Awareness/Disturbing - Page 3

The video is clearly disturbing, and the "Expertise or lack thereof of the Trainer" is evident.
 
There are two things to consider with this post;
 
1- As Jenny said- "Handlers are ultimately responsible for what their dog endures"  
 
So Take Personal Responsibility for what you allow your dog to suffer.
 
2- The only constructive comment made so far has been by Jenny, No one who has commented on this post,  has offered any example of how this training scenario should have, or could have been done properly.
 
 
I guess it is easier to bash the obvious, rather than offer sound and cautious advice, based on proven experience.


Kim

No one asked for that. But OK, I'll play.

A project of mine has been working on fireworks/thunder with my dog(s). I believe the younger one (GSD) originally picked up the behavior from our older mutt who we got when he was 9 (13 now), and already had the behavior issue before. None of our other dogs in the past have EVER had an issue with ANY kind of noise, and my shepherd is completely sound with any other noise - kids screaming and playing, sirens, dump trucks, construction, helicopters, etc. etc. etc. Anyway, we've been taking it very slowly, which I think is important in any kind of training like this, and we really only have the opportunity in the summer, unless we get the occasional "thunder-snow" come winter.

Anyways, the topic is fireworks. I would play a fireworks show on YouTube throughout the year, and just ignore it, while she was laying next to me in her bed. Then this past fourth, we were outside when the first of them went off, in the distance, and played fetch for the first couple of days. At first she reacted and just wanted inside, but I made myself remain as calm as possible - knowing how dogs can read their humans - threw the ball and told her to go get it. She did so, but ran straight back up the steps to go inside once she had it. So I grabbed the ball and repeated. Eventually she would bring the ball to me and just want me to throw it again - no running back up the steps, no whining, nothing. So I praised the crap out of her and we went inside. We repeated that, mixing in a bit of obedience here and there, and by Independence Day - with a cotton ball stuffed in each ear - she was able to be in my car without whining or shaking or anything. She was simply alert to the sounds and flashes, would turn her head and watch each of them, but not acting afraid at all. A HUGE improvement from last year!! I was very proud of her.

That is just what worked for me. I expect she was never afraid herself, but more of the fact that she came into a house where another older dog said they were scary, and my dad of course is one to baby his dog, and she saw that and picked it right up. That would explain why she has zero issues with sounds outside of the home (ie when we're at work or something... the other dog stays home). Every dog is different though. What works for one won't for another, but I think we had a pretty good strategy with how we've been dealing with it!

- Every dog is different though. What works for one won't for another, but I think we had a pretty good strategy with how we've been dealing with it!

 

Kim

well pirate if you are going to tell people how to post you should follow your own preaching.  I dont see the valuable input in your post you are so eloquently pointing out about others.

I simply posted this to raise awareness of this guy so that more people would be warned of this and people like this. However you are correct that it hasnt been educational beyond that fact.

However being that there are many ways to get a dog over its fear of noises and depends on the dog, the severity of the individual dogs issue and many other variables  IMO there is no one correct way that would allow such a post. However the extreme flooding scenario in the video above is obviously wrong. If anyone has a question directly about a dog or scenario Im sure many here would post on different avenues to help that individual with there issue.

As far as the owner being responsible I agree mostly. However many people put there trust in you as a professional and how many are ripped off everyday in life by so called professionals. I dont know how many dogs I have gotten on their 2nd or 3rd trainer that couldnt or didnt manage, solve, or educate the dog owner and or only made issues worse. I think many see this at least from time to time. Or even worse a person goes through some so called trainers and they have counseled the owner to euthanize their dog before finding someone that can help them address the issues at hand. So with that being said, a person can try to educate themselves yes, and should do so before even owning a dog IMO. However now they are seeking that education they have faith in you to be a professional- honest,knowledgeable, and deliver a quality product. IE a trained owner and dog. However no matter how much you investigate on a professional in any venue the best salesman will get your business. As every company has complaints somewhere. And if you educate your self to the point you cant be taken advantage of, you dont need the said professional. So you have to to blindly trust professionals everyday. So I put most of the weight on the business owner. JMO
 

scarreddecoy   - Someone  pee in your cornflakes this morning?
  
I'm glad you posted this video to raise awareness or for whatever reason you did, you may have helped open people's eyes.
 
I don't think I told anyone how to post/reply, I simply pointed out my observations on the comments.
 
As far as following my own preaching, I don't think I preach.....I have offered my opinions, experience, personal time and my home address and phone number/e-mail to anyone on this Forum who would like to come out and play with dogs together.
 
Thats all!
 
I can send you our videos that will cover just about any type of training you would like to see.
 
You said - " However now they are seeking that education they have faith in you to be a professional- honest, knowledgeable, and deliver a quality product".
 
And you are 100% correct, however.....people need to get off their rear end and actually visit the trainer/breeder and watch their work in person.
 
I would estimate that approximately 95% of all Web Sites are B.S., they look good, and say everything that you want to hear.......
 
Take the time and actually go there, and watch the work that they claim to be able to do.
 
Research.......means a lot more than internet searches, reading forums and taking advice from people who cannot even provide their actual name!
 
So..... scarreddecoy if your purpose for posting this thread was truly altruistic, please tell everyone who you really are!
 
I am;  
 
Mr. Kim Moore
Canczech Dogs, K9 Pirates Lair
B.C. Canada
kimmoore1@shaw.ca
 

I would have started with a cap gun.  I would have had the dogs moving with the handlers calling their name - maybe in a heal with the handler calling their name and giving them a treat when they looked at the handler.  I would have fired the cap gun once.  The dogs that startled would have gotten a mild correction and maybe food to the noise drawing it up to my face.  The ones that didn't startle would get lots of treats and praise.  If there were dogs that startled a lot, would have put distance between the dogs and the cap gun.  As the dogs became less startled, I would move closer to the cap gun/further away, closer.

I would have worked up to fire a single firecracker far away and then closer, farther away, closer.

I certainly wouldn't have started off by setting off a huge pack of firecrackers.  I'm surprised that no one got bit.

My dog does not get startled by fireworks or thunder (sometimes his ears will prick if the thunder is far, far away and I can barely hear it).  When I was prepping for the ATT, we started with a cap gun and worked up to a blank gun indoors.  He did startle at the blank - it was loud.  The next time, he was turned on, barking up a storm when the blank was fired.  He hesitated, turned to look at me, I encouraged him to turn on, he turn his focus back to the decoy and proceeded to bark.  After that, he never startled at the blank.

 

Many dogs there didn't budge, and I'm pretty confident mine wouldn't either.    I really don't see the big deal about this, after all, it certainly separates the wheat from the chaff.  
I want a dog that is genetically sound, not trained to be sound.  Are we always going to be prepared for when a loud noise happens?
Whoever said they need more than one collar, and not to try this near a roadway is right, especially if your dog is skittish.  I have a feeling most know that about their dog before even getting to such an exercise,- that is, if they have been paying any attention to their dog at all.

I would start by playing loud disco music. I'd escalate to reading numerous posts of internet tough guys. Then I would go to fireworks.

The problem is, RS, that it creates issues with the more nervy. Who wants that done to their dog? Instead of a proper introduction, they are now scarred and have a problem to overcome, instead of an experience to absorb.

 
Some dogs take to fireworks like a duck to water. The Other Extreme