[ctu24]

On topic (necessary hard corrections) but with Beckman's Dog Training

I stumbled upon Beckman’s YouTube channel several months ago and watched a vast majority of his videos out of curiosity and feel the need to add my two cents even though it doesn’t address the original poster’s question. This is one of his milder videos but the more you watch of Beckman, he comes across as quite angry, impatient, abusive and egotistical. I can only imagine what goes on behind the scenes in his training program. I get that he is dealing with a lot of “hard” dogs with various aggression problems and owners who are desperate for help that want quick fixes. I’m not saying there can’t be value in a well-timed correction in certain situations but timing is key and a lot of dog owners probably are not that attentive or adept. Beckman’s videos show a tremendous amount of hard leash popping. It pains me to think of all the dog owners out there watching these videos, trying to employ these methods and most likely causing trachea damage from flat collars or nerve damage from the head halters (which should not be used the way Beckman uses them). His “go get” recall method probably does work in a sense but who wants to teach a dog to recall out of fear and intimidation? It may achieve quick results but in the long run I feel like it breaks down the overall trust and bond that I personally would seek to build with any dog. I also don’t like the way his program is based on setting dogs up to fail. I’d rather take a slower and more positive route of teaching impulse control at thresholds than confusing my dog by acting like I’m going to allow it to go out the door only to suddenly jerk it back to forcefully grab its attention. I have a very “soft” dog that would completely shut down with his methods. If you watch the body language of the shy, timid, more fearful dogs he attempts to train, they look terrified of him and it’s clear he’s not interested in building their trust. I think the appeal in his videos, especially with his sensationalist titles, is seeing him so quickly integrate extremely undersocialized and often aggressive dogs with other dogs. Obviously there is some value in getting these dogs around other dogs, especially because there can be much more value in a dog-dog correction (which has to be with the right dog). However, I do often wonder what happens when the owners get these dogs home and have a sudden false sense of security that their dogs are suddenly “fixed” and I hope they’re not putting other dogs/people in harms way.

 

[Apex1]

I am so pleased that you found the course money well spent.

Haz does have a reactive course that will teach you about marking and punishment for reactive type behavior.

He goes through different options for tools which tools to use for what and how they relate to the type of dog you have and the behavior they exhibit.

You honestly may find that course very helpful with the fence running.

Knowing how to give meaning to NO really helped my dogs in many ways.

 

[Pemi]

Haz puts some great free videos out there, too. I've learned a higher level of understanding- sport training and "pet" training, by paying close attention and watching these videos. Sure, he's arrogant, but that's typical and he does prioritize the dog, over all else. I like his stuff a lot. I also respect his view of "life-long learner" - he is willing and able to learn and adjust based on learning new approaches, and seeks those learning opportunities out. Some won't do this, or are stuck in one methodology. I wouldn't hesitate to train with him, given a chance.

 

[BdeAngelo]

Congrats to German Shepherds Forum member @Blitzkrieg1 aka Haz.

Said it before, and I'll say it again: Haz is the best thing that happened for dogs in Canada in a long time and on multiple levels.

New Toronto location is now up. He just opened his new Woodstock location not long ago and has a new 7000 sq foot training facility being built at his head quarters in Puslinch, Ontario.

Toronto, Ontario

Woodstock, Ontario

 

[Cookiemonsta]

On topic (necessary hard corrections) but with Beckman's Dog Training

This video is a joke. His training strategy, in his own words, is "hail mary" lol.

I can't speak for all of beckman's training but this video shows how clueless he is imo. Watch how Haz approaches these same problems and you'll see the difference between someone who knows what they are doing and someone who doesn't.

And those are flat collar corrections beckman is using. Those aren't hard corrections. Those are what are called ineffective corrections and using the wrong tool for the job.

 

[Bearshandler]

This video is a joke. His training strategy, in his own words, is "hail mary" lol.

I can't speak for all of beckman's training but this video shows how clueless he is imo. Watch how Haz approaches these same problems and you'll see the difference between someone who knows what they are doing and someone who doesn't.

And those are flat collar corrections beckman is using. Those aren't hard corrections. Those are what are called ineffective corrections and using the wrong tool for the job.

I didn't wath his video before sou said something. I agree this isn't an example of good training. I don't agree with any of his assessments here. Granted it's easier to see things on a video than in the moment, but this is fear based agression.

