Gsd Problems.

[persephone]

Just out of interest, what difference would it make?

*nods*

[Staranais]

Contact Mark Singer ASAP

http://caninetraining.com.au/

hes the best for this dog I can tell you that. Advice over the internet is a no go when a dog is snapping at its owners it needs a proper assessment

Thanks - that's who I was trying to think of.

Mark Singer is a dog trainer and may be of great assistance, but he is not a qualified behaviourist. The most prominent "qualified" behaviourist in SA is Dr Susan Hazel

I'd recommend Mark Singer too, from what I've read by and about him, he knows what he's doing.

[4paws]

Contact Mark Singer ASAP

http://caninetraining.com.au/

hes the best for this dog I can tell you that. Advice over the internet is a no go when a dog is snapping at its owners it needs a proper assessment

Thanks - that's who I was trying to think of.

Mark Singer is a dog trainer and may be of great assistance, but he is not a qualified behaviourist. The most prominent "qualified" behaviourist in SA is Dr Susan Hazel

I'd recommend Mark Singer too, from what I've read by and about him, he knows what he's doing.

I am referring to the "behaviourist" title in dog training that appears to be garthering momentum where people are recommending behaviourists rather than trainers which raises some concern especially when people recommend to seek a "qualified" behaviourist. An animal behaviour consultant in "qualified" form is a university degree achieving a PhD in animal behaviour sciences. With respect to Mark, I believe he is an excellent trainer more than capable of dealing with the OP's problem, but when people continue to quote "behaviourist", they need to be familiar with what a behaviourist actually is.

[abed]

Sounds more like a fear response...........is the dog from a registered breeding or a BYB out of interest???

Just out of interest, what difference would it make?

It makes a lot of difference in treating the behaviour to know the cause of the reactivity. Lashing out in aggression to minor stimulation is an unusual GSD behaviour unless the dog is suffering from trauma or is extremely short on nerve stability perhaps

[Staranais]

I am referring to the "behaviourist" title in dog training that appears to be garthering momentum where people are recommending behaviourists rather than trainers which raises some concern especially when people recommend to seek a "qualified" behaviourist. An animal behaviour consultant in "qualified" form is a university degree achieving a PhD in animal behaviour sciences. With respect to Mark, I believe he is an excellent trainer more than capable of dealing with the OP's problem, but when people continue to quote "behaviourist", they need to be familiar with what a behaviourist actually is.

Actually, I'm not sure I buy that. I don't know of any law or etc that means that only people with certain qualifications can describe themselves as a behaviourist. Please fill me in.

No one here said Mark was a qualified behaviourist, BTW. I don't know what qualifications he has. But I'd be thinking that anyone that studies and works with behaviour could, technically, correctly call themselves a "behaviourist".

Just like anyone that studies and works with biology could truthfully call themselves a "biologist", whether or not they have a pHD in the subject.

[persephone]

It makes a lot of difference in treating the behaviour to know the cause of the reactivity.

Indeed- and that is the job of whatever professional has been consulted .

[Erny]

Contact Mark Singer ASAP

http://caninetraining.com.au/

hes the best for this dog I can tell you that. Advice over the internet is a no go when a dog is snapping at its owners it needs a proper assessment

Thanks - that's who I was trying to think of.

Mark Singer is a dog trainer and may be of great assistance, but he is not a qualified behaviourist. The most prominent "qualified" behaviourist in SA is Dr Susan Hazel

I'd recommend Mark Singer too, from what I've read by and about him, he knows what he's doing.

Another "Mark Singer" recommendation from here as well.

To the OP .... this isn't something that you decide you'll tinker with via a "tell me what to do over the internet" instruction manual.

[Erny]

I am referring to the "behaviourist" title in dog training that appears to be garthering momentum where people are recommending behaviourists rather than trainers which raises some concern especially when people recommend to seek a "qualified" behaviourist. An animal behaviour consultant in "qualified" form is a university degree achieving a PhD in animal behaviour sciences. With respect to Mark, I believe he is an excellent trainer more than capable of dealing with the OP's problem, but when people continue to quote "behaviourist", they need to be familiar with what a behaviourist actually is.

Actually, I'm not sure I buy that. I don't know of any law or etc that means that only people with certain qualifications can describe themselves as a behaviourist. Please fill me in.

