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Re: Question for the Protection trainers......
[Re: Lisa Swanston ]
#21185 - 07/19/2002 12:32 PM |
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None of our dogs are perfect,(maby mine) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> He sounds like a great dog. Love him for that!
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
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Re: Question for the Protection trainers......
[Re: Lisa Swanston ]
#21186 - 07/19/2002 12:46 PM |
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I don't know, LSwanston... he sounds like a pretty nearly perfect dog to me. At least for what you got him for. As others have pointed out, if you want real protection you get a GSD or a Dobe or a Mal. Not a Lab.
I'd be willing to bet, too, that the threat display your daughter saw would have scared the bejesus out of many would-be intruders (and bear in mind that your average home invader is not an expert on dog training, canine body language, or which breeds will sure-enough bite). That's probably enough unless the invader is really determined... although I think you were wise to counsel your daughters not to expect the dog to defend them.
Joy--come on. "Weak nerves"... "defensive"?!? The dog DID attempt to confront the "intruder"--and considering that it's a Lab I hardly think you can say this was weak nerves (like a dog hiding under the bed would be). And let's not even talk about defense drive here... it's not even a protection breed. I think the dog did just fine.
Pete Felknor
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Re: Question for the Protection trainers......
[Re: Lisa Swanston ]
#21187 - 07/19/2002 01:10 PM |
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Thanks, Pete, and everyone who took the time to reply.
I did tell my girls that 99% of bad guys are NOT going to mess with a house with two dogs, especially the Lab, who looks very scary when in territorial mode. It's that 1% that you gotta worry about.
And, it's true, that's not why I got him anyway. I got my Shep/Lab after being attacked, but never did any PP training with him. His presence was enough to make groups of large seedy looking men cross the street when they saw us coming! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Oh, there I go again, off topic....I'm bad. 
Lisa & Lucy, CGC, Wilderness Airscent
Western Oregon Search Dogs |
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Re: Question for the Protection trainers......
[Re: Lisa Swanston ]
#21188 - 07/19/2002 04:01 PM |
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Growling, hackels up . . . not signs of a confident dog. Certainly not behaviors we expect to see in a Lab.
Yes, nerves are on a continuum and can manifest in lots of different ways. Not being sensitive to loud noise is a good thing (for a gun dog) but not a guarantee of excellent nerves.
Agreed, if and when you decide you want to get into protection training, start with the right breed and the right dog of that breed.
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Re: Question for the Protection trainers......
[Re: Lisa Swanston ]
#21189 - 07/19/2002 04:13 PM |
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That's a pretty big IF. I'm really hooked on Labs right now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Lisa & Lucy, CGC, Wilderness Airscent
Western Oregon Search Dogs |
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Re: Question for the Protection trainers......
[Re: Lisa Swanston ]
#21190 - 07/19/2002 04:24 PM |
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Joy, Joy, Joy...
We're talking about LSwanston's PET LABRADOR here. He sounds like a nice dog, and I don't think he's going to be called upon to join a SWAT team or save lost babies in the Bitterroot National Forest anytime soon. Let's not make so much of an issue of the poor dog's nerves, okay? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Now, if you wanna talk about bad nerves... let's get started on the Golden Retriever who lives across the street from me!
Pete
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Re: Question for the Protection trainers......
[Re: Lisa Swanston ]
#21191 - 07/19/2002 04:47 PM |
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Ummm, correction. He's a working dog in progress. We're working toward our State tracking certification for SAR. He's a great dog in most respects; has working ability, plenty of drive, not dog aggressive, likes people, he's been around divers, on motorized watercraft, in helicopters, etc. etc. It's only when we're at our HOUSE that he behaves that way. But again, he's easily redirected through obedience. It's not like he's some uncontrollable menace going around terrorizing everyone. He responds to my direction. My only concern is if I am not there to direct.
The only reason I asked the question was that I was surprised that he moved toward the threat, rather than away from it. And, it WAS a potential threat. As far as he knew, this WAS a stranger entering our house. I had not called him off, but was observing. He wasn't overreacting to an imagined threat; or, so I thought.
Lisa & Lucy, CGC, Wilderness Airscent
Western Oregon Search Dogs |
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Re: Question for the Protection trainers......
[Re: Lisa Swanston ]
#21192 - 07/19/2002 04:58 PM |
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I stand corrected! Platz with the prong collar for me... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
However, your dog's "nerve issue" still doesn't concern me if he has never exhibited aggressive behaviors while you are working him. A lot of very sweet dogs can be extremely territorial (including, for example, my female <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ).
Pete
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Re: Question for the Protection trainers......
[Re: Lisa Swanston ]
#21193 - 07/19/2002 05:04 PM |
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Well, I guess my fear is that someone is gonna tell me that this dog has no business being in SAR, because he's not ROCK SOLID. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
But, no, he's great when we're working. Very focused on the track. Really wants to make that find. He's got heart, for sure.
Just yesterday, we were out in the yard working a little obedience. He didn't break his sit when a woman with two poorly leash trained dogs on Flexi leads walked by (one of them was barking and pulling toward us even). As a matter of fact, he never even looked away from me. He got a BIG play after that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Lisa & Lucy, CGC, Wilderness Airscent
Western Oregon Search Dogs |
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Re: Question for the Protection trainers......
[Re: Lisa Swanston ]
#21194 - 07/19/2002 05:27 PM |
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Moving *toward* the threat is defensive behavior. Pete
He may feel more relaxed and at ease in his SAR training environment, you're training for wilderness rather than urban disaster, I'm thinking. He won't feel as cornered in the wide open spaces, he may also enjoy the search work so much, he becomes more rattle proof.
Where you *could* encounter problems would be when he comes up on a subject who is disoriented and/or combative, ie Alzheimer patient, etc. You may want to have your team members do some play acting to see how he reacts.
The nerve thing is really tricky, I sure wish more breeders understood it.
FWIW, you may want to read the Temperament article on my web site, it does go thru drives, nerves and thresholds.
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