[nagdu] cooperation vs. force

[Natalie]

Hi Julie,
You and I are so much alike on this one.  While I can see where corrections, 
confinement and other punitive measures may be warranted, it's all about 
that mutual trust, that dog feeling like, "I want to do the work because I 
know I'll be successful and I'll please my mom," is what's happening in my 
mind and heart as well.  When I was training with my previous guide, 
Whitney, a trainer said to us during a lecture, "If you learn nothing else 
from this class, learn this: For every no, there's a yes."  So, I totally 
agree with you on this one.
Best,
Nat and Liam Joshua

----- 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: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 9:58 AM
Subject: [nagdu] cooperation vs. force


> All the recent messages on this list and others concerning corrections, 
> tie downs, muzzles etc. have me thinking.  Although I'm not absolutely 
> opposed to corrections, confinement, muzzles or any other sort of punitive 
> measure that comes to mind, it does make me wonder how the use of these 
> affect the relationship with the dog.  To me the relationship I have with 
> my dog is the most important thing.  If that is built from trust, 
> cooperation and mutual respect then everything else will be fine.  I want 
> a dog to want to be with me and work with me not out of fear of a 
> punishment, but because he genuinely enjoys my company.  I want him to 
> feel empowered to think for himself and to try new things.  I feel that 
> too much use of punishment based interaction will hamper the ability for 
> him to do these things.  I want him to learn self control so he can manage 
> his own impulses out of a place of  confidence in his own choices rather 
> than me micromanaging his life.
>
> I'm not explaining well.   I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think 
> freedom of choice on the part of the dog is an important thing.  Too often 
> I have fallen into the trap of micromanaging too much of my dog's lives, 
> not allowing them any amount of freedom.  I regret that.  It is something 
> that I have learned with Monty.  To truly trust a dog you have to give 
> them opportunities to mess up so they can show you that they won't.
>
> Julie
>
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