| Well, where I am, both professionals who earn their living from training and club trainers such as myself who do it as an avocation, give a tremendous amount of time and effort without charge because first and foremost our goal is for owners and dogs to be able to live together peacefully and successfully. The assumption that trainers are in it for the money is incorrect. Even those who do it as a livelihood, chose that because of the love of dogs. There are certainly easier and more lucrative ways to earn money. Most of what was recommended for problem solving has come down the grapevine, found to be of value and passed along. Often the person who was helped by the "professional" advice is the one who kindly shares their experience. Not every dog and owner even has problems. Some adjust quite nicely without intervention or outside assistance, that is correct. If however, you want or need outside assistance, please do not denigrate those who spend much effort in studying the best methods to peacefully resolve difficulties between dog and owner.
The study of behavior has a long history from Phaffenburger to Scott and Fuller, Karen Pryor and Susan Clothier and many dedicated people from whom we learn new ideas and techniques. Barry's idea of flooding is not new, but a time-honored technique that is often successful. We all read, attend seminars, share and learn because we care about the dog and its relationship to its family and society. Many of my "average joe" students have enjoyed training to the point where they apprentice and end up teaching and instructing. Do they then become something other than an "average joe"? Of course not. They become an informed and educated average joe with more tricks in their bag to share with others.
As far as the food issue, the archives will show most of what you read. Personally I do not advocate taking the bowl away and returning it as I believe that heightens the dog's anxiety and simply proves in the dog's mind that it is correct to be concerned. I much prefer the adding of tasty bits to the bowl and then going away to allow the dog to eat in peace. Over time the dog will come to look forward to someone approaching and the problem will be solved without battle. (you will find that in the archieves also).
There are also a host of ideas to handle resource guarding that do not involve a battle nor isolating the dog. Barry offered you some, I also use the fetch and trade, as opposed to the person approaching the dog with a trade item. This has an even stronger effect on the dog's mind and emotions as well as teaching something new - the fetch. Done with an unequal trade (what you have is even better) it is a non-hostile method of teaching the dog to relinquish with trust.
The difference is also, that the average pet owner has worked with the dogs s/he owns and developed techniques for those dogs. The good trainer has not only worked with hundreds and knows one size does not always fit all, usually has a wider range of suggestions and knowledge of the different character and behavior issues and the different techniques that are most appropriate and effective.
What you are experiencing is fairly common and should be able to be peacefully resolved for everyone's benefit. The advice you had received was also standard and more than acceptable which is why you didn't see any of us training nuts jump in. I did however want to address the idea that those of us who chose to invest more of our time, energy and yes - we also invest our money in education were wasting our time here.  |