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December 5, 2007

Last week, a fellow dog gal caused a bit of a stir when she complained online about a strange woman at the dog park verbally and physically correcting her very sensitive dog. The woman made high-pitched greeting, so the dog jumped up on her. Granted some people accept that more than others, but this woman used what many consider old-fashioned, punitive tactics (yes, those touted on TV). She completely scared the dog, who is now highly sensitized to similar looking people and the dog park.

If you ask me, the dog’s owner had every right to be mad at this woman. For one thing, you can’t punish a dog if you entice it to play. And, secondly, this one careless act may have set back the dog’s training for months.

To me, it’s the equivalent of a stranger spanking your child in public. Hello?

But it happens with dogs all the time. It’s one reason I train our OFF TRAIL command so strongly. There are runners here in CO who will kick dogs that get too close.

It’s also why it’s a good idea to ask what the rules are for dogs before engaging them. Are you training 4 on the floor greetings? Then, I’ll wait until the dog settles before I greet her. If the dog makes a mistake and jumps up, if you want me to simply turn away, I will.

Even in a group training session, I’m a 100% more likely to help praise another dog when he’s doing well than I’d ever be to “correct” a dog. All of us lob in an “easy” or a “gentle” when canine roughhousing gets a little blustery, but to me that’s just sharing the community training goal. If a dog gets a timeout for being a stinker, then we all ignore him or her.

By the same token, I think we should try to educate people about dogs in little ways. I like to think that friends and family notice how I interact with Lilly. I hope they see is as one example of how to approach training and relationship building … even if they use different methods and theories.

Then, sometimes, a girl has to speak up. A grown man recently pounded the ground and clapped his hands right in Lilly’s face the other day, trying to get her to pay attention to him. Not exactly what a shy dog needs.

In another situation, a different man approached quietly, but immediately bent down and stuck his face right next to Lilly’s. She was nervous, so I called her away. And, in my best manner, I explained what a threatening thing that is to most dogs. He was totally apologetic. He only has cats and had no idea. So, good deed done. Now, maybe he can go through life without having a dog bite his face.

The American ideal of “DOG” is a happy, playful, bombproof dog. In other words, it’s a dog that’s fine no matter what happens.

Those of us who spend lots of time with dogs from all walks of life know better. There are many really great dogs out there, who simply need a gentler hand.

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

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