Questionable training method
My landlord and his girlfriend have a puppy. He is smart in his way and is just huge, 40lbs at 4 months and it is not fat it is just...he's dense. I would like to preface all of this by they love him dearly he is the most precious thing to them. I came home yesterday and went to go to the kitchen. As I go up the stairs I can see in the common room my landlord laying on his back "hugging" (holding/restraining is more accurate) his pup to his chest. The pup's legs just reach around to touch the ground on either side of my land lords chest. His pup is panting heavily, moving his head side to side, not making eye contact, shaking and my landlord is play "nom noming" on his ear. I asked his girlfriend what he was doing and how long he had been doing because this dog has not been rattled by much so far and seems distressed to me.
Apparently at their very first puppy class (the trainer recommended by a neighbor) the trainer taught all the owners to get their dog to calm down and submit was to hold them to their chest and not let the dog go until it submits and shows this by licking the holder's face. I feel that during this play session they were pushing it to the extreme but I could see the pup was just internally freaking out and my landlord wasn't going to let up until he got his lick so I got some bacon hovered it near my landlords ear and the game was broken after FIVE minutes of non stop hold.
I guess my point/question in posting it here was has anyone heard of this method or seen it used. It seems very hard to me and is making me question the trainer--it is not my place, it is not my dog, but it has stuck with me long enough that now I am posting it here to garner thoughts. It is flooding x 5. Their pup seems fine I'm just worried if continued "play" like this will have him develop a fear of being surrounded or hugged (like if a random child should run up and hold him) which may then...have unintentional results. Thoughts, comments, suggestions?
Apparently at their very first puppy class (the trainer recommended by a neighbor) the trainer taught all the owners to get their dog to calm down and submit was to hold them to their chest and not let the dog go until it submits and shows this by licking the holder's face. I feel that during this play session they were pushing it to the extreme but I could see the pup was just internally freaking out and my landlord wasn't going to let up until he got his lick so I got some bacon hovered it near my landlords ear and the game was broken after FIVE minutes of non stop hold.
I guess my point/question in posting it here was has anyone heard of this method or seen it used. It seems very hard to me and is making me question the trainer--it is not my place, it is not my dog, but it has stuck with me long enough that now I am posting it here to garner thoughts. It is flooding x 5. Their pup seems fine I'm just worried if continued "play" like this will have him develop a fear of being surrounded or hugged (like if a random child should run up and hold him) which may then...have unintentional results. Thoughts, comments, suggestions?
Comments
As for the training method... that doesn't sound very pleasant even as a person. If someone five times my size put me in a headlock until I submitted eventually it'd happen but it'd be like a "F you I'm just doing this so you stop". Sounds like a "dominance" based training strategy, which does more to stress the dog out and make them fearful of the owner.
I agree with @cezieg's comment, sounds like a Caesar Millan kind of alpha/dominance and submissive bullshit training. I feel bad for the puppy because I think those kind of methods being used on it could absolutely ruin the dog down the rode.
The point is not to panic the dog but to teach taking breaks and handling.
http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/handling-gentling
Snf
I dont use it, i would suggest you maybe lend them a positive reinforcement book you just happened to get from amazon
I find a simple lift out of a situation helps break up whatever a dog is doing that could cause it harm. I also lift my pup into the same position i have held her in since i got her when i need to carry her, want a hug or need to settle her. She associates it with her puppyhood of being carried around and calms.
Food for thought.
Most dogs will NOT lick in affection under pressure or that type of circumstance but stress lick or flick instead. In fact, trying to get a stress lick on you increases the likelihood of being nipped/bitten. In many cases dog lip licking itself indicates give space as the dog is possibly overwhelmed. Often there can be a propensity by the dog to do one behavior (licking vs. nipping) but not usually both during a stress point until bite inhibition/mouthing pattern is well develop in the particular animal.
By humans not heeding the stress signals though, even with the best of animals, dogs can learn quickly go from one behavior right into the other... lick flick right to bite, which is quite difficult to discern by the naked eye as it can be lightning quick once the habit is formed. Later there may not be a lick flick at all in the worst case scenarios.
It best not to assume and avoid putting oneself or dog in that position. Moderation in handling is the key....so yeah sometimes people are a little too much with all the smooches, ear coos, squeezes, holds etc etc, completely blind to the dog's preferred handling style. Face to face contact can be really threatening or intimidating to some dogs for sure.
Good eye about the observations on your part....how to get them over the situation ...well the holidays are coming up and maybe you can get them an early gift....say that you are not sure of your plans and you wanted them to have it at thanksgiving instead of Christmas etc etc since they are training. Maybe tape a target or toy to the cover to complete the package.
Snf