Quote: Connie Sutherland

”...it's the time with the dog, the effort put into the training, and, as Will put it, the opportunity for our dogs to have useful and meaningful (and healthy) lives.”

Ditto, definitely! Birds of a feather, truly, and as one new to this board..? Methinks I’ve found a home.

I ditto your ditto Mark.

I'm new, too, and really appreciate the respect that you can feel here for owners, handlers and animals.

I don't have a working animal, just a little house pet, but respect is shown for all animals, here.

Can I ditto your ditto too?
The amount of knowledge and respect and well informed opinions based on experience and sound learning is astounding.

I thought I knew a thing or two about dogs until I brought home Levi, and then what I thought I knew was again tested with this little monster.
The willingness to help (and even handhold!!) is a true blessing and has helped me tremendously!

I have never had a working animal before, although Nico and I did start to get involved in some sports before she hurt her hips. But with all the knowledge I am gaining from this place I feel that a move into the true working dog world is a totally do-able thing at some point in the future.

What Eric quoted from Stephen Lindsay and what Will wrote about loving and respecting dogs and giving them useful and meaningful lives through training and time spent..... WOW.

The truth put beautifully by voices of reason.

I wasnt going to comment but I changed my mind..obviously
The thought of teaching my husky manners without correction truly makes me laugh out loud, he would be even more of a holy terror without fair and consistent corrections for pack structure infractions or bad manners.
In his eyes I would NOT be pack leader, I would be an easily bribed reward machine.
Or teaching my hard headed easily confused hound what was expected without any corrections, he would be a wreck. He has never had a leash correction and never will but he does get corrections appropriate for his temperament and the infraction

I can reward the dog for all 4 paws no the floor all I want, and in fact that is exactly how I stopped a nasty habit of face pawing when I was laying on the couch.

But when Paws are on the counter and food is involved Im going to swiftly and firmly remove said paws by whatever means necessary along with a very firm NO! and its not something I intend to do very many times.

Is it better to fairly but firmly and quickly teach them absolutes and house rules?
Or is it better to consistently nag and create stress and tension and resentment towards their bad behavior that they then pick up on and reflect back at you?

I do think that after a point some dogs do outgrow the need for stronger corrections. Nico rarely needs more than saying her name in the naughty dog voice, or an uh-uh. and if she is really in trouble a BAD DOG! is more than enough to stop the behavior or keep it from happening.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

This is what turns me off about most of the other boards. I don't want to compare training and health notes with handlers who don't have that love and respect and willingness to spend the time and effort. I don't discriminate between well-trained companions, service dogs, therapy dogs, sport, professional, hobby -- it's the time with the dog, the effort put into the training, and, as Will put it, the opportunity for our dogs to have useful and meaningful (and healthy) lives.

Wow.. I guess, I'm just extremely lucky. I love this board and the only other training board I frequent also shows a love and respect for their dogs. Very good thing, since if I peeped into a board like the one's you mention, I'd be able to tell right away not to waste my time and energy. I don't see myself looking anywhere else though. I've learned so much here and the people are awesome. THANK YOU!