May 13, 2011
My dog cowers when I grab it by the collar. What can I do to fix this problem?
Full Question:
Ed,I bought your basic obedience video. Great video!!! I have a 13-month-old female Rottweiler. She would be considered a soft dog. She is very submissive to any other dog or person. This is not a problem. What concerns me is that when I raise my voice or grab her by the collar, she cowers away and usually rolls over. I have never hit her, but have never hesitated to grasp her by the collar or scuff of the neck to correct her when nipping or swatting at me. Is there any type of exercise I can do with her to help build up her confidence? This is strictly a "pet" and I have no desire for any type of protection work. This is my first dog, and I am starting to think that maybe I was too firm with her from day one.
Thanks,
Mike
Ed's Answer:
You have answered your own question. You screwed up from day one.
Training a soft dog (like yours) is not an easy job for a new trainer. It takes thought. You need to think about your corrections and praise - jack the level of praise (like I explain in the video) ten times and back off these corrections 10 times. If this dog is that soft, you should not have to grab the dog - simply raising your voice should be enough.
The bottom line is these kinds of dogs usually respond well to obedience training if it is done properly. Once the understands the exercises they can be made to mind because they will work for the praise that comes with doing a good job. They find comfort in doing the right thing.
The key is being 100% consistent with the dog. You can be calmly firm as long as the excessive praise is there for the dog when it does what you expect it to do.
Your work right now is to correct the problem you have created. You are about to find out that it's more difficult to fix problems than to do good training in the first place.
Training a soft dog (like yours) is not an easy job for a new trainer. It takes thought. You need to think about your corrections and praise - jack the level of praise (like I explain in the video) ten times and back off these corrections 10 times. If this dog is that soft, you should not have to grab the dog - simply raising your voice should be enough.
The bottom line is these kinds of dogs usually respond well to obedience training if it is done properly. Once the understands the exercises they can be made to mind because they will work for the praise that comes with doing a good job. They find comfort in doing the right thing.
The key is being 100% consistent with the dog. You can be calmly firm as long as the excessive praise is there for the dog when it does what you expect it to do.
Your work right now is to correct the problem you have created. You are about to find out that it's more difficult to fix problems than to do good training in the first place.
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