I overheard this at training the other night, our trainer was talking to a handler that had a nervous dog, and the trainer suggested that the handler take the dog somewhere "busy", use 4' leash to make a tie-out, secure the dog to something then walk 6 or 7 feet away.

The idea was that the dog would benefit from being "on its own" in a situation that made it uncomfortable, and that this would help it to be less nervous in these situations.

Ugh. Am I off base in thinking this is a terrible suggestion?

Cripes-poor dog! Sounds like a good way to ruin a dog. If the dog's already nervous, I would think that this situation would greatly increase the chances of fear-biting. Not to mention, if the dog is already afraid, and it's so-called "pack-leader" just ties him/her up and watches people scare the poor thing (even unintentionally), the dog will never trust it's owner, I would think.

Jeez - this was a trainer that suggested this??? If I were you, I'd be having second thoughts about this "trainer"...just my two cents...

No you are not off base IMO.
That is a terrible way to socialize a dog.

Tied out with no where to go when people approach and make the dog nervous.....YIKES
Sounds like a recipe for a dog bite to me. Your trainer sounds like they need some training......

Nervous dogs benefit from strong, fair leadership NOT from having the decisions left up to them. That creates anxiety and fear. Mix anxiety and fear with a tie out so the dog cannot flee and they are left with the other half of the fight/flight response. Stupid stupid stupid.

Yeah. It's the first stupid thing I've heard her say in 2 years, but she certainly doesn't get a full pass on merit. Fortunately my relationship with her has changed since I've bought into Ed's philosophy, and I don't have a problem shrugging off her advice...but I'm concerned for others who know less.

David,

I think she would benefit if you sat her down and talked with her privately on the matter. Even if she does not seem receptive at first, she may start researching a bit and change her tune.

Maybe, but my fight/flight response is more tuned to avoiding conflict. You're right though. I'll give it some thought.

Just remember, there is nothing wrong with voicing your opinion, especially with a potentially dangerous situation as someone getting bit by a fearful dog.

Also, do not talk to the handler of the dog without talking to the trainer as well, that will cause issues beyond the most important one, being the dog.

I agree, it's not a good idea at all, you put a CONFIDENT dog on a back tie NOT a NERVOUS dog. I agree with everyone here.

I have gone to a trainer before for drak and I have never heard of this before. This is terrible for a dog and very scary, I never could do that to a dog, but that is how I am. I hate conflict myself but I agree with the others as well, it has to be delt with because it is dangerouse. When my son Vince and my husband Dave went for training, it was always outdoors for distration because they said dogs usually are outdoors but as I seen and read Ed's podcasts and I realized it is wrong and they should be trained first before and distractions. The training was only for 1/2 hr and you could go as you please as the trainers front yard. Sometimes there were a couple of people and sometimes no one depending on the weather. There were always one or two trainers depending on how many people showed up. They only used prong collars on the dogs and leashes like Ed states. He had difference hrs because of peoples work scheduels so it would easier for people to make it and it was at least twice a week with Sundays 1/2 socialization. The dogs were always with the handler to feel confort and the trainer was there to correct you and to show how it was done. They did say to go the mall for socializing and to always have the dog with you close by and never have anyone pet them and if anyone wanted to pet the dog to let them know politely that you are in traing, theirfore cannot pet them but the dog should always be with you and close even when training in public with distraction and this is only when the dog is fully trained like Ed states in his podcasts and DVD.
Maggie