Doglistener

Hi I don't think you have a problem, this isn't the play aggression I was refering to, I was alluding to the aggression when WE play with our dogs ie aggression aimed at humans whilst playing with your dogs. What you are experiencing is normal adolescent and puppy behaviour and is a good way for them to let off steam. :lol: However if you feel that it is getting out of hand do not allow them to do it indoors only outside.I would recommend for this situation either a water pistol and give them a squirt but do not give a command. Or alternatively get a largish plastic pill bottle and put some nuts and bolts in it to make a rattle. To set this as a noise aversion deterrent, separate the dogs and set the noise aversion bottle on each one in turn whilst the other dog is not present. To do this properly you need to get some small treats cheese is ideal and keep putting them on the floor and say "TAKE IT" after the 5/6th take it go to put the treat down but dont say take it and do not actually put the treat down, the dog will experience a quick pang of disappointment when their is no treat on the floor. At this momnt rattle the bottle and throw it on the floor. Repeat this till the dog shows aversion to the sound. It will be obvious by the dogs body language. Then repeat with the other dog. Then use the noise aversion technique whenever you want to stop unwanted behaviour. Once again do not issue a command you want the dogs to think the noise comes because of their behaviour for it to work effectively. Do not overuse or they can become blaise and do not throw the bottle at the dogs only on the ground. Their are about 15% of dogs that this method has no effect on! Best of luck tell me how you get on. Doglistener

[My Jake and Chelsea play like this, how do you teach them to "play nice"?[/quote] Hi Can you give me a bit more detail?? For instance how old are they? are they siblings. How long have you had them? did you get them together? are they regualrly sparring? do they draw blood? do they only play fight when you are there? And Exactly what are they doing? Cheers Doglistener

[quote name='MajiesMom']Doglistener - I have to admit I haven't read your post through yet but I am wondering why you don't recommend playing tug-o-war with any dog? One other thing that I just can't leave unmentioned is you use the term POOR BREEDING AND RESCUE DOGS together. That gets to me because many dogs in rescue are not poorly breed they are from good lines with champion parents etc... but end up in rescue for whatever reason but are not necessarily poorly breed.[/quote] Hi Leslie Their are three reasons why I am against tug of war I see many dogs who's jaws and teeth are injured or badly affected by playing this game with puppies under 4.5 months old. The reason your pup has those hypodermic needles is because it has no jaw muscles up till they start to form and the puppy teeth start to drop out. The little sharp teeth are to teach the puppy bite inhibition ie not to put pressure on as it hurts. This starts with the puppy suckling too hard and the mother getting up and walking away because too much pressure on the teat has been exerted, and the siblings squeal or bark and turn away from play when the pup presses too hard. This is followed by the owners saying "ow" or "off" to further teach bite inhibition. To then play Tug of War with a pup that has no jaw muscles and only milk teeth is dangerous and can dislocate the jaw and distort the teeth affecting the adult teeth when they come through. Secondly in a young or adult dog I see many cases when this leads to object guarding and territorial guarding aggression. And thirdly most people who play tug of war throw the tug down afterwards therefore the dog wins, giving the dog a heightened sense of it's own hierarchical position and that can lead to dominant aggression. I actually recommend that some people do play tug and allow the dog to win but this is only in cases where the dogs have a severe lack of confidence or are timid. I think you should read the post in it's entirety before commenting on POOR BREEDING AND RESCUE DOGS please note where the AND is then read on. I am not suggesting that all rescue dogs come from poor breeding however poor breeding does form a significant part of the dogs I have to treat or the dogs I see in rescue. What I am suggesting is please adopt by all means but be aware of the risks. And get as much background and information as possible. Regards Doglistener

Hi Samsmama Sounds as if Sam is becoming an adult, in human terms he is 15 years old an awkward time for humans as well as dogs. I will try and help on the aggression side and if you want a program to stop Sam pulling post me again and I will give you a program for that part as well. this is one of my articles on aggression

