Roxi, I agree with you about corrections and that kind of training on this list is not appropriate. I have had three reactive dogs and they all have had to be retired from service work. two are just wonderful family pets and the third is being trained for drug detection work. corrections make things worse in my experience. c/t'ing for wanted behavior is what seems to work best. the husband could be doing something to the dog and causing it to generalize with all men. there could be a lot of things going on but it just sounds like the dog is stressed out and maybe not able to be a guide dog. is she owner training or is this dog from a program?? Ridge and Clyde SDiT ----- Original Message ----- From: Sheila Styron<mailto:sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 9:15 PM Subject: (VICT) Re: Aggression towards People Dear Sheronda, The situation you are describing is perhaps one of the most difficult of all to face as a handler of an assistance dog. This sounds like a case involving a handler's love for a dog versus this same handler's responsibility to ensure the public's safety with regard to this particular dog. I certainly don't claim to know all the details, but it is all too easy to make excuses for these dogs and to hold out hope that such problems can be solved and the dog can continue working: handlers often saying, "But his work is great!" . Dog on dog aggression is a serious issue, but a dog that has bitten a person without just cause or is giving off definite signs of potentially biting people represents a no win prospect for continued service as an assistance dog. Perhaps the dog is a good dog, but he or she is simply not suited for guide work. I know this sounds harsh, and perhaps I am misinterpreting the nature of this dog's behavior. So please consider my words with the understanding that I believe you are talking about a dog which may be difficult or impossible for a blind handler to read and therefore for this person to train, including anyone else for that matter. I am writing this post because I have been witness to several handlers walking this difficult line which almost always ends up in retiring the dog, the legal consequences if the dog bites, not to mention the negative ramifications for others in our community are indisputable. If you are interested, I would be happy to speak with you or your friend, and please excuse my outspokenness if this message is landing somewhere out in left field. Sheila Styron, President Guide Dog Users, Inc. 816-363-3172 sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> -----Original Message----- From: vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> [mailto:vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Sharonda Greenlaw Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 2:06 PM To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: (VICT) Re: Aggression towards People Kitty and all, She has seen this happen mostly towards men; some ladies, but mostly men. She has said that the dog also reacts when people--whether men or women--look suspicious. This has not always been an issue, but some of their environments have been quite stressful. We have been trying hard to pinpoint times when the aggression seems to happen mostly. She goes to a church, where te noise is very loud. It sometimes happens after services. We are going to try and remove the dog from the loud environment, especially when the noise is high. The suspicious people? We don't know what to do. The men? I know she has a husband and am not sure how he acts towards the dog at home. Could his actions cause a reaction in the dog, when he's not around? You all are really a blessing. We both are well aware that agression is not a good trait for any dog, but especially a guide dog. We know that prosecution could cause this dog to be put down and/or removed from her. We want this to be prevented. Thank you so very much. Sharonda On 2/4/08, The Pawpower Pack <pawpower@xxxxxxx<mailto:pawpower@xxxxxxx>> wrote: > As a clicker trainer, I find it very frustrating and a bit > discouraging for list members to be suggesting corrections or any kind > of forced-based training as a solution to a training problem. > > There are many guide dog and or training lists where discussions of > leash corrections are appropriate. I don't think that a clicker list > would be that type of environment. > > Rox and the Kitchen Bitches > Bristol, Gracy, Mill'E > "Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure > it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of > existence." ---Mourning Dove [Christine Quintasket] (1888-1936) Salish > Pawpower@xxxxxxx<mailto:Pawpower@xxxxxxx> > windows messenger: Brisomania@xxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Brisomania@xxxxxxxxxxx> > AIM: brissysgirl > > > -- Come, read and take a journey with me at www.WorldOfShariG.blogspot.com<http://www.worldofsharig.blogspot.com/>