> >> He'd grab the dog by the choker collar and hold his head >> down against the couch or his leg. > > I never noticed anything like that in the episodes I've watched. I'll > have to pay closer attention. > V >
On the surface it doesn't look so bad but if you "think like a dog" and put yourself in the dogs' "shoes" you will see that there is a LOT of forcing the dogs through things; he uses a lot of flooding techniques (which, if you ever experience, can be really damaging). Sometimes those techniques "work" because people see the short term results but those dogs do NOT trust him; they just do things because they fear the consequences of not doing what he orders. He doesn't allow them time to process or learn properly. Think of your biggest fear - now, how about if someone forced you to do that "thing" (by choke collar) without giving you the tools to do it. Suppose we put you on some big warmblood and chased you through a cross country course (5 foot fences), pinching your neck every time you wavered. You might get through that - but - would you trust that person, would you want to do more for that person....what would happen if that person suddenly needed you to be "there" for them - what would you do? Would you happily learn new things and keep your curiosity? Some of what he says really does make sense, too. Dogs really do need exercise (although - to the point of collapse might be a bit much in most peoples' books), companionship, boundaries.... Penny
