Comments on: Should you dominate your Labrador puppy?

By: Pippa

Pippa — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 20:12:10 +0000

In reply to David Murray. Thanks for your thoughts David :)

By: David Murray

David Murray — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 02:17:41 +0000

Pippa,
Those just starting out as Trainers today should give thanks that they can find the keys to success so readily available. In the past 30 years I’ve rolled over my share of puppies, held them down by thse scruff, and stared into their eyes until they “submitted”. I was told that the” Leader” imposed his will on the “follower”, and all would be right with the world. I had good relationships with my dogs, primarily because I also believed that we were in a relationship 24/7, and I think they actually learned to trust me. But…I remained woefully ignorant about how to teach them the complex and sophisticated skills I had imagined they would learn. Today, beyond the actual drills and lessons, if anyone solicits my advice on traning a new pup I try to get this into their heads: Your dog is not a Wolf, he is Canis Familiaris not Canis Lupus, and has been for 10-15 thousand years. He does not live in a Pack. He co-habits with human beings. Any “Pack Hierarchy” studies of any value have revealed the fluidity of status in a, primarily, inter-related group. Get your head around the concept of reinforcement/punishment. And start the pup off right: Positive Primary Reinforcement, conditioned secondary reinforcement with a marker signal. Need I say Clicker! Become a Leader that Pup wants to follow, not one he’s afraid no to.
Thanks for listening.
David.

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:31:38 +0000

In reply to mary gillies. Well said Mary!

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:31:15 +0000

In reply to stacey. All we have to do is remember they are babies.They get scared when left alone too long and sometimes have an accident on the floor.They are easy to train and intelligent.All we have to do is treat them with Love ,kindness and most of all respect.You are doing good ! It is all you can do at this stage.The rest will come naturally and your pup will be the best friend you will ever have.Good Luck and enjoy!!

By: stacey

stacey — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:05:05 +0000

hi, i have a 8wk old puppy which i picked up yesterday, he has access to all downstairs, when i first got him home, he had a little accident on the floor.
after ev ery nap i put him in the garden, and also after every meal, he already waits at the back door and cries to go! he does have the odd accident if im not quick enough to get to the door, bless him. i have not have to punish him once, i think im really lucky to have such an intelligent boy

By: mary gillies

mary gillies — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:00:56 +0000

my lab jack is 20 mths old now, ive had him since he was 8 wks, no way would i have ever pinned him down. hes spoilt rotten and sleeps in bed with us, i love him to bits and although he is very boistrous i would not be without him for the . i just love him to the moon and back. x

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:58:46 +0000

Never liked the word punishment for a puppy! Our boy is intelligent and good as gold.We have play trained him from eleven weeks old.He knows evry noise ,smell and word we say to him.I have never had to own him…just let him know by a hand on his head or a arm over his back that I am mistress! He has on occassion sat on me and does like to lie next to me on the sofa.Does that count as him trying to own me? Or is he just a sweet natured ,super little dog.I think to pin a puppy down is really mean spirited and quite cruel.He knows we are his pack and werever we are he comes and lies next to us.Our bond with him is strong and he is a valuble member of our pack!!