The ultimate question....

[KaleIAm]

His motivation is ‘So what do those dummies keep up here that is so important I’m not allowed up here?’

I open the bedroom door or simply walk down the hall I hear feet hit the floor.

He knows dang well he’s not supposed to be up there.

He might think he's not supposed to be there when you are around. Since that is the only time he gets scolded.

 

[Ribh]

That’s fine! Everyone has their own opinions and I respect that but I think we actually do agree or come close maybe but are just using different terms or misunderstanding maybe.

I am absolutely not saying to let the dog walk all over the owner or anything like that. They definitely do need structure and rules and all that. But I just don’t think they necessarily need an alpha or to be dominated to do that if I’m making any sense.

Because, for example, there are tons that compete in high levels of competition or know hundreds of tricks, etc. that train with positive reinforcement methods. I would consider those dogs highly trained. Many service dogs are trained this way as well. They are all well trained but they have definitely, as you’ve said, been trained and had structure and rules enforced from day one, just in a different way.

I should note I have no problems with balanced training or properly done corrections or even tools or anything like that btw. Every dog is different. But I think alpha/dominance is a whole different thing BUT I have noticed that many trainers on both sides use a lot of the same methods but just call it something different I think we are misunderstanding maybe.

But I totally understand where you are coming from and will leave it at that lol I think the main issue though, as you’ve stated, is untrained dogs and owners that don’t care. When the owners take the time to train, regardless of the method, the dogs are usually wonderful and a pleasure to be around rather than a pain but sadly many don’t train and also don’t exercise them either which is another huge issue. I will leave this now though as I know it can be hot topic LOL

No doubt you are right. I often find there is a difference in terminology between here & the States. Only 1 of my neighbours has bothered to train his dog & the dog is, as you say, a pleasure to have around. I had to give up one of my walking routes due to pitbulls forming a pack & starting to *herd*. They weren't of a mind to back down either & I had to fend them off with a stout stick. I can't walk that way any more & worry for the safety of children. We don't have anything like animal control where I live either.

 

[ShrekDawg]

He might think he's not supposed to be there when you are around. Since that is the only time he gets scolded.

I think they actually sell motion activated water sprayers or noise makers and stuff like that. Maybe something like that would work so he learns it applies all the time not just when people are around?

 

[ShrekDawg]

No doubt you are right. I often find there is a difference in terminology between here & the States. Only 1 of my neighbours has bothered to train his dog & the dog is, as you say, a pleasure to have around. I had to give up one of my walking routes due to pitbulls forming a pack & starting to *herd*. They weren't of a mind to back down either & I had to fend them off with a stout stick. I can't walk that way any more & worry for the safety of children. We don't have anything like animal control where I live either.

Whoops! I just noticed your location. apologies! Although that said, there is a lot of variation in terminology here as well and I think a lot of people also hear things and add their own meaning or assume something different than intended. I’ve noticed that the training and dog world in general seems quite divided, at least here.

I can understand why you would have the opinions you have after experiencing that sort of thing as well!! That is terrifying!! glad you are okay! There are places here in the States too where loose dogs are a huge problem but fortunately it’s not really an issue in my area.

But dogs definitely behave far differently in a pack too than they do alone or even in pairs! And I do find that certain breeds are more strong willed or may need different methods than others which is a somewhat unpopular opinion but because some like one of my brother’s are very “soft” and melt with just the voice and others may thrive on the structure LOL

Anyway, in that case, they definitely needed some sort of tough, intimidating personality and even that may not be enough when they are in “hunt” mode but for the average pet I think most just need training, rules, structure, that sort of thing. And I’ve noticed at least here in the states that sometimes people will just let the dogs loose for their “exercise” needs! Mostly in more rural areas. Then sometimes they form packs like you’ve seen and it can definitely be dangerous! Even the most friendly “wouldn’t hurt a fly” type breeds can act way different in that situation.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

His motivation is ‘So what do those dummies keep up here that is so important I’m not allowed up here?’

I open the bedroom door or simply walk down the hall I hear feet hit the floor.

He knows dang well he’s not supposed to be up there.

He kniws he's not supposed to get CAUGHT being up there.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Theo, the wife’s cat, has brought two cottontail rabbits in the house alive. One half eaten jackrabbit, and I don’t know how many ground squirrels.

There’s disadvantages to dog doors.

Gifts. The cat wants to feed you because it loves you. You are its babies, its family.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I respectfully disagree. For starters you have to actually like them. I don't. I also disagree on the other 2 points. The best dogs I've seen have seen their owner as the pack leader & seen themselves as part of the pack. Everyone around me here has dogs. Very few are what I would call a good dog & in each case the dog has a very well defined place & is trained to keep its place. The worst are the ones with no structure & rule their owners. It's a very different mindset to a cat colony which is often structured to be mutually beneficial to all members with no designated leader. I'm afraid we will have to agree to disagree on this one. I'm just a cat person through & through.

I agree with you. If you don't like dogs, there is no reason for you to have them. It would be a disservice boh to you and the dog for you to get one. Please enjoy youf life as a cat aficianado!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

No doubt you are right. I often find there is a difference in terminology between here & the States. Only 1 of my neighbours has bothered to train his dog & the dog is, as you say, a pleasure to have around. I had to give up one of my walking routes due to pitbulls forming a pack & starting to *herd*. They weren't of a mind to back down either & I had to fend them off with a stout stick. I can't walk that way any more & worry for the safety of children. We don't have anything like animal control where I live either.

You're right to take precautions and avoid the area. Three dogs of this breed got hold of my GirlChild last year as she was walking in unfamiliar territory. Thank God their drug-dealing owners were near enough to call them off before they tore her leg off. She was 18 at the time. She'll wear that scar the rest of her life, and truly is lucky to be alive. But I don't fault the dogs nearly as much as I do the owners. They cultivated in those dogs a "keep off the property" attitude, without instilling in them a clear idea of where their boundaries lay, or confining them to their own area. People are responsible for the actions of their animals.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Well. Folks, it's been fun but I am gonna call it a night. Sweet dreams, everyone! ❤

 

[ValerieJ]

@MarkJr , he's not doing what he's doing in order to make you mad. He has no idea that you have emotions. He does not even know what emotions are. He has his own reasons for why he does things. If you can figure out what motivates him, then you can solve the problem and stop the behavior. Look at it as a puzzle, a challenge. Like a video game. You have to figure out WHY he's doing what he's doing then "redirect the behavior." Change the environment so he is no longer motivated to get up there. Don't think so much in terms of punishing him. Look at the situation through his brain, his eyes. Then change what he sees, what he desires. Change the motivation, change the behavior, problem solved. You win, you're the hero, the cat is no longer a jerk, he's just a cat.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!