Thanks, that makes sense and is helpful
I don't really normally believe in the dominance thing or at least use mostly positive reinforcement but I have been finding more and more a lot of the things overlap. For instance, "alpha", "leader", "dominance" etc. Are hugely controversial and triggering words for many and people say they don't believe it but often practice the same methods just under a different name. Like for instance, I think we can all agree that YOU need to be in charge, not the dog, and that the dog should listen the first time you ask. Although some will still say the dog should listen because it wants to, which is nice and I mean it probably should, hence PR, but at the end of the day it still has to listen. A lot of them also practice NILF but so do a lot of the alpha people. A lot of stuff overlaps. I say, as long as you are not abusing the dog and the dog listens the first time you ask with no arguments then call it whatever you want haha my boy used to growl if you tried to force him off the bed (though of course sometimes we grabbed the collar and tried to drag him, an aggressive act to begin with) and resource guarded bones or things he stole but with a lot of training and just age he's come around. He still doesn't always come or get off the first time but he's gotten a lot better and we're still working on it. He also has to sit and wait before we go on walks and even if the door is wide open, he doesn't go until I say so. The door shuts if he tries to move. He usually doesn't now most times but he gets an "ah!" If he even thinks about like starts to flinch. I'm not obsessive or cruel about it, I know the difference between an ear flick or itch and him flinching muscles cause he's about to get up haha and it's just calm and quiet verbal. He also stays back and waits when I put something in his bowl. I have to say take it. I don't make him sit because he has bad hips and has a hard time getting up on the slippery floor but he does another command. The door we go out for walks has a carpet. He also has to stay out of the kitchen when we eat. He does get a bite usually afterwards but not always. And I am working on him not bolting up or flinching as soon as we stand up haha so I guess I maybe call it something different but I am still mostly in charge or becoming more so. The next dog I will start right and be in charge from the beginning, leaving no question. We messed up a lot with him. And actually as for the ball and going out thing, I think next dog will sit before going out (Gator doesn't cause, again, hips, he goes out from the kitchen) so I'm in charge even if it's when he wants to go out. I also plan on making them sit or do a lot of work/obedience practice for a ball or toy. But of course also working on wait/impulse control and that he doesn't always get everything the second he demands it. I am working on that with Gator too. He has some impulse control, like waiting for food and to go outside, but he demands playing and attention. Mostly he HAS to go out if Dad or my older brother does.. I don't let him out or I wait until he is quiet or lays down and is not barking and pawing at the door. Dad thinks it's cruel but I say it's cruel to let him get so anxious. SO. ANYWAY. Sorry, I probably should have just said thanks and not started this whole discussion because I believe similar things anyway but still haha
But I would have no problem providing structure and rules. I would also probably do puzzles/games, scentwork/scent games, and/or trick training and obedience so they don't get bored and can get a chance to work the mind not just body. And speaking of body, I would take them on long walks but I know that's often not enough so I might try running with them (though I hate running), hiking, or even biking, with them. And a fenced yard to run around. Plus I might try agility or flyball or some other dog sport with them. But a lot of the flyball and agility dogs are crazy and/or hyper and have no impulse control and bark and stuff so I would make sure mine had control and didn't get away with bad behavior. But some say it's just that they're hyped up and excited to run the course and maybe they run it faster. Idk if that's true but I guess I'd find out. I just can't stand these dogs being shits and getting away with it haha
So yeah, rules/structure and working with them are no problem. In fact, I want a dog who wants to work. Gator is lazy lol he does some stuff but still.
