Thought this link would interest you all

ORIGINAL: Xerxes

Espencer, to clarify, are you suggesting that the dog is less likely to default to undesired behaviors when exercised? I didn't assume you meant that exercise *fixes* cumpulsive behavior. I understnad Millan as saying it's exercise + discipline and affection, not exercise alone.

 
Again, exercise alone BECAUSE the example was about LACK OF EXERSICE, exercising your dog will solve the problem, want to have a balanced dog 24/7? then you apply exercise,discipline and affection, your dog has a problem RIGHT NOW for lack of exercise? then walk him and the problem dissapears
 
The dog nips at the owner? then the dog needs discipline, depends on what example we are talking about
 

ORIGINAL: Liesje

I think we're all in agreement with what you're saying.  My beef with what espencer said is that he said certain behaviors are "negative traits" that only manifest when an owner has not done exercise and discipline.  I totally and completely disagree with that, because what may seem "negative" about my dog to him and others is actually exactly what she has been trained to do and what her standard requires.  As I said in my very first response to this topic, words like "negative" and "behavioral problem" are so often used incorrectly because what an inexperienced owner or someone who doesn't care for a particular breed will assume is a "bad" behavior might not be bad at all.

 
Ok is you GSD aggressive? no? then i dont know why you think i said your dog has a problem
 
 

ORIGINAL: espencer

ORIGINAL: Xerxes

Espencer, to clarify, are you suggesting that the dog is less likely to default to undesired behaviors when exercised? I didn't assume you meant that exercise *fixes* cumpulsive behavior. I understnad Millan as saying it's exercise + discipline and affection, not exercise alone.

Again, exercise alone BECAUSE the example was about LACK OF EXERSICE, exercising your dog will solve the problem, want to have a balanced dog 24/7? then you apply exercise,discipline and affection, your dog has a problem RIGHT NOW for lack of exercise? then walk him and the problem dissapears

The dog nips at the owner? then the dog needs discipline, depends on what example we are talking about

Actually that was Ixa's-girl, not me.  But thanks for thinking it was me![]

But to respond to you: 

I agree that a great many behavior problems are manifested because of lack of exercise.  I don't think that taking the dog for a walk will always solve the behavior problems.  It will reduce them, somewhat.  So I think we can agree that the old adage "a tired dog is a good dog" has more than a little bit of truth to it.  The big E won't cure all behavior problems, but it is a good start for most people.

Ok is you GSD aggressive? no? then i dont know why you think i said your dog has a problem

No, she's not.  So I still have no clue what the "8 year old" comment was about.  Please clarify.

The dog nips at the owner? then the dog needs discipline, depends on what example we are talking about

Actually, this is an occasion when my first suggestion would be exercise, NOT discipline.  If you ignore demanding behavior, because that's what nipping is, it eventually goes away IF you are taking prevention seriously.  Prevention includes exercise, training, and management.  You could say that training = discipline, and I would agree then that discipline is what the dog needs.  I would not agree that a dog needs to be punished (if you mean corrected, as in leash correction, etc.) for nipping at the owner, since in most cases that's just PITA behavior which tends to disappear when NILIF and some training takes place.  In this context, I think that Cesar's exercise suggestion of 45 minutes a day is good, except if you are dealing with a dog that gets overstimulated by the form of exercise you choose for him. 

I think she means that the dog is "not friendly" to strangers.  Mine isn't either.  Usually when in reference to a large dog, when you tell people he is not friendly, they are sure his next move is to take your neck out.

Not so.  The dog will not lick, smile, breathe heavily in anticipation of a strangers affection, hugs, pets and coos. 

A sniff is just fine, thank you.

My pom will do absolutely anything to gain a strangers affection.  Zeus considers these antics undignified and disdainful.

ORIGINAL: espencer

ORIGINAL: Liesje

she's leery of them because she's a GSD and that's exactly how I want her to behave around strangers. 

What if that stranger is 8 years old? you have to be very careful with that, for what could happen to the kid, the dog or you

I think she means that the dog is "not friendly" to strangers. Mine isn't either. Usually when in reference to a large dog, when you tell people he is not friendly, they are sure his next move is to take your neck out.

Actually, she loves people (probably more than she should).  Pretty much anyone but men of a certain stature (past experience) she doesn't mind at all.  But she's a GSD, so her approach is different than say, a lab.  For her, "being nice" is giving you a look and a sniff and then we go on our way.  She likes you just find, but she doesn't really care to be your best friend at that moment, she accepts someone because the handler does.  To most people, that = being leery of strangers.  I find it perfectly acceptable.  It doesn't matter to her one way or the other.  If I want to stay and chat with someone, she's not going to be putting her back up or trying to pull away.

So yeah I still have no clue what an 8 year old has to do with anything.  Is that a reference to a CM episode?

 
Cesar starts with:

Animal
Dog
Breed
Personality

All have areas of importance, or they wouldn't be on the list. [8D]

Here's my break-down...just for chuckles. []


Earthcreature [sm=abducted.gif]

Animal

Vertebrate

Mammal
* Social Mammal
* Carnivorous

Canid
* Dog

Breed
* Bred for by man skills
* Primative breeds
* Line specifics
* Mix

Individual
* Sex (intact or no?)
* Age
* Personality
* Level of natural dominance
* Level of natural waryness
* Level of intelligence
* History to date
* Raised from puppyhood with current family
* Rescued at an older age
    *Age when rescued
    *History (if available)

Outside factors

* Humans's part in seeing that the dog's basic needs are fulfilled (including - exercise, discipline affection - CM)
* Human is aware of any specific breed needs
* Personalities of humans living with the dog
* Human dynamics within household
* Other dogs or pets in household
* Social dynamic and postion within family pack
* Socials skills both on and off home turf with family pack
* Social instruction and leadership used by owners
* Training methods used by owners

Where is the dog today, within the moment?

What are the issues the owner is concerned with?

What does the dog's behavor tell us...about the owner...