Finally another Convert

[Charlie]

I have been walking with a friend of my who has 3 Staffies for 11 years (I have talked about her before) she WAS a CM fan Our walks invariably end in her hitting her dogs sometimes across the back with their lead, on one ocassion booting one of her dogs across a track for various behaviours. I was always very vocal and disapproving about her treatment, but she knew best. The final straw for me was during the summer when her MIL was walking towards us with her little Cockapoo when one of her dogs went for it, all dogs were on lead. She grabbed the Staffie told her off and roughly placed her bottom to face the CP and asked her MIL to let her CP sniff her dog. I remarked on how that CM's techniques were totally outdated and suggested she just use treats and POSITIVE training and good associations as I do, she has watched me enough to know what I meant, she brushed off my comments claiming CM was correct and I was basically talking crap

Well the good news is, yesterday I walked with her and she told me "You were right Helen", now believe me it's not often I hear that so I was chuffed using treats and positive reinforcement has made a huge difference to her dogs, their on lead reactivity and meeting off lead dogs has improved. She pulled out a bag of treats, we continued a lovely 2 hour walk and I am thrilled she is a changed dog owner and trainer. It took a lot of years but we got there! So pleased for her but very happy for her dogs as they looked more relaxed and responsive to her soft praise and treats xx

 

[Boogie]

Wow - we’ll done you. That’s just brilliant and her dogs would thank you so much if they could.

 

[snowbunny]

Brilliant work, Helen, and good for her for giving it a go, too. It’s very hard to change our own behaviours and beliefs sometimes, so she needs recognition of that. Another successful ripple!

I’m also happy for the dogs she is yet to have; what a wonderful gift to them

 

[Selina27]

That`s great news, well done to you. And yes, credit to your friend for finally listening .

 

[Joy]

Well done to you for being so persuasive - and to your friend for changing her belief system.

 

[Rosie]

Well done you - and actually that is INCREDIBLY impressive from your friend. It takes a very special person to listen to a different point of view, try it out and then admit that they were wrong / misinformed before.
Result!

 

[edzbird]

What a wonderful outcome. Good for you for showing her the way, and good for her for having a willingness to look and change.

 

[Jacqui-S]

AMAZING job all round!

 

[Naya]

Well done for your persistence and gentle encouragement x

 

[SwampDonkey]

Good job xxx

 

[MellowYellow]

Now that is a truly impressive result!! Well done Helen!

 

[Candy]

Well done you! That's so good to hear! I spent some time in the pub on Friday evening trying NOT to get into an argument with someone I've known for years who continues to claim that the best way to train walking on a loose lead is by using a choke chain! I know how hard it is to remain calmly persuasive when up against this kind of thinking!

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

That's really amazing!

 

[HAH]

Brilliant, well done for patience and being a good friend

 

[Lab_adore]

Loved reading that @Charlie - well done!

 

[Granca]

Well done, Helen! Sometimes it takes a lot of perseverance!

 

[Charlie]

Thank you, it's a great outcome for her dogs present and future. I did praise her for her change in positive training to improve their behaviours and commented on how much happier and bonded her dogs behaved towards her. We chatted about the huge benefits to be gained by sticking with it. She looked pretty chuffed. I am proud of her because she has had many dogs and has idolised CM, actually using his cruel "training" techniques. I very, very nearly got to the point of being unable to walk with her as it was so upsetting for me. She had her lightbulb moment, thank heavens Slowly, slowly catchy monkey! x

 

[Stacia]

Well done @Charlie, teaching by example and encouragement, happier dogs and owner

 

[Selina27]

. I very, very nearly got to the point of being unable to walk with her as it was so upsetting for me. She had her lightbulb moment, thank heavens

This is what impresses me -- you didn't give up but kept going with what you knew to be right.