tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post3547593572304848326..comments2023-07-19T05:06:28.227-05:00Comments on The Dogs Are Really In Charge: Vito's Obedience Match and Ring BehaviorLaura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437492165453445126noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-90188654913334740302010-07-12T05:03:54.320-05:002010-07-12T05:03:54.320-05:00It's so nice to hear that Vito performed very ...It's so nice to hear that Vito performed very well in the trial! <br /><br />I have started competing recently, and I sometimes find myself interfering or disturbing other competitors in some way, such as walking too close to a ring or laying my dog in front of me in a way that takes much more space than necessary on the ring side. No one has complained, but this post reminded me that I need to learn more ring side manners as well as skills for competitions.<br /><br />Cinnamon's mumCinnamon and Minthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12619271665722937945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-77550532978524370222010-07-11T04:13:15.053-05:002010-07-11T04:13:15.053-05:00All I have to say is Yay Vito, you're a star :...All I have to say is Yay Vito, you're a star :)Pepperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01086104274604621399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-56709228985399293272010-07-10T20:11:44.541-05:002010-07-10T20:11:44.541-05:00Honey the Great Dane said it better than I could, ...Honey the Great Dane said it better than I could, so I'm just going to concur with her on that. <br /><br />But congratulations Vito! Whatta dog. :)Raeganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04993187206192547252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-78256014666378846502010-07-10T20:00:36.775-05:002010-07-10T20:00:36.775-05:00Yay!!! to Vito's attention and his super time ...Yay!!! to Vito's attention and his super time in the ring! That's gotta be a big confidence booster, for you both!<br /><br />Booooo to the subjects of your rants, which I totally agree with... :-(Muttsandaklutzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05551047401085562752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-58760913827028226652010-07-10T05:43:17.081-05:002010-07-10T05:43:17.081-05:00I used to walk a Great Dane, and I taught her to c...I used to walk a Great Dane, and I taught her to curl up when she laid down with me. If it's hot it's not going to be much fun for her, and they need to sprawl.<br /><br />I blame the organisers for not allowing enough space, rather than people with big dogs. <br /><br />I would also have said something to the woman with the overly friendly dog. We owe it to our dogs to protect them, especially if we are asking something from them, even just a down stay.Linda Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04916374906353488597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-9577831341935024012010-07-10T03:53:21.163-05:002010-07-10T03:53:21.163-05:00Congrats on your great trial - I find when I walk ...Congrats on your great trial - I find when I walk faster, Honey heels a LOT better too (especially as in my case, she has really long strides even when walking slowly)<br /><br />As for your rants - I so agree with you. First of all, I'm always really conscious (and embarrassed!) by the amount of space Honey takes up and I'm always anxiously trying to make she doesn't block anyone's way or encroach on other's space. I think that's so rude of those Dane owners to let them sprawl out like that. I sometimes think owners of large breeds like that like to use that opportunity to sort of "show off" how big their dogs are - you know?<br /><br />As for the corrections - I have to admit, I don't train 100% purely positive - I do believe in using corrections or deterrents in certain situations (although usually for everyday manners type things where the dog can be a serious danger, especially a large, powerful one - I don't use it for dog sports) - but I agree with you - a check chain should NEVER be used to "hang" the dog. Aside from being cruel, it doesn't teach the dog anything. <br /><br />That's the problem with all these correction tools and why I hesitate to ever recommend them - not because they are wrong in themselves but because the majority of people just never use them correclty. It shouldn't even be called "choke chain" because if it is used properly, it should NEVER choke the dog - it should simply be a very light, sudden POP and in fact, the lighter the chain, the better - if you're using it correctly, it should always be loose, resting at the base of the dog's neck and never ever tight against the skin - but almost everyone I see with a check chain uses it to restrain the dog and the poor thing is choking and gasping and straining against the chain - and learning NOTHING. <br /><br />The other problem with the correction method - as you saw - is that followers tend to focus too much on the correction side of things and forget about the reward side, which is just as - if not more important. It's crazy - just punishing/correcting a dog will teach it nothing and it annoys me because it's what these people do that give "correction" a bad name - but sadly, correction is one of those skills which is very difficult to get right - you need perfect timing and the right intensity/type for that individual dog and also to balance it instantly with reward/praise - but most people can't hit so many buttons, which is why I think it's not a good method. In the right, experienced hands, it can be an amazing method, combined with reward-based training but sadly, it usually falls into the wrong hands. I always try to train primarily by rewards and only use correction as a very rare last resort - but when I do it, I make sure I hit all the criteria. If you don't - not only do you damage your relationship with your dog but it's not effective anyway and you're just wasting your time. <br /><br />Hsin-YiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09116997529248428606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-41199298195063162042010-07-09T22:53:44.209-05:002010-07-09T22:53:44.209-05:00First, CONGRATULATIONS on a great match! It sounds...First, CONGRATULATIONS on a great match! It sounds like he did great. The fact that he kept his eyes on you that much is a great thing.<br /><br />Your rants bothered me too.<br /><br />Rant 1: I would've said something. Even if her dog is the friendliest dog in the universe, one day he might stretch towards a decidedly UNfriendly dog. I took Layla to an agility match this winter. She was in her crate and a lady with a little Yorkie walked right up to the door of the crate. The Yorkie's lip started to curl! The woman asked if Layla was friendly. Yeah, but not to snarling Yorkies. And you couldn't have stood 10 feet away? <br /><br />Rant 2: I've seen some people do that and it's just so aggravating. I use a prong collar on Layla but I only pop it as a signal to look at me. They're not heavy pops either. She's got a ton of fur on the ruff of her neck and I use about half as much force as I've seen people with small, short coated dogs use. <br /><br />Rant 3: I feel really bad for the dogs! How confusing must that be? Of course dogs can be "bad" and misbehave, but maybe if you give them a little bit of feedback as to what you want from them. It'll probably just end in a bad cycle, they'll increase the use of corrections to "show the dog" but not actually help them when it counts.<br /><br />But on to the bright side, I'm so excited that he did so well! ESPECIALLY if he hasn't been to class in awhile and with no treats or toys. That's great news. I'm so happy for you both!Amy / Layla the Malamutehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17483472323529793052noreply@blogger.com