This is a post to set some issues straight on proper dog handling, introduction to other dogs and training.
As many of you know, I run a rescue organization called Bound Angels. A while back I adopted a dog out to someone who killed the dog, because of two reasons:
1. the dog killed her cat
2. she did not want to “put the dog through electrical shock training.”
I advised this person on the proper way to introduce a dog to a cat, through use of a crate, and she did not listen. I advised her on how to properly handle his aggression through proven techniques, she did not listen. I was there for her, if ever she needed advice. I got an email after the dog had been killed.
It seems people always want to do things their way. People find correction based training Mean or Cruel. I find it necessary when it comes to aggression. I am a big fan of positive, motivational based training in most all situations. However, dominance and aggression can NOT be handled like this. I have trained enough dominant and aggressive dogs to be quite clear on this. There are few trainers who would differ if they have any experience with the dogs I’ve worked with. However, most trainers would just give up rather than give the dog the correction it needs. Giving a dog a correction, be it with a pinch collar, a remote collar or a dominant dog collar is NOT cruel, it is fair. These corrections, properly executed and properly timed, give the dog the redirection and correction it needs to understand its place in the pack. Dogs communicate in very different ways than humans. We, as humans, over complicate dog behavior and make it into a psycho-babble system that doesn’t work. If your dog wants to kill a cat or another dog, or bite someone, offering him a treat, will NOT make him change his mind.
Dogs should not be introduced to objects of prey until the dog has formed a solid relationship with you. If you do, and you expect the dog to listen, you are DEAD WRONG. The introduction of an object of prey is a distraction to proof the training the dog has undergone. This is clearly shown in Schutzhund training, however in this case it is often a best practice to work on the dogs bite before obedience and corrections. However, it is imperitive that the dog understands who is in charge. Once properly trained, a good Schutzhund dog will NOT touch a cat, bird, squirrel or anything unless it is told to do so.
The reason I am upset about this is because this act of stupidity cost 3 lives. The first cat the dog went after should have set a strong precident that the dog has a high prey drive. Instead, the dog killed the first cat, as well as the second cat and then the dog was murdered for being a dog.
I own a bird and have proven that my technique works with my current dog. He did have a drive toward the bird. My dog quickly learned that the bird belongs to me, and he is NOT allowed near the bird. In fact, he is so clear on this that the bird can walk over and sit on the dogs bed and the dog will leave the area. I highly doubt that most people will be able to train a dog to this level, however clearly establishing your role as your dogs leader is imperitive in training.
If you have a cat and want to introduce it to a new dog, hire someone to help you. Make sure they are qualified. And most importantly, make sure to do the introduction in sterile conditions. The animals need to be protected. If you can not give a dog a solid, fair correction, do not get a dog that has any drive, consider a cat.