are some Schutzhund clubs in other states of Australia and a new club has been formed in our state at it's very infancy with about 6 members and 4 dogs to date but are not expereinced members. Police K9 trainers who have been known to moonlight on their days off training dogs on the side if you can find one are the most experienced with dogs with drive that are less than 1000 miles away. Most of the Police K9's if not all in our state are show line GSD's and long coats passed on due to showing non compliance. A few security guards with pet GSD's are seen patrolling shopping complexes on occassion with the dog's used more as a deterrent to offenders not knowing the possible capabilities of the dog.
In essense, in our particular state of Australia, good trainers are difficult to find which forces owners of aggressive natured dogs other than to keep them locked away in a yard, to find your own solutions.
by sueincc on 14 April 2009 - 18:04
Have you considered contacting http://www.schutzhundaustralia.com/clubs.html? Even if there are no clubs near to you someone from Schutzhund Australia may be able to recommend a trainer who works with GSDs in your area.
by TessJ10 on 14 April 2009 - 18:04
Well, all I can say in that case is that perhaps you should consider Koehler's method of dealing with aggressive dogs. Do NOT do this in public and remember: 1) Koehler stresses REPEATEDLY that this is only for the really bad actor whose only alternative to normal functioning is euthanasia, and 2) you must correct so forcefully that it gets through to your dog - who has learned after years of tentative, wimpy owners for which the dog obviously has no respect (you must face this fact - that your dog has contempt for you).
Yes, it's not pleasant for the dog, but consider this: is life pleasant for him now? When every strange human and every single dog he ever sees, ever, are a source of fear and aggression; when his life unless kept "locked away" is a never-ceasing round of yanks and pulls and harsh corrections? Not a fun way to live your entire, sad existence.
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