If you're dead, why would you care what the dog did?

If the dog was so loyal that he'd have to be shot so the recovery team could get close to your body...........would that make you happy?


Randy

I was just re-watching the training-humans-with-markers part of this video http://leerburg.com/219.htm to refresh my memory before doing the exercise with my club.

The o.p. here flashed into my mind, and what the dog would take away, if anything, from the "test" described. "Owner took nap in nice field for playing. Owner got up, became angry and punishing. Reason: unknown."

I don't want to do a pile-on here. I just want to say that this was not a "test" of anything at all, and all it accomplished was an unpleasant mystery event for the dog, initiated by an owner who wonders about "loyalty."

But it could have been a great game of fetch or anything at all that would actually enhance the dog-human bond.

Marker training in a field, even, or a game of Chuck-it. No effort for anyone but the dog, but a great time for everyone.

Maybe I should not have asked that question, used the wrong words or should have rephrased it, I apologize for that once again. I have no problem admitting my fault.

But contrary to your view, Cindy, I am a responsible, loving owner who treats her dog very well. Like most Dutch, I am very open minded, analytical, I love brainstorming, people and dogs ,but this is too harsh, even for my taste. This dog came with a retrieving obsession and would have ended up in a dog shelter or would have been killed if I would not have bought it. You may not believe this but a policeman/narcotics dog trainer was impressed with the bite work of my dog. And I come from a family that has adopted countless dogs, dismissed by their previous owners, left behind to starve in our area . So I regret those less friendly comments. If I am thrown off this board for simply expressing the latter, so be it.

Allow me however to thank all those that have answered my questions so far. Thank you, I really appreciate it, I will re read those with a smile

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, love your sense of humor, Randy.

The idea was to act like I was injured, not dead (lol).

Adopting is great. I do it too.

But the "test" wasn't fair or logical.

So moving on, you can see (I hope) that focusing on actual bond-enhancing activities instead of a "test" that would have meant nothing at all to the dog (for all the reasons mentioned) would actually forward your objective.

Presented with a napping owner and a standing, possibly-play-minded owner, I know which one I would choose to spend an hour in a field with.

 Quote: Rosalinda van den Ham

, love your sense of humor, Randy.

The idea was to act like I was injured, not dead (lol).

Then good. Now you know that if you ever lie down in a field, the dog will not eat you.

That was a good test!

I understand, I will keep my playing with my dog then.

I wanted to give my 1/2 cents worth. I don't have a German Shepherd or working dog at all. Mine is a little ankle biter, but breed descended from shepherds. I also don't know anything about training or bite work, etc.

But with all that said, when I got my dog (about six months old) I kept her tethered to me and did lots of marker training with high value treats. She also was obsessed with fetching, and still is. But she is absolutely a super loyal dog and I think it is because of the tethering.

I don't know if your dog is too old for that, but I do know that my dog recognized her owner very quickly. I have never been hurt but the reason I think she is loyal is she follows my every step (right at my heel and even touching it most times). She even alerts me if my grandson leaves his bedroom and goes to the couch, for instance. She has done this without being directed to. Also, if my ex his here (with his dog, a boxer) and he plays fetch with her, she will immediately stop and follow me if I so much as move from my chair. (She is also very close to him but still knows me as her owner.)

I'm sure some of the experienced trainers and owners can let you know about the tethering, but I am a supporter of it.

My dog is about 1.5 years old now.

Hope this helps.

ps

My dog has a propendency to be aggressive.

Thanks for the reply, Nora

I bought the dog when he was 2 yrs old, so I do not know if the tethering ( I had to look it up in a dictionary engl.=dutch , see I am also extending my phraseology in english) will still work, but it makes perfect sense to me so I will use this method for my next dog. This time I am looking for a laid back, loyal,large (female)breed that does not care so much for fetching.
I wonder still if this retrieving obsession could be diminished... I wish Ceasar Milan was here, so I could hire him.

P.S My dog has a tendency to be agressive too, although only with other male dogs (he's an alpha dog). I looks as if there is a direct link with prey drive and dog dominance.

Maybe some of the experienced people will post for you about tethering. I know Connie takes in older and senior dogs and I think she tethers.

Also, invest some time on this web site and look over the videos, ebooks and questions.

There are few 'alpha' dogs, although many people think there are because they show signs of agression. This does not necessarily make them alpha. Also, you would need to assess why your dog exhibits agressive behavior. This, too, is not necessarily from dominance, but can be fear, etc.

Please look over this web site and learn what is offered.

I also think the 'test' you gave your dog was not test at all. I can not understand what other result you could have gotten.