[nagdu] cooperation vs. force

[Nicole B. Torcolini at Home]

I guess the one thing that makes me think that there should be someone to 
have the dog on tie down or in a crate is the fact that, although the dog 
does not chew on things he is not supposed to, he is a mega chewer. If he 
can destroy a tie down in one chomp, think of what that could mean for 
something more important. I know that Mark said that the dog does not chew 
on random things, but there is always a first time, and it only takes once.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2012 6:01 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] cooperation vs. force


> Robert,
>
> My answer to most dog problems is more training! *smile*  I believe that a 
> healthy dog with normal intelligence can live with humans in a mutually 
> peaceful way.  I do think there is some give and take, but that doesn't 
> mean that either party should have to completely bend to the others will, 
> just meet in the middle.
>
> So in Mark's case with the chomping of the tie down's...I would first 
> decide what in the world I was trying to accomplish by using the tie down. 
> The answer to that seems to be to keep him from chewing on other things in 
> the room.  My next question would be does he actually chew things in the 
> rest of the room?  The answer to that seems to be no.  So I'm back to my 
> first question, which does not seem to have a logical answer at this 
> point.  I would then move to the question, what would happen if I didn't 
> use the tie down?  Mark has also answered this satisfactorily.  My 
> conclusion is that there is no need for the tie down.
>
> You asked what if Monty developed the habit of chewing on inappropriate 
> things?  I find this kind of amusing, thinking back to all the things he 
> destroyed as a puppy and young dog! *smile*  I used a combination of 
> approaches.  I praised him for choosing appropriate things to chew on.  I 
> gave him treats for bringing me inappropriate things instead of chewing 
> them to bits.  I put away the most tempting things until he got to a place 
> where he had learned more self control and could handle it.  I used verbal 
> correction when he went for something inappropriate and followed up with 
> praise when he made a better decision.  I also used the crate when I 
> couldn't directly supervise him. It took time, but eventually we got 
> there.  He is now trustworthy free in the house alone for several hours.
>
> I understand the freedom of choice shouldn't extend to destructive 
> behaviors or things that could be dangerous.  I never meant to suggest 
> that.  I am suggesting that freedom of choice should be the goal. 
> Teaching a dog what things are appropriate to chew on, or where it is 
> appropriate to relieve, or whatever shouldn't be a lifelong 
> micromanagement issue.  I think sometimes we needed to teach something in 
> the beginning of the relationship so measures were taken to prevent the 
> problem.  But then we get stuck in this place of micromanagement and don't 
> allow more freedom as the months and years go by.   I just noticed myself 
> doing this yesterday at work.  Monty lays under my desk in my office.  For 
> the first little while he would get up, fidget or try to get attention 
> from me.  After a few weeks he settled into the routine.  I kept the leash 
> tucked between my leg and my desk chair so I could better monitor what he 
> was doing.   These days he mostly sleeps.  He doesn't try to get up and 
> run off.  He will sometimes move about to get comfortable, but I wouldn't 
> call it fidgeting.  I still have that leash though.  I have to wonder why? 
> I started taking him to work with me over two years ago.   It seems that 
> he has proven quite thoroughly that he is fine under the desk without my 
> micromanaging him by holding on to the leash.  Yet I still do it.
>
> Anyway I have to go and get some things around the house done this 
> morning.  I look forward to hearing others thoughts on this topic.
> Julie
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40wavecable.com