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A report from an attendee. Note: Fay had a very frightened adult Great Dane. I have worked with dogs like this for many years and took the time to do the foundational work to get Smooch over the hump. Here's Fay's report from about two months later. Gary Wilkes
Mr. Wilkes,
My name is Fay Holbay and I had a training issue with a mantle male great dane named Smooch.
I have been wanting to write and just tell you that you helped me more than you will ever know. My boy was afraid of men and was behaving horribly in the conformation ring. I only had to "bonk" him twice, and now he stands and behaves for the exam.
I remember thinking in the beginning that this won't work for my boy cause he is terrified of men. Then I realized...a stay is a stay, no matter what. It has made such an improvement in him. I must tell you that after your first encounter with Smooch that day, there were various people who came running up to me after the class and wanted to impress their opinion that I should not allow you to touch my dog again.
It amazed me that anyone would think that was harsh treatment. Geez...its just a towel. I'm so glad I used my own judgement and did not listen to them. Thank you for all your help that day and for giving me a whole new bag of training tools.
Fay
Closing Note: The people who over-reacted to the way I treated Smooch are typical of modern dog trainers. The assumption that a frightened dog must not experience any training method that might cause fear is common - and entirely illogical. The dog is already frightened -- in most cases it will not take treats or calm down if you apply physical affection. i.e. If you attempt to use positive reinforcement on a dog like this and "gradual desensitization" you perpetuate the fear and do nothing to inhibit the aggression that lies just beneath the surface. In other words, you leave the dog like a loaded gun with no safety mechanism. For general reference, a "Bonk" is a blow from a rolled up towel over the top of the head -- to a Dane, this is the physical equivalent of a pillow fight. While many trainers recoil at the thought of using such a tool to punish a dog, it has two major advantages over any other method that either traditional or modern training has to offer -- it is harmless and it works. GW
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