Don't Worry

Anne, you're responses to my posts were not only helpful.  But, they made me realize that her problems were NOT so bad that I couldn't do something and make things work.  I didn't know that. And, what I was reading and who was talking to me before I came across you were scaring me more. 

 
Boy, isn't that the truth, Lori? Between you and Anne and a few others, I learned a ton about dogs last year, and to be honest, my male very well would have been PTS in another home. I know that and Anne knows that and you know that! Instead, I was "converted" to clicker training and it has saved all of our lives here in my little home in the desert. (Believe me, it really is a desert right now.)  
 
Everything has changed for me because of a handful of people on this board--people from last summer. And if I can take a potential PTS dog and turn his life around (stories of which I haven't bothered to share here except through PMs), I konw I've learned something here.
 
The board isn't the same any longer--I spend more time training, laughing,  and enjoying and less time sharing. The mods were different last summer, too. I took some hard knocks with my post then, and guess what? They changed me. Thank God the mods didn't delete some of the posts I received! Thank God I didn't get write and tell the mods anything; I learned from them all instead., especially  Anne's posts to me. I reflected and took notes and thought long and hard about what needed to happen in order to see changes. I knew that things had to change or I'd have to put him to sleep.
 
And now? Now I have a dog who smiles. Who trusts. And who can do more things ("tricks" so many people call them) than I ever thought possible. I have a dog who's way more reliable than I ever dreamed possible. And more people are accepting him and he's accepting more people.
 
But--I totally get the need for a break. I'd love to share my stories, like you have. But the way things are now--I don't wanna. [] And I understand your being more quiet and Anne's need for that, too. I'm there as well.

I can certainly understand why you need a break. Harassment and pack mentality can get to anyone, even a very strong person. Please take care.

spiritdogs - you have helped me with my dog's recent behavioral and training issues.  She is now on her way to improvement and obedience thanks to the help I have received here and in the training section, and you were part of that by explaining positive reinforcement, clicker training and how to communicate with my dog. Even when it was not information posted as a response to me, I read your posts in response to others and have learned so much.  lease know there are many who appreciate and value your help greatly!

I`ve not been convinced yet to convert to 100% positive but I`m leaning more that direction. What will happen now?
I have every confidence you won`t be gone long. You`re addicted to helping people.

 
I was once where you are now, except that I was a little more into positive training from the start, though I had used corrections. In fact, I used the one that most here have never used. I used to scruff. Anne's patience and my predilection for science, math, and logic got me to at least try the clicker, even if it turned out to be nothing but another way to give treats. But it has worked so well for me. I don't say these things to get on Anne's good side or be part of the "+R" crowd. As some may surmise, I'm not politically savvy. I say what I think, whether I am right or wrong. And yes, it gets me in trouble, sometimes. I brag that my best form of butt-kissing is to keep my mouth shut so that I don't hurt a person's feelings. Anyway, we can certainly pm Anne with honest questions. That is, don't waste her time with baiting tactics, just earnest desires for solutions.
 
And thanks to Lori for openly describing your struggles and questions with Willow. You are an inspiration for us all. And isn't it amazing to find that your "hard" dog wasn't hard after all, just misunderstood? I firmly believe that my work with +R and the clicker was responsible for the favorable outcome with the scene with my goddaughter. Without such training in place, my thread on that subject would most likely have been in the Rainbow Bridge section.
 
Also, I express my preferences in training here not to open a debate but to show the value of Anne has brought here, time after time, tirelessly. And she has earned a break.

ron2, I don`t think I`ll ever completely change. I`ve been doing this over 30 years.  I just have lot`s of respect for Anne and think she offers people an intelligent alternative to compulsion training.  She`ll be back.

I can empathise a little.  I avoided this part of the board for a while before jumping ship completely and I havent been baited or harassed... i was just bored with it all.   The baiting, the pack mentality, the snide remarks, the arguing, the negativity..... yawwwwn.  Sometimes we all need a break.  Come back soon Anne.

When I posted about Mika's reactivity/fear aggression towards other dogs, you were one of the first to help me -- and it was your suggestions that led me to discover the joys of clicker training! I always appreciate reading your insight, and your patience with helping all the newbies. Did you know that when my aunt from the US was coming to visit and asked me what I wanted, I rattled off a list of all the books you keep recommending. So now copies of "The Other End of the Leash", "Don't Shoot the Dog", "The Power of Positive Training", etc. are in my shelves. []  

Like the others, I hope you won't be gone for long -- but best of luck with whatever you decide to do. []