Ruff Love

I'm an experienced and qualified force-free trainer and behaviourist. Another dog owner mentioned this book to me, and, as I have a lot of time for 'Crate Games' by Susan Garret, I ordered this book too.Although the book keeps repeating that 'positive is not permissive' (a view which I very much agree with), there does come a point where you have stripped away so many of a dog's freedoms or enjoyments in life, that you end up with a training programme which - whilst definitely not permissive - is not positive either.By all means, DO completely control a dog's access to environmental reinforcers when s/he is outside the house on walks, through preventing access to other dogs or using a long-line.But stripping away even more freedoms, even inside the house, is (IMO) not only unnecessary, it is cruel.Let's face it, the life of most dogs in the western world today, is hardly that much fun: Left alone for 8hrs a day whilst people are at work, and exercised briefly in the evenings typically on leash. It's devoid of a lot of interest or stimulation as it is.To remove even more interest from a dog's life by crating the dog the whole time you're out (which some would argue is unethical - crating a dog is actually illegal in Sweden); forcing the dog to wear a head collar 24hrs a day (!!!!) - when a head collar is an aversive and detested by most dogs - preventing dogs from getting on the furniture when you don't mind them being on it. (What is the difference in the dog's mind between furniture and dog bed? A sofa is just an extra big dog bed they can sit on with you!) Oh, and tethering the dog to you, 24/7... I could go on...Frankly, this isn't dog ownership - it's incarceration.And before someone says this programme is not for pet owners, it's for performance dogs - I have successful performance dogs and would never treat them like this. It's not necessary for establishing a great relationship with your dog. You don't need to make your dog's entire life sh&t, so that you are comparatively amazing....I'd recommend anyone looking into this book to look instead at the Control Unleashed material by Leslie McDevitt - which will show you how to achieve great control and relationship with your dog (whether performance dog or pet), without these extreme methods of deprivation.

Excellent advice from a woman who really understands dogs. This was very helpful in heali g the relationship Ethernet me and my dog. Highly recommend his.

It really does work

Just read this book and put it into action, you'll end up with a happy, playful, joyful, well behaved and motivated dog.

Great

This is another of those books which when put to the test actually works. Made so much sense I would recomend to anyone who want ot make sense of training their dog

I am a fan of Susan Garratt and this book is interesting and certainly valuable if you have a real problem with your dog.If you have minor issues you wish to improve on I have my doubts.....You have to have the life style that permits such training. I do aglity with my dogs and I also work ! Impossible for me to envisage leaving my dogs on their own (as they are for over 8 hours) after a long early walk in the woods and crating them when I come home in the evning ! Just not on for me..... and everything hinges on that. A non starter as far as I am concerned .... While Crat Games by Susan is fantastic !!

I'm sure if you want a dog to show at Crufts then this book is fine but if you want a family pet with a personality then it's not the right book. You are expected to have your dog on a lead in the house with you at all times for 6-8 weeks and 'the only pleasuire your dog gets is from you.' They are not even allowed in the garden by themselves in case they have fun. Too much for a family pet.