Re: Stella has been declared "soft"
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:29 am
First, I do not want to encourage aggressive behaviors in MINE as she needs to be a service dog. Also, of I had small children, I would be hesitent. But in my understanding, they can be taught 'speak' by saying this, and your treats/ click/yes word by catching them when they bark. The advantage is later teaching "no speak" to stop barking. I would do this and then, if ex comes around, barking occurs with no aggressive behaviors developed.
I have just started this, she does not bark a lot; so it will take us more time to get this.
This is not meant to conflict those that wish their dogs to learn protection as a skill. I just cannot have her protecting me from EMTs if I am ill. In my case, she needs to let strangers help me. I think it would be confusing to her and possibly counterproductive to teach protection skills in isolation and not in context of the complete training process. It is a LOT to learn to heel/side in a specific position, go at a slow pace, be able to support me if I lose balance,make ME center of her attention, learn to push buttons, learn to pick up things and bring them to me, open (and close) doors, accompany me and wait patiently for me in all environments, etc. This dog has to be able to go all places with me, so there is always socialization work. She must know about lots of things that might seem odd or frightening to a normal dog. So all this is more than enough without confusing it with a different type of training. Also, it needs to be 'fun' work for her as I do not want her stressed. So, I avoid anything involving 'frustration' or deception; I work hard to build mutual trust. So for ME I have to use a different approach. Again, nothing wrong with those that enjoy the protective activities and sport.
So, I try to encourage confidence without aggressive protectiveness. To be honest, by her looks, most people leave me alone. So why need more than that? I don't. I chose her for her calm temperament, intelligence, ability to adapt, and potential to help my needs.
I have just started this, she does not bark a lot; so it will take us more time to get this.
This is not meant to conflict those that wish their dogs to learn protection as a skill. I just cannot have her protecting me from EMTs if I am ill. In my case, she needs to let strangers help me. I think it would be confusing to her and possibly counterproductive to teach protection skills in isolation and not in context of the complete training process. It is a LOT to learn to heel/side in a specific position, go at a slow pace, be able to support me if I lose balance,make ME center of her attention, learn to push buttons, learn to pick up things and bring them to me, open (and close) doors, accompany me and wait patiently for me in all environments, etc. This dog has to be able to go all places with me, so there is always socialization work. She must know about lots of things that might seem odd or frightening to a normal dog. So all this is more than enough without confusing it with a different type of training. Also, it needs to be 'fun' work for her as I do not want her stressed. So, I avoid anything involving 'frustration' or deception; I work hard to build mutual trust. So for ME I have to use a different approach. Again, nothing wrong with those that enjoy the protective activities and sport.
So, I try to encourage confidence without aggressive protectiveness. To be honest, by her looks, most people leave me alone. So why need more than that? I don't. I chose her for her calm temperament, intelligence, ability to adapt, and potential to help my needs.
and it works great. She goes extra crazy for the furry one, I mostly bought it as it looks super fun, I really don't need Ripp going extra crazy for her leash, plus it was just one of those things. I saw it at an agility trial, looked at it, looked at Ripp and thought I have to have this! 
But any other activity where I will be taking the leash off.