Is anyone familiar with the Don Sullivan Training

[Lindab]

Hello all, Gunny is 8 months now. He is pretty good most of the time, altho somewhat fearful. We have socialized him, we are doing ob classes now. He really is a pushy guy, I will give command leave it and he will drop my couch pillow I praise, and he immediately starts on something else, and yes we have toys everywhere. I also redirect with toy. I have stepped up the NILF, he sits in a stay until I tell him he can eat his food, sits before coming in. I am still having a problems with him rolling like a crocodile, scratching my arms, I have realized its not fear when this happens, its when I stop him from doing something he wants to do by say stopping him from following a guest leaving the driveway, he really scraped me badly and growled at me. My husband wants to try Don Sullivan System, its not a shock collar I think more likely a prong type. Is anyone familiar with this system. I just don't know what to do. I have been trying to train him with clicker and treats. And when he wants to he will follow commands., but when he doesn't he resist with a vengance. I have never hit, yelled, or been over reactive. My husband is tired of seeing me covered in bruises and scrapes. I don't know what to do? Is 7 months to soon to try something else. He knows what come means, he will run from me sometimes in the house when I tell him its time to go out. Please advise, I am very, very low right now!

[Dainerra]

Ive seen it on TV, but that's it. I believe it's a collar with little plastic bumps, for lack of a better description?

I don't know anything about them though. Has he been to Ob classes? or seen a trainer?

[Cassidy's Mom]

I've never heard it of him, but I found some interesting stuff here (scroll down to the last post in this thread): http://www.dogforums.com/3-dog-train...s-perfect.html

Apparently, the collar is a plastic prong. The training sounds very old school, using corrections and praise only, vs motivational training using rewards.

This part concerns me:

Quote:I had to use a prong collar with my pup when teaching him down, because DS collar did not give an intense enough correction to make my dog respond. He would rather get the pinch from DSs collar than have to lie down. (Using a prong collar is advised in DS's DVD when dealing with a very strong willed or aggressive dog.) After a few days I was able to revert back to DS's collar and now my pup follows the down command, every time, with no corrective collar on at all.

Giving corrections to TEACH a command? Everyone who commented on this and other forums that I found that had used it said it does work, but we all know compulsion works, it's just not the best way to have a dog that willingly and happily complies with commands.

[London's Mom]

My 8 month old, London, is also a challenge. I have been taking him to Obedience since he was 8 weeks old, every Monday for 2.5 hours. The trainer has helped me tremendously. She believes in controlling the dog with a Gentle Leader. I use it most of the time when I am working with him and walking with him. At around 70 lbs., the Leader allows me to control him with absolutely no pain to him or me!

I also provide London with a TON of exercise. I walk him twice a day for close to an hour, plus I play with him sporatically in the yard with his favorite ball. I have a large fenced in yard, so I also invite friendly neighbor dogs over for playtime at least once a week.

London has SO much energy and if I do not let him release that energy he does get a bit more demanding and mouthy.

My advise would be to try the Gentle Leader and provide more exercise, if you have the time.

[Lindab]

Thanks for your responses. We are going to ob once a week and I did have a trainer come to the house. For the most part I think it will just take more time. I have tried explaining this to my dh. Gunny is a bit fearful, but even more he is pushy. Does that make sense.? He is a sweet boy, most of the time. I will try to post pics on Sunday.

[Lindab]

Thought ya'll would enjoy this. My dh asked me if I had talked with "ya'll" about the Don Sulivan system. The elusive, ever present ya'll that consist of "ya'll on this board. Hubby is a Chiropractor, well read but doesnt use computer unless at work!! He is too funny!!!! Had to get a chuckle!!

[onyx'girl]

One thing that struck me wrong listening to his infomercial was he stated "the alpha dog does not give up food to the subordinates, so you should not use food for as rewards while training, it will have your dog seeing you as the subordinate and him as the alpha" (not the exact wording, but you get the drift) If this is his theory, I would not want to subscribe to his training methods.

[Dainerra]

yeah... the "alpha" won't let the subordinates take food from him. but he does let them have the leftovers.

sounds like another misguided use of buzzwords.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Originally Posted By: onyx'girlOne thing that struck me wrong listening to his infomercial was he stated "the alpha dog does not give up food to the subordinates, so you should not use food for as rewards while training, it will have your dog seeing you as the subordinate and him as the alpha" (not the exact wording, but you get the drift) If this is his theory, I would not want to subscribe to his training methods.

Yikes. I just fed my dogs!



Waiting for the uprising to begin...


Maybe post your area in the Looking for a trainer section below...

Also if he has some fear stuff (and may be in a phase hopefully) try the Shy K9 group on Yahoo. It's linked on this website: http://www.fearfuldogs.com/websites.html

To use corrections on fearful dogs is really counter-productive. They are already in a "I sense something wrong" feeling and that just tells them that they are right to do so.

But they are really wonderful because the progress they can make is just beautiful to watch!

Good luck!

PS-lucky you with a chiro husband!

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted By: onyx'girlOne thing that struck me wrong listening to his infomercial was he stated "the alpha dog does not give up food to the subordinates, so you should not use food for as rewards while training, it will have your dog seeing you as the subordinate and him as the alpha" (not the exact wording, but you get the drift)

I didn't bother to watch the infomercial - sounds like it was good for some and some