Our German Dog Training Method is Called "Unterschwellig "
There are alot of different training styles out there. I will not say that any style is better than any other. If your style works for you and doesn't hurt the dog then do it.
The German word "Unterschwellig " means to get closer to the dog in a way you do not bother him, that does not get a conflict. By training your dog in this method it will become clear in the head ,very confident with you in your dogs(comfort)zone. You will become a team member with your dog, not someone to fear or distrust due to conflict.
I have seen alot of good dogs that have severe conflict issues with their handlers, because the handler trains with too much compulsion or nagging them which results in conflict. The dogs gets mixed messages not calm clear messages. Handlers are in most conflict cases their own worst enemies.
Here is a very common handler mistake which result in alot of conflict issues. The dog gets a tug or sleeve and the handler trys to take the tug or sleeve away from the dog with force because the dog will not drop it. Either it has not been taught to "out" an object properly or the dog goes into a high drive state because of all of the movement of the Tug or sleeve because the handler starts to basicially wrestle with the dog over its toy or reward. A good way to explain it would be to watch wolves in the wild they will wrestle over a object like a leg bone which causes them to bite hard and pull away from you to get their reward. This wrestling over the tug or sleeve with your dog makes them distrust you they think that every time they have the reward that you are going to try to take it away from them. So this makes it very hard to get near your dog especially when they have a sleeve because they don't trust you because every time you come near they think your going to take their fun away.
The simplest easy way to avoid this fighting over a tug or sleeve is for the dog to learn to "Out" it properly. It's simple when they are puppies play tug with them but after they get the tug, just let them have it. Don't try to pull it away just stand around and wait until they drop it then name it," Out" or "Aus". problem solved ! Then play with them again, as they mature they know that it is no big deal for them to out. In fact if they "out" you may even start to play with them again. Then you become fun to be around . The dog will bond with you.
The "Out" or the "Aus" of a sleeve or object should always be done in a calm manner by the handler. Slow ,flowing movements work best for your dog to stay calm. Not fast jerky movements .This could result in the dog to go into a higher drive state.
If this style interests you ? Want to learn more?
check out our upcoming Seminars or trainers page
