bonds between female and owner ? - Page 1

Could the bond that has established between myself and Halo be a hinderance in training? I get the impression that when we work together she does not recognize me as the handler but still as her  Friend. I am not sure how to explain the circumstanses. Perhaps I have not completly established the role of pack leader?  Or can you actually spend to much time together with your dog apart from training? thoughts please? Thanks bunches

If she sees you as an equal, its the quality of the bond rather than the strength of it. If she disrespects your authority, you can start out with some simple exercises to start turning that around. Depending upon how much she pushes the boundaries and how seriously you want to go into competition will determine how much you might need to do.
Start feeding her by hand and use her food as a reward. Don't allow her to eat out of a bowl or the ground. Use her entire daily ration in that way. This will be especially effective if she has a strong food drive. You may have to restrict her food and possibly not feed her the night before and the morning of training day.
I have heard other handlers start out by crating the dogs. They are only let out on the leash to relieve themselves - in extreme cases of power struggles.
Your dog needs to see you as the source of her sustenance and she will look to you for all her needs.
The hardest part is not only the trying consistency but feeling like if you cannot enjoy your dog in a certain way that it deprives you as well. Look at it as a temporary intervention. Nip it in the bud before more difficult corrections are needed.
There may be other methods and I am sure you will be hearing a lot of fine input from other members.

One more thing: I have gotten input praising the quality of the bond you have with a female dog as females may tend to focus on her partnership with you while a male has a tendency to be object or territory-oriented.

 SEE THE 2 THREADS SMALL VAGINA AND TURKEY BASTER.

Hi
I have never owned a female Dog before i got pup Heidi. so i cannot comment on your problem in way of advice
But what Kinolog said is correct regards the eating out of your hand bit
ALL my dogs when Pups are fed entiriely from my hand. for the first two to three weeks as Pups when i get them, then two to three times a week after when adults
They know then where there food comes from and they look only to me for it
i think this in its self creates a strong bond, which is important right from a Pup
Mind you i have some nicks and bruises after Heidi has finished eating she is like a little wolf but a little at the time
Steve

I think he is refering to bitework issues.

Raymond,
Please describe what she does when she is confronted by the helper.  Does she expect you to do the protecting?  Would she rather be "playing" with you and could care less about the what the helper is doing?  I have seen crating as described above help with some dogs.  The philosphy is that the dog that is consistantly with his or her owner has no need to protect itself, dad will take care of me.  By crating or withholding of affection, the dog will re-connect with iteself and its protective instincts.  In addition, lack of play during non training days, builds a desire to play and if the helper is the only one that offers the oppurtunity to play, sooner or later they play the game, just can't help it.  Seems cruel to someone with a very strong bond with their dog,   Someimes thought it is the only way to go from pet to working dog.

Other opinions???

No you must alpha roll her to establish your dominance...........

Please note sarcasm

  the largest issue is what our regional level helpers tells me is seperation anxiety even on the traing field. She becomes more concerned with where I am rather than the action on the field.  At her age there is some concern that we may have to pressure her to bite later down the road. defense is something we are very carefull to use on a young dog. But with me @ play and training she seems to be tough or hard headed and will contest my authority.  should I stick to schedule  her time away from me in kennel on a regular basis for seperation anx? Comments