Sheila
Sheila is an Australian shepherd / chow mix. Her mom was a full blooded red Aussie who escaped. Due to a club’s purity in breeding requirements, mom and seven one week old puppies found themselves thrown over the fence at the Humane Society of Indianapolis (HSI). Really, I wouldn’t recommend that anyone deliberately create this mix. While she is gorgeous, the mix of traits does not make for the best of companions.
I adopted Sheila in 1999 when she was eight weeks old. From the beginning, we had difficulties. She was described as a mouthy, strong-willed, dominant, etc. Every trainer and behaviorist I spoke with recommended punishment and to teach her that I was “dominant”. She had other ideas. Like many dogs, instead of reacting with submission, she matched my punishment with her own (Note: this is NOT the dog behaving in a dominant manner – I now know that her behavior was SELF DEFENSE). When she was six months old, I entered her in obedience training at HSI. Positive reinforcement training techniques are now used, at the time, HSI taught only choke chain training. The training was harsh, especially for a six month old pup.
She did become a well behaved dog who was very obedient; however, she also did absolutely nothing unless you told her to do so. While this may be what some people want and expect, I greatly regret using such harsh methods with her. She was never allowed to be a dog, to enjoy life, or even to be a close companion. She just withdrew from the world.
I have included an anecdote for those who believe choke chains are not punishing. Please keep in mind that it has been eight years since Sheila has seen a choke chain and nine and a half years since she was enrolled in a training class. I tried to take Sheila to a positive training class in December 2008. She was sporting a silk martingale collar that she normally wears only for fun outings. There were no choke chains to be found anywhere inside the building (the school does not allow them). Sheila walked into the room, took one look around, saw the other dogs, dropped to the floor, and completely shut down. She would not look at anything except the floor and completely refused to move. I managed to get her to move around the room only for “walkies”. We accomplished nothing other than walking around the room the entire evening. Given her response with such a time lag, nobody will ever be able to convince me that she did not find choke chain training to be extremely punishing!
Since starting shaping with her at home (the only training she responds to these days), Sheila is a happy, energetic, and loving companion. She is even starting to snuggle again!
I adopted Sheila in 1999 when she was eight weeks old. From the beginning, we had difficulties. She was described as a mouthy, strong-willed, dominant, etc. Every trainer and behaviorist I spoke with recommended punishment and to teach her that I was “dominant”. She had other ideas. Like many dogs, instead of reacting with submission, she matched my punishment with her own (Note: this is NOT the dog behaving in a dominant manner – I now know that her behavior was SELF DEFENSE). When she was six months old, I entered her in obedience training at HSI. Positive reinforcement training techniques are now used, at the time, HSI taught only choke chain training. The training was harsh, especially for a six month old pup.
She did become a well behaved dog who was very obedient; however, she also did absolutely nothing unless you told her to do so. While this may be what some people want and expect, I greatly regret using such harsh methods with her. She was never allowed to be a dog, to enjoy life, or even to be a close companion. She just withdrew from the world.
I have included an anecdote for those who believe choke chains are not punishing. Please keep in mind that it has been eight years since Sheila has seen a choke chain and nine and a half years since she was enrolled in a training class. I tried to take Sheila to a positive training class in December 2008. She was sporting a silk martingale collar that she normally wears only for fun outings. There were no choke chains to be found anywhere inside the building (the school does not allow them). Sheila walked into the room, took one look around, saw the other dogs, dropped to the floor, and completely shut down. She would not look at anything except the floor and completely refused to move. I managed to get her to move around the room only for “walkies”. We accomplished nothing other than walking around the room the entire evening. Given her response with such a time lag, nobody will ever be able to convince me that she did not find choke chain training to be extremely punishing!
Since starting shaping with her at home (the only training she responds to these days), Sheila is a happy, energetic, and loving companion. She is even starting to snuggle again!
Charlie
Charlie is a Catahoula leopard dog who had been confiscated for cruelty by Indianapolis Animal Care & Control (IACC). By the time he was six months old, he had already seen abuse and neglect. He then spent three months in the kennels at IACC before I chose him to be my companion. What I did not know was that this dog was to teach me compassion, trust, and everything I know about training today.
I called him my duck and run dog when he first came home. Every time someone would reach for him or even hold a spatula, he would duck and run out of the room. I tried using choke chain training with Charlie; the poor boy just completely panicked. It took me some time to find the right trainer to teach me what he needed. Through tears and a lot of laughter, we have come a long way together. Charlie is a happy boy who wrestles, plays, sits for grooming (okay wiggles), loves children, is good with cats, likes other dogs (off leash), and greets most people on the street nicely. He also loves to “practice” (i.e. train) and to play a rousing game of tug. Our last major hurdle appears to be some leash reactivity when other dogs approach. He and I are actively addressing this as a team.
Charlie is my heart dog and the inspiration for all of my training endeavors. Without him, I would know nothing about modern dog training methods, nor how wonderful a relationship a person can truly have with a dog. He is a kind and loving teacher, and has acted as a sort of unofficial therapy dog around the neighborhood. We live in an area with a significant amount of domestic violence. When I explain Charlie’s background to the local children and teens, their eyes all but well up in empathy. They have told him things I’m sure they would never tell anybody else. They also ask how Charlie turned out to be such a good dog. We talk through some of that at well. It always seems to provide them with hope that they can make a better life for themselves.
I called him my duck and run dog when he first came home. Every time someone would reach for him or even hold a spatula, he would duck and run out of the room. I tried using choke chain training with Charlie; the poor boy just completely panicked. It took me some time to find the right trainer to teach me what he needed. Through tears and a lot of laughter, we have come a long way together. Charlie is a happy boy who wrestles, plays, sits for grooming (okay wiggles), loves children, is good with cats, likes other dogs (off leash), and greets most people on the street nicely. He also loves to “practice” (i.e. train) and to play a rousing game of tug. Our last major hurdle appears to be some leash reactivity when other dogs approach. He and I are actively addressing this as a team.
Charlie is my heart dog and the inspiration for all of my training endeavors. Without him, I would know nothing about modern dog training methods, nor how wonderful a relationship a person can truly have with a dog. He is a kind and loving teacher, and has acted as a sort of unofficial therapy dog around the neighborhood. We live in an area with a significant amount of domestic violence. When I explain Charlie’s background to the local children and teens, their eyes all but well up in empathy. They have told him things I’m sure they would never tell anybody else. They also ask how Charlie turned out to be such a good dog. We talk through some of that at well. It always seems to provide them with hope that they can make a better life for themselves.
"No man can be condemned for owning a dog.
As long as he has a dog, he has a friend; and the poorer he gets,
the better friend he has." ~ Will Rogers
As long as he has a dog, he has a friend; and the poorer he gets,
the better friend he has." ~ Will Rogers
