Hi All,

I had a trainer come over tonight to help us with our dogs aggression and to get some pointers on how we're getting on with basic OB.

He basically said the the fact I feed raw may be contributing to the dogs agression, enforcing feral behaviour and has advised us to look at feeding a better quality kibble instead.

Naturally I'm not too keen on that having read all I have about raw feeding/BARF but am starting to second guess my own feelings on the matter now.

He also said that my prey building with the dog is a problem (making the dog aggressive) and that I should concentrate on "play" drive rather than "prey" drive. I've never seen my dog become aggressive in prey drive, only VERY focused on the prey object (usually the ball on string) and was wondering if this was right or not.

I'm still learning and all this is very confusing sometimes when you have different people telling you different things all at the same time (I've been speaking to lots of different people over the last few months).

I'm second guessing myself a lot nowadays <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
No I'm Not.
Yes I am.
You get the picture.

John

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He basically said the the fact I feed raw may be contributing to the dogs agression, enforcing feral behaviour and has advised us to look at feeding a better quality kibble instead.

Bwahahahahahah <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />!!!!

Now that's a good one. Next we'll see kibble marketed to calm and sooth the raging aggressions of out of control dogs <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I almost fell of my chair reading your post.. This trainer is plain out ignorant. I wouldn't listen to his advice if I were you.. shhheeessssshhhh ... just goes to show how misinformed some "self proclaimed experts" really are...!!!

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I almost fell of my chair reading your post.. This trainer is plain out ignorant. I wouldn't listen to his advice if I were you.. shhheeessssshhhh ... just goes to show how misinformed some "self proclaimed experts" really are...!!!

I wouldn't want any of his advice either, based on that profound mis-statement. Yes, a trainer can have areas of being less expert than he is might be in other areas -- but that's a *huge* piece of misinformation. It would make me question every word he said after that.

Finding a good trainer can be tough -- and you're doing a good job, IMO, when you listen to your instincts and move on. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I always mention that I mix gun powder in with the raw meat. That usually stops the conversation about raw diets verses kibble...heh...heh... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I do hope John, that you are able to get reigns on the 2nd guessing yourself. We are human, and you are right, there is a lot of information, trainers, training approaches, etc. (keep your boots on if you are still "shopping" for the right method for you and your dog)

It is my belief, based on personal experience, that your dog is keen to your confused energy and will basically "take the lead" He will mow you over.

He will continue to be aggressive unless you decide on what training method you will use (techniques on this site are by far superior to others I've read or seen) GO FOR IT and be consistant.

2nd guessing will translate to "John is confused" to your dog. What I believe you are experiencing with him are his attempts to take control.

Have you read any of the dominant dog articles by E. Frawley? IMO, excellent information to work with.

HI,

Thanks for the replies.

To be honest everything I've read here and other places/ books and talking to different people tells me what I'm doing is the right way to go. It just makes sense to me and feels right (if you know what I mean).

I'm being more confident/assertive in the handling of my dog and I believe we're getting there.

I've read these dominant/aggressive dog articles before but I've also ordered the DVD and being more of an Audio/Visual guy I'll probably pick up more from the DVD than the articles.

I didn't really enjoy watching him work my dog either as he was yanking the head off the dog in heel work, and, while this did show a result my dog was shit scared of him all the way through (he's only 11 months so I'd expect that) and pretty stressed out by the end of it all.

I do have some respect for the guy, he's a decent bloke, and I do believe he can train dogs but not the way I want to train them (from the evidence of the heel work at least).

The problem is my wife is buying into what this guy is saying and she want's us to try kibble again to see if it makes a difference (I know it won't).

The problem with doing it to show her it won't make a difference is that when the dog improves (which he's doing all the time in my eyes), if it just happens to be an huge improvement at the time we feed kibble then that'll be that.

Now my wife is far from stupid and she knows which way is up , including basic dog training, but I think she's very worried about our current/only, real, problem with the dog and getting to a place where she want's to try anything to get a quick fix.

I don't believe there is a quick fix, just a lot more effort, hard work and consistency and I'm just not smart enough to convey that to her.

Any other comments welcome as always.

Cheers

John

I'd run not walk to another trainer. One who's a lot more knowledgeable and doesn't spout nonsense.

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He basically said the the fact I feed raw may be contributing to the dogs agression, enforcing feral behaviour and has advised us to look at feeding a better quality kibble instead

I've heard the same arguments a lot, and I laugh every time. I have read this and I have said this, but I'll say it again: I love my pups dearly, but I know their limitations. They are simply not capable of the reasoning it takes to determine that the cow they see grazing in the field is where their food comes from. They will not attack the cow, nor will they perceive every moving critter as "food" and aggressively pursue it.

I agree that your confusion may now have transferred to your pup and he is simply *urging* you to make up your mind.

Good luck.

John,

I would say that if you are not happy with the service being provided to you then look elsewhere. There are plenty of trainers out there. I have found that the vast majority of trainers have a locker full of both valuable information and information that is also, let's say, "not so good". But when you find someone who has it all then count yourself lucky. The bottom line is that if you two decide to continue with this same man, take what works and leave what doesn't and if he does something that you are not comfortable with then tell him to stop! Remember that you have to live with this dog and keep in mind that he is working for you and you are the customer. As far as the raw goes.. good luck with that! My opinion shares the comments made on that subject from some of your earlier responses, so I won't beat a dead horse. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I hope things work out for you, good luck!