Thoughts on the Aggression forum

gsdrodman · 11-20-2011, 05:53 PM

Just some advice. I've been a lurker here a while and wanted to say something, with regards to the Aggression forum. I see a lot of posts here about people already assuming what's wrong with their dog. (fear aggression, dog aggression, resource guarding). I also see a lot of responses to these posts.

Let me stress that I hope a behaviorist has made this diagnosis and not yourself, a Petsmart trainer or some wacko on the street. In order to diagnose human psychological issues, one is required to have formal training and experience (and credentials). What makes people think it would be any different for our K9 friends? Just because they are dogs, does not mean things are plain, simple and obvious.

Any good behaviorist will also tell you, there is no way a diagnosis can be made online. Even if you describe something over the phone, there is no way to really diagnose it, without the behaviorist being onsite. Believe me, they can see a million things, the untrained eye cannot. And just because you had a similar sounding issue to another poster, does not mean you have enough knowledge to address their issue. It is a nice thought, but can do more harm than good.

If you are having an issue with your dog that is preventing you from performing wanted activities together, then consult a professional behaviorist with the proper experience and credentials. Speak to past clients of his and do your research.

Once you open your eyes, it's amazing the BS you can see. I don't believe anyone on this forum has the credentials or experience to post some of the things I have been reading. And if they did, they certainly would only tell you to consult a professional and to get off of the message board.

Razzle J.Dazzle · 11-20-2011, 05:56 PM

I would hope that most users of this forum take what they read with a grain of salt and not as gospel. Not everyone can afford a behavior specialist for their dogs, so they come to this forum and get what they come for....advice....some good...some bad. Either way, they are at least showing some sort of responsibility and care enough about their dog to do something about the issues they might be having.

Freestep · 11-20-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsdrodman

Once you open your eyes, it's amazing the BS you can see. I don't believe anyone on this forum has the credentials or experience to post some of the things I have been reading. And if they did, they certainly would only tell you to consult a professional and to get off of the message board.

Actually, most of the replies I see regarding a question of aggression DO urge the OP to consult a trainer or behaviorist. And I see a lot of people saying something to the effect of "Since I'm not there to see the behavior, I can't really diagnose..." etc.

I take it you are a behaviorist/trainer? Instead of jumping in telling everyone what they're doing wrong as your first post, why don't you try helping folks out?

Kittilicious · 11-20-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

And if they did, they certainly would only tell you to consult a professional and to get off of the message board.

I really hate it when people say thing like this. If everyone did this, then what would the point of a message board be in the first place?
Same thing goes for when you ask a question and someone replies with "Google it". Drives me nuts.
It's nice to hear stories of people having the same issues or had the same issues that you are going through, whether it's aggression, health or whatever. THAT is the point of a message board.

GSDElsa · 11-20-2011, 06:28 PM

It's the internet. That's the inherent risk...and entire purpose.

Just as someone shouldn't claim to have the "all emcompassing" answers, anyone who takes what they read on the internet as gospel is silly.

And most of the responses I see to true "aggression" issues (not: "OMG MY 10 WEEK OLD PUPPY IS ATTACKING ME!") recommend seeing a professional.

FYI, though: there are quite a few very experienced people on this forum whether rescue peopel specializing in behavior issues, trainers, or breeders.

chelle · 11-20-2011, 06:34 PM

Ummm welcome to the forum! Way to come in with a bang!

sparra · 11-20-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsdrodman

Just some advice. I've been a lurker here a while and wanted to say something, with regards to the Aggression forum. I see a lot of posts here about people already assuming what's wrong with their dog. (fear aggression, dog aggression, resource guarding). I also see a lot of responses to these posts.

Let me stress that I hope a behaviorist has made this diagnosis and not yourself, a Petsmart trainer or some wacko on the street. In order to diagnose human psychological issues, one is required to have formal training and experience (and credentials). What makes people think it would be any different for our K9 friends? Just because they are dogs, does not mean things are plain, simple and obvious.

Any good behaviorist will also tell you, there is no way a diagnosis can be made online. Even if you describe something over the phone, there is no way to really diagnose it, without the behaviorist being onsite. Believe me, they can see a million things, the untrained eye cannot. And just because you had a similar sounding issue to another poster, does not mean you have enough knowledge to address their issue. It is a nice thought, but can do more harm than good.

If you are having an issue with your dog that is preventing you from performing wanted activities together, then consult a professional behaviorist with the proper experience and credentials. Speak to past clients of his and do your research.

Once you open your eyes, it's amazing the BS you can see. I don't believe anyone on this forum has the credentials or experience to post some of the things I have been reading. And if they did, they certainly would only tell you to consult a professional and to get off of the message board.

Blah, blah, blah, blah......

