Comments on: Can a Family Pet be a Great Agility Dog?

By: Lynnda L in Minneapolis

Lynnda L in Minneapolis — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:13:02 +0000

When I went to my first Susan Garrett seminar — something like mid-90′s in Wisconsin — it was the first seminar I had been to that the presenter brought her/his dogs along. Boy was it a great idea.
I felt that I got even more out of watching Susan interact with her dogs — Stoni & Twister — before and after the demonstrations than the tremendous benefit I got out of Susan’s explanation teaching fabulous obstacle performance. The picture she presented of getting the dog engaged before doing “the exercise” and rewarding the dog afterwards — and the all important, what-to-do-when-it-doesn’t-go-as-planned was very illuminating. It was hard to tell who was having more fun: Susan or the dogs.
Plus, I had never seen anyone send a dog 80 feet to a crate.

By: Danielle Dieterich

Danielle Dieterich — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:02:40 +0000

It took my breath when I read about the spikes. So hard to believe. Heart breaking really.

I also wanted to say that 5 yrs ago I got a sheltie. ( I have a 14yr old Westie too) So, coming from a “steady” running dog to a bullet was terrifying. Her speed actually scared me and to tell the truth I did not know what to do with her. She was wild and crazy. The first year I was exhausted all the time. Then a friend gave me Ruff Love and it saved me, literally.

Thank you

By: Julie W.

Julie W. — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:46:42 +0000

Very well said. This entry reminds me of my first experience taking my family pet to obedience classes. After taking the basic family pet class I started enrolling in more advanced classes geared to competition. At that time I really had no plan to compete I just liked the fact the more I trained my dog and the more they learned the better and better family pet they were.

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:06:20 +0000

Lisa, your comment about your 3.5 year old son doing crate games with your 18 month old dog made me smile. I have a photo of my 2.5 year old daughter sitting outside of the open door of my 6 month old pup’s crate, stuffing her kongs, as pup lies in her crate just watching, not stealing the kibble. We still have a long way to go, but I’m amazed at the control I saw in my pup with just some ‘it’s yer choice’ and crate games.

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:01:06 +0000

Dianne, Steve White immediately comes to mind as a K9 handler who uses not necessarily Susan’s methods, but positive/clicker methods. His web site is http://www.i2ik9.com You may have heard of him through his “scent in a bottle” tracking method (which has now evolved to Hydration-Intensified Tracking Training, which is working great for my Vizsla pup).

By: Dianne

Dianne — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:42:15 +0000

Susan, I love this post (all your posts, really). I am really intrigued and motivated by your lessons of controlling sources of reinforcement and impulse control. I compete in agility and also Schutzhund. I believe that there are many SchH trainers out there who could learn a lot about how you motivate a dog. I also (unfortunately) believe that many (not myself) would disagree that your methods would work for some SchH dogs…. many handlers believe that their dogs are very “hard” dogs, and need correction and / or punishment because of their “hardness”…… I tend to want to believe that these dogs “fight” with their handlers because they feel they “have” to, not necessarily because they “like” to or “want” to…… (a common belief). I know you mention SchH and Police dog trainers in your post, is there anyone in particular that comes to mind who is having great success (active duty police dogs, titled SchH dogs) that have used your methods? This is for my own curiosity of course, as this style of training is what appeals to me, but more so that I can “educate” some of my fellow competitors / trainers in the sport ( I am already a believer )

By: Claudia

Claudia — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:47:03 +0000

I’m thankful everyday (for myself and my dogs) that I chanced upon your DVD and subsequently your books, your dogs, your blog, oh well, the whole package. My only regret is, I didn’t chance upon it earlier.

Your dog training philosophy is one of respect, not of coercion, is one of love, not force. It’s not easy, take lots of time and patience. Having come from the “traditional methods” camp from before, it is always so tempting and so easy to think of picking up that collar.

That’s where the line divides.

If I forget everything I ever learn from you, 2 things will always keep me going.

1.Your dog’s performance is only a reflection of your ability as a trainer. If my dog isn’t performing right, the onus is on me to think and reflect and change. He is just doing what he thinks I’m asking him to do.

2. Violence begins where knowledge ends. – Ghandi

Thank God that our dogs always always give us 2nd chances.

By: Mary M

Mary M — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:34:41 +0000

Great post Susan, and glad you have laid it out there…..I am now hugging my pups. By the way I have two on the couch next to me as I type and two playing with bones on the floor by my feet – after just getting done working on agility stuff. They are now leisurely enjoying their time……GOOD DOGS!

By: Kevin Parry

Kevin Parry — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:49:35 +0000

Susan I have picked out three points from your post that jump out at me;
Dogs learn to do what we want not always because of how we teach them…to search for the dog training solution for your dogs problem and respect earned through play and controlling sources of reinforcement.
I think these are wise words,you do not seem to be claiming to have all the answers, with the dogs and your own desire to solve problems along the way as important has the methods you adopt.Why do you think play is so important.I have seen some well trained dogs that dont seem to be having much fun or play.

By: Kevin Parry

Kevin Parry — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:55:04 +0000

Susan,
Could i thank you for your prompt response to my request on my blog,even though you where unable to post to my blog directly.I will post highlights of your blog above and a link.
You make some great points which I will highlight and look for responses.If any pet owners who follow your site wuld like to comment too,that would be great.If they copy and paste this link into there browser address bar it should take them to my blog;
http://justapet.blogspot.com/search?q=
Many thanks Susan.