[quote name='sashagirl']It's just that I have seen that poem, and they give credit to By Sandi Thompson[/quote] [quote]This is one of the poems from my site I wrote it after seeing a similar one using the "do I go back home today" statement [/quote] If it is the same as mine then they have misquoted as I mantioned I wrote it after seeing a slightly similar poem using "do I go back home today" Regards Doglistener

Hi I hope my name is not Sandi as I would have gone through an awful time at School and Work as I am male. :lol: My name is Stan . :wink: Doglistener

Hi This is one of my articles of food guarding it may be of help. If you want something on object guarding just post and iwll post it back. Doglistener. Guarding Food We spend a lot of time looking at how to train our dogs to do things we would like them to do, but we often ignore the times we accidentally teach them to do just the opposite. A classic example is "guarding" a food bowl. Since identifying who eats what, where, and when is part of establishing the hierarchy in a "pack" (to your dog read "family"), food guarding can be a symptom of much wider problems in the relationship between dogs and their owners. If your dog is inclined to be aggressive in other situations too, you should get expert help before putting any training regime into practice. However, food guarding does occur as an isolated problem, which has actually been taught to the dog by a well-meaning owner with exactly the opposite intention, and in this case it's usually fairly straightforward to cure. When I started training dogs I found my clients had generally got one of two reactions to this problem. These were "Ah well, you should have stopped that when he was a puppy" or "You're the boss, you'll have to insist." The first of these was hardly constructive and the second has put many a bitten owner into hospital, since methods of "insisting" generally involved removing a meal while the dog was eating. This was based on the theory that if you took food away and then gave it back to him often enough, he would "get used to it". Logically, this sounds as if it should work - they say you can get used to anything in time - and some dogs did tolerate this strange behaviour on the part of their owners quite well. Others got much, much worse. Look at it from the dog

Hi All Nice poem and oh so true This is one of the poems from my site I wrote it after seeing a similar one using the "do I go back home today" statement DO I GO BACK HOME TODAY When my family first bought me to live within their home. They cuddled and they pampered me and groomed with brush and comb. They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys. I sure do love my family, especially the tiny girls and boys. The children loved to feed me; and give me special treats. They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled up in their sheets I used to go for lovely walks, often several times a day. They even fought to hold my lead, I'm so very proud to say! These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory. for now I'm in a shelter, bereft of family. They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe. But I didn't know the difference between the old one and the new. The kids and I would grab a rag, and for hours we played tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed that bedroom rug. They said that I had lost control and would have to live outside. I didn't really understand all this, though I really really tried! The walks they stopped one by one; they said they had no time. I wish that I could change things; I wish I knew my crime. My life became so lonely shackled to a metal chain. I barked and barked continually I thought I was going insane. So they took me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why. So they said I caused an allergy, then said their last goodbye. If only I'd had some training, as a tiny little pup. I wouldn't have been so hard to live with, when I was all grown up. You only have one day left", I heard the kennel staff say. Does that mean I have a second chance? "Do I go back home today"? Doglistener

Hi Some great answers always use the OFF command as down or no confuses. The first thing to do is to teach the dog what off means. Teach Your Dog the

