I truly feel very sorry for Ollie. Your friend's old-school method of dog training is very unfair to the dog, and it will severely damage Ollie's temperament if this does not stop. It is very evident in the video that the dog is unhappy. What's up with the constant Alpha Rolls? He rolls her over for not obeying a command, then he rolls her over for nipping? Seems like that's all your friend knows, Alpha Rolls. I'd like to see him try that on a dominant dog.

Sorry for being so straight forward about your friend, but I get really upset when I see dog training that can be compared to sh**. Your dog nipped at your friend because he was unfairly correcting her.

Like many had already said here, get Ed's Basic Dog Obedience DVD. I followed that particular DVD to a "T", and my dog is now a very obedient dog. In fact, my sisters have seen him numerous times, and they themselves have said ,"He looks very happy with you".

I know you did not any better about proper dog training, and I thank you for taking the time for posting your problem here.

Haha! Now I understand better why you say that.

 Quote:

Anyway, it sets the right pack rules in the dog's mind to see his new owner as a fair leader & it will re-affirm a relaxed bond of trust between them...

I normally think of groundwork as "demoting" the dog back to doggie status because I'm used to dogs that come from unstructured homes. These dogs go through a lot of stress so I don't perceive it as bonding.

However, I think of training as being both bonding and playing.

Either way is good, IMO. I'm curious to see what the OP chooses to do.

This whole thread reminds me of a quote. "The only thing two dog trainers can agree on is what a third trainer is doing wrong."

Mike, I'm glad someone sees it my way, LOL -- Thanks for the detailed elaboration on why NOT to do any training lessons with this dog for a couple weeks, my friend...

That's why I'm such a fan of Ed's Groundwork protocol -- It's a non-confrontational "settling-in" routine through which the dog GAINS a sense of security & what's expected of it; learns to TRUST & bond with the handler; really relaxes & feels SAFE (!)

This sets the tone for all further interactions with its owner, including obedience work in future <:-)

And let's add that this thread made for a very good opportunity for both the poster and her friend.

What a wise decision to ask on this forum, where we all know that learning from mistakes is invaluable.

I want to commend the O.P. both for posting and asking, and then for her gracious reception of our forum's always-outspoken suggestions.

I took Ollie out today. I brought a tennis ball and dog treats. We went to the baseball diamond where I can let her run off leash. On the way to the park I had her on the prong because she is a puller, but I didn't correct her for anything. She was heeling at my side like she was being trained to do. She saw a dog and started to whine and have a little bounce to her step, and I told her "leave it". She turned her head away and I praised her a whole lot and kept using "leave it" and petting her and vocally praising her everytime she listened to what I said. Mission accomplished, she didn't get aggressive.

When we got to the baseball diamond I threw the ball around for her and she was having a great time. The only time I did any training was when I'd make her sit for the ball, and then her reward would be a "Good girl!" and me throwing the ball. She came over and laid with her head on my lap after I sat on the ground and she was playing chase with me. She seems to totally have forgotten about the training on Sunday and Monday. Not a single nip or aggressive movement towards me.

Thanks for all the help! I am also in the process of reading Ed's Groundwork article. Even though I just started it I am beginning to see the mistakes I made.

Dogs have such big hearts and wonderful forgiving natures. So glad to hear you two are working it out and having fun in the process

Good job, Emily!

Indeed, that's really fantastic Emily! Good job.

Ollie sounds like a really nice dog with a great temperament. It sounds like she'll be a real pleasure to train


By the way, I hope you'll eventually post a video of your girl being happy with you. Seems like an appropriate sequel to the first video

I have videos of her! None that show me because I am always holding the camera, but I do have videos of her playing at the baseball diamond with her tennis ball. She just picks it up and goes flying

She'd make a killer fly ball dog.

CONGRATS, Emily, you're on the right track now !!!

Keep up with reading Ed's articles like Groundwork; Philosophy of Dog Training; Theory of Corrections -- and you'll LOVE his videos <:-)

Me too Emily. Congratulations. I'll bet she loved the experience of running after the ball as her reward!

Good luck with her. It sounds like you have a really nice dog there.

Please keep us updated .

Edited by Judy Troiano (03/16/2007 12:47 PM)
Edit reason: gender error!