Using slight pressure to get a young dog more pumped up. - Page 1

I have a question, mainly because I am fairly new to training and want to understand fully what and why something is happening.

I have a young male (17 months) that at times fully engages when he bites, at other times is more interested in any and everything else.

My helper wants to use slight (very slight) pressure to get my boy to engage.  He just flicked his ear last night and the reaction was instant, he

turned his attention away from bunny trails, and onto the helper with more intensity than usual.  My helper stated my dog needs more of

a threat to react.  He is an bold and pushy young dog, sometimes stubborn, in no way shy or timid.  But he does like to do his own thing, and will

blow the helper off if he's not interested.

So, I'd like to hear some opinions on the negatives and positives of using pressure.  Why it is good, or not good.

Thanks for any one answering.

To a good dog that is not really pressure.  I guess if the dog was afraid of everything and got scared that could be considered pressure.  I would not call flicking an ear pressure.

It is a good sign that your dog engaged right away.  It was a threat to the dog...an attack on him in his mind.  If the dog learns that the helper...or agitator is  a threat, and that his job is to guard the threat his aggression will be real.  Not a bunch of prey drive, and play.  This is my preferred way to have my dog trained.  I am refferring to teaching him the agitator is a real threat...not always flicking his ear. 

If you dog is trained this way he will do a better job of staying focused on the helper.  If everytime he looks away the helper "gets him" how often do you think he will look away.  If you trust this helper keep going with it.

Shawn

Thanks Shawn,

I do trust this helper,  and I realize an ear flick is not real pressure.  My boy is a showline though, so I gather it's better safe with slight pressure at first to see how he reacted?  I'm glad to hear you agree with this.  The vote of confidence makes me feel better.

Using agiatation will make him a more "sharp" dog. Some trainers of guard dogs use flanking method. Also teaches the dog not to trust people. Depends what you are training for and results wanted as to the level you take it.

My question here would be is the dog really not interested, or in avoidance? If the dog is just not interested, it may lack in drive, needs more time to mature, or just isn't a bitework dog. Some dogs just are not into it.

If it is avoidance, and you need this type of stimulaton, be very careful. If the dog learns to use aggression to deal with things they are trying to avoid, you could be in for some trouble.

I can't judge without seeing the dog. If you trust your helper then continue on. This type of stimulation will not cause a problem with a good dog.

GARD it is definately because he is interested in something else.  Lately it's been bunnies on the training field.  He wants to follow their scent, more than bark at the bad guy.  He is also immature, but not in avoidance at all.  Sometimes I am afraid he is lacking in drives, but several people have told me he is fine, just young.  We'll go very slow and make sure not to push him.   I hope he gets a little more serious about the game as he matures.  He has a lot of  prey in him, but it comes out at weird times.  Not always when I want it too......can you understand that?  I'm not really sure how to explain it.  Sometimes he'll dive for the tug like a maniac, other times he wants to do something else.  It gets frustrating, but I'm trying hard to allow him to grow up.

Southtexan, I in no way want him sharp (at least I don't think I do).  I don't see him as a civil dog at all, and will not allow him to be pushed into biting through fear.

A dog that has been flanked only distrusts people if it distrusts its handler, in my opinion.

I'm all for fairly and correctly applied pressure in a young dogs that are ready for it, in my experience it makes them stronger dogs.

If you flank a dog it may love it's handler but will quickly learn to dis-trust all strangers. I have seen this happen several times. Not for the average dog owner or trainer tp do.