tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193172653347640457.post5111583133522268704..comments2023-06-29T04:57:33.305-04:00Comments on Let's talk dog: Socializing the Feral or Semi-feral Dog Phase OneAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633430210745779151noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193172653347640457.post-48974217532459403922011-10-10T18:04:04.932-04:002011-10-10T18:04:04.932-04:00I agree with much, but dogs have not read your boo...I agree with much, but dogs have not read your book. There are no hard rules other than "the Dog is Always Right". During assessment I test for eye contact, approach, posture, speed of movement and several dozen other small items. In each case, the dog will inform me. Training dogs are often useful, but there's no "energy field" involved. Some will follow a training dog in certain ways, but not in others. In each case, I carefully look for what prompts a desired response and enforce it.<br /><br />That's where many books and advice cause problems, as many people take different comments as hard rules. By referencing the dog instead of the book I work with many dogs that others cannot, taking many shelter dogs to where any volunteer can work with them and they have a chance for adoption.<br /><br />And, my approach includes failures. There are some dogs (e.g. high-apathy, often horder dogs) who will only progress so far and in only certain ways. There, your targets should be adjusted to give them the best chance.Gerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10599102816093792520noreply@blogger.com