More Evidence

Anne, I just tried the link, and got an error msg...

"Conclusions: This study confirms and extends the observations of the authors and other researchers that owner personality and the expression of canine behavior problems may be associated. In particular, the findings indicate that more confident, independent-minded persons are less likely to be confronted with a canine behavior problem, such as dominance-related aggression, fear aggression, or separation anxiety."
 
 
That is the conclusion of the study.  The article is under Volume 2, issue 1 by Nicholas Dodman.  If you click on that link, then click on the "articles" tab on the left and scroll down to click on Vol 2/issue 1.  Sorry if that's confusing, but that's how I found it.  Interesting article, but not surprising for sure!!

Interesting article, but not surprising for sure!!

 
Agreed.
 
In my own way, without such trial evidence at hand, I have stated such, before. Example, I had pointed out that Spiritdog is a dominant personality with a clear direction of what she expects and what she will not tolerate. This relays into posture, attitude, breathing, etc. And that this may significantly aid her success with dogs as much as any training method she uses.
 
I could be wrong. However, how many times have we agreed that if the owner is fearful in a situation, the dog becomes fearful, too, picking up on the owner's emotions?
 
I think, though he may not have viewed this evidence, that CM is trying to get this idea across when he invites owners to be "calm and assertive." To recall a job or section of their life where they are, indeed, in control and to transfer that mental image to their dog interactions. If you have been in charge of a crew or throwing a brunch, you have the means of control and the mindset necessary to accomplish a task with the goal clearly ahead. This changes the way you stand, breath, the way you smell to the dog. It has been pointed out that dogs read body language and smell more quickly and easily than understanding abstract words.
 
And it pointed out that too much affection at the wrong point in a dog's emotional cycle can have the wrong effect.
 
Sometimes the simplest thing, which can be the hardest thing, to do is to be the boss and expect obedience, even if you don't get it right away. Simply changing your attitude to one of being a leader and expecting obedience will change your posture. But it's hard for some people when their dog is their baby in fur. Then, we are anthropromorphizing and treating a dog like a human.

An interesting article to say the least. 

Example, I had pointed out that Spiritdog is a dominant personality with a clear direction of what she expects and what she will not tolerate. This relays into posture, attitude, breathing, etc. And that this may significantly aid her success with dogs as much as any training method she uses.

I could be wrong.

Actually, ron, you have a good point (at least as long as this wasn't just a polite way of calling me whatever they call women who are assertive)
 [sm=rotfl.gif]
The fact is that dogs can tell if we hesitate while breathing, and they are masters at reading our most subtle body language - it's their native tongue.  It's the same thing that makes dogs "cave" (for lack of a better word - not yet done with first cup o' java) before CM, and anyone else who has similar body language.  But, then, the next step is to take that and teach the dog an alternative behavior to the "default" behavior that was causing a problem.  That's the juncture where trainers "can do", and owners often fail (they have a default behavior, too, LOL).  But, once the owner develops the ability to lead, all things are possible.  Which is why you often have students who outdo their trainers at competition. They get psyched when the dog is right, and it's like a drug![]

anyone read James Harriot's books-- remember his story about the couple who had a pair of really nasty mean dogs? and then the terriers died, so they got a pair of pups, who in a few years turned into really nasty mean dogs?
who can doubt that dogs (and kids) reflect the character of the person who raised them?

But, then, the next step is to take that and teach the dog an alternative behavior to the "default" behavior that was causing a problem

 
I totally agree. When you are in control, expect the obedience and show how the obedience can be learned so that the dog can accomplish that, and be consistent in thwarting wrong behavior and leading to wanted behavior.
 
BTW, when I said dominant, I was not thinking of the term that refers to an unbred female dog.[sm=hardhat-black.gif]

Agree wholeheartedly with all that's been said, particulary by Ron.  When I first started training, I really had to learn to be more assertive.  Oddly enough training dogs helped me become more confident overall!  Dogs read body language far quicker than any voice command you try to give them. 

For example though I was only grooming this dog, we had a lab/shep cross of some sorts that came in.  The dog was all sorts of unruly (the owners didn't care, and he kept getting out of his collar and breaking free).  The dog was far from dumb however, he was just babied at home and had no clear rules.  He knew some basic commands, but didn't usually obey because as the owners was trying to fill out our grooming customer record card she kept telling him timidly to sit and stay.  Yeah, didn't work, you can't beg a dog to sit for you.

I took the leash, postured myself to let the dog I wasn't going to put up with that crap, and said sit firmly...he did and quit trying to climb up the walls (subsequently he was an ANGEL for grooming after he tried to test me a couple times and realized it wasn't going to fly).   The owner was amazed and asked how I got him to listen/behave....I politely directed her over to a dog trainer we had and suggested she sign up.  Thankfully she did b/c at around 60lbs. that dog was a danger (not aggressive, but jumpy and nippy). 

Now I have a funny twist to this. I am without a doubt one of those people that dogs know they can walk all over. It's taken me years to develop even a semblance of assertiveness and it often fails me in a crisis still. A friend and I were talking, though, and while she's one of those people before whom dogs melt into puddles (and she is very gentle and soft spoken), livestock walk all over her. I'm apparently the opposite, as she noticed while I was helping her with chores. Even big bulls turn from me as if I were a dog.

Again, I was helping a friend sort sheep for a trial this weekend and noticed the same thing. She's very confident with her dogs, but had to physically shove the sheep around, get in their faces, stomp, to move them in the pen. I could move them by standing with my hands in my pockets and shifting my weight slightly, most of the time. If they got REALLY sour and stubborn I could hold them by crouching down and catching their eye.

I'm not sure - I think given the choice I'd rather have the way with dogs than be a Sheep Whisperer. [8|]