From: ce293@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Gail E. Brookhart)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Trainable Terriers ?
Date: 5 Nov 1992 18:45:58 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: ce293@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Gail E. Brookhart)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu


The key to controlling terriers, in my opinion, is lots of practice at the
obedience exercises.  My 5 yr old male Airedale, Toby, is a real sweet
fellow in the house too but put him outside and he kicks over to a
different mind-set where he thinks that he can take on anything.  The only
thing that I have had any success with is using the obedience
exercises to conflict with the prey drive.  By way of explanation, a 
dog finds it very hard to go after another animal when he is doing a
down-stay or is heeling in a pattern other than just simple walking at
heel.  I also, if I see the problem coming, will stop my dog and have
him sit at hell position and see that the other dog is not coming after
him.  After a moment, he gets a FIRM command to heel on a short but not
tight leash.  As soon as he even thinks (notice when he THINKS and not
when he acts) of leaving a responsible heel position he gets a strong
NYAAHHHHH correction.  It will take you a long time to develop his
obedience and get him thinking that obedience to you si much more fun
than anything else he can do.  Notice that none of this is the least
bit cruel or negative, he is treated with a lot of respect for his
own ability to work out the situation.  Toby gets every chance on
earth to succeed.  It took a LONG time but it works and you aren't
hanging your dog up on his leash for being himself.

In a previous article, karen@dent.uchicago.edu (Karen Swanson) says:

>In article <Bww06v.JK2@world.std.com> dewhite@world.std.com (David E White) writes:
>>We have a pair of Border Terriers (about 18 pounds each).  They are
>>very friendly and fairly laid back dogs.  They get along fine with 
>>people and the two cats in the house.  They are also quite reliable
>>at coming, sitting and stopping barking when inside.
>>
>>However, whenever they are outside on a walk and they see another four
>>legged creature they are basically uncontrollable and want to run over
>>and make body contact of some sort.  A few weeks ago they got hold of a
>>skunk and would not let go even though thoroughly sprayed.  I know that
>>this is the kind of fierceness that the breed was developed for but is
>>there any way to noderate it with training.  I would like to hear of
>>other people's experiences with terrier types.
>>
>>David White
>
>We have two Cairn Terriers who are NEVER laid back about anything...especially other 4-legged creatures while out on a walk.  They are never off leash 
>because (a) we live in the city and (b) they would be more than glad to 
>do the same with a skunk!  (They try pretty hard to get at the squirrels!)
>I would also be glad to hear of anyone who knows how to remedy the
>uncontrollable terrier instinct!  We love Ginger and George dearly, but their
>behavior will definitely get them into trouble sooner or later!!
>
>
-- 
  Gail Brookhart, Cincinnati, OH  *  usr7513a@tso.uc.edu
Surely one of my addresses works! *  ce293@cleveland.freenet.edu
***********************************  brookhge@ucbeh.san.uc.edu
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Let me tell you about my dogs! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=