Ditto...
I used to watch the training shows by "uncle matty" on PBS and thought that his techniques "made sense" (i.e. correct the dog for bad behavior, but immediately praise the dog when they stop/correct the behavior and always be consistent in what the dog is and is not allowed to do, etc. He could be classified as an "old school" trainer because he does use choke chains during training. However, he did reinforce how to use them correctly (i.e. quick correction and never literally choking the dog). He also gave some instences when food could be used as a reward, but emphasized that praise should be the main reward (unless you always want to walk around with food in your pocket).
I felt the same way when I began watching Ceaser's show on explorer. Many of his methods and especially his way of approaching the problem by "thinking like a dog" really made sense to me. Do I agree with all of his methods and that they're always right? No. But, then again, I am more of a holistic type when it comes to dog-training and/or behavior modification. I like to pool from many different styles/resources and use different techniques that will work with my dog.
In terms of personal experience, several of Ceaser's techniques worked with my dog. Especially reinforcing order during walks and making my "rules" clear via body language. Does it make me a bad owner that I use a slip lead to walk my dog and correct him when he pulls? I don't think so. And, I know for a fact, that I would not get the same results with food rewards with my dog. Although those particular methods are not as appealing as training a dog solely with positive reinforcement (treats, toys, whatever), they did work in my case. And now, I can open the yard gate to dispose of doggy poo without having to tie him up... He won't run outside of the yard because he knows he is not allowed to.
Now, I am not saying that those methods are the only ones that I would ever use and I do still use rewards with my dog, but I balance them with disciipline and rules so that he knows that not only does good behavior benefit him, but there are some behaviors that are unacceptable.
I have a friend that only trains using treats and I think that it can really limit what you can do...when you totally discount a method or set of methods solely based on how you feel about them. Even my friend admits that she only works with dogs that her methods will work with. I know a dog like mine, would much rather chase after another dog (or the mail man) than eat a treat, so I must use other methods with him. I know that there are some dogs that LIVE for food or toys, and in their case, reward-based training would work. But IMO, it's always best to keep an open mind. It's also important to me, to think about what dogs are like in their "natural" setting...i.e. their "pack". We say that as cat owners, we have to think like a cat to help us solve behavior problems...i.e. if the cat is spraying the window, maybe he's seeing the neighbor's cat outside and getting nervous about it, etc. So, as a dog owner, I also like to think like a dog... for example, if a dog lower in the pack jumped up and started "humping" a higher-ranking dog...would the higher ranking dog let it or ignore the behavior? no. The higher ranking dog would push/ throw the other dog off and let the lower ranking dog know that the behavior is not acceptable. In the same way, I think that we have a responsibility to correct behaviors that could be dangerous and let our dogs know that they are unacceptable.
To the OP, I am very sorry about your loss and I hope that when the time is right, you can go out and find a dog that will better suit your needs. I'd suggest either getting an adult dog (where the temperment is more set and the dog less active) or going with a younger puppy (where you have more oppertunity to mold their behavior). I am no expert and have only worked with ~4 dogs, but I think the situations you described (growling when in/near crate, biting) sound like dominance (not a popular term right now, I know). My dog has growled at me twice...always over food/toys. Basically, he was saying "this is mine and I don't want you to touch it". Now that I have been taking him on walks more and doing more obedience, he has not growled at me and I can take toys from him... A big part of this was me gaining confidence around him, because it is easy for dogs to read body language and if you show any apprehension / fear they will pick up on it. A dog with a strong personality will take advantage and tell you what he/she thinks is and is not acceptable (by growling or snapping).
In your particular case, because you need a dog that is small dog and cat-safe, I'd suggest working with an adoption group (where they foster dogs in their homes) so that they can find the best match for your situation. Although shelters do the best they can, you can only tell so much about a dog's personality when they are in a kennel situation.
Good luck to you and I hope you find just the right dog for you and your furry crew!
