Need Advice with Prince - Page 10

Susie...... My experience with SL is limited I owned Silvo vom Kirschental and took him to the 1997 (I think this is the year) Seiger show in Bakerfield Ca. I did not see a single dog I would want for a personal dog. I saw several sharp insecure dogs but not a hard dog in the bunch. But that was just my experience. All of my other dogs were working line dogs. I would want the dog they kick out because of aggression. lol

Silvo was a blast of a dog, and a fun trial dogs, but he was not a protection dog. My preference sense I was 12y/o was hard, confident, bite for real, aggressive dogs. So with that being said it is cool to here about a high line that is my type of dog.

Laura...... I am so sorry for even thinking your dog was a SL ( I am just kidding)  I like his pedigree.

Every single dog, IMO, is like a fingerprint, no two are the same. Each dog you actually take the time to work with and make the effort with, makes you better, and teaches you. Some may share certain characteristics, but no two are "the same". Regardless of the origin of the issue, be it genetic, environmental, or just testosterone running amuck, the one thing that seems to be consistently said here is that the role of Alpha must be clearly established and parameters must be clearly set. It depends on each particular dog how often it must be reminded of the roles and parameters. Dogs like Cisko and Prince need very frequent reminders and training, as they are opportunistic. :-) Knowing this, and staying on top of it is key. You know your dog, it seems like you have a very good trainer to guide you which is invaluable, just stick with the program.
BTW, I loved what Slam said about the 1.5 seconds for the dog to respond to a command and then a sharp very distinct correction, and in turn, when the dog does follow a command, an equally "won the lotto" reward! these are very meaningful to the dog, and when used consistently, make for a very strong bond and beautiful picture.
Anyway, good luck Deanna, I know you can do it, hang in there! Your love and loyalty to Prince are very obvious. I know these are not easy dogs for people who are not used to this type of temperament.
Theresa 
 

Paul, given you have tried for quite a while to find a suitable PPD with no success, maybe the GSD isn't the breed for you anymore?

Laura271​ :"Leave it" is a command that Bosco must immediately comply with, no matter what. I know Jim has a wonderful explanation about correcting for aggression in an older Prince thread but it's more than just giving a physical correction- it's bringing the dog back up after the correction and showing him what he should be doing- it's also rewarding equally for making appropriate choices.

How do you show a dog after you correct him/her for growling what he should be doing? You mean you praise him when s/he is finally  not growling? That in some instances  could be a quite a mistake,... 

Prager Hans

If it was only that easy, Hans. 

What ever Jim. I know it's not easy . That is why I asked. 

(DISCLAIMER: This is not something that can be easily explained or understood via internet, and is very specific to each dog and each individual situation)
As an example:

In my experience with my own dog:
 Platz has been an issue for us since adolescence. Your first thought may be " well surely you used compulsion, and if you would have used positive reinforcement for this command you would not have conflict".
I have started this dog with all positive obedience since day 1, all food motivation while a young pup, then graduating to ball. There was a point during adolescence (after 1yr) that a mild correction was introduced to encourage a quicker platz, and thus the conflict started) So, the way I personally handled this, a very quick sharp correction down, which is was occasionally met with a ferocious retaliation of snarling teeth and foaming mouth, which was in turn met with me on top of him in a submissive position until he stops growling and his eyes avert, and his body relaxes. He was then allowed up, we go into a fun exercise immediately, something he loves to do like heeling, to relieve the stress and tension, he gets a quick win, and happy dog! There are no hard feelings and no grudges. The next day, I would do a couple of PLATZs, with a food reward between his feet or a quick toss of the ball, no correction, and no growling and no conflict.
For me, I am setting the dog up, I know what will set him off. I feel that in order to address issues, we need to set them up for it in controlled environments, and be willing and physically and mentally capable to control the situation.
This is ME only. I am not advising anyone else do this. Just sharing my personal story. Some say I am a little bit crazy. ;-) So, my dog and I are a perfect match.
Ironically, he will come to me for belly rubs all the time, roll over exposing all of his most inner undercarriage.
He keeps me on my toes, but he is fun to me too. His personality quirks are so unique to me, I feel like he is always teaching me something new.
T

Sheesh, I had 2 female GSDs before I got my first male, a 3 year old intact working line rescue. The obedience went fine until I tried to teach him the 'down'. He would resist with all his strength! Even a hard snap on a prong collar didn't work, nor did putting the leash under my foot, and pulling his head down.

I had NEVER had a problem teaching the 'down' to my females. I asked a trainer what to do, a she said, have him do the 'down' under a chair or a bench, with a food reward on the opposite side, so he has to go down to get the reward.

Worked like a charm!

I am now convinced the guys just don't like to put themselves into a submissive position! 

This has turned into a very valuable thread for me. I don't have aggression issues to deal with, but I can use many of the tips I've read here in OB training and trying to break some bad habits of my own. I'm not great at recognizing body language in dogs, especially in my own dog when we're training. I'm making mistakes I don't want to make. So many experienced trainers and owners who have been there, done that stepping up to the plate to try to give Deanna a heads-up on making things right with Prince. Thanks so much............I wish all the threads here could be so helpful; they blurr the lines between show vs working and demonstrate that we all have imperfect dogs. Our dogs are like us in that way I think