I never let others outside of my immediate family give my dog commands. My neighbor was once a little offended when he told my dog to "sit" (in order to pet him) and I told my dog to "leave it" and then called him to my side. I then allowed my neighbor to pet my dog. Anybody else experience this?

Also, I am reluctant to share my obedience commands in front of strangers in order that they do not use these commands to confuse my dog in the event of a problem. Of course, my dog should ignore those commands and protect me based on the actions of the stranger. Nevertheless, I don't think it wise that the cable repairman, etc., learn the commands for my dog. Any thoughts on this?

And finally, "no" is not normally a word I use to correct or re-direct my dog, but being human it sometimes slips. I've vowed that with my next dog I will never use that word. Any more thoughts?

For a lot of reasons I allow and even encourage my dogs to respond to other people under specific circumstances, including obedience commands. However I also train that command from me take precedence over anything else. Including protection commands.

If the dog will respond to no one else you have a problem if you need to leave the dog with another person, or go out of town. In addition if something happens and the dog gets away from yuo I prefer that someone else be able to bring the dog back, rather than having to count on being found to deal with the situation. It can happen no matter how careful you are.

The other thing I see as an unintended consequance is that the dog may react aggressively to someone else giving a command. The dog knows that the other person shouldn't be giving the commands and may become defensive about it. That could be a problem.

What if the tv repair man knocks you over the head with a wrench, renders you unconscious and then says the down command to your dog that you just gave 30 seconds earlier? Hey, it's pretty unlikely that this would happen, fortunately, but nevertheless I'm reluctant to share controlling commands with strangers. Maybe I'm over cautious, but you never know.

Well, how about this. You are working in the garage, your devoted K-9 near you.
You have a heart attack, your neighbor calls 911. The dog will not let anyone get near you.

What happens next?? Remember only you can command your dog. :rolleyes:

What happens if your are attacked, made unconcious, your K-9 has the Perp in a solid thigh bite. The police arrive, what happens then?

This is where commands could be used by a neighbor or close friend to not only SAVE your life but also SAVE your dogs.

This might be a little far fetched but it could happen.
I've had something similar to this happen a few yrs back. Dog has drug addict in a arm bite on the ground.The police arrive, I'm out of town. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> The dog will not out for my wife. Police want to shoot my dog. Dog releases perp but continues to guard him. A deputy friend arrives gets dog on leash and kennels him. He had worked with K-9's and has little trouble handling my GSD.

YEP, IT CAN HAPPEN!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Hopefully it will not!

Good points Butch. That's why I come here. I guess it cuts both ways. So I suppose it's good to train with the decoy using commands against your dog. Do you guys (and gals, sorry <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) do this?

The dogs will take him out and he can say anything he likes. All three will be on him and nothing he says, or commands will have any efect. They are trained that way. If one of us are attacked the dogs take them out. This type of situation is worked. Even with people they know well.

My wife and the guy that takes care of the house when we are gone got in to a heated discussion and all the dogs came and stood near her. He gave her a friendly shove, and the only thing that saved him was an out command. The Giant ws half way there and the BRT was comming. This guy can come in our house when we are gone, feeds them regularly, and they will still take him out no questions.

The only time the dogs will follow commands from other people is if they are on lead and we give the person the lead. Off lead, or working with one of us they will totally ignore the other person. THe situation is confusing for the dog in the begining, but they learn the rules and will follow them.

Well thanks again Richard. I see I'm keeping ya busy tonight. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Russell, when I was working my GSD he would not obey any command from a helper/decoy or attacker he was engaged with. Once the command is given only I could re-direct him. Is this good?? I thought so at the time. Now I wonder if it was smart on my part to train this way. Lack of experience and knowledge on my part. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

DARN, wish they would have had a DISSCUSION BOARD of the Caliber then. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Richard posted:
The only time the dogs will follow commands from other people is if they are on lead and we give the person the lead. Off lead, or working with one of us they will totally ignore the other person. THe situation is confusing for the dog in the begining, but they learn the rules and will follow them.

Butch: This sounds like a good way to train, my only concern is how often do we work our dogs on lead? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

If the WHAT IF Never Happens you are OK, if not?

I'm glad my new pup is strickly a sport dog and nothing more. Then again maybe when she gets older and has what it takes, we'll see then. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well Butch, if the decoy can re-direct the dog WHILE ENGAGING THE DOG then there is a serious problem. You don't have to be a pro to know that one. So I can understand why you felt the way you did.

Although completely trained for off lead, my dogs are on lead most of the time. First it is the local law. It is also a safety concern. I don't care how well trained they are there is always something that could come up. I look at it like protection training. I train for it, but I hope I will never have to use it.