Monday, September 29, 2008

My Uncle Brian & Dog Training

I love my uncle Brian. When my Mommy & Daddy were in the process of moving I stayed with my Uncle Brian and he spoiled me rotten! We snuggled and he often shared his food with me(my Mommy & Daddy sometimes share their food with me). I was two months old when I first met him and even though I was tiny he bought me two very big rawhide bones,(so I would stop chewing on his furniture!). I still have them & I chew on them everyday! Still, they look almost new!


This is how they look today:

They are very heavy & I can't carry them around for long.


Sometimes I sneak & snuggle with my Mommy(on the bed),
we watch "It's Me Or The Dog.", in the mornings and while we watch this show Mommy often tells me how lucky she is to have me because I'm not a bad dog and I always try to listen to her & Daddy. I'm also easy to train and it strengthens mine & Mommy's(& Daddy's) relationship! Mommy says she likes positive reinforcement training much more than dominance training. Victoria Stilwell teaches positive reinforce training & if any of your pup's Mommies are having trouble with training you should definitely check out her website, she has a lot of good tips! One technique that Mommy thought was good is the dominance training taught by Cesar Millan. This is a technique used by many dog owners & Mommy thinks it's okay to use a little bit of it with the positive reinforcement training. Please do not take offense if you use this technique but...my Mommy tried the "alpha roll" one time when she wanted me to drop something I had picked up that wasn't mine, & she seen that I was scared, I did drop what I had, but when she released me I tucked my tail between my legs & hid under the bed. Mommy realized that I was afraid...I was scared of her. She has not used the "alpha roll" since then. Read this post, it's one of many that you can find by Googling his name, also click here to read more about him & his techniques(if you scroll to the bottom you will find quotes from experts, read those!). You can use any technique that you want just make sure you know the pros & cons of each! A good mix of the two may work fine.

29 comments:

Simba said...

we agree, whenever possible - positive training is the way to go!

wags,

Simba

Chrissie said...

I agree..love is all you need! Oh, and treats! Oh, and were you a stinky puppy? Your Uncle Brian seems to prefer his nose in his armpit to smelling you! What's with that?

Anonymous said...

I like Cesar Milian, some of his stuff I would do, some of them I wouldn't. Some of the dogs he has to work with though have some serious problems.
I have had to use that move on Gus before. Gus is very dominant and an alpha dog. He tries to be my alpha and unfortunately that is not going to work in my house.
Did you watch America's Greatest Dog? Victoria Stillwell was a judge on it and it was very interesting as they spoke alot about treat training and using the dominant method. I use a bit of both due to Gus's aggression and the mixture works very well. I am careful with him as he was abused and after 2 rounds of puppy school he is very well mannered and no where near as problamatic as before.
I hope you are feeling better!

Asta said...

Eduardo
You and youw family awe vewy lucky, cause obviously you awe a vewy good doggie, and the pawsitive technique has obviously wowked fow you..Mommi uses pawsitive techniques on me too.she doesn't want me to be afwaid of hew, but sometimes she has to be a little stwongew wif me at the doggie wun, when my fwioends and I get ovew exhubewant..but she would nevew be aggwessive wif me
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Daisy said...

The only kind of training I get is TREATS!

Lacy said...

w00f's eduardo, me not thinks hoomans has to b mean to us to git us to listen...me likes victoria...ur shure a good puppy..

b safe,
~rocky~

Anonymous said...

Oh that picture of you snuggling is just the cutest!

DESERT PUPS said...

Woof Eduardo,

Thanks for stopping by and wishing Toby well, we appreciate the snuggles.

Desert Pups

Anonymous said...

I didn't take offense at all.. there are so many ways and opinions on training the doggies and it all depends too on past issues and personalities. Gus is crazy! lol that is all. :) You need to do what works best for you and your doggie.
I am glad Eduardo is a good boy and he listens or tries too, it helps alot. Gus is also very treat motivated too, during school he would sit and stare intently at the instructor because he knew she had treats. They are funny little guys.