 

[David Winners]

That video is just stupid. All that hype for a simple training problem. It's a confused pup that doesn't know what to do that is defaulting to natural GSD behavior. This isn't a trainer I would follow or look to for guidance. If a 6 month old snarky GSD pup has you out of your comfort zone and throwing hail Mary ideas you shouldn't be calling yourself a trainer.

A problem I have with a lot of YouTube training videos is the 45 minutes they spend with the dog showing you how bad it is. You never get a second chance to make a first impression and allowing the dog to punk you out for an hour is counter productive IMO.

Again, this is a pup, not an adult man eater with a bear trap head. I understand the owners being confused but this is everyday stuff for a trainer.

 

[GSD07]

I didn’t watch the whole video with sound but it was funny how the trainer was dragging a pup who didn’t want to follow him or interact with the other dog, after the dobbie who also didn’t want to be followed or get engaged with the trainer or the gsd pup.

 

[Bentwings1]

This is gold

I was trained by a “gentleman “ who must have been marine special ops drill instructor . I may have already noted this . Anyway the dogs were almost sacred for him he would take us down a line of tied out dogs and instruct us what to do then we had to give detailed report of results. A mistake was often was rewarded with a hit from a bamboo or willow stick, a lesser one you would get a dressing down in front of everyone starting with something like intelligence being lower than worm poop It was more graphic than that . With an e collar on your leg you might be withering on the ground . He would describe everything the dog showed and you had better see it the second time around . To this day some 30 years later I still look at each dog and what they are showing. I’m not right all the time but at least I see something even though I don’t see well myself .
A number of years ago I saw a lady I only knew passingly and from other. Bloody a dog’s neck with a prong collar she was completely out of line . I kinda lost it as I was a guest trainer trying to help this club . I called her out pretty roughly I guess but it was totally out of line what she did . I also told the club trainer as she really didn’t see what happened untill after the fact . I was really hot I told her not to ever call me and I’d never be back I have to admit I was a loose cannon one of the few times I’ve really lost it . I don’t remover if I tipped a blind over or the jump By the time I got to my dualy truck I had cooled down so I didn’t do a burn out across the field although it probably crossed my mind I’m sure. I never saw fit to use heavy force on any collar On my GSD Or my Aussie Or any other dog If the training exercise wasn’t going well I got it by note book and wrote down what was not working then sat down and looked at “ fixes” or corrective action. Plan B or C as we say You can always back up and start over but if you have already made a serious mistake , well it’s going to take awhile to undo it negative training has to be well thought out before applying it . There maybe a better way

 

[emma21]

My brother became a military working dog handler after taking part in a 17-week advanced individual training program. He has to be responsible for the basic care of the MWD, including grooming, feeding, and healthcare. A military working dog handler also requires a significant amount of hands-on experience with animals, along with a great deal of patience and meticulousness.

 

[Zini Zhu]

This is my own experience and I've been into dog training for <2 years. Luka is my first dog and I've been following Haz's online courses along the way. (I also worked with Brent Cooper for a while in-person). First of all, I guess the most important thing is to know your dog and know what works for you best. Some dog may just need a verbal warning but some dogs really need some interference (like a prong collar). Haz's courses work well for us. The puppy training course really helped build Luka's foundation when he was young. Luka was a brat and he's naturally reactive to other dogs. There was a period that I was afraid to take him out since he basically barked at every dog we met. I tried many positive-only methods but those simply didn't work. Under that circumstance food or toy could not even get his attention back. Haz's loose-leash training worked like a charm. Just with a prong collar, we worked on loose lease walking for ~ 1 month and Luka immediately improved a lot. In the process there was very few times that I needed to give a very hard leash pop, and that was when we were very close to other dogs and Luka completely lot his focus on me. But after 2-3 times of corrections he knew the rules. Now 90% of time Luka's calm when meeting other dogs. He knows that he can look at other dogs, but he has to stay next to me and stay quiet. For the 10% time when he starts to show signs of reactivity, a very light pop on leash or verbal mark can get his focus back. And what's more important to me is that Luka is still a confidence dog He's happy and energetic, the difference is now he knows the rules. The rules can be different based on your situations. For example I allow Luka to be a little naughty and sometimes he jumps on me, but jumping on a stranger is a hard NO. It's all about setting the rules and be consistent.

