[JeanT]

In my continuing bumbling attempts to find training for Cody (approx 1yr olf M, now neutered, owner turn-in to a shelter, very even temperment, now healthy and very well conditioned), I most recently have used a team of 2 K-9 policeman, #1 who very recently retired at the 25 yr service period, #2 currently active.

#1 started the business. I almost cancelled the first lesson because he said to me so many times that Rottweilers are big powerful dogs who need very hard leash corrections or they would become out-of-control dangerous dogs. He would not acknowledge my statements that Cody was very responsive, jsut not trained. Anyway, the training was to be in my presence, he said that there would be no negatives other than the leash corrections, and lots of praise. He also said he wanted to use an e collar, but I said "no".

First lesson, leash corrections did not have to be nearly as hard as he anticipated (though he would never acknowledge that). It was almost exclusively heeling, he wanted to have me watch only. I wasn't impressed, but Cody wasn't being hurt so I scheduled another lesson.

#2 came for the second and third lessons. Cody respnded very well to him, minimal corrections, bouncing and strutting (both of them) and generally having a good time. I worked Cody a bit and it was OK.

Next three lessons were with #1 but I stuck it out waiting for #2. Cody was not doing well for #1 and the frustration of #1 was evident. Cody did much better for me. #1 kept saying I should allow him to use the e collar and that I was delaying Cody's progress by denying it.

Next 2 lessons were with #2 only, and again Cody was doing quite well, for me, too. #2 wanted to use the e collar. I agreed to his using it. He used it for corrections, on a low setting. One mistake - on an enthusiatic recall, Cody saw another dog and charged past me. I could see that he was going to go past me, too, and #2 gave him a pretty hard zap, but it was just as Cody got to me, not just past me. It did not stop the charge, but Cody thought it was because he was coming to me, and his next recalls were very slow and tentative. (Cody is OK now, fortunately he is a very resilient dog.)

Both #1 and #2 went to a Fred Hassen seminar and are now total converts to total off-leash e collar training.

I went to my first (and last) post-Hassen seminar lesson. #2 took Cody on a long line and started the "come, come, come" stuff with the continual zapping. This is supposed to be a positive training method because The dog is never told "no", he's just zapped until he does what he's supposed to.

I believe #2 who said he had the transmitter on a very low setting. (I wouldn't have believed #1.) So, I do not believe that Cody was being phsycially hurt. However, Cody