Quote: jessicakromer

... Despite what Caesar says (and he is brilliant at most things dog) most dogs don't get over issues with flooding. Some do, but most don't, and all dogs can be helped by conditioning to some degree. ...

I sure do agree with this.

BTW, as CM says (over and over and over) about what not to do with a strange dog: "No talk, no touch, no eye contact."

He is not alone in this; I think it would be hard to find an authoritative trainer who disagreed about eye contact with a strange dog.

I think, sadly, people these days are not taught about how dogs behave and react the way people used to be (at least when I was growing up). I can remember my parents, especially my Dad, emphasizing to (1) never stare any dog in the eyes, (2)never approach a strange dog,and (3)if you want to pet a dog first ask the owner, and then "ask" the dog if it's ok.

To the OP, in dog ettiquite (sp) it is considered very rude to stare another dog directly in the eyes. And even though you are human, to a dog the rules of dog ettiquite still apply. You have found a good trainer.

 Quote: Mary Hayes

The trainer's motive is not related to usurping the dog owner's connection to his own dog, rather, that the dog in question, a Cane Corso, shouldn't be challenged. However, in my opinion, the dog should be stable enough to be 'looked at' by another person. If not,they should be in private training, and ...challenging the dog??who's in charge here..owner/handler or the dog?

If the dog is otherwise doing well in a class setting, this is good distraction training for him and for his owner. The trainer is on the ball, IMO, in seeing that eye contact is a trigger for this dog, and asking other class members to avoid doing it.

Even if the trainer's motivation in asking was not to challenge the dog, it still relates back to the dog paying attention to the owner. (ie, distraction training/proofing)

I'm not getting why you (OP) would object to this...

 Quote: Elaine Haynes

And even though you are human, to a dog the rules of dog ettiquite still apply. You have found a good trainer.

There are a few human cultures out there as well, where direct eye contact is considered impolite, almost rude and most definitely challenging. Being in public service, we often deal with immigrants very new to our country as well as some older generation folks native to our country.

Their aversion to eye contact can be construed as many thing – from not forthcoming with information to thoughts that someone may not be telling the truth. Through training and experience you learn to pick up on this very quickly and it must be respected for what it is. A person will shut down very quickly if interviewed in the wrong manner, not to mention flare up with aggression if it’s in their make up to do so.

Dog must adjust to many things while learning to cope with and adapt to a humans world. Hands constantly reaching in dominant positions to pet their heads, forced to urinate in places we see fit as opposed to letting the world know “I was here”, restrained from rolling in stuff we find offensive and to them it’s perfume. They want nothing more than to sniff our butts and smell our breath when they greet us – a social grace and simple pleasure that most humans find offensive.

They are animals and we oblige them with so little of what they truly see as social behaviors. I think the least we can do is understand how our social etiquette can cause an uncomfortable anxiety to new dogs and simply avoid eye contact.

I agree, you have found a knowledgeable trainer.

Have you ever noticed that dog fights start with challanging behaviors; like starring? If a dog feels threatened it will either submit completely or challange it's opponent to try and have him back down. If neither back down, you have a dog fight. Same thing can happen with a dog/human combination. Some dogs even stalk their "prey" whether it be another dog, different animal, or challanging human in their environment.

Just because a dog is in a training class doesnt mean it is friendly or has no insecurities. It just means they are there to learn. People have humanized dogs so much over the years that way too many people don't understand dogs for what they were meant to be and how they should be treated. I feel that while in class you should be focusing on your dog and unless asked to watch another dog "in action" your attention should be focused on your pooch and the trainer only. Otherwise no socializing with other dogs for you or your pooch.

You found a great trainer IMO

 Quote: elaine haynes

.... I can remember my parents, especially my Dad, emphasizing to (1) never stare any dog in the eyes, (2)never approach a strange dog,and (3)if you want to pet a dog first ask the owner, and then "ask" the dog if it's ok. ....

..... and "leave the dog alone while he's eating."