Art
I used to watch the training shows by "uncle matty" on PBS and thought that his techniques "made sense" (i.e. correct the dog for bad behavior, but immediately praise the dog when they stop/correct the behavior and always be consistent in what the dog is and is not allowed to do, etc. He could be classified as an "old school" trainer because he does use choke chains during training. However, he did reinforce how to use them correctly (i.e. quick correction and never literally choking the dog). He also gave some instences when food could be used as a reward, but emphasized that praise should be the main reward (unless you always want to walk around with food in your pocket).
I felt the same way when I began watching Ceaser's show on explorer. Many of his methods and especially his way of approaching the problem by "thinking like a dog" really made sense to me. Do I agree with all of his methods and that they're always right? No. But, then again, I am more of a holistic type when it comes to dog-training and/or behavior modification. I like to pool from many different styles/resources and use different techniques that will work with my dog.
In terms of personal experience, several of Ceaser's techniques worked with my dog. Especially reinforcing order during walks and making my "rules" clear via body language. Does it make me a bad owner that I use a slip lead to walk my dog and correct him when he pulls? I don't think so. And, I know for a fact, that I would not get the same results with food rewards with my dog. Although those particular methods are not as appealing as training a dog solely with positive reinforcement (treats, toys, whatever), they did work in my case. And now, I can open the yard gate to dispose of doggy poo without having to tie him up... He won't run outside of the yard because he knows he is not allowed to.
Now, I am not saying that those methods are the only ones that I would ever use and I do still use rewards with my dog, but I balance them with disciipline and rules so that he knows that not only does good behavior benefit him, but there are some behaviors that are unacceptable.
I have a friend that only trains using treats and I think that it can really limit what you can do...when you totally discount a method or set of methods solely based on how you feel about them. Even my friend admits that she only works with dogs that her methods will work with. I know a dog like mine, would much rather chase after another dog (or the mail man) than eat a treat, so I must use other methods with him. I know that there are some dogs that LIVE for food or toys, and in their case, reward-based training would work. But IMO, it's always best to keep an open mind. It's also important to me, to think about what dogs are like in their "natural" setting...i.e. their "pack". We say that as cat owners, we have to think like a cat to help us solve behavior problems...i.e. if the cat is spraying the window, maybe he's seeing the neighbor's cat outside and getting nervous about it, etc. So, as a dog owner, I also like to think like a dog... for example, if a dog lower in the pack jumped up and started "humping" a higher-ranking dog...would the higher ranking dog let it or ignore the behavior? no. The higher ranking dog would push/ throw the other dog off and let the lower ranking dog know that the behavior is not acceptable. In the same way, I think that we have a responsibility to correct behaviors that could be dangerous and let our dogs know that they are unacceptable.
To the OP, I am very sorry about your loss and I hope that when the time is right, you can go out and find a dog that will better suit your needs. I'd suggest either getting an adult dog (where the temperment is more set and the dog less active) or going with a younger puppy (where you have more oppertunity to mold their behavior). I am no expert and have only worked with ~4 dogs, but I think the situations you described (growling when in/near crate, biting) sound like dominance (not a popular term right now, I know). My dog has growled at me twice...always over food/toys. Basically, he was saying "this is mine and I don't want you to touch it". Now that I have been taking him on walks more and doing more obedience, he has not growled at me and I can take toys from him... A big part of this was me gaining confidence around him, because it is easy for dogs to read body language and if you show any apprehension / fear they will pick up on it. A dog with a strong personality will take advantage and tell you what he/she thinks is and is not acceptable (by growling or snapping).
In your particular case, because you need a dog that is small dog and cat-safe, I'd suggest working with an adoption group (where they foster dogs in their homes) so that they can find the best match for your situation. Although shelters do the best they can, you can only tell so much about a dog's personality when they are in a kennel situation.
Good luck to you and I hope you find just the right dog for you and your furry crew!
Art
