Well I have to say I'd have loved to see someone convince Rupert that praise and a fuss were better than going off killing other animals. If he were still here I'd have volunteered him since I gather from what you're saying that you're not about to hang a dog or use certain devices that shall not be mentioned.

A tad literal in interpretation. A working dog is bred to do a job, yet it should need instruction and permission from the owner before the dog believes it can carry out the tasks for which it was bred, if you are indeed working it like that. If a dog, and this applies to any dog, believes it can operate and carry out its decisions without reference to you, then what is the point of you? They are "independent " because they engender repeated commands and by apparently ignoring all best attempts, the use our lack of patience to make us resort to food. These type of dogs are absolute masters at exploiting our emotional weaknesses, the majority of dogs are good at it, the "independent" breeds are just better at making us change our behaviour before they will change theirs. Who is in charge?

Thank you but I am happy to answer any questions. Different approaches are difficult to accept and take time and patience to explain and be understood, just like communicating with our dogs really!

You are right, I use only a collar and lead and never hang a dog. I am sorry for your loss, despite his behaviour, it sounds like you loved Rupert a great deal.

Where did I say that? I've had shar-pei for almost 20 years and a Tibetan Mastiff for 7. They are anything but hard to establish a connection with! They are very easy to establish a bond with (all mine have been 7 months to 5 years old when I got them) and teach how to do things. If anything, the problem is they can very easily work out what you want, but this does not equate with them being desperate to please you or get your attention. And I don't mean they are doing things on their terms because they've been allowed to by me.

Thank you. We have all been sceptical about things in our lives, it is what makes us what we are. I am always happy to explain what I do because I believe in it completely.

i like the fact that my dogs can choose to do somthing that they want to do
yes if they want to do somthing that they shouldnt then they get told to stop but they dont have to wait to be told what they can do all the time
i have a feeling you like "robot" dogs, they only do what you tell them to do

Sorry, this was not a direct comment but speaking generally so please do not take it to heart. I had Terriers in particular in mind.

Thank you, he was certainly loved. His desire to kill things was only one of his problems though. He came to me with more baggage than an international airport and I think he could have filled a whole series on his own

I can see where you are coming from, my own dogs have a free reign and spend most of their time off lead, even around other dogs because they have earned my trust and I have earned theirs. I can stop them from getting too excited from a distance and have a recall that gets an immediate response. Because of their calm demeanour, I can take them anywhere and they will not react to external stimulation. Freedom is earned on both sides. I hope that helps?