 

[breadstand]

I used Shield K9's online course. I struggled training my severely reactive GSD for years, and with Haz the problem was solved very quickly (a few days). GSDs are different from other dogs and there is a reason they are used as protection dogs. Depending on your dogs temperament you have to got to a working dog trainer. In a working dog these problems cannot be tolerated. I worked with many trainers, many of who you have seen on YouTube, without success. I trained hours a day for years without any significant progress. I don't want to call people out, but only go with working dog trainers. Most trainers say "you just have to be patient," "he has a behavioral issue," or "needs more exercise." I have learned that that's code for the trainer doesn't know what they are doing. You can fix problems within minutes to days. I like Haz's approach because he teaches you the reason behind it all so you can find the correction that's not harsh. In regards to the methods being harsh, we tried all Haz's methods on family members first, before the dog. This includes my kids and we were all okay and surprised how they are not that harsh. A reactive dog can easily be lethal, and cause permanent injury. It shouldn't be taken lightly. Even if the punishments had been harsh, I think they are worth it to keep the dog alive. The total amount of correction in their life could easily be 30-60 seconds total. That's much less than even many basic vet procedures which we do willingly. I hope you have success! I can say it's possible and easy to get over reactivity.

 

[peasantfields7]

@dogma13 i think open discussion is valuable. I mean Haz comes across in a strong way lol. I honestly can't recall any criticism to Haz.

Carter said Haz could seem harsh and I understand.

It's easier to see the harsh. It's eye catching. Haz certainly has a personality of his own.

Summoning my inner Haz so to speak helped me power through some problem areas. In ways I needed to be stronger and in ways I needed to help my dog through play, teaching and reward.

The beginning of Haz's course is so important. I watched how he moves how he rewards what he says and how. How he fades help. It's a really good course in my opinion if you really truly watch it and put it to use.
Spending the time there in the beginning, spend the time with the leash work, when you move into ecollar work it's so much easier. I back up when I need to.

Haz talks alot about being fair to the dog. Testing the dogs understanding in the teaching phase and how to show the dog and help the dog from many angles. How to control your body language and speech so that the dog understands. You have to move at the pace in which the dog is learning - that your teaching is effective. You rush the process it's unfair to the dog and you will be harsh.

Haz is given a dog then has 6 weeks to have the dog perform at a high level. Us at home can take more time. People should take more time.

In the right hands Haz's course is priceless. Sadly enough I'm sure there are those who still can't use the information fairly.

For pet people who are active with their dogs and maybe need help or have some struggles or it's their first dog who isn't a natural angel lol its a good buy. The price is less then what I would pay a trainer to see as many times as I would need to. I can watch the videos as many times as need be. I watch the videos ALOT.

The only thing Haz teaches with punishment is loose leash walking.
He also shows in the main course and reactive course how to punish reactive behavior through conditioning the marker word and different forms of punishment.

It's not a one size fits all program although I think it fits for most dogs.

The course was a transformation for me.

Sorry to ramble on. The course helps people and dogs. It's a valuable resource.

Great write up. Which course did you take? Thanks!

 

[breadstand]

https://www.shieldk9online.com/reactive-course/

 

[breadstand]

Also this one together with the course is essential.

https://www.shieldk9online.com/elite-off-leash-package/

 

[SimonZ]

Quote:
"I don’t think it’s pet training where you will find his limits. Pet training is just functional training, which is effectively the lowest level. It doesn’t sound like that’s what you are looking for. It sounds like you are looking more for sport type training or more advanced work to challenge your dog. In that regard, I would say just go watch him train for a few sessions and you will know if it’s something you are interested in or not."

Congratulations to Haz!

Wins Quebec regionals with Gage - not long ago - and finishes 3rd in same event with his other dog Chiko.

This past weekend places 2nd in Canadian All Breed IGP Nationals with Gage - CWDF

Final Results

 

[Carter Smith]

Hey Carter, Dave says you're probably not cut out for IGP but perhaps you can do dock diving competitions

Haz is all set up for you

Thanks for the thorough assessment… Dave?

that pool looks great though I’ve been to these as well in the area and really liked them too!

Dog Training @ K9 Central From World Renowned Dog Trainers

K9 Central offers Dog Training including Basic Obedience, Flyball, Agility, Disc Dog Training, Dock Diving and Rally-O Competitive Obedience.

k9central.ca

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Dock Diving | Roc N Duke’s Pet Supplies

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