[NAGDU] Softer Dogs?

[Raul A. Gallegos]

Charlene, I think that if you got the end result you were looking for, 
then who cares if a correction was needed or not. In my new dog's case, 
if we are going to be in a high-distraction situation, I will sometimes 
put the collar up high and tug it a little to say, I am on to you, so 
chill. And things are fine after that. I did that earlier today when I 
worked him into a vet's office. Let me say that if you can successfully 
work your dog in a place like a vet or a pet store, then you are doing well.


--
Raul A. Gallegos
Assistive Technology Trainer - RGA Tech Solutions
Voice and Text: 832.554.7285
Office: 832.639.4477
Personal Email: raul at raulgallegos.com
Work Email: training at rgats.com
Twitter: @rga7285 and @RGATrainer

“Any teacher that can be replaced with a computer, deserves to be.” - 
David Thornburg

On 3/21/2017 6:34 PM, Charlene Ota via NAGDU wrote:
> I remember riding in an elevator with a couple of other dog guide users at a
> convention. My dog started sniffing at one of the other dogs, I said no
> firmly a couple times and he didn't respond like I'd like so I picked up his
> leash and jangled his collar a bit and he immediately focused again and that
> was the end of it. One of the other dog users said something to the effect
> of "What kind of a correction was that, that was no correction!" I can't
> remember if I actually answered the person or just left it alone, but I know
> I thought to myself, well that's all that was needed. He's a very soft dog,
> he doesn't respond to hard leash corrections. His trainer was into positive
> reinforcement so that's how he was trained and it seems to work for him just
> fine. I can't remember ever having to give him a hard leash correction in
> the 9 years that I have worked with him. I also don't use a clicker, the
> trainer wasn't using them at the time either. I think we just have to
> remember that all dogs aren't the same, they have different personalities
> and different needs. There are several training techniques that if done
> correctly are very effective, too. The best thing we can do is apply what we
> are told at the school by the trainer that trained our dogs and go from
> there. If we find we need to add something, then hopefully, we do it with
> the dog's best interests in mind and utilize their strengths as best as we
> can.
>
> Charlene