Isn't it strange? - Page 1

Isn't it strange that people who do not train their dogs, and allow them to be the alpha assume that people that do train their dogs do not let their dogs have any fun.  Guesss they don't know much about positive reinforcement and how fun training can be for dogs, and  how mental and physical stimulation can create a happier dog if done properly.

Yes I am venting.  I have a friend who thinks that I won't let my GSD have any fun because she saw a video of us doing some OB/Heeling excersises.  I guess if he behaves and is obedient that he dosen't have fun??  This person has a English bully that has no trianing and does whatever it pleases, but is supposedly happy?  Okay I feel better now. 

Travel time, do you mean English Bulldog, the ones with the les than pretty faces? Can you actually " train" them to do anything? I am not slating anyones choice of breed, but i honestly did not think you could do very much with a "British Bulldog". Please feel free to correct me if i am wrong. liz

Well trained germans love to do any routine you put them through. THey beg to work and they beg to please you also. Some people just dont understand. The german shepherd will demand you work him and play with him..Every thing you do with your pup and grown dog, if you train, should enforce what you teach.   It is plain to see on the field , when a trial is in place, the excitement a good dog exhibits when he is doing any routine.   These dogs shine out and a trainer that trains with excitement and love of his animal, gets that right back at him from his dog.

Even if you are just training in your home situation, the excitement of play and training done together, as anything you do with you pup or dog , should be to get an end result. Keep in mind, dogs dont reason.  We are the reasoning power for them so in reason you gear your play,  to have an end result that is positive and dont let them do wrong behavior , even when you play...We play out  long before our furry friends do.

They teach us , a whole lot. and that is  ENDURANCE>

YR

Funky, yes an English Bulldog.  They may not be capable of much, but that's not my point.  My rant was about this person assuming that I never let my dog have any fun becuase I train him.  Her thought of fun is letting the dog do as it pleases and "rule the roost".  Just letting off some steam.

Understand completely, been there!!!!  liz

It's not just you travel.  Vent to me about this topic ANY time!  I have a dog daycare center; 30 dogs, off leash, 9 hours a day.  I insist on some structure and rules and many owners are just unreasonable about the dogs needing to play with good manners and show willingness to follow direction.   ANY imposition on them at all is seen as unreasonably restricing their "fun" with no acknowledgement of the fact that structure, rules, good leadership help the dogs relax and feel safe.   Those same dogs are often unhappy in their home, and display a large number of stress disorders (colitis) and neurotic behaviors (barking, destruction) that fade away in a structured, leadership-based environment.   Some of them actually are under so much pressure at home by being in charge that they can't wait to get into daycare in the morning..   to sleep all day!  But some people are so caught up in the emotion of wanting their dog to be "happy" and have "fun" that they don't understand what the dog needs to be able to thrive. 

My own dogs, even at daycare, think training with me is MUCH more fun and motivating than playing with other dogs or doing their own thing.  They love love love working with me, more than anything.  They obviously think it's fun to train with me, and I'll bet your dog does too!

Preach it Xephyr, LOL!  They like to say things like "oh, but he's just a pet, we don't want compete with him".  Blah blah too me that translates to "Oh I'm too lazt to train my dog so I just tell everyone he's a pet", like that's an excuse.  I don't compete with my dog either but I work/train/play with him everyday and there is a clear pack structure established in my house.  Purely uneducated owners who treat their dogs like humans, I mean spoiled bratty humans, LOL!

Oops, double post

Travel time,

Even after you've had training time and work, you still let your dog just be a dog don't you?

Free time?  

I can see that some people might not, depending on different motives and beliefs.   Kennel life.

Your friend is wrong, but not completely. 

There are people who never let their dog's just have free time outside of the fence so to speak.   All work and no play.

I hate people who never let a dog be a dog,  life in a kennel or on a chain.  Never playing with them or giving them any attention at all.   I've seen this a time or two.

Take your friend with you when you train sometime.

Brent.

I think allot of GSD people take training far too seriously.
It's painfully easy to tell when a dog is not enjoying himself and IMO if you are in the learning phase of training it should only be positive, something the dog LOVES doing and looks forward to.

I have seen many GSD owners push their young dogs too far and in return they get a half hearted reaction, if any at all. One can tell by the look on the dogs face, it seems to say "oh yay, THIS stupid thing again...."

I try to make sure my dogs have fun and do whatever is asked with gusto and enthusiasum......even if it takes longer to train.