[quote]Yes I think that dog listeners reaction is a bit extreme also. I have read all of the posts twice and I am still not sure what the beef is. Are you so extremely upset because you were banned from the forum or because of the training methods which are advocated? Regardless of what my opinion is, I think it was said by Kaleb that the forum which has you in such turmoil is NOT a public forum, and while you may disagree with the training methods (as you have every right to if that is your wish), as I understand them (using a prong and/or e-collar to extinguish undesirable behaviors and to correct for disobeying a LEARNED command) this is legal and practiced in the United States. There are many different methods used here. [/quote] I am sure you think I am extreme and to some extent you may be right. However perhaps not for the reasons you have quoted. To answer your question my reaction is not about being banned, I would never have stayed on a site that advocated Prongs, Checks or shock collars on a 3/4 month old puppy. What annoyed me was after I was banned people complained about my banning and were then banned in turn Ken being one of them plus many others. I do not like the methods that Katz uses to instil "Discipline" into his dogs however I am aware that it is not illegal in the States, however what should be illegal is false guarantees and promises, money back agreements that are phoney and $10,000 bets on things no one can prove. What also should be illegal is to invite all on the forum with the false promise they will get advice from literally hundreds of trainers then to falsely manipulate the posts in the forum and Katz's favour for financial gain. To lie and attack other peoples techniques and web sites totally incorrectly by using employees and sychophants, posing as normal posters, especially when the person has no right of reply because they have been banned. Coupled with what I perceive to be a total disregard for mans finest companion the Dog and with total disdain for his clients "YOU" the general public. Is probably part of why I started this pos,t which has now had nearly thousand views. How about the fact that he has apparently had nothing to do with hands on training with dogs for years, yet still sells outmoded and archaic techniques. Knowledge do not stand still!!!!! I could go on about why I find this man distateful but just read the rest of the posts I do not appear to be on my own in my comments or assumptions. Even his own moderators struggled to have a good word to say about him. I rest my case, and will continue to love the animals I work with,. I will also continue to fight for the dog owner who needs knowledge not hype, proper advice not blatant profiteering and spin. Doglistener

Hi Kaleb I will say this very slowly, The site you go into which is Adams does not specify one breed! OK so far therefore you use of the analogy BMW OR MERCEDES is rubbish because we are not talking about one dog. Following OK so far? If he wishes to have a site that is dedicated to one breed or one concept then that is fine however in this case this site is inviting ALL in and suggesting it is a general site! them swiveling over and saying Ahhhhhh yes it is a public site but with private connotations. ie you can join the site you must promote Adams business. I was castigated by a woman or I think it was a women called Flame, she said she had been to my site and that I had recommended aggression and vicious techniques. It was so obvious the Katz had told her to say this and that the rest of the forum knew that she was lying totally and actually questioned her guess what her cooments were immedietley removed. Just how stupid does he think people are? I question his mental state and ability to converse or understand anything? Let me tell you this will not end on this site I intend to castigate this man till he has the bottle to challenge me then if he wants a financiaL BET I will arrange it. I will pusue him till he faces me. I am a personal trainer to 5 very large companies that also operate over in the USA I have been asked to come over their this year.........I therefore am happy to challenge whenever he wants. Remember I use no coercive methods no pain no check chains no E or Prong collars. Yet I can still control a dog whithin three minutes of meeting it and get it to walk to heel in that time both for me and the owner. Please answer my questions re do you belive Katz's way is the right way?. please also understand I do not ask people to pay for my knowledege. Secondly stop prostituting yourself for money .........Life and dogs are far more important than that. As it happens I don't want his money but I do want his head. Doglistener

[quote name='Kaleb124']And I think that it is outrageous to try to put someone out of business just because that person p*** you off. (talking specifically to Doglistener here.) It is like someone cutting you off in traffic so you decide to 1.) stalk them 2.) get the fired from their job and 3.) ruin their family/life.....basically try to take away every good thing that they have just because they are a crappy driver and they p*** you off. I just think that it is silly/dangerous.....people will end up reaping what they sow.[/quote] It appears that everyone one on this site likes to use car analogies, for instance Katz uses the analogy of going into a Mercedes dealership and talking about BMWs, sorry just is not the same his is a forum about dogs and as he says the hundreds of dog trainers can give advice on it. It isn't advertised as a German Shepherd ar an Akita site so that analogy is absolute BS. With your analogy about cutting people up also doesn't hold water, imagine if that man cut you up every time you went out on the road? well that is what Katz is doing with his attitude, tactics and archaic training ideas. Have you also forgotten his outburst that his main income comes from real estate? and dogs are just a sideline! :agrue: Doglistener

