Re: [PyrNet-L] Pyrs easy to train???? NOT

[BCavins303@aol.com]

Carol,
I admire your training of a dog.  You're dog is living proof that dogs want to
please.  They are loving, trusting creatures who definitly understand us and
who talk back to us in the same loving way that we treat them.  
It just goes to show that not all pyrs are difficult to train.  I think that
Angel behaves the way she does because she knows she is loved and therefore
decides to do what we ask her to do.
I never had a problem with either Angel or Reno not coming.  Maybe that is
because everytime they came in from outside they were given a couple of
minutes of praise.  Just like a child, they need lots of praise for doing what
they should.  I may be very radical in my views but it has worked for us.
Even as pups, I have never dragged one of them over to a spot they had messed
in and rubbed their nose in it and tell them that they are bad dogs.  I would
sit down and explain to them that they should go potty outside.  We had Angel
and Reno housebroken after a week of having them in the house.  
Having been one of those "abused survivors" I can only say that love is an
extremely powerful influence on any living creature and beatings, and yelling
just create fear.  I would much rather have an animal who responds out of
love, than fear.
I just dont understand why anyone finds them a difficult dog to train.  We
used a Halti collar to train both dogs.  I hate chain collars.  Now, both of
them parade down the street with me one on either side and I dont really need
to hold them on a leash except for the fact that Denver has a leash law.  I
honestly felt sorry for Seamus because he probably was abused as a pup for
doing wrong.  The poor dog probably thought he was going to be punished again.
I'm not telling any of you that you are wrong, but, it seems to me that if
someone is having trouble training a dog then quite possibly they are going
about it the wrong way.  I'm sorry if I offeended anyone but I have never seen
an animal that wont respond to love and respect.
Take care,
Dave