being consistant and then when you tell him what to do-tell him 'once' and then make him do it!
I will argue that yes, some breeds have been bred to be less aggressive in their "job" than others, but even in those more 'amiable' breeds even tho they have good breeding, good socialised raising
and a well rounded training regimine--it eventually comes down to the individual dog!
When I got my last program dog-a female yello lab--there was a smallish black lab male in the class. Very mellow, got along well with his 'person' even tho she did not have very good 'dog handling' skills. After graduation she stayed with her mother for several weeks before going back to where she actually lived. Something happened with this dog--he was trained to be a mobility dog, so would help with walking, 'bracing' for the girl to keep her balance etc., and also retrieve trained and such. When she got to her mom's, the dog began to 'startle' which would make it jerk.
There were re-modeling people coming and going, he began to bark at them. He was startleing more and more to the point she would fall, then he would shake. The program came and worked with them more, but he did not get better. They took him back to the kennel and gave him 2 weeks off. When they brought him out again, he was a nervous wreck. He was placed in a pet home.
The dog I got was a lump on a log. Her world ran at 33 1/3 rpms and nothing would make her go faster. On top of that, she did not like the work. Her puppy raisers were suprized she made it.
What she had learned she did well, but would not learn much of anything else. I really tried with this dog--I had 2 other service dog trainers look at her and they wondered why she was even in this line of work! I retired her after 3 years to her puppy raisers who used her in therapy work. She loved it! She would mosey around a nursing home all day and be petted. She did this 3 days a week. Now she is just the lady of the house.
My dobe, altho a stray, had a perfect service dog temperament! Plus, I was finally back with the "working group"! My golden retriever was the best "service dog" I have had, but deep down inside I was 'happiest' with Sabre. He was a very good service dog and tried his hardest to figure out what was needed and he loved problem solving! I had to spend a lot of time in bed during having him unfortunately, but was up enough to get him trained go to an agility class, several obedience classes and to teach him the "hot and cold" game! I would put him in a sit stay where he could not see me, hide a milk bone type treat, or a rawhide chew, go back to where he was--to make sure he stayed for one thing and for 'him' to learn he needed to stay until I came back and released him. I would say "look!" and he would start searching with his eyes first. I would say his special word that meant "your doing it right" when he got close to the goodie and would either say nothing or say "look" again when he went away from it. After a while of playing this game he learned to 'look' with his eyes 'and' nose. It got hard to find new places to put the goody, so "I" had to start thinking harder!
My basic point in all this rambling is, I will take a dog from the working group anyday over the sporting breeds. It may take longer to find one with the right service dog temperament, but its worth it! Plus I like the boys better than the females. On the dobe list I'm on this question comes up once in a great while. Some like the males, other like the females, some like both. Nobody knows why. Need to go.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Dana and ?
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message ----- From: "Houston809" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Dana Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "quadlist" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2004 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Nan - Training Dogs
I love dogs every since I can remember I�ve had 1 as a pet. Since my injury this is the longest I�ve gone without 1. But on 2 temperament as U stated Nan retrievers & labs have a better temperament around people & other animals than say a dobe or rott they were initially bred 2 be territorial and guard/attack animals. As in every breed the owners can bring these instinctive traits out more or with a lot of work and love can train an animal another way. But some animals in certain breeds are going 2 be naturally aggressive & protective beyond the point where they would make a good service animal a great great protector. Being that we can spend unlimited amounts of time with our animal and shower love upon them. As long as u let them know who the alpha male or female is in the house ... THAT�S ME IN MY HOME!!!!! that�s very important whenever you have a dog no matter what breed ... Another hidden natural instinct in dogs is 2 be loyal & submissive 2 the ALPHA MALE or FEMALE as all dogs can be traced back 2 wolves or wild dogs.
On 12/23/04 7:10 PM, "Dana Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
When getting a dog for self training or using one you alrady may have--pick
with your "head", not with your heart! Temperament is paramount in service
dogs! I have seen more badly tempered service dogs than good ones! Dog
aggression and barking have been prelevant in the dogs I have been around.
It took 8 months to find my last dog. He was a rescue. The wait was
definitely worth it! Nan saw Sabre, maybe she will say something about him?
hint hint
I am now looking for another male dobe, as I had to put Sabre to sleep
because of cancer. That was last september. I can tell in 3 days if a dog
will have the right temperament. This is 'before'
any training has happened. I have 'looked' at a few dogs over the internet
and even paid for shipping one to me without getting her assessed because
the gal who had her was supposed to be such an "expert" in dobes. She
ignored my wanting to get her assessed. In 3 days I knew it was not going
to work. We agreed to try andfind her a home somewhre around me. I had her
a month and the longer I had her, the worse she got. She was sweet and
loving but just could not adjust to the surroundings she was exposed to.
She became very "reactive"--could not adjust to the sights, smells and
actions going on around her. She got to where she would growl, got very
worried if many people were behind us and eye contact could make her bark,
The final straw was one day my attendant was going to take a bone away from
her as it sounded like it had cracked and needed to be checked. She growled
and snapped. She went back to the lady.
In nearly every case of bad service dog behavior I've seen, it has been labs
and golden retrievers.
Some program traained, some owner trained. One golden was so bad in public
it took 4 people to surround it as they sat there or moved. This was at a
city council get together--informal--on service dogs.
The other incidents were at other places and the dogs had to be dragged by
us snarling, growling, sucking air and toenails sliding across the tile. I
have a list that is a copulation of behaviours recognised as being needed
for a good service dog temperament. I will post it tommarrow.
I "would" highly recommend a first time service dog user to get one from a program! Especially if you do not know much about dog handling--which is different that training--or training!! Must go, take care,
Dana and ? [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lori Michaelson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Quad" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 1:59 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Nan - Training Dogs
Nan...
I think places like Canines for Independence has a waiting list of over a
year. It was when I called them 3 yrs ago and am sure the need is as great.
PLUS you have to go there and stay for like 3 weeks with you paying for all
food and accommodations IN CALIFORNIA!
My point?
I learned that dog training and dog awareness in all areas is HUGE here in Tucson. TWO organizations have a program whereby you train your own dog. And many individuals do the same (teach classes). About 6 months after we got Brandy I began to take her to classes at one of the two local orgs. I chose Handi-Dogs.
A certain type of positive reinforcement training called "Clicker Training"
is used here and has swept the nation. It's easy, quick & efficient. I
went to classes for 2 yrs but then stopped because it seemed they wanted you
to keep going and going. After 2 yrs I found I can do it easily myself.
Anyone can.
ANY breed of dog can be taught via this method but, of course, it's nice to
have a breed more prone to working (like labs, retrievers) and they aren't
as hyper as many little dogs.
If you have a dog (any age) start today!
I learned this late but THE ADA "DOES NOT" REQUIRE A SERVICE DOG TO HAVE BEEN TRAINED THROUGH AN ORGANIZATION!
Some good sites about clicker training (I make a click sound with my mouth)
are:
http://clickertales.com/
http://clickersolutions.com/
Maybe you can find an individual in your area to get you started too. But
have heard that whether you KNOW Clicker Training or are interested a great
video is ... TAKE A BOW -- http://www.takeabowwow.com/Howvideo.html Worth
the money I've been told by a great nationwide trainer.
I hope you consider it :-)
Lori
