I'm on a knitting forum and today's topic was a BC that had gotten aggressive w/ a 3 y/o. Main reason was the child was playing roughly with the dog.

My basic advice is separate, work with dog and child separately, then supervise playtime together.

But someone else tells them that the problem is that the pup doesn't see child as out ranking and one suggestion to remedy this was to giving and removing food then when he was comfortable with an adult doing it to have the child do it so he saw that she outranked him. And that the dogs are allowed to figure out their own differences amongst themselves, guard toys from another dog trying to steal it, but never from humans.

To me this sounded like a recipe for disaster and I politely stated as much. I really want to counter that type of info because you can end up with major issues. But they just reply with "I've had dogs for 15 years (or something like that) and it has always worked for us".

So what do you/would you say in a situation like this? I'm not the argumentative type, but when you have a kid involved - YIKES!

FWIW, I've stated my case and probably won't add further to the other thread, but I am curious to see how others handle this type of thing.

The closed minded person doesn't want to hear what you have to say. IME.
They really don't want advice, they just want you to hear their story.

Use an E Collar, every time the child mistreats the puppy, stim at level 4 and work up to level ten.

I couldn't get a job as dog trainer so I decided to become a child behavioral specialist...

My response:

"I would ask for advice on a board that's loaded with experienced dog trainers, founded by a well-known trainer and trainer of trainers, and get opinions there ---- particularly in a situation involving a child." and I would add: http://leerburg.com/pdf/WebBoard.pdf

to the child behavioral speciaist = did you mean put the e collar on the child? Being funny but realistic. The dog's issues usually stem from a learned behavior - the child having teased the dog or another child playing rough with the dog and the dog seeing the child as such. In veterinary offices, we have learned that dogs do not perceive small children as humans - they do not act like adults, they waddle and toddle, they screech and pull ears and tails. Therefore, the dog either sees them as a play toy or as a threat. Dogs - especially herding dogs - should always be supervised with children and the other way around. My feelings are, they both need training. But, again, just my opinion, for what it's worth!

Mara, I run into this all the time on a chicken forum I also belong to. Some of the advice which is given absolutely drives me insane. Just the other day, on a potty training issue, came the always popular "put his nose in the mess and calmly say NO! BAD DOG". I honestly thought it was a joke, but it was not - she was dead serious. Fortunately, there are two very experienced dog folks who also post there, but the "red neck" professionals far, far outweigh the saner opinions. I throw the LB website around constantly and recommend ME's dvds to all who will listen. It IS frustrating!!

I personally like having a site to mention to people even if they really don't want it. I feel like I did my part that way. Before I had no place to tell people to go that wanted to have more info about dog training/rearing. I know this site has more solid information than any other that I have found.

I agree with Betty, try once or twice to offer advice or guide to where to get good advice after that I don't care what happens it's their problem and another story for them to tell!

 Quote: betty landercasp

The closed minded person doesn't want to hear what you have to say. IME.
They really don't want advice, they just want you to hear their story.

Ditto! 90% of posters on ANY forum are only interested in telling you that you are wrong!!

A "KNITTING" forum? Seriously!?!!!
If I want to knit one and pearl three or four I think that's entirely my right!

 Quote: bob scott

A "KNITTING" forum? Seriously!?!!!
If I want to knit one and pearl three or four I think that's entirely my right!

LOL! Believe it or not, knitting has made a big comeback and is huge in some circles, there are hundreds of types/brands of yarn and thousands of patterns to choose from.

And there ain't nothin' more comfy that hand knit wool socks in a northern winter