I've gotten a lot of conflicting "advice" about "staring down" a dog to "show it who's boss". To me this sounds downright dangerous. Is there any use for it? Should you ever look a dog in the eyes for any length of time? If you know the dog? If you have a solid relationship?

Also, I'm curious on what everyone thinks about this article I read the other day:
http://www.flyingdogpress.com/hostage.html

In short, it compares methods similar to Ed's groundwork to Stockholm Syndrome. My first thought was, "Humans are NOT dogs!" But I always like to hear what others have to say on these topics. Interestingly enough, the writer is supportive of prong collars and tends to dismiss head halters as next to useless.

I dont think staring down the dog is advisable; its a challenge for a fight and thats not what we want to solicite!
Never should be done to a dog that you dont know and if you do know the dog there are a thousand more efficient ways of establishing oneself as Alpha..
To put it plainly; no not good, not efficient, not advisable!

I read the article. I agree with everything Kacie said.

A couple of additional thoughts.....I was fortunate enough once to have 2 dogs for a long time, then a third one came in for a short time, kept together, outside all the time (mild climate area). They all got along beautifully. One female GSD, admit was my favorite, wanted nothing more than to be with me when I came out. The other 2 would of course gather around and would be happy and playful but weren't tied to me like she was. She was always on the ready, always willing, always cooperative.

I may be wrong but I don't think Ed wrote about always keeping dogs separate, but meant it as a groundwork when bringing in a new dog or puppy into a house with an existing dog.

Which is what I'd do if I ever get another dog. After groundwork, and if they got along, the dogs would be together, play together, work together, walk together, ride together.

Staring down a dog to show it who's boss..... Most dogs don't need "staring down". If a dog needed it, that wouldn't be the dog I would stare down. I've stared at my dog, with love and tenderness in my eyes - he knows the difference between a challenging stare and a loving stare. And may I add that he responds differently to them.

I agree; there are several different ways of looking at a dogs eyes, I do give a hard look when reprimanding bad behavior but its not a fixed glassy stare.
I also use an intense excited stare when buiding up during play time, but the dog does the same and if you hold em a few seconds like that it seems to help them get into drive...but Im not training for bitework, just for fun.
And of course there are the long loving gazes that usually end in the dog licking my face (ahem...of course I dont do anything that mushy)

I harden my eyes and look directly in their eyes when correcting for pack structure issues like begging. or when I just want them to stop being naughty doing defiant puppy type behaviors or being obnoxious.
I wouldn't have a stare down over aggresive type behaviors and I never give the cats a stare down...that is asking to get bit or scratched!!

And I work with them all in being comfortable looking into my eyes during training so that they can better judge my visual clues

That article is ridiculous.

Yes Will, if I may add; What a bunch of gibberish.



If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

 Quote: Will Rambeau

That article is ridiculous.

Oh, thank god. For half a second I thought I was doing something wrong.

Thanks for the comments from some more experienced dog people.

For a minute there, I was afraid I had brainwashed my dog.

But, then, she would poo outside like I want her to. Right?