From Time Magazine:

"Dogs are descended from wolves. Wolves live in hierarchical packs in which the aggressive alpha male rules over everyone else. Therefore, humans need to dominate their pet dogs to get them to behave.

This logic has dominated the canine-rearing conversation for more than five years, thanks mostly to National Geographic's award-winning show, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. (See photos of a real-life hotel for dogs.)

But many experts say Millan's philosophy is based on now-debunked animal studies and that some of his techniques — most famously the alpha roll, in which he pins a dog on its back and holds it by the throat — are downright cruel. Rival trainer Victoria Stilwell has launched a competitive assault on Dog Whisperer by starring on Animal Planet's It's Me or the Dog and by spreading her system of positive-reinforcement training virtually and with troops on the ground: this June she launched a podcast (available on positively.com and iTunes) and franchised her methods to a first batch of 20 dog trainers in the U.S., the U.K., Italy and Greece. She uses positivity as a counterpoint to dominance theory and reserves her aggression for the poorly behaving humans.

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Says Bonnie Beaver, former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): "We are on record as opposing some of the things Cesar Millan does because they're wrong." Likewise, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) issued a position statement last year arguing against the aggressive-submissive dichotomy."

More at:

http://www.time.com/time/print...8816,2007250,00.html

Shetland Sheepdogs are a particularly sensitive breed, and any harsh treatment from "their people" causes them to completely shut down. (They are also a particularly smart breed.) I have never tried it, but some Sheltie owners use positive-only Clicker Training.

For me, "training" was just communicationg what I wanted my doggie to do. Once he knew "the right thing" to do, he did it. In addition, he constantly and carefully studied everything that I did, to try to figure out what "the right thing" was.

quote:

Originally posted by Sheltieguy:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tayhudson:
Getting ready to adopt a puppy...

If you haven't selected a breeder yet, American Kennel Club Breed Clubs are a good resource. They have web sites, that can refer you to your local Breed Club Breeder Referral Person or local Breed Rescue, depending on your choice.

QUOTE]

Thanks again. We're looking at Soft-coated Wheaten Terriers. I have made a few inquiries, but I will look at the AKC breeders website.

Dawn

quote:

Originally posted by Tayhudson:
Getting ready to adopt a puppy...

If you haven't selected a breeder yet, American Kennel Club Breed Clubs are a good resource. They have web sites, that can refer you to your local Breed Club Breeder Referral Person or local Breed Rescue, depending on your choice.

I got my precious doggie from a member of the local Sheltie Club. Club members are show breeders, who screen for temperment, and screen for genetic diseases, such as OFA testing for hip disease and CERF testing for eye disease.

I used to be a big fan of Cesar Millan...I still do watch his show occasionally...but I also admire Victoria Stilwell and have watched her show a lot, though it is not on as regularly as Cesar's.

BOTH techniques can work...it depends on the dog and the problem. Most dogs live for love, adoration and praise from their people, and this is especially true of the Shih Tzu, which was bred purely for companionship. Since learning Victoria's methods, I have found that positive reinforcement works VERY well with my Shih Tzu, Missy.

I have been able to break several of Missy's very bad habits by teaching her a better way and then, when she does it, praising her to the hilt (I call it "throwing her a party"). I have seen this technique used by parents when they are trying to transition their children from diapers to using a potty. They dance around singing "peepee on the potty! peepee on the potty!" and that's basically what I do when Missy does something right. Not EVERYTHING, of course, but the big things, like changing bad behaviors to good ones.

Good to know. Getting ready to adopt a puppy since the adoption of the adult dog did not work out last spring.

Dawn