I find this conversation very helpful and not stupid or boring at all…

There are so many conflicting opinions. I wish the experts would post their experience in there profiles so us newbie’s could weed out the treasure from the trash. There are a lot of regular members that have no profile info.Is there a reason why more members don’t post there experience?

I was socializing a new dog on a camping trip a couple of weeks ago and out of nowhere came this small girl who ran up and threw her arms around my dogs neck. The dog was sitting at my side and neither of us saw her coming.

I was pissed… I scolded the child her then her parents. I told her you never touch a dog you don’t know. I had only had the dog a couple weeks and my heart went North. I am so thankful the dog acted appropriately. The dog was raised around and socialized with children, which I have to believed helped in this citation.

Can anyone tell me how a typical PPD dog would have reacted in this citation? Would it have seen the child and her lunging at us as a threat?

Julia,
That's a problem for people seeking information on any forum.

You have some very experienced professional trainers on this site with decades of experience in handling all manner of dogs giving their views ( based on experience ) and you also have complete amateurs that have had only a few pets giving their views ( which are usually based on wish fulfillment and hearsay ) with the same authority.

Don't be afraid to ask about people's experience when they give an opinion - I often do when someone makes an outlandish statement.

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...and you also have complete amateurs that have had only a few pets giving their views ( which are usually based on wish fulfillment and hearsay ) with the same authority.

For the record I'm an amateur working dog enthusiast. I'd love to be a professional except that I don't think the profession could pay me anything close to what I make in my chosen profession. With that said, work your dogs in any and all situations. Work them with different trainers, decoys and then you'll have a pretty good idea of what you have, and what you don't have. Take that for what it's worth. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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.....You have some very experienced professional trainers on this site with decades of experience in handling all manner of dogs giving their views ( based on experience ) and you also have complete amateurs that have had only a few pets giving their views ( which are usually based on wish fulfillment and hearsay ) with the same authority...Don't be afraid to ask about people's experience when they give an opinion....

This is an excellent point here. My work with dogs (aside from my own dogs) is all with problem behavior, and I don't know anything yet about special-purpose training. I'm here for that, to supplement the articles and videos and the watching pros work. So I READ those threads only; I've learned to keep off them, because I don't know jack. On the other hand, I've spent a lot of time studying canine nutrition and allergies, and I feel fine answering some of those questions, and also some general pet-questions that I've dealt with.

I like that idea of asking about experience and knowledge before swallowing everything, hook, line, and sinker. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

And as far as why members don't all post their bios, I used to until we had a small problem with someone sending personal emails to forum members. I deleted everything at that point. That problem has been dealt with by Ed Frawley and maybe it would be good to identify ourselves better........Comments?

I second Connie's thought that it would be great if we posted member profiles.

Me, I am totally an amateur. I have "amateur" written all over me. My post was drawn off of what I've read from the seasoned handlers here as well as reading this website and other sites and watching Ed's video "How to Raise a Working Puppy." And then from seeing how many stupid lawsuits are out there from dog bites as well as insurance difficulties, I don't think I'll be letting people handle my dog outside of myself and my fiance and the vet. Accidents happen, but I definitely don't need a bite lawsuit and getting dropped from howmowner's ins. :\

..though all that is subject to change should further research warrant it.

(apologies if this double-posts. Had an Internet hiccup.)

i try to be consistent about letting people know what my level of expertise is in the subject at hand.

for the record, i've always been a pet owner, but have done some competitive obedience, and also had one dog work with me as a pack dog when i was a wilderness ranger for the forest service. i'm also very knowledgeable about feeding raw.

when it comes to raising ppds, i know zero, zilch. i came to this website looking to better understand how to handle fear aggression, but am now intrigued by all the other facets of what is offered here. it's quite an education.

i'm glad dumb questions are allowed, as i'll no doubt be asking plenty of them.

i have to say that, having hung out at various dog training and management forums over the years, i'm impressed with the overall calibre of the people posting here. people seem quite knowledgeable, overall.

Julia stated:
" I was socializing a new dog on a camping trip a couple of weeks ago and out of nowhere came this small girl who ran up and threw her arms around my dogs neck. The dog was sitting at my side and neither of us saw her coming. "

" Can anyone tell me how a typical PPD or protective dog would have reacted in this citation? Would it have seen the child and her lunging at us as a threat? "

Julia ,
From my experiance in a large police K9 unit is that 99% of the time the K9 would have allowed it . These are confident dogs . That's a big part of what makes them good police K9's or PPD's . But it depends on the dog . Genetics and/or certain life experiances may cause some dogs to react where others wouldn't .

But it's that 1% that a person with a PPD or protective dog wants to look out for that can cause alot of problems . When an accidental bite happens alot of the focus goes on the dog . Is the dog unstable ? , Should it be destroyed ? , etc. . For the well being of the dog it should be kept out of situations where they may become the victim of some humans stupid behavior .

On this discussion board alone there are enough examples were someone has unexpectedly did something around a protective or defencive dog causing the dog to react , that should wake most dog handlers up .

Casualness in dog handling has gotten lots of dog handlers into trouble . Plain and simple , fot those with a protective or highly reactive K9 , put the dog away when guests come over , limit and monitor that dog at all times around your family , provide proper containment for the dog , don't put that dog into situations where the chances of running into stupid people are great AND make sure that you have the PROPER EQUIPMENT (leashes/collars/muzzles) and ABILITY (strength/technique/training) to control your dog when the handler and dog unexpectedly find themselves exposed to stupid people .

Julia stated ;
" There are so many conflicting opinions. I wish the experts would post their experience in there profiles so us newbie’s could weed out the treasure from the trash. "

For the new members on this forum , in my opinion , Will (PSD,PPD,AKC,SCH and thensome)has the most experience related to this thread and I would listen carefully to any advice he gives in this matter .

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i try to be consistent about letting people know what my level of expertise is in the subject at hand.....i have to say that, having hung out at various dog training and management forums over the years, i'm impressed with the overall calibre of the people posting here....

Me, too. A lot of that comes from the owner and the moderators; they refuse to let the threads deteriorate into junk. Sometimes feelings are wounded a trifle, but it makes for a great board with great info (IMHO).

I can tell when someone like Ed, Cindy, Will, Kevin, Andres, Jeff, OED Bob, Tracy, and many others (and I do not mean to leave out the very informative people....it's just too long a list!) post that these are words to read and learn. But sometimes I'm not sure about the depth of experience behind a post, and I like the idea of laying it out as to what we do and do not really know personally. Maybe that will happen!

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... i'm glad dumb questions are allowed...

There are no such thing as dumb questions, only dumb answers <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

And the good thing about this forums is that there is so much varied experience many subjects and interests, that's the real strength here.

For instance;
I just started feeding RAW last month ( finally! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ) and it would have been overwhelming without access to the information that others had posted here in the past.

Or during my recent breeding. I'm a strong handler and good trainer, but I haven't done that much breeding in the past, and it was nice to have more experienced breeders to ask questions of.
This place is a little internet treasure trove...hehe. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />