Even today I watch the new outbreak of rescue and animal cops shows and I am AMAZED at how these “trainers” “test” a dog’s temperament. The child’s (plastic) arm on the end of a broomstick while the dog is eating (In most cases a dog that has been starved and trained (unknowingly) to protect it’s food! Wow! The dog sees (knows) this as nothing more than a stick! Now the evaluator starts to see the dog show its teeth! I WOULD TOO IF YOU POKED ME WITH A SITCK WHILE I WAS EATING! But would never bite a child that came up to me while I was eating! The dog knows the difference! Many dogs are needlessly destroyed due to their evaluators misunderstanding dog behavior
Chris Fraize wrote:Hello all,
Maryellen,
EVERY dog has the potential to bite a human.
Many people feel that the dog should be put down after it bites. After evaluating the dog I can tell you that they owners unknowingly ‘trained” this dog to be aggressive. This behavior is due to handler/owner error. The owners have slowly shaped (molded) the behaviors of this dog. They owners are divorced now. The husband would do the “Who’s that! “WATCH EM”! When someone would knock at the door. The wife would then scream at the dog for barking at the people at the door. This behavior was learned. “Bruce” is 18 months old. He can be re-trained and re-shaped. I could not have done anything if the problem were genetic. I can guarantee you that “Bruce” will be less likely to show aggression, less likely to be afraid and less likely to bite with each passing lesson. Remember ANY dog has the potential to bite!
Back in the old days trainers didn’t know how to fix a problem like this. They (the trainers) were afraid to get near he dog never mind retraining the dog! If the problem were genetic I would agree the dog would need to be put to sleep. This isn’t a question of genetics. This is a communication break down and a betrayal of trust. Why put the dog down because the handlers made uninformed mistakes? Besides they wouldn’t put him down anyway. Now, knowing that they aren’t going to put him down and that the behavior is learned, why would I send them away? Can you think of a person that needs a dog trainer more than “Bruce’s” owner?
Even today I watch the new outbreak of rescue and animal cops shows and I am AMAZED at how these “trainers” “test” a dog’s temperament. The child’s (plastic) arm on the end of a broomstick while the dog is eating (In most cases a dog that has been starved and trained (unknowingly) to protect it’s food! Wow! The dog sees (knows) this as nothing more than a stick! Now the evaluator starts to see the dog show its teeth! I WOULD TOO IF YOU POKED ME WITH A SITCK WHILE I WAS EATING! But would never bite a child that came up to me while I was eating! The dog knows the difference! Many dogs are needlessly destroyed due to their evaluators misunderstanding dog behavior.
“Bruce” is by no means rehabilitated. That was ONLY the evaluation. The owners have a TON of work to do. When they are done, (if they follow my instructions and advice) you would never have believed that “Bruce” was aggressive. We have turned many dogs worse than “Bruce” in to competitive obedience champions and working therapy dogs. Knowledge replaces fear!
Come and see for yourself!
Safe training,
Chris Fraize
mnp13 wrote:If the behaviors behind a bite(s) is a learned behavior then it is correctable by correct and consistant training. From watching an evaluation in person, I have faith in Chris' assesment.
The number of bites does not mean a whole lot to me. No matter what the breed, when a dog is afraid enough it may bite. And, no, I do not think the breed matters. Dogs are dogs. Learned fear aggression can be fixed with training. Genetic fear/ shyness is a different thing (and a different topic)
People who don't understand dog behavior and don't bother to learn create unsafe dogs. Breed has nothing to do with it.
They wouldn't have paid for the evaluation (do you charge?) if they weren't looking to fix the problem.
a-bull wrote:Did I miss info. about the seminar??
I'd like to come to one . . .
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