gunnybully

I apologize if this is already somewhere, but I searched and couldn't find it. Someone decided to "help" me by getting me the "dogfather perfect dog" training system for Gunny.

I read the booklet that comes with the DVD, and looked at the plastic prong collar and i'm about to figure out if i can return it or just toss it in the never to be used drawer. However, i figured i should ask if anyone has used this thing before I write it off to being a scam.

He's got a disclaimer that his method may not work on pitbulls. He also suggests that any dog aggressive dog be muzzled at all times because dog aggression can lead to human aggression, and that until a dog is trained it should be muzzled around children. Finally there's a disclaimer that if you must watch the DVD's carefully to not harm your dog, and that any prior health conditions of the dog may be exacerbated by his training methods, and you should consult your vet. I realize some of this is legal garbage to avoid being sued, but I was not pleased at all with the way the booklet read.

Has anyone else seen this?

Akasha

Never heard of it - but it sounds like a pile of poop to me. I do not believe that pitbulls are hard to train, and I don't believe that they should be muzzled.

Our puppy has many playdates - Every Thursday about 5 of us get together and take our dogs out to play. Our dog has never growled or barked at any of the other dogs. Even when the other dogs are playing rough and snarling at each-other, Akasha stops dead in her tracks, comes up to us and gives us this look. As if to ask "Ma, Dad, is it okay?" - Just because pitbulls are naturally DA, doesn't mean they have to be with the proper socialization. Not to mention to say a DA dog will become Human Aggressive - Unless you contain your dog 24/7 without Human contact, then they aren't going to become HA - possibilities can happen, but its rare that a responsible owner has to deal with an HA dog ~ (unless the dog has temperment issues or some kind of illiness)

gunnybully

This guy is suggesting ALL dogs be muzzled, and that all dogs can become aggressive when challenged for dominance. (similar to cesear millan's wolf pack theories) He's also suggesting that any DA dog is HA as well.

I did some more research and it's an "AS SEEN ON TV" product by a supposed animal trainer who doesn't come up on google at all other than his product. Further reading has also lead me to believe that this is a correction only / no treats method. He is advocating wearing gloves to avoid getting bitten during the training process (why? what am i doing to my dog that i might get bitten?).

Anyway, I may watch it and see what it says, but Gunny has been making slow but steady progress, and I'm not apt to switch in training methods mid stream just because I got a crazy christmas gift.

Akasha

No I totally agree with you, puppies need consistency. It's hard training a dog sometimes, because its not something you can stop doing. It just takes patience and such. I still don't feel a DA dog can become HA; when APBT's were breed for DA for fighting rings, the ring handler (or whatever its called) had to be able to handle their dogs. I don't feel this breed was breed for HA at all.....

Anything is worth a shot though, dogs need guidance just like children.

DarkMoon

If your looking for a method of training your dog, Look up and study Positive reinforcement and Clicker training. It's something I've just recently started and I'm really happy with the fast results. With sensitive dogs like out breed why beat them with negativity when they want to please us and when they do they remember? I know a lot of people are very old school, but it something really works, why not try it.

From what I can tell and heard on other dog forums Don's "tool" is just a plastic pinch/prong collar. I can't knock the pinch collar since I use it myself for walking and keeping my dog who is stronger then me easily under control (But I just recently came up with an idea on controlling him using clicker training which I honestly expect to work much better then anything I've tried before)

I say pass on the gift and pick up a 99 cent clicker and the book "Don't Shoot the Dog" which talks about using positive reinforcement in everyday life. I first moved to clicker training (About 4 months ago) after playing this game: 101 things to do with a box 101 Things to Do with a Box | Karen Pryor Clickertraining and realizing how fast Nubs learned new tricks. Honestly in 5 mins I taught him to turn around going right which I had been attempting to teach him for a month before hand AND to bow which I have been working on for 2 weeks before that and he just never understood.