I know, I see it now... crazy child indeed Robbin, I apologized. That's why I was confused cause you were agreeing with me but for some reason my mind got stuck on "the way you described it wasn't anything as bad as it actually was" I thought you meant I exaggerated instead of downplayed it. Yeah. Sorry for the misunderstanding there

I did downplay it a bit as I don't really like coming off too strong, thought maybe by some chance I didn't see things correctly and someone else would say something I hadn't seen. Thanks though, Robbin.. again.. Sorry!! I was being silly

I haven't been here in a while, but I saw Dog Town and felt awful for poor Ruger, too. I do like how they say they spare not expense on medical treatment and I'm glad Animal feels better after his shave. All that matted hair was probably torturing him. I'll watch it again hoping it gets better.

 Quote: RobbinMann

 Quote: Paul Watson

ya lets just send them some podcasts If there LDS(because it Utah) they will take heed of our info

Er...I don't get it.

I don't get it either. Having lived in UT under Mormon (LDS) rule, I can tell you that they are more likely to totally ignore you since Utah Mormons tend to believe that they are superior to all other persons including non-Utah Mormons.

I haven't seen the show since I only recently moved to where I can get the National Geographic channel but from what you all have said, it sounds as if the people were either totally ignorant about dog behavior or just plain stupid. To me the described actions border on abuse.

 Quote: elaine haynes

 Quote: robbinmann

 Quote: paul watson

ya lets just send them some podcasts If there LDS(because it Utah) they will take heed of our info

Er...I don't get it.

I don't get it either. Having lived in UT under Mormon (LDS) rule, I can tell you that they are more likely to totally ignore you since Utah Mormons tend to believe that they are superior to all other persons including non-Utah Mormons.

That is what I was referring to when I said this:

 Quote: kristin mortensen

Paul, I have no idea where you're coming from, but if that comment was supposed to be sarcastic, it was completely out of line.

Sometimes things don't come out in print very well, but that's the only way it makes sense to me.

At best the comment makes no sense, and at worst could be extremely offensive (I'm LDS, though I know what a "Utah Mormon" is).

At any rate it has zero to do with dog training or the topic in question.

Well, I haven't seen the show and don't even have cable, but I've been to Best Friends website ever since Katrina. I find their work very inspiring. Anyway, their write-up on Ruger was very positive, they mentioned that he is very submissive and backs down, no mention of dog aggression??
http://www.bestfriends.org/dogtown/index.cfm?csid=3136&csii=3139&csit=Set&entry=F856F22C-BDB9-396E-9F6DCED7922770F0
They do have him in with other dogs and say he loves to play with them.

And Remington was adopted, but returned.
http://www.bestfriends.org/dogtown/index.cfm?csid=3131&csii=3134&csit=Set&entry=EFB7A459-BDB9-396E-97D3CC8FE42BC7EF

I was surprised by the description of the episode, since I've been reading Best Friends website for a couple years and have NEVER heard them refer to any dog with any problem in a negative way. They always seem to be willing to work with a dog no matter what the issue. They even give special cages to diggers so they can dig to their heart's content, isolated kennels for dog aggressive dogs (so they don't have to see the other dogs), medical care etc. I had always thought their trainers were especially competent. I wish I got to see the episode.

Looked like they were projecting to many human emotions on Animal about keeping that matted filthy coat on him. It's hair, it grows back. They also reminded me in general of some of the rescue folks around here that I guess tho their hearts are in the right place they really have no knowledge of dog behavior. Know of one locally that lost out on a great home because she won't adopt to anyone that's going to crate a dog.


Lisa

I also watched that episode (friday night) and thought the same ecact thing Jennifer. I couldn't believe that they would choose that dog to introduce to a shy/aggressive dog for the first experience??

I really don't think that the trainers are that experienced, or are possibly volunteers? I am no expert, and I really appreciate folks that Vol. but c'mon, that was just wrong.

I also agree with there being too many human emotions being projected upon the animals there,

Serioulsy, how long before Cezar Milan is gonna be brought in to "rehab." the workers at Dog Town? HA, I would bet on that one...

Adam

is there a possibility that this was done knowing what the likely outcome would be because of pressure to have some sort of sensationilized drama that makes for good TV?

these people do good work and i dont see how they could be as successful of an organization as they are without better knowledge of Dog 101

They don't have the body language that I ahve seen in other handlers or trainers?? I know editing can have a big part in how the scene is perceived, but these guys don't look as if they have had years of experience?

I am fairly new to the "formal" dog training world, and I can see that there is somethig wrong here. I think that it all comes back to the people there treating the animals like they are humans??

Ok

Adam

Angela - I was not referring to Ruger as aggressive They felt he was the more dominant of the two (Ruger and Remington) and were unsure, they thought he might be and so wanted to see how he would do with other dogs. They supposedly had no clue, and then put him in with a smaller, dominant dog that pretty much attacked him.

If they are volunteers.. they shouldn't be allowed to do the things they were doing. Volunteers still have rules.. unless there are none and nobody knows any better.

They did not act like experienced people. It may have been edited to be dramatic, but regardless they did many things incorrectly such as the choosing of the dominant dog, not maintaining control of either dog and just standing there ignoring the very obvious body language of both dogs while saying "anything could happen, you never really know" and then citronella spraying the smaller dog, not only instead of just grabbing his leash and correcting him, but when he was retreating and about 4 feet away!

That is what shocked me. I do believe rescue is good, rescue is great, but far far far too many people watch shows like that and take the information they get to heart. Too many people that do not know what they are doing.. at all.. give advice and pretend to be experts to people who also don't know what they are doing. Blind leading the blind causing more problems for the animals!

I am not surprised at all to hear that Remington was given back - did anyone else catch the behavior of the dogs he was put in a home with? Remington was their 3rd dog, creating a pack with two smaller dogs, one of which was likely dominant and nervous(the doxi) it is too bad, but another example of how too much stress is put on getting the dogs to a home that they don't do the proper evaluations.

When I do rescue work, after rehabbing the dogs, I literally inspect the potential adopters home. They are given a quiz and are asked to handle at least 2 dogs other than the one they are wanting so I can see what their tendencies are regarding dogs in general. I am strict! I had a dog for 8 months because the first 7 people that wanted him were not a good match.