I have recently been questioned about my dog experience by someone on the board, and the tone of that message was to the affect that I am misrepresenting myself on the board while offering training advice.

So I will get everything out in the open, because I have nothing to hide, and I don't want anyone to think that I am someone different from who I am.

My mother was a dog trainer when I was a child, not me. I helped take care of a bunch of puppies, and learned how to live with dogs.

The majority of my training experience is on rescue dogs. First, with my mother, but mostly on my own. I learned how to train dogs through reading, videos, and trial and error, not through working with professional trainers. I have successfully trained and hunted my own labs.

Since I have been an adult, I have never raised a working puppy to adulthood. I have never handled a dog in a sport trial. I did not start handling or training working dogs until April of 2011.

Since becoming a military dog handler I have done primarily detection and obedience training. Fama is a single purpose explosives detector dog, not a patrol dog. The Afghan dogs I trained were single purpose detection dogs. I have worn a suit to take bites from experienced dogs for fun. I have never been a protection trainer of any kind.

I am not an experienced judge of dogs doing protection work, as my research and experience are not in that field.



If I have misrepresented myself in any way to any member of this forum, by word or inference, I apologize, and it was unintentional.

If I have given what in your opinion is bad advice. It's worth what you paid for it.

I have some experience with dogs, and I share my opinion here in hopes to make someone's life with their dog better.

Please feel free to ask here any questions you have of me.

I've never thought you had misrepresented your experience David!

David - you are a nice bloke, interesting, knowledgeable and articulate, you have more experience of handling powerful dogs, that most people couldn't begin to handle in their wildest dreams.

There are alot of people that talk out of their arse and give incorrect and dangerous advice - you are NOT one of them.

you have nothing to apologize for.

Your like a lot of us, in training, and we'll be in training for the rest of our lives

 Quote: David Winners

If I have given what in your opinion is bad advice. It's worth what you paid for it.

Touche'!

The knowlege of this forum is a COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE. There is no single expert here; collectively, the forum may still not be an expert. It consists of people that have specific experience which contributes to the totality of thr forum's knowledge. People come here to bounce their ideas off of others, and have to weed through differing advice to get the info that they need. Even among professional dog trainers there is rarely complete agreement, and plenty of bad advice.
Anyone here who thinks their advice or experience trumps that of another is sadly mistaken, and needs to take a long look in the mirror. I too have noticed that some posters tend to feel like thay are more of an authoriy than others, and can actually get pretty pushy about it.

David; if the person who addressed you in such a fashion is not a mod, he/she needs to be reported. I'm sure you'll be hearing from some mods soon.

Peace, brother.

Gee... I don't check the posts for a week or so and miss stuff. What I gonna do?

David, just post the stuff you want to post and comment on the stuff you want to comment on. In my experience here, if some one agrees or disagrees it has most often to do with opinions, and everyone has opinions offered cum grano salis.

If your comments resonate, good. If some one disagrees, so what? If you are willing to share your opinions and suggestions or comments, the forum is the richer for the participation and discussion.

Rained a bit last night. The morning seems the fresher after an early morning rain. And a cup of coffee. One observation and two opinions...

I love your posts, I think you are terrific, I want to hear all of it.

David, I think you're the epitome of openness and honesty and have been quite clear about what your experience has been.

Backing it up with your incredible story, that I'm sure, anyone with questions, could get clarified with a few inquiries.

I think very few have reason to question your integrity and from what I've read, certainly not your intentions.

It's a shame someone would do that.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

David, I think you're the epitome of openness and honesty and have been quite clear about what your experience has been.

Backing it up with your incredible story, that I'm sure, anyone with questions, could get clarified with a few inquiries.

I think very few have reason to question your integrity and from what I've read, certainly not your intentions.

It's a shame someone would do that.

Huge Ditto!
I completely agree. I love reading your posts David, and FWIW, I think it's an honor to have you here!

David,

In many ways, you are just like a good share of us, someone who has lived with and worked with dogs most of our lives. That's about the only thing I think we all have in common. Some are professional trainers or dog handlers. Many of us are not. Some have stepped into competition rings. Many of us have not. Some are vets. Many are not. Yet we all bring our different experiences and perspectives to this forum and benefit from the sharing. Your value has been the unique experiences you bring to the group as a military dog handler, something that many of us never experienced. Over time here, we all have learned when it's appropriate to give advice, when to just read and enjoy, and when to share our experiences. If someone steps out of line, usually they are called on it.

I haven't read anything from you that I have found lacking in value, inappropriate, or misrepresenting. You episodes about you and Fama have been riveting. Don't change a thing. Press on.

JMHO from a total layman.