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Crafty Angler · 12-12-2004, 02:36 PM

Mr. Sandman -

We have used the Innotek collar with a lot of success - but it takes a while and is best done in conjunction with a trainer so your dog will understand what is expected of him with the corrections.

We lost our last Golden who did pet therapy with my wife at nursing homes after exhausting every option with him at Angell Memorial/Tufts - we were heart-broken and we decided to rescue a Golden who was only 9 mos old and had some serious behavioral problems - and after a week I very nearly returned him because he was unmanageable and hostile/aggressive. But when I realized it was because he had been both neglected AND abused I didn't want to give up on him. He was hand-shy (which immediately told me he'd been struck by his previous owners) and bared his teeth when given commands which he knew - and he didn't really want to be touched or petted very much.

Ya know, to this day I'd love to run into the SOB that did that to him because I'd put him square on his ass in pretty short order to see how he'd like to have the tables turned. I've never believed in striking an animal to train it - it's not necessary.

I've had Goldens for 30 years and had never seen anything like it - he was extremely bright and a big husky male who would have been a terrific field dog, but the former owners had treated him so badly he had little trust - or love - for people as a result.

I read a lot of books on behavioral problems - most notably Dr. Nicholas Dodman's 'Dogs Behaving Badly' on understanding and curing problems (he practices at Tufts) which might help you. In my case I finally spent a grand on a trainer who trains police dogs and part of the training was with the Innotek collar which is used mostly for training hunting dogs. It works well, there are 4 levels of correction you can use on the remote with a corresponding buzz on the collar - anyway, it worked for us and without it old Admiral Halsey's future may have been grim if I'd returned him. Our vet said few if any would have stuck by him the way we did. He's now pretty much just a goofy, lovable wingnut (like most Goldens) and a big part of the family. But it sure wasn't easy.

Also, remeber the age of your pup and her breed may also be extenuating circumstances - if it's a big breed don't forget that it may take 2 years for them to fully mature mentally and that may be part of it. Does she exhibit any other negative behaviors? That may be part of it too - and I'd sure pick up the Dodman book - if you can't find it I'll be happy to send you mine if you PM me your address - that's just a way past due 'thanks' for the great Cuttyhunk article you sent me earlier this year -

Anyway, good luck! Let me know how you make out -

12-12-2004, 02:36 PM	#4
Crafty Angler Geezer Gone Wild iTrader: (2) Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,397 Blog Entries: 2	Mr. Sandman - We have used the Innotek collar with a lot of success - but it takes a while and is best done in conjunction with a trainer so your dog will understand what is expected of him with the corrections. We lost our last Golden who did pet therapy with my wife at nursing homes after exhausting every option with him at Angell Memorial/Tufts - we were heart-broken and we decided to rescue a Golden who was only 9 mos old and had some serious behavioral problems - and after a week I very nearly returned him because he was unmanageable and hostile/aggressive. But when I realized it was because he had been both neglected AND abused I didn't want to give up on him. He was hand-shy (which immediately told me he'd been struck by his previous owners) and bared his teeth when given commands which he knew - and he didn't really want to be touched or petted very much. Ya know, to this day I'd love to run into the SOB that did that to him because I'd put him square on his ass in pretty short order to see how he'd like to have the tables turned. I've never believed in striking an animal to train it - it's not necessary. I've had Goldens for 30 years and had never seen anything like it - he was extremely bright and a big husky male who would have been a terrific field dog, but the former owners had treated him so badly he had little trust - or love - for people as a result. I read a lot of books on behavioral problems - most notably Dr. Nicholas Dodman's 'Dogs Behaving Badly' on understanding and curing problems (he practices at Tufts) which might help you. In my case I finally spent a grand on a trainer who trains police dogs and part of the training was with the Innotek collar which is used mostly for training hunting dogs. It works well, there are 4 levels of correction you can use on the remote with a corresponding buzz on the collar - anyway, it worked for us and without it old Admiral Halsey's future may have been grim if I'd returned him. Our vet said few if any would have stuck by him the way we did. He's now pretty much just a goofy, lovable wingnut (like most Goldens) and a big part of the family. But it sure wasn't easy. Also, remeber the age of your pup and her breed may also be extenuating circumstances - if it's a big breed don't forget that it may take 2 years for them to fully mature mentally and that may be part of it. Does she exhibit any other negative behaviors? That may be part of it too - and I'd sure pick up the Dodman book - if you can't find it I'll be happy to send you mine if you PM me your address - that's just a way past due 'thanks' for the great Cuttyhunk article you sent me earlier this year - Anyway, good luck! Let me know how you make out -
	"There is no royal road to this heavy surf-fishing. With all the appliances for comfort experience can suggest, there is a certain amount of hard work to be done and exposure to be bourne as a part of the price of success." From "Striped Bass," Scribner's Magazine, 1881.