My son and I had watched a recent episode of Dog Whisperer in which Cesar persuaded a couple of obtuse Great Danes to get in the pool and swim. Of course, he used his calm leadership method...and a leash. Cesar just got into the pool himself, then instructed the dog to follow. It took a couple of tugs, but it was the dog's decision as to the timing. He didn't drag the dog in, just guided him in. The dog then swam comfortably, and was much less reluctant on subsequent re-entries.

Today it's 110, and my son was bored at home. He took our dogs outside - neither of which get all the way in the pool - they only stand on a broad top step. Anyway, son gets in the water, dog on leash and walllaa, nearly instant swimming, both dogs. By the second or third rep, he hardly needs the leash at all.

So - those of you stuck in the brutal heat - there is an option. Get your suit on (or not) and take your dog for a walk -right into the water.

(as I thought about it - we never allow the dogs to say "no" in any other circumstance - they heel, sit, stay, come on our command and we require it. Getting into the water should be no different. Note: these are mature dogs with basic obedience)

Yes, they've demonstrated successful exit many times. They are also not left in the yard unsupervised.

Interesting, my wife's only issue with Cesar is the flooding thing as well (just this morning we had this conversation). Apparently, the technique causes as much controversy among dog trainers as it does among those who do behavior therapy with humans.

Connie, did she call you?

(Edit - missed my chance. My reply should have been "flooding is the whole idea behind swimming" )

Flooding can work, but it can also cause big problems, where gradual desensitizing and counterconditioning don't present that kind of downside.

I guess at the very least, I would say that flooding would not be appropriate in the hands of a non-professional for any but pretty mild fears.

JMO. I work with fearful/reactive dogs pretty often, but I don't really read much about stats on flooding versus desensitizing and counterconditioning.

 Quote: Rob Abel

Connie, did she call you?

Regular old ESP.

This is an interesting training question to me.

I agree that the appropropriate choice of method depends on why the dog is refusing a command. If it's a fear/anxiety thing, then agree that flooding shouldn't be the first option in every case. If it's pack drive/dominance/or just being a knucklehead, then including the activity in your regular expectations is a good idea. It needs to become part of the trusting relationship with the dog.

There is a method of treatment for human OCD called exposure/response prevention. It's basically a combination of densitization/flooding/and counterconditioning. It does start out primarily 'mental' and eventually transitions to physical encounters and the rehearsed practice of incompatible responses to the fear response. With humans, meds often accompany the behavioral treatment. This method is the 'state of the art' in terms of OCD treatment now. It is stressful for the patient - but doesn't push them into the red panic zone as often as more aggressive methods.

I wonder how much 'behind the scenes' work Cesar does with the dogs on his shows?