Poll re: generalized obedience

[pitbullmamaliz]

Just for curiosity reasons, I'm wondering whether your dogs listen to other people. Or if you WANT them to listen to other people.

Personally, if Joe Schmo off the street comes up to Inara to pet her and tells her to sit, I want her to do so. But that's because she is a pet, not a working dog. I can imagine it's different for working dogs. But I like knowing that in an emergency somebody else can easily handle her.

[SisMorphine]

For me it really depends. For Teeny and Blue pet dog commands in English should be followed: sit, down, shake, circus dog, etc. Blue is a therapy dog so he needs to be able to do things when asked by the kids, and both of my dogs are brought out in public regularly and we work to dispell any bully breed fears, and who can be afraid of Teeny when she's doing "circus dog" for a 5 year old kid?

BUT I don't want anyone else to be giving my dogs French commands. My dogs don't know "heel" or "come" in English, nor do I want them to. For me that is a whole other level of training that involves having a bond with a dog. I don't want anyone else being able to take my dog out on the field and compete with them. Tell my dog to au pied and see my eyes get red. Just ask those I train with, LOL!!

[mnp13]

For me it really depends. For Teeny and Blue pet dog commands in English should be followed: sit, down, shake, circus dog, etc. Blue is a therapy dog so he needs to be able to do things when asked by the kids, and both of my dogs are brought out in public regularly and we work to dispell any bully breed fears, and who can be afraid of Teeny when she's doing "circus dog" for a 5 year old kid?

I'm the same way with Ruby and Riggs. They know English commands and I expect them to follow them; however, the English commands are the "when you get around to it I'd appreciate it if you would..."

[hugapitbull]

BUT I don't want anyone else to be giving my dogs French commands. My dogs don't know "heel" or "come" in English, nor do I want them to. For me that is a whole other level of training that involves having a bond with a dog. I don't want anyone else being able to take my dog out on the field and compete with them. Tell my dog to au pied and see my eyes get red. Just ask those I train with, LOL!!

Ooh, I really like this idea.

[airwalk]

Scooter works with my entire staff so I do expect he will respond to his commands (all the staff know his commands) whenever given by Staff members or family.

He does respond, most of the time, when given basic commands by others - because we work with children he is very responsive to basic commands given by children.

Hmmm I never considered having another set of commands in another language ... I'll have to give that some thought for the future.

[Mickle]

Spicy and Rifle I dont EXPECT them to listen to other ppl well other than my husband. I guess I kind of like Sis's answer. I should give that a try.

[KJS]

Theres so many of them here...it really is best if they do what they are asked to when they are asked to...no matter who asks it

[furever_pit]

I prefer that Dylan not listen to the commands of other people. He is seldom out of his crate if I am not around so there is not much reason for such generalized OB. Dylan still behaves very well when I take him into town or to work or whatever.

Dylan will listen to a friend of mine who we have been training side-by-side with for a year now. He will follow her basic commands of sit, down, and stay but nothing else which is just how I like it.

[iluvk9]

I chose: Yes/Pet

My 3 dogs know basic commands. I expect them to listen to kennel workers, Vet and staff, family and visitors.

As for Lenny, I am just happy he isn't biting ME. We will see how he responds this year at his annual vet visit.

[TheRedQueen]

Mine are working dogs...and I expect them to listen to others, and encourage it on my part.

Xander, Sawyer and Ripley will all run flyball for anyone else. Anyone who releases them. If I'm standing right next to one of them, but someone else has their harness, they listen to that person first. If I raise my voice in "serious" mode, they will call back if needed...but for the most part, they run for anyone. That's easier on me, and it helps get folks interested in flyball. Jenn/Fenella has been running Xander and Sawyer for me for the past year at least...and look now...soon her own dog will be ready!

Inara isn't ready to trust anyone enough...but that's her quirk...not mine.

Score will perform most anything for anyone...he hasn't run for anyone else in flyball yet, as we're still working on getting him solid first...he's also a bit hard to handle...I don't know if anyone's lining up for the job.

Also...when it comes to therapy, agility or Service work...the boys will work for anyone. I can hand them off to adults, little kids, Hearing or Service clients, and they'll work just fine for them...which is important in respect to the clients. That's how we know what kind of dog works best for them!

[call2arms]

I knew someone who was French speaking and taught working commands in German. It's a great idea, especially that he was a PP dog, and he didn't want anyone else to give these commands (then again I don't know what level or kind of training he had, but I guess normally a PP dog wouldn't respond to commands given by a random person?). Sis, I can totally tell French commands to your dogs, .

Jessie is expected repond to sit, lay down, drop it and other basic day-to-day stuff with my family and friends. With strangers, they can do pretty much (sadly) do anything with her if they have a toy or food for her (what a slut)... If they don't sometimes she'll just ignore them, and if it's not a 3am drunkard asking her to do circus dog, then I'll imply it for them once and generally she's good after that. They do need to be firm though, cause she's just sooo excited the stragners are paying attention to her.

[katiek0417]

I want my dogs to listen to Greg....I don't care if they listen to anyone else...

[BullyLady]

I said no (and pets, obviously ) I think training a trust/respect issue, so I wouldn't just expect my dogs to trust and/or respect just anyone. There is one exception, and that is "sit". That way, if they are annoying someone they can be told to sit and are expected to follow through. And they usually do. If there is food involved Sirius will also perform any other known commands for a treat. Don't try the same trick with Shelby though, if Eric and I aren't around she will probably just jump up and take it from you......

[Fuego]

My old dog is very self confident and dominant. She had a bad past and I am the first and only person she trusts. Therefore without any training for it she never obeys other people. If someone tries to let her do something and is disappointed it doesn't work he shouldn't try to force her. Even if it's only harsh voice she starts growling and she'll never allow to be touched. The same dog is a perfect and very obedient therapy dog for physically and mentally disabled people. She simply knows the difference.
The young dog is also from the shelter but came as a puppy. She loves people and always did everything for everyone. Now she's one and a half years old and we've just started to do sports. I don't know if that's the reason or if it's the age but she stopped being obedient for strangers. All those she knows can still tell her things but she only follows simple commands like sit. Strangers can't tell her commands anymore and I don't want to change that. I don't mind if people on the dog training place or friends can work with her but I'm happy if strangers can't (ab)use her.