I didn't notice a contradiction at all in your post. I also know how hard it is to write something and try not offend people. I hope you didn't take offense to what I wrote, I didn't mean it that way at all.

I saw this one episode on the dog whisperer where they had a minpin that was biting everyone including the kids. They were worried he might have to put him down so Cesar put him in the doggy compound.
I kind of wish his doggy compound is closer to us, as Gus really needs the socialization with other dogs. :(

Crikit, Sparky, Ginger! said...

Eduardo! hi so nice to meet you! our somputee box was broke when you stop by and it's still broke but we have one to use till it's fixed ~ yeah! You are so adorable! We're gonna visit often but furst we gotta catch up on all your ventures.

Love Licks new friendzee xoxo

Crikit, Sparky, Ginger! said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Agatha and Archie said...

HI!! We are back(well PL2 is back we didn't really go anywhere but we had no access to the pooter) Those are THE biggest bones we have ever seen!!!!! You have a lovely uncle!!!! Love and kisses A+A

Mickey's Musings said...

Mom does not train me,I train her!!! I do agree that positive training is the way to go though ;)
Purrs Mickey

Moco said...

I can't imagine that you would need any training. You seem to be very good to me. We do agree that one size does not fit all and sometimes you must pick and choose from several options.
I will be picking an award from you and I want to thank you very much.

Abby said...

Hi, Eduardo...

My Mom is taking me to school & I like it alot...I'm learning lots of new things, & making new friends, & I love it...

The treats are my one of my favorite parts...

Abby xxxooo

The Devil Dog said...

I resist any and all training unless I want it. And since I don't want it..... You get the idea. You are a good boy, Eduardo. Me, I'm a rebel!

Roxy

Lorenza said...

Hi, Eduardo!
I don't have a good trainer so I think I will be a wild girl forever but I am a dog girl too!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Girl Girl Hamster said...

Oh I watch it's me or the dog too. That's a pawsome show...

~ Girl girl

Huskee and Hershey said...

Hmmm.. like humans, us dogs have our 'characters' and some may react to positive reinforcements while others needs a little tap on the nose. Fortunately both Hershey and I react best to positive reinforcements.. I react to praise and attention while Hershey reacts well to food. Hehehe...
Your Uncle Brian sounds like an awesome guy!

Simba and Jazzi said...

Dropping by to say hello.

Simba x

Molly the Airedale said...

We watch Victoria on TV too, Eduardo! Mom and dad love her show! Those are two of the biggest rawhide bones ever! We can't believe you haven't eaten them yet!
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Unknown said...

Dear EduardoDoggy:
Could yew tell me more about that positive reinforcement? I'd like to splain it to my mommy. Her favorite words are (and I quote) NO HOWEEE. NO NO NO. She sez it jest like that, all cruel and mean like. Mebbe your mommy could call *makes little call sign by his ear* by mommy real soon.
your pal,
Pee

DESERT PUPS said...

Woof Eduardo

Thanks for stopping by and checking on Toby. He's doing a little better today.

Desert Pups

Unknown said...

We love Victoria! She is soooooooooo smart and so Britishhhhhhhhhhhhhh ... her outfits are cool and her "UH UH" is perfect! We think she trains dogs to be dogs and fit into a house, and are sometimes rather put off by the intensive pack-mentality of Cesar. And there will be no "alpha rolling" of Booker ... not going to happen as he refuses to go on his back, and a strong low NOOOOOOOOOOOOO works much better. Our training is "baggage sensitive" ... that is, sensitive to Booker's baggage. And some of ours, as well.

Nevis said...

I am not a complete Cesaer Milian devote, but I think some of his techniques are good. As with all things, use your gut instincts.

Nevis said...

Okay.....your letter is, "D"! :) Have fun! And I can't wait to see everyone's lists!

Joe Stains said...

I cannot believe you keep those bones so nice for that long. He picked out some heavy duty ones for sure! We like those doggy training shows too!

Puglette said...

Hi Eduardo! Your mom makes some very good points. We like to snuggle the best. :o)

Unknown said...

We love "It's me or the dog" - we spent some quality couch time watching it today!