[Shaina]

"My dog understands everything I say, we have a special bond."

Dogs don't speak English, French, or any other recognized human language. They might understand certain vocalizations, but they are getting far more out of body language and, to a lesser extent, tone. Some dogs are wicked good at this, but people give themselves too much credit: the dog's holding up both ends of the conversation in most cases, since most people don't even know they are sending out nonverbal communication.

I'm not knocking the people that actually have taken the time to figure out how to communicate with their dog.

Originally Posted by sillylilykitty

What do you dog people do about dogs jumping on you? Say anything? Or do you just turn around without saying anything?

I say sit as she approaches and otherwise completely ignore her (turning around made my girl think it was a game) until she sits. Worked well for us...now generalizing that to the rest of the world is becoming the tricky bit.

[sillylilykitty]

Yeah, I guess it is different with your own dog. What about other peoples dogs? When a dog comes running up to you and bounces all over you?? I put my knee up, not to hit them in the chest but because that is the only way I learned to do it. Whenever I turned away from other peoples dogs they just jump on my back and scratch me up there

[poodleholic]

Oh yeah - you've got to be the PACK LEADER, and be calm and assertive while you alpha roll, force, or other aversive methods! LOL



Excerpts from, "The Complete Idiots Guide to Positive Dog Training",
second edition, copyright 2005 by Pamela Dennison (author.)

Page 9: "The most notable role models for positive methods are the
trainers at SeaWorld parks. They train a killer whale to stay still
for dental work without Novocain, to urinate on cue into a paper cup,
to allow blood to be drawn, and many other behaviors needed for
animal husbandry. Use punishment on these animals and you'll see the
need for new trainers increase because all of the trainers will be
dead. So they use positive training by necessity. It only takes
nine months to train a whale, including name recognition, "Come" on
cue, and daily animal husbandry (does your dog allow grooming?), eye
contact, not eating the trainer or any other animals – even prey –
plus all of the behaviors needed for the show."

Page 10: "Why some people seem to think that a 25-pound Sheltie
needs more punishment than an 8,000-pound killer whale at SeaWorld is
beyond me."