+1

[corvus]

I am referring to the "behaviourist" title in dog training that appears to be garthering momentum where people are recommending behaviourists rather than trainers which raises some concern especially when people recommend to seek a "qualified" behaviourist. An animal behaviour consultant in "qualified" form is a university degree achieving a PhD in animal behaviour sciences. With respect to Mark, I believe he is an excellent trainer more than capable of dealing with the OP's problem, but when people continue to quote "behaviourist", they need to be familiar with what a behaviourist actually is.

Actually, I'm not sure I buy that. I don't know of any law or etc that means that only people with certain qualifications can describe themselves as a behaviourist. Please fill me in.

There are no laws, but that's where all the problems start. If anyone with a certificate in dog training is a "qualified behaviourist", then how do we know the difference between the ones that actually know about the scientific method and therefore have some idea exactly what they are doing, how it is likely to affect behaviour, and how to monitor it so they can tell if it's working from the folks that know some training techniques? Not to belittle the talent of some dog trainers that have brilliant training instincts, but to me the whole point of getting a "behaviourist" and not a "trainer" is that you'll have a reasonable expectation that the "behaviourist" will be able to fix a problem a trainer may not know how to fix, or may easily misinterpret and potentially even make worse. If we're going to differentiate, we should actually differentiate based on something other than testimonials.

[m-j]

Just like anyone that studies and works with biology could truthfully call themselves a "biologist", whether or not they have a pHD in the subject.

Like when I was reading the newspaper and this guy had been busted with a number of dope plants and his reason for having so many was that he was a geneticist and was developing a "strain" , it didn't work

[corvus]

Just like anyone that studies and works with biology could truthfully call themselves a "biologist", whether or not they have a pHD in the subject.

Like when I was reading the newspaper and this guy had been busted with a number of dope plants and his reason for having so many was that he was a geneticist and was developing a "strain" , it didn't work

Gold!

[JulesP]

I am referring to the "behaviourist" title in dog training that appears to be garthering momentum where people are recommending behaviourists rather than trainers which raises some concern especially when people recommend to seek a "qualified" behaviourist. An animal behaviour consultant in "qualified" form is a university degree achieving a PhD in animal behaviour sciences. With respect to Mark, I believe he is an excellent trainer more than capable of dealing with the OP's problem, but when people continue to quote "behaviourist", they need to be familiar with what a behaviourist actually is.

Actually, I'm not sure I buy that. I don't know of any law or etc that means that only people with certain qualifications can describe themselves as a behaviourist. Please fill me in.

There are no laws, but that's where all the problems start. If anyone with a certificate in dog training is a "qualified behaviourist", then how do we know the difference between the ones that actually know about the scientific method and therefore have some idea exactly what they are doing, how it is likely to affect behaviour, and how to monitor it so they can tell if it's working from the folks that know some training techniques? Not to belittle the talent of some dog trainers that have brilliant training instincts, but to me the whole point of getting a "behaviourist" and not a "trainer" is that you'll have a reasonable expectation that the "behaviourist" will be able to fix a problem a trainer may not know how to fix, or may easily misinterpret and potentially even make worse. If we're going to differentiate, we should actually differentiate based on something other than testimonials.

Having a piece of paper doesn't mean the person is dog savvy. I would rather go with a very experienced trainer then someone with a piece of paper that hasn't seen 100s of dogs and may never have the talent.

A Vet behaviorist is slightly different as they can prescribe drugs. I would use one of them.

Not all trainers want to be behaviorists either. I certainly don't!

[Jeff Jones]

Having a piece of paper doesn't mean the person is dog savvy. I would rather go with a very experienced trainer then someone with a piece of paper that hasn't seen 100s of dogs and may never have the talent.

We are talking about a German Shepherd with aggression issues, and with all due respect for Susan Hazel I fail to see how she would be more experienced than Mark Singer with dealing with German Shepherds and aggression. Lets compare there experience with working dogs

Dr Susan Hazel

Biography/ Background

I graduated in Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney in 1987 and since then have worked in private veterinary practice in Australia and the UK; completed a PhD studying the role of growth factors in chronic renal failure at the Womens & Childrens Hospital in Adelaide; had postdoctoral positions in Stockholm, Sweden and in Sydney; ran a research laboratory at the IMVS in Adelaide developing a model of angiogenesis using chick embryos, and; worked as a systematic reviewer for ASERNIP-S and as an independent reviewer for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). In 2006 I took up my present position at the Roseworthy Campus of the University of Adelaide.

