i don't understand the short/tight lead either - the dog will automatically strain on the leash?

this company was founded by somebody I have never heard of (and I am pretty au fait with the major trainers/behaviourist/philosophies around the world) and I see it is a franchise.

I also see that one of the USPs for this franchise is the "UNIQUE" method the founder, John Davidson, has developed for canine communication.

Unfortunately for him (and his disciples) and fortunately for us and dogs, dogs are obedient to the laws of learning, not one practitioner's take on the world.

NO reputable trainer/behaviourist ever states that they, and only they, and their "special" methods are the answer.

It is very difficult for the beginner to sort the wood from the trees when it comes to dog training.

This sounds a bit depressing doesn't it?

Have you got an APDT trainer in your area?

http://www.apdt.com.au/

Read books by

Jean Donaldso
Sophia Yin
Karen Prior
Gail Tamases Fisher
Alexandra Horowitz etc etc to name but a very few

HTH

Firstly, well done for rescuing a lovely gsd Just a few observations. I have not read the website only gone from what has been posted on here so apologies if I am incorrect.

- I think it seems as though there is a bit much focus on dominance and pack order with in the family. I certainly don't think a nervous dog is trying to dominate you. There is no need to eat before your dog etc. dogs are clever and simply adapt to what works. If jumping up gets them attention or food they will continue to do it.

- tethering is not something I've heard of. Be careful that if you are tethering the dog in a place it is normally very anxious that the dog is not purely shutting down as it knows it can't escape.
Other options could be working at a distance where the dog is not anxious and using distractions like training or play to build positive associations,

- there seems to be quite a lot of the use of ah ah. Generally you ignore the bad behaviour and reward the good. As dogs do what worlds the unwanted behaviour will usually begin to diminish. I would be careful telling a nervous dog no for doing what it feels in an appropriate response.
If you are using the ah ah when the dog is pulling, there are much more effective ways such as on the links posted by others.

- I'm not sure I really understand the purpose of not exercising the dog? Are you practising good lead waking indoors?

Lastly, are the main issues the lead walking and jumping up? Is the dog nervous/anxious. What behaviours does he display?

Personally it's not the sort of training I would use but I do wish you all the best

thanks heaps for all the info and links, going to try and go through these one by one. much appreciated.

had my second lesson with the trainer and i have decided this is the last one.

first time in 3 weeks (only because of the trainers advice) and Simba was out of control. had him out the front for just over an over and thought i was going to loose my arm. shouldnt be surprised considering he has been couped up for so long!

it was frustrating even the trainer who must have had enough and actually hit Simba on the nose.

thats when we called it a day and put Simba back in the back yard, went inside and had a chat. The trainers advice was this is all the dog trying to be dominant and I need to do everything to ensure im on top of the back etc etc. She also asked for the next two week not to play or pat him (this is when I realised i wont be getting this person back).

So ive been in contact with another trainer that specialises in clicker training and going to try and book a time to have a first session and take it from there.

thanks again for all the info, ill go through the links one by one and try to take it all in.

thanks for all the info and the links, i will go through these one by one.

ive made contact with a new trainer that specialises in clicker so im glad youve had allot of success, gives me some much needed confidence

there's nothing unusual in what you are going through, we all learn through experience

good luck and keep us posted please

PS it someone hit my dog on the nose, i would hit them on the nose

I can't believe they actually hit your poor dog! That's disgusting! Is there anyone you can complain to? Especially since they were the ones who told you not to bloody take him out in the first place!

Good on you for deciding not to have them back. I hope you have more success with the next trainer.

I am so glad that you have decided to choose a more appropriate source of training for the pair of you.

What a wise decision you have made both for yourself and your dog.

Best of luck

Dogs do not try to 'dominate' us. If they were always trying to dominate us then i doubt that a gundog would work in perfect harmony with its handler! training a dog is team work,not competition between you and your dog.


Thats great!! i wish you all the luck in your new adventure! Its really rewarding when your dog gets it and when they really enjoy the training!

thank you everyone for the kind words and wishes.

yesterday I was feeling very frustrated at both myself and the trainer.

i felt that I had lost 3 weeks of training and that ive kept my dog locked in the back yard for nothing.

but im thinking positive and looking foward to starting afresh with a new trainer.

i will keep this thread updated.

until i organise the new trainer what are people thoughts of walking Simba with a correct chain until I get advice from the new trainer (still yet to book a time and date for the initial session)