**JakodaCD OA** · 11-20-2011, 06:40 PM

well there's been a few nutjobs on here that we could tell right away were nutjobs and didn't need a professional to diagnose that

)) (I'm talking people

I think if you read threads in their entirety, the majority DO recommend a behaviorist, many people, however, can't afford one so they are looking for fixes on the net.

I do agree, that there can be loads of misinformation out there, and we aren't "there" to see exactly what's going on..BUT there is also alot of GOOD information here, and if posters are smart (and I don't think we get to many real dummies), they will take away different ideas and use what may work for them.

In the end whether it's health related or training related, the best thing to do is seek out professionals in your area.

By the way are you a dog trainer or behaviorist???

Jack's Dad · 11-20-2011, 06:47 PM

Yep. Lots of B.S.

Like a lot of what you said OP.

King&Skylar · 11-20-2011, 07:22 PM

My pup was reactive from when she was 5-11 months old. I went to 2 behaviorists, 2 vets, and 3 training classes (with different instructors) none of their training methods/ behavior modifications worked- came here, got suggestions to try LAT and BAT training- tried it, BAT worked better than any of the BS the "real experts" told me.

11-20-2011, 05:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
gsdrodman New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 1	Thoughts on the Aggression forum Just some advice. I've been a lurker here a while and wanted to say something, with regards to the Aggression forum. I see a lot of posts here about people already assuming what's wrong with their dog. (fear aggression, dog aggression, resource guarding). I also see a lot of responses to these posts. Let me stress that I hope a behaviorist has made this diagnosis and not yourself, a Petsmart trainer or some wacko on the street. In order to diagnose human psychological issues, one is required to have formal training and experience (and credentials). What makes people think it would be any different for our K9 friends? Just because they are dogs, does not mean things are plain, simple and obvious. Any good behaviorist will also tell you, there is no way a diagnosis can be made online. Even if you describe something over the phone, there is no way to really diagnose it, without the behaviorist being onsite. Believe me, they can see a million things, the untrained eye cannot. And just because you had a similar sounding issue to another poster, does not mean you have enough knowledge to address their issue. It is a nice thought, but can do more harm than good. If you are having an issue with your dog that is preventing you from performing wanted activities together, then consult a professional behaviorist with the proper experience and credentials. Speak to past clients of his and do your research. Once you open your eyes, it's amazing the BS you can see. I don't believe anyone on this forum has the credentials or experience to post some of the things I have been reading. And if they did, they certainly would only tell you to consult a professional and to get off of the message board.

11-20-2011, 06:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
GSDElsa Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central, NY Posts: 3,706	It's the internet. That's the inherent risk...and entire purpose. Just as someone shouldn't claim to have the "all emcompassing" answers, anyone who takes what they read on the internet as gospel is silly. And most of the responses I see to true "aggression" issues (not: "OMG MY 10 WEEK OLD PUPPY IS ATTACKING ME!") recommend seeing a professional. FYI, though: there are quite a few very experienced people on this forum whether rescue peopel specializing in behavior issues, trainers, or breeders. __________________ Justine, mom to: - Elsa - BrightStar Rescue - "Da Pookins" - Medo Aritar Bastet - "The Beast From The East"

11-20-2011, 06:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
chelle Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 2,829	Ummm welcome to the forum! Way to come in with a bang! __________________ Dolly Eskie 6/03 Suri Shiba 10/07 Bailey WGSD/Husky x 5/11 Bailey's brother Tucker (rescue/foster dude) Tiger kitty '96 Information is power

11-20-2011, 06:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,235	well there's been a few nutjobs on here that we could tell right away were nutjobs and didn't need a professional to diagnose that)) (I'm talking people I think if you read threads in their entirety, the majority DO recommend a behaviorist, many people, however, can't afford one so they are looking for fixes on the net. I do agree, that there can be loads of misinformation out there, and we aren't "there" to see exactly what's going on..BUT there is also alot of GOOD information here, and if posters are smart (and I don't think we get to many real dummies), they will take away different ideas and use what may work for them. In the end whether it's health related or training related, the best thing to do is seek out professionals in your area. By the way are you a dog trainer or behaviorist??? __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

11-20-2011, 06:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jack's Dad Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: California Posts: 1,351	Yep. Lots of B.S. Like a lot of what you said OP. __________________ Andy

11-20-2011, 05:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Razzle J.Dazzle Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 145	I would hope that most users of this forum take what they read with a grain of salt and not as gospel. Not everyone can afford a behavior specialist for their dogs, so they come to this forum and get what they come for....advice....some good...some bad. Either way, they are at least showing some sort of responsibility and care enough about their dog to do something about the issues they might be having.

11-20-2011, 07:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
King&Skylar Master Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 513	My pup was reactive from when she was 5-11 months old. I went to 2 behaviorists, 2 vets, and 3 training classes (with different instructors) none of their training methods/ behavior modifications worked- came here, got suggestions to try LAT and BAT training- tried it, BAT worked better than any of the BS the "real experts" told me.

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