Teaching Interests

Course Coordination and Teaching

* Companion Animal & Equine Studies (Year 2 Animal Science)

* Principles of Animal Behaviour, Welfare & Ethics (Year 1 Animal Science & Pre-veterinary)

Research Interests

* Human-Animal Relationships (Convenor of the Human-Animal Research Group in Adelaide; see HARG)

* Animal Welfare

* Animal Behaviour

Current Hons Projects

* Obesity in dogs (Tegan Hadley, co-supervised with Dr Karen Kind, Prof Phil Hynd and Dr Jane McNicholl)

* Puppy socialisation programs in Adelaide (Abbie Matheson, supported by the Dog and Cat Management Board)

*

Effect of treatment and behaviour of prime cattle pre-slaughter and energy reserves as indicated by ultimate pH of beef. (Cathy Dodd, co-supervised with Assoc Prof Wayne Pitchford and Dr Dave Rutley)

Current Masters Project

* A longitudinal pilot study comparing the link between attachment and RSB Guide Dog puppy educator's physical and psychological health (Lucy-Kate Werner, co-supervised with Prof Anna Chur-Hansen)

Current PhD Projects

* Heat stress in greyhounds (Dr Jane McNicholl, co-supervised with Dr Phil Stott & Assoc Prof Gordon Howarth)

* Impact of a Guide Dog on blind or vision impaired people (Chris Muldoon, co-supervised by Prof Anna Chur-Hansen)

Previous Hons Projects

* Role of shelter belts in free range systems in reducing the need for beak trimming (Emma Borland; co-supervised with Phil Glatz, SARDI)

* A study of the optimal method of euthanasia in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) (Tim Trainor, co-supervised with Dr Cindy Bottema)

* Evaluation of Ganoderma for treatment of surgical mulesing wounds (Dani Davis; co-supervised with Prof Phil Hynd)

* Genotype by nutrition interactions on duration of postpartum anoestrus in beef cows via assessment of cow behaviour (Rachel Savage, co-supervised with Dr Karen Kind & Assoc Prof Wayne Pitchford)

* Behavioural and Physiological Methods to Predict Future Success in Guide Dog Puppies in the Royal Society for the Blind Guide Dogs Program (Ally Hirst, co-supervised with Chris Muldoon)

Publications

Hazel SJ, Signal T, Taylor N (2010) Can teaching veterinary and animal science students about animal welfare affect their attitude to animals and human-related empathy? Journal of Veterinary Medical Education In Press

Professional Associations

* Australian Veterinary Association (AVA)

* Australian College of Veterinary Scientists, Animal Welfare Chapter

* Human-Animal Research Group

Community Engagement

* Member of Animal Ethics Committees

o University of Adelaide (Sciences)

o CSIRO Human Nutrition

o Independent Schools of SA

* Representative for the AVA on the SA Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC

Mark Singer

I have had an immense love of dogs for my entire life. My professional career with dogs began back in 1980 when I enlisted into the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a Police Dog Handler. For twelve years I served with the RAAF as a:

Specialist Police Dog Handler & Trainer

Specialist Drug Detector Dog Handler & Trainer.

I served on Defence Bases throughout Australia, with an attachment to Malaysia as a Specialist Military Dog Handler and Trainer. As a RAAF Drug Detector Handler/Trainer I was NCO In Charge of Drug Detection Dog Section at RAAF Darwin for the RAAF Police Special Investigations Branch. During my time working with drug detection dogs in the RAAF I assisted not only to combat illegal drug use within the Defence Forces, but was also used extensively by:

Australian Customs;

Australian Federal Police; and

Northern Territory Police

After dischargiprotection dogng from the RAAF I was employed by Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and was involved in the Quarantine Detector Dog Program (Beagle Brigade). After leaving Australian Quarantine, I commenced a successful small dog training business in Townsville before eventually setting up permanently in Adelaide in 2000.

My main focus now is behaviour modification and management, and helping dog owners regain control of their beloved dog. With 30 years working and training dogs in a professional capacity, I have helped literally thousands of dog owners with their dogs. My background in police dog training with the RAAF, has given me invaluable experience and knowledge in working with highly aggressive dogs. I specialise in dog aggression that other dog trainers with little experience in this type of behaviour modification would walk away from believing the dog to be beyond help, due to not fully understanding the situation, nor having enough experience to confidently guide owners in the right direction. Many of these dogs are being euthanised, when in most cases these dogs behaviour can be modified..

