corvus Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Just wondering if there would be interest in a class teaching people to read their dogs and other dogs and how to respond to the signals their dogs are giving them? Kind of like a dog park etiquette/organic socialisation/speak dog class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keira&Phoenix Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 (edited) It would depend on who was teaching the class. I certainly wouldn't be going to see any old self proclaimed expert. Last year Sarah Kalnajs came to Brisbane and gave a 2 day seminar, I didn't go because I found out too late but that is something I would go to if she was here again. Edited November 6, 2011 by Keira&Phoenix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I think it's a great idea!! So much of this 'common sense' has been lost now, and a lot of people have no idea what they are looking at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkhe Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I definitely would. A year ago I would’ve rolled my eyes but having learnt a little bit, I’ve realised how little I know and how much I would LIKE to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 (edited) Yes, I would be interested in a seminar like this - depending on who was taking it. It's not something that I'd bother with if it was taken by say an instructor at an obedience club though. eta Turid Rugaas has some interesting books on dog behaviour and body language. Edited November 6, 2011 by SecretKei Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Yes i would go.Having owned a bullterrier x i had to learn to read other dogs when out walking and could usually tell the ones that wanted to have a go at my dog and avoid them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stonecutter Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Yep - I'd be interested I'm such a novice at dog ownership, the obvious needs to be stated to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I will go too. Just depend on who's talking though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyd Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Would love to attend, like everyone else would depend a little on person presenting and their experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 No, I would have very little interest in going. However I do think it is a good idea on the whole provided the person talking knew what they were talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted November 6, 2011 Author Share Posted November 6, 2011 It'd be kind of a socialisation and early training class with a difference. Small classes, emphasis on foundation skills like building a reward history, knowing when your dog is a little (or a lot) uncomfortable, what to do about it, basic rules of thumb to help you get through hairy moments or times when your dog does something unexpected, and when and how to intervene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swizzlestick Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 No, I would have very little interest in going. However I do think it is a good idea on the whole provided the person talking knew what they were talking about. ^^ This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paganman Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Ive had to learn about body language coz one of my dogs is DA but Id probly think about going if the person doing it was very experienced and knew what they were talking about someone like Steve Courtney for instance. Trouble is theres so many people offering all sorts of stuff about dogs training grooming socialising ect and I reckon most of them dont know what theyre doing just cashing in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toshman Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Just wondering if there would be interest in a class teaching people to read their dogs and other dogs and how to respond to the signals their dogs are giving them? Kind of like a dog park etiquette/organic socialisation/speak dog class. If Turid Rugaas was giving it, I would Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vickie Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 (edited) Personally I don't like the idea. Even if the person teaching it had the experience to explain the subtleties of body language, it is doubtful that the students would learn from a class what experience needs to give them. Reading body language wrong can end in disaster. Body language is a total picture, it cannot always be qualified in terms of posture or ear set or tail set. Only someone who can interpret the total picture, can really read body language. Not only that but because body language is often a response, things can and do change very quickly. If you are not reading it instinctively, the situation may well have changed before you have even had a chance to consciously analyze it. I have 4 dogs here. In a situation where each were to present their belly to another dog, it would actually mean 4 different things as there is a set of nuances that come before and after this act. Edited November 7, 2011 by Vickie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 It'd be kind of a socialisation and early training class with a difference. Small classes, emphasis on foundation skills like building a reward history, knowing when your dog is a little (or a lot) uncomfortable, what to do about it, basic rules of thumb to help you get through hairy moments or times when your dog does something unexpected, and when and how to intervene. In that case no, I would not be interested. But I don't neccessarily think it to be a bad idea. The problem lies with finding someone experienced enough to teach those things and being able to provide examples. very few people could do this. Basic classes with basic info may be good for new owners/trainers, delving any deeper would only to lead to confusion IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipsqueak Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 You might be interested in these... I haven't had the chance to do the, but would like to... http://wsi.tafensw.edu.au/Handlers/ContentFile.ashx?courseid=3319 http://wsi.tafensw.edu.au/Handlers/ContentFile.ashx?courseid=3320 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 Personally I don't like the idea. Even if the person teaching it had the experience to explain the subtleties of body language, it is doubtful that the students would learn from a class what experience needs to give them. Reading body language wrong can end in disaster. Body language is a total picture, it cannot always be qualified in terms of posture or ear set or tail set. Only someone who can interpret the total picture, can really read body language. Not only that but because body language is often a response, things can and do change very quickly. If you are not reading it instinctively, the situation may well have changed before you have even had a chance to consciously analyze it. I have 4 dogs here. In a situation where each were to present their belly to another dog, it would actually mean 4 different things as there is a set of nuances that come before and after this act. There's no way a class can teach anyone how to read subtleties in individual dog behaviour, and no one has any business trying to teach that in a class. It's a one-on-one job. But imagine if no one ever gave advice on the meaning of body language because it was too easily misinterpreted. How do any of us learn? There are some things that are pretty universal. Something is, I think, better than nothing. The world is full of dogs acting up because no one noticed when they were pouring out tonnes of displacement and avoidance behaviours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 You might be interested in these... I haven't had the chance to do the, but would like to... http://wsi.tafensw.edu.au/Handlers/ContentFile.ashx?courseid=3319 http://wsi.tafensw.edu.au/Handlers/ContentFile.ashx?courseid=3320 Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Just wondering if there would be interest in a class teaching people to read their dogs and other dogs and how to respond to the signals their dogs are giving them? Kind of like a dog park etiquette/organic socialisation/speak dog class. There's no way a class can teach anyone how to read subtleties in individual dog behaviour, and no one has any business trying to teach that in a class. So which is it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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