I think I need to make a few things clear. Well, maybe not 'need'...some of you will say that I don't 'need' to do anything. But, I do...I try my very best to keep everyone informed as far as Tad goes regardless of the backlashing that I sometimes get. This is a public place, more or less, and I'm a fairly understanding and reasonable person. So, I accept everyone's opinions of this entire situation. I also try very, very hard to read everything posted (comments, FB posts, emails, letters, etc).
A comment I received on Tad's last blog sort of...inspired me to explain a couple, or a lot, of things to you guys. Since Tad's incident this morning, I've gotten all sorts of opinions...and most of them were positive, some were constructive criticism, and some...to me...I don't know that the person has read anything about Tad. :/
However, for what it's worth...these are Tad's rules...before today. I've been accused of being 'too mean' and also 'too nice'...so if you must judge, I'd at least like you to know some simple facts.
~ When I walk Tad around our loop, he is required to walk at my side on a leash. Not in front of, and not behind. If he pulls, we stop, and he is told to sit, which he does. Then, we continue. The neighbors probably think I'm nuts.
~ Before leaving the house through any door, Tad is told to sit and stay until the door is open. He then gets an 'okay' and he can go out. He does this with perfect obedience.
~ Before he gets his dinner, he must sit and wait to eat it until I say 'okay'. He has the sitting down pat, but we are working on the 'okay'. So, he does this with nearly perfect obedience.
~ Before he is allowed to jump out of my Tahoe, he is told to stay until I have his leash. He does so with perfect obedience.
~ Before putting ANY leash on him, he is told to sit and stay. He does this with perfect obedience.
~ At the clinic, he is told to go to the 'back' (which means the other side of the puppy gate). He does this with nearly perfect obedience.
~ He can sit, lay down, high five, and stay on command. He is 95% accurate, if I were to have to guess.
~ When Tad is being unruly, he is required to sit. Sometimes this means, bending his back knees to get him into a sitting position. He is then held in place by his shoulders/chest, NOT his collar, until he calms down. Then, he is told 'okay', and he's free to go.
~ When outside, he does not require a leash. He comes when he's called, and he stays within a leashes distance from me. He does this with nearly perfect obedience.
That being said, before you judge that I am too soft, I want you to understand that my dogs ALL have rules. Tad is no exception. Tad does NOT walk all over me, and he knows and understands that what I say is what is to be done...EXCEPT when he goes into protective mode and his focus goes to protecting, and nothing else.
Yes, I do need training...but so does he. We will do training together, but I can promise you...he is not the sweet angel puppy that most everyone believes. He came with a fair share of behavioral problems, but don't for one second think I allow him to walk all over me. I can promise you, that is not allowed.
In most situations, the owner AND dog require training, and I'm not here to say that I'm a dog trainer or behaviorist...I'm here to say that before you pass your judgement, you should at least know some basic facts.
Now, let's get back to happy Tad times, and I will most certainly keep everyone updated on the trainer/behaviorist route. :)
