I often find myself disagreeing with very popular trainers and their methods and am always disgusted when the average dog owner takes their advice to heart and employs the use of a shock collar or an alpha roll or some other fear inducing, pain causing technique. It was so refreshing to watch Victoria use only positive reinforcement techniques!
I live in Wyoming, and although it's not a completely rural area, there are very limited choices in dog training here. There is one local vet's office that offers basic obedience training and that's the extent of our choices in my area. There are no behaviorists here, and the closest place to find one is more than 4 hours drive away. Because of this, most folks here are still in the dark ages where dog training is concerned and routinely employ physical punishment for transgressions instead of actual training. I've seen some well mannered dogs, but most times these same dogs are also obviously nervous and fearful.
I have 2 dogs, a female pewter Newfoundland named Hazel, and a collie/hound mutt named Malone. My son has two dogs, a male Newfoundland named Parker and a SharPei named Lexi. Even though Parker and Lexi do not live with me full-time, when I talk about my dogs, I normally include them too.
I look forward to watching more episodes of IMOTD and to exchanging great pet stories and information here.
Anyways I personally love Victoria's training technique in fact i was at a neighbors house the other day and he just got done watching Dog Whisperer ( I am glad I got home late because I had to take care of his brother's fish tank. Brother is the home owner) He's like Cesar did this and this to a barking beagle. I looked at him straight in the eye and juust Well Victoria did this and this and she didn't lay one finger on the dog. He just looked at me knowing I defeated him. UGH I am sorry but I can not stand Cesar at all. 