I was at a dog park today and saw a man 'training' his rottweiler in one of the most abusive ways I think I've ever seen. His dog had a choker chain style collar and attached to that was a leash that had to have been about twenty, twenty five feet long. He would wait for the dog to get distracted and then run full speed in another direction and yank the dog literally off of its feet and drag it until the dog could find its balance and follow him.
At first he was doing it outside of the park in an adjacent field but when the distractions weren't plentiful enough, he brought the dog into the park itself. Because the dog's leash was so long, it was wrapping around its legs and he wouldn't even look back to see if the dog was alone or surrounded by other animals before he took off running--so there was risk of the lease wrapping around other dogs' legs, which he had no concern for: he couldn't have, since he would wait for the dog to be surrounded by other animals and distracted again before he would take off full speed and yank it again.
My question is...am I being ridiculous or is this excessively brutal? Also, is there anything I can do if I see him again? Like..film it and report him for animal cruelty?
Most importantly, is this some kind of an established training method? Because I've owned a good many dogs in my life and studied quite hard into training methods for difficult dogs and I've NEVER seen anything like this. I've always read that especially with rottweilers you should never use force. However several owners in the park called the man on his behavior, simply that it was dangerous to other animals (that whatever he did with his dog was his business but he had no right to endanger other pets) and his reaction was to become hostile and scream 'how many dogs have you trained?' and 'how many titles have you won?'
So I suppose my last question would be if there's some kind of title out there regarding who can treat their dogs the worst. Because those must have been the ones he's 'won'.
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Recommended Answer:Teaching a dog to come when called, on a long line, is quite common. A dog may come to his owner just fine at home, but must learn to do it under all circumstances / distractions.
There are many titles that would require a dog to recall reliably and to maintain focus on his handler. But it sounds as if this guy wasn't doing a very good job at teaching it. He should have been calling the dog once distracted, not just running away and yanking.
If the dog didn't respond to the command, then yes, a correction (not dragging) is necessary...the dog MUST come when called, period. But the extent to which you describe the corrections.....NO, too much.
I don't know where you heard that you should never use force with rottweilers. Many large, strong willed breeds require physical correction in training. Teach first, be sure the dog understands the behavior, then correct for non compliance. A solid recall can mean the difference between life and death. Just one blown command can result in being hit by a car. It's truly the most important thing we can teach.
Sounds as if this guy you mention is taking the idea to an extreme and requiring his dog to always watch his every move, and to stay with him without command. This is unnecessary, unreasonable, and from the way you describe it...quite possibly abusive. If you feel strongly that it is abuse, call to report him.
This guy is doing a disservice to his sport and breed.
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- That sounds awful. Poor dog. Have you seen him there before? Maybe if he goes there regularly you can call the SPCA and they can charge him for cruelty. Good for the other owners standing up to him. Good Luck, I hope he doesn't win any title training a dog in that manner.
- Relax guy.
It's not your dog so it is none of your business how he trains it.
- Personally i think that is being cruel. As for a training method? Thats a pretty sick way of training a dog. I don't tie a rope around my kid and when he gets distracted with something, run the other way and pull him with me. And don't say its not the same because it is. I would be put in gaol for doing something like that to my kid and the same should be done against people and their dogs.
If i witnessed that id go and say something to him and if i was upset enough id knock him straight on his *** and yank the shyt out of him with that lead for hours on end until i pretty much killed him. Also if i had a recording device such as a phone, id record it and take it to the Vet or something so they could hook me up with the details of a place that takes this kind of stuff seriously like animal humane etc, even the cops.
Like i said, to me, thats just been plain cruel. I own two male rottys and no way in the world would i ever consider training them like that. I've seen first hand what both of them do to people who disrespect them. As for strong breeds needing a bit of forceful training? No. I have family members and friends who own big strong breeds like German Shephards, Dobermans, Pitbulls, etc and they have never ever use forceful ways to teach their dogs basic commands. Some of which are show dogs in different areas, so dont tell me its what they do to train them. You don't need to yank the crap out of a dog lead around a dogs neck to get it to obey a simple command such as 'come!' 'heel' etc. There are alternative options which work, you dont need that kind of behaviour with a dog. You wouldnt do it to your kid, you shouldnt do it to your pet.
- He was probably training for obedience trials. That is a standard method, to insure the dog stops what ever and immediately comes on command. Rotts are a very massive breed and there is a big difference between force and inhumane treatment.
Why did people think he was a danger to the other dogs? Just curious if the dog was after the other dogs or was it because it was a Rott. Hate to say it but it was probably one of the best trained in the park.
Edit: If it bothers you then ask him to use another area. He needs to train with those distractions. I would bet if you ask him to explain his methods during a session break he would be happy to.
I can tell you I have trained for 30 years, and have never had a dog injured by a loose lead. My guys can be 50 feet away, with a TBone steak in their mouth, with one command they will be at my side in a sit in about 30 seconds off lead. Most folks want a Rott that well trained.
Maybe he was a little to agressive, but I would have to witness it to judge him.
- This is an established method of teaching a dog, especially one who forges ahead, to pay attention to the handler at all times -- regardless of distractions.
When the dog gets out in front of you is when you give him lots of slack and quickly/quietly turn to head the other direction with purpose. Yes, the dog may get spun around BUT if it was paying attention to you instead of other things it would not have been caught off guard. This method works pretty quick at gaining the dogs undivided attention and makes training progress quicker without a lot of repetitious jerking, commands and gimmicks. Always has worked for me -- especially effective with a big powerful dog that could drag you where ever it wants to...including into traffic or a dog fight. I think this is much more humane then letting the dog run the show, don't you?
- I have never heard of this either so I think your idea about video taping it and then taking it to the humane society for review and let them tell you if it's animal abuse or not is a good idea. I'd say yes it is abuse, as dragging a dog on the ground doesn't seem like a good way of training a dog. Make sure you also get some video of his car and the license number so they can get the individuals name and address if they want to investigate. Just by his response and reaction to the people who called him on his behavior sound like he is a little irrational. I'd report him if possible.
- i have one and they are beasts you have to be aggresssive cause they are mean