Over the past 30 years I have trained or helped train literally thousands of dogs, and helped loyal dog owners gain a better understanding of their dog, and therefore help them develop a more loving, loyal and natural bond with their canine friend.

I have dedicated my working life to professional dog training and behaviour. My love of dogs and dog training is second to none, and with each dog I have the pleasure to train... I learn so much more about our beloved canine friends.

I know who I would be contacting if I had problems with training my German Shepherd.

[persephone]

I know who I would be contacting if I had problems with training my German Shepherd.

Well presented reasoning

[Erny]

I know who I would be contacting if I had problems with training my German Shepherd.

Me too .

[corvus]

Having a piece of paper doesn't mean the person is dog savvy. I would rather go with a very experienced trainer then someone with a piece of paper that hasn't seen 100s of dogs and may never have the talent.

But that's beside the point, isn't it? We're not talking about the experience or "savvyness" of the person. We're talking about differentiating between a behaviourist and a trainer. If you can't differentiate in some way, then why do we recommend "professional behaviourists" and not "professional trainers"? I know of tons of professional trainers I wouldn't trust with a behavioural problem, but if we only count behaviourists as someone with a PhD in animal behaviour, I don't know any that I wouldn't trust with a behavioural problem. It's got less to do with practical experience and more to do with the ability to find the root of a problem rather than treating symptoms. When you pay for someone with 7+ years of tertiary education as opposed to someone with 7+ years of training experience, you are paying for two very different things. I don't think it's as simple as saying "well, I'd go with the one with the most practical experience who is dog savvy". Can that person do what a behaviourist can do? Maybe, but how would you know they could if they have much the same education as a lot of rubbish trainers that can't do what a behaviourist with a PhD can do?

Do you see what I'm saying? It doesn't matter whether the trainer is more experienced, or if the behaviourist hasn't got natural training ability. It matters how they themselves have been trained and what is appropriate for the problem at hand.

ETA Okay, I ammend that. I don't know anyone with a PhD in DOG behaviour that I wouldn't trust with a behavioural problem in a dog. The principles carry across species, but dogs are a bit loopy in their behaviour if you ask me. I think they are at least ten times easier to read than most animals I've ever tried to read, but they have subtleties to their communication that other animals don't seem to have, and they don't always make it obvious that they are distressed. Mess up with a wild animal and you bloody well know about it.

Edited December 18, 2010 by corvus

[Miranda]

I know who I would be contacting if I had problems with training my German Shepherd.

Me too .

Me too, excellent post Jeff Jones

[JulesP]

I just don't agree with you Corvus. Maybe when you have a bit more experience with different dogs and different animals you might get were some of us are coming from. Not saying that to be bitchy but I know you are fairly young and all your posts read so 'text book'.

[corvus]

I just don't agree with you Corvus. Maybe when you have a bit more experience with different dogs and different animals you might get were some of us are coming from. Not saying that to be bitchy but I know you are fairly young and all your posts read so 'text book'.

I think you are missing my point. They are not the same thing. I'm not saying a behaviourist is always better than a trainer if they have a PhD. I'm talking in terms of judging who is worth getting in and who could just make it worse. If I have to make a bet on someone, do I make it on someone who may or may not be dog savvy or on someone who presumably spent 3 years studying the literature on dogs and planning and carrying out a scientific study or two? They are two completely different measures of someone's worth. I'm not saying one is better than the other; I'm saying one is more measurable than the other.

Edited December 18, 2010 by corvus

[Nekhbet]

a text book and real life is two different things. An animal can never come with a manual - you can read what you want but if you dont have dog savvy you wont be able to properly implement all your 'superior' knowledge.

I'll take the person who has years of personal experience in behaviour modification then one who has simply read about it. If a person works on a behavioural level and can properly understand and implement it, then why not say they are a behaviourist.

I have compared both, I have seen tertiary qualified behaviourists and I wouldnt let them touch a dog for me. Considering one cant even walk their own dogs properly on leash or get them to sit I can see it means squat.

Go with Mark Singer.

Mess up with a wild animal and you bloody well know about it.

Mess up with a dog you will know about it too, just some people choose to justify the behaviour by labelling it as something acceptable

Edited December 18, 2010 by Nekhbet