I agree that they often understand more than we may think, but I'll stick with convention on this one. All day is too long. At least you're aware of and trying to be responsible for your dogs behavior. You're obviously here to learn and discuss, which is why I'm here, so don't take it as ridicule. It wasn't my motive, and I don't think it was Terry's either. Have you read Ed's "Theories of corrections..."? PRICELESS! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Yes, I've read that article, it's excellent. I've read just about everything on this site. It's a wealth of knowledge. I wish I had found this site back then!

What I described was about 4 years ago. I've come a long way since then <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I stick to convention now also, lol.

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"ignoring him for the rest of the day except for berating him for what he did...all day long."

I don't get this at all. Is this really what you meant to say? I'm a novice too, so I'm trying to read as much as possible on EFFECTIVE corrections, and it would seem to me that this tactic would definitely fall under unfair corrections, as a correction has to be issued in under 2 seconds to stand a chance of being effective. I have some serious doubts that this poor dog has any idea what he's done to P you off so bad that he's ignored and berated all day. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I didn't see your post. The dog was not a poor dog. If I took that attitude he may have killed another dog by now. He was from the pound, animal aggressive and when strays approached aggressively, they were in danger. I should have just left it as hard corrections are what I did, but since I was doing so many things I don't know what actually fixed the problem. He has a CGC now, so it all worked out in the end. You're right though, the verbal corrections were unfair. I wasn't really thinking fair and unfair, I was thinking if this problem doesn't get fixed quick we are going to have serious problems even if another dog started it. My whole point for posting was, that if a big dog injurs a little dog, the big dog will look bad.

Barbara, Wasn't calling him a poor dog all around. No offense meant. I just meant poor dog being ignored, wondering what he did that was so bad. I agree that you had to take initiative against this dog aggression, because so many of these dogs end up dead, whether they were the instigator or not. If you read my other, more recent post, you'll see where I clarified that I was not "ridiculing" you. And also, if you read further back, you'll see where I clearly addressed the big dog/little dog problem with liability with regard to Ryan's original post. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Jenni, no offense take <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I just take aggression very seriously. I have a neighbor with a bichon who tells me a story about a lab who killed her bichon when she was younger. The bichon started a fight with the lab, and the dog ended up dead.

My methods were crude and unfair, you are absolutely correct. Even still, I have a hard time looking at him as a poor dog for the temporary withdrawel of affection. I think we are in agreement though for the most part. I'm much more knowledgeable now then I was then. Take care! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

i didn't say your dog was at large. i said the other dog was at large. your dog was off leash.

i think you are fooling yourself about having three dogs off leash. or three dogs on leash for that matter. all it takes is for somebody else's three off-leash dogs to come up to you and start trouble, and you will be out of luck. you cannot control all three dogs simultaneously.

i know it's hard to imagine how bad the situation could get since it hasn't happened yet. but a wise dog owner anticipates and stays out of situations that could get out of control.

The "at large" comment was directed towards Ian who said my dogs were "willingly at large". Sorry for the confusion.

And as for having three dogs with me, I'm not fooling myself. I’ve “downed” my dogs and run off stray dogs before. The mistake I made this time was letting my dogs off leash too close to potential problems and before I had time to scan the area thoroughly. I let myself get comfortable with the situation and that’s usually when you slip up. I would understand what you're saying when they're off leash IF I were in a crowded area but usually I can be out there for half an hour or and hour and not come within 100 yards of another person or dog. Maybe I should start letting them off leash on the tennis courts instead. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Then they’d be enclosed and their nails would stay nice and short.

Post deleted by Deanna Thompson

Good grief, if I ever get the quotes thing down, ill be happy. By willingly at large (I see now where you pulled it from) you knowingly let your dogs loose. As a member of our local board of public safety, I have sat in on many dog bite cases. The main sticking point in the situation that you described is that none of the dogs (yours or the other owners) were on leash. It doesn't matter how good the controll is of the dogs, it matters if the law was followed to a 't'. Most likely, if anyone complained, you would at worst receive a ticket for your dogs being off leash. When most of these laws were created, ecollars were not yet in wide use. They need to be re-written but untill then, they will continue to issue tickets by the old laws. It doesnt help that most people that decide these situations have a limited, if any, understanding of dog training. I meant no offense by 'willingly at large', it just means that you made the decision (showed willingness) to loose your dog(s). The small dogs owner (by ignorance) chose to not monitor their dogs or enclose them safely. Its a no win situation for either side. I still think the best idea would be to do as you mentioned and insure that you are comfortable wth the situation before unleashing your dogs.