Hi Caleb I can tell you why GSD was bounced? Because he questioned why it should be my way or highway and unfortunately he questioned why I had been banned. I must stress that I did not go on the forum to cause problems I just answered peoples problems and thats all. Katz felt threatened and panicked but then all bullys are cowards. He threatens everyone that he will sue for slander if anyone disagrees or questions his ability. So! You are useless! a waste of space, a joke in the training world and you renege on your guarantees and promises. Sue me. if you are so confident of your own honesty and veracity. but you will have to prove your guarantees and promises. Doglistener

OK Katz Come on this forum and explain yourself? You will not beleive this mans arrogance if he does Doglistener

Kaleb [quote name='Kaleb124']DogListener -- You are taking many different bits of information out of context, twisting them, and making Adam look like a two-headed monster. There are many ways to "skin a cat"....There are many different ways to train dogs. Not all training methods work well with all dogs. Dog Problems Forum is NOT a PUBLIC forum. .[/quote] As far as I am concerned he is a two headed monster! you are well aware that I was banned immedietley therefore how can I converse with him, I never did in the first place all I did was answer some queries using behavioural approaches. I was bounced out the forum for that? however a large group of people then complained that I had been banned and said that it was like a breath of fresh air had wafted in so what did he do to the people who complained that I had been banned? Correct go to the top of the class "he banned them" Does this sound like a private forum to you? this is from the heading of his own site. [quote]Got A Dog Training Question? Here's How To Get An Answer From Hundreds Of Professional Dog Trainers, Dog Owners, Groomers, Veterinarians And Just Plain 'Ole Dog Lovers![/quote] How can you also countenance this mans methods when you clearly state [quote] There are many different ways to train dogs. Not all training methods work well with all dogs. [/quote] yet one of Katz's tirades starts with. [quote]There is a myth going around that I'm going to address here. The myth is that: Different dogs need different training approaches. This is bunk. Pure hogwash. [/quote] I am sorry if I have ruffled your feathers by suggesting this man should be investigated and stopped however that is exactly what should happen. He is a bully it shows in his methods it shows in his disdain for his clients and it shows in his arrogance. I don't believe bullies should be allowed anywhere near dogs. All he talks about is his dime "whatever that means" Money Money Money. he even said he didn't give a toss about the dog business because he is now involved in real estate and that's making enough money for him............................... Are you sure you feel comfortable with that statement and this man dealing with your dog? I personally wouldn't let him within 500 yards of any of my animals. When he had a revolt on his site because he had bounced me off he said I was trying to get business on the back of his site and once again on his dime, accusations that are patent lies. I am a Behaviourist based in London UK. I don't sell dodgy videos or books therefore how could I be profiting. I love dogs it is that simple. I don't sell my knowledge [color=red]I give it away[/color] just type in doglistener in to any search engine and see how many sites I have my articles reproduced on "FOR FREE" look at my website see how much information I give away for FREE see if their is any mention of money see iF their is any mention of aids such as Prongs, checks, or shock collars see if I am selling any goods? Noooooo I am not DOING any of these things I am imparting my expertise and advice to dog lovers....FULL STOP. On top of that I study 3 hours a day I am studying for a doctorate and unlike Katz I deal with dogs every day, by his own admission he hasn't personally trained dogs for years. does he imagine knowledge stands still? Please don't try and explain or condone the likes of Adam Katz to me I have met his ilk before and I deplore and abhor them all. The sooner this type of trainer is put out of business the better for all concerned but especially the dogs. Doglistener

Hi All Can someone tell me is their a professional body or a central group I can complain too regarding this man and his practices or are they generally accepted in the USA? I have decided that his flagrant misuse for his own financial ends of what is supposed to be a Dog Forum is so disgusting that I feel I must do more. This is by no means a critical of Americans only the few that want to abuse rather than co-exist with their pet. I hope you will join with me in trying to close down this terrible site and putting this man out of business and all the dogs out of harms way. Regards Doglistener

Hi Ellie I totally agree he really must be stopped. Doglistener

Hi all You have restored my belief in human nature :angel: and that pain and suffering is not the way forward, brutality and fear should never be part of integrating a dog into our families. For Hundreds of years we have used the idea of "Dog Training" as the way to apparently educate our pets to our way of thinking. However is the term "Dog Training" still relevant in this day and age. The Adam Katz method of training using check chains, prong and electric collars is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Unfortunately this sergeant major mentality is still out there and still used by many trainers, however the more enlightened have moved away from the let him know who

Hi Guys This was one of the mediators of this sites giving advice today on a 16 week old Bichon a normally timid and shy dog at this age..... the dog was barking!. As we all know a pinch collar is a prong collar and should never be used on Pups of this age, and to suggest an electonic shock collar the mind just boggles. [quote]First I would try the ignoring tactic. Once a pup learns that it will get some form of response from you [even a negative one,] it has learned that it can manipulate you with its vocal chords. If this be the case, [especially since the pup is 4 months old,] I would put a pinch collar on the little loud mouth with a leash attached. For the first peep out of its mouth, I would give it a corrective 'PoP!' with the leash very matter-of-factly. Now I would just as matter-of-factly say "No." Do not show anger, be very emotionless. It should take no more than two or three corrections to get your point across. Adam's book goes into excellent detail as to how to do this properly/appropriately, and how it works from the dog's/pup's standpoint. If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it. If your pup is a horribley tough customer, then invest in a good bark collar. Adam has some excellent ones available via this site. If this is the route you decide to take, please do not cut corners and buy a cheapy. You can cause big problems with them, and/or as friend of mine found out, they spent less money on 3 different cheapies only to have them all malfunction and/or quit in short order..[/quote] And this is the start of a long tirade from Katz the site owner where he refutes his money back guarantees and berates everyone. I think you mayl get a feel for this sadist. [quote]There is a myth going around that I'm going to address here. The myth is that: Different dogs need different training approaches. This is bunk. Pure hogwash. [/quote] Doglistener

Hi Guys I may way out of order here, if so the moderators can remove my post. I visited a site recently owned by an American so called trainer called Adam Katz. the site is dogproblem.com he only allows people to voice opinions that are pro his techniques and bans anyone else that even remotely criticises or that suggests methods that are not his own. Remember his is a public forum supposedly for training ideas. I was horrified by the methods he suggested using including prong, electric, and choke chains on little puppies. I live and practice as a Behaviourist in the UK, if he tried these techniques here he would be more than likely prosecuted and probably run out of town on a rail. :evil: This trainer sells videos and books of his methods with money back guarantees that appear worthless. His bullying tone, aggressive attitude and his belief that his way is the only way and all else is highway is unbelievable. Please tell me that these ignorant, archaic, and barbaric training methods are not common in the USA and this man is just a one off. :roll: Regards Doglistener

[quote name='Boscoe13']Hi its me again, ill prob be askin alot of questions so i apologize in advance, i know that pups like to bite things alot, but my whe me and my lil pit are playing not rough or anything, he usually start biting my hands than he just kinda tries to bite everything... i usually just stop playing eighter walk away and say the "ouch" and the "NO" let him calm down a bit before i start playing again or when he starts biting i give him another toy but that usually doesnt work for too long, what else can i do to teach him that biting is a no no..[/quote] Teach Your Dog the

Hi Reading this thread I would imagine because the dog is with you nearly all the time, when you do leave her she will suffer from anxietyit also sounds as if you have close bonded which may also exaserbate the situation. I have posted an article from my Website under the training section of this forum as someone else was worried about this problemit is all about separation anxiety, diagnosis, and treatment plan. You may wish to have a look at it. Best of luck Doglistener

Hi All there is a technique whereby you can teach your dog to heel without the use of any aid including gentle leaders check chains halti's or harnesses. WALKING TO HEEL Firstly you should understand why the dog pulls, it is either Anticipation, this one doesn't pull on the way back from the park! Dominance this one wants to lead the hunt and pulls at all times. Fear puller only pulls on the way back from the park. However there is also a fourth one and quite often this can be one of the main reasons dogs pull. Dogs like to feel you at the end of the lead, it gives them comfort when they are ahead and can't actually see you. Irrespective of the motive or the reason this technique works for all: 1. A proper leather or canvas collar, not a thin one but a normal fairly wide one, thin rolled collars bite into the neck, therefore I would not recommend them. Never use a check or choke chain this is a barbaric outdated method of lead control and their isn

Hi Most aggression is based on fear but occassionally you come across dogs that are hereditary aggressive and in this case it is incurable, you can only control the situation with muzzles etc I am not saying that this is the case with your dog but with it being a pit cross then there is a possibility. I live and practice as a behaviourist in London and the dogs I have to treat the most for hereditary interdog aggression is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and for human aggression it is the Engllish Bull Terrier and the German Shepherd. The Pit is banned in the UK so I do not treat them all that regularly but I have found them to be similar in temperament to both the English and the Staff. It is always difficult to know what type of temperament you will get when you cross two breeds from vastly different backgrounds ie a gundog/hunting dog and a guarding dog you have similar problems when you cross from herding to guarding etc. In your case I think it is time to call in the Pro's contact a reputable behaviourist but first check with your Vet that there is not something medical that is causing the aggression, their are many instances where things like pain etc can cause aggressive behaviour. In the meantime E Mail me and I will send you some articles on Dominance and Aggressive Behaviour Modification. However I must stress that this is just for guidance and really you need the dog professionally assessed as you cannot take any chances especially where children could be at risk. Kind regards Doglistener e-mail [email][email protected][/email]

Hi It is unusual for a dog to mess in it's own bed as the mother teaches the pups that this is a big no no.. Sometimes it is because we are putting paper in the crate instead of covering the whole bottom with something like Vet Bed. i Or it could be your dog was seperated from it's mother and siblings at a very early age ie 4/4.5 weeks. It is better to cover the crate with a blanketasn the dog will accept a dark cosy den better that a light open spaced one. put treats in the crate on a regular basis so when the dog goes in it finds them. The following should help. Establish Meal Periods If you feed and water your dog on a schedule, your dog will eliminate on a schedule. free feeding and free watering your dog will make the job of house training much more difficult...First, establish meal periods. three to four meal periods for young puppies and a single or a double meal period for adult dogs. The meal period will last for 10 minutes. During that time give the required amount of food and as much water as the dog wants. At the end of the meal period, remove the food and water whether or not the dog has eaten, unless instructed otherwise by your veterinarian. If the dog plays and does not eat, he will soon learn that the food will be taken away. This also helps to discourage picky eating habits. Place Your Dog on Commands Many dog owners inadvertently teach their dogs to eliminate indoors. Each time they take their dog outside they wait for him to eliminate. As soon as he does, they bring him in. Most dogs, especially young ones, like the sights and smells of the outdoors. So they quickly learn that as soon as they eliminate, they are taken inside. They learn to hold it until they come inside to prolong the experience. It makes better sense to train your dog to eliminate on command, especially if you must lead walk him. Take your dog to "his spot" each time. As your dog begins to urinate, choose a word and say it over and over as the behavior is occurring (I say "wee") do this each time your dog urinates. After several weeks of hearing "wee" as he urinates, it will eventually act as a trigger for the behavior. I use a different phrase for defecating. Each time your dog finishes, praise him while offering a food reinforcement (a treat). I use cheese or dried liver. When he has finished, take him for a walk as a reward! If your dog fails to eliminate in 5 minutes, take him inside crate him for a half-hour and then try again. The Instructive Reprimand each time you take your dog outside say, "Outside". Soon he will learn what outside means Then, if the dog inappropriately urinates inside in your presence, say "Outside" and take him to "his spot". "Outside" becomes an instructive command because it directs the dog to the appropriate elimination place and it is a reprimand because of the tone of voice you use as the behavior is occurring, thus acting as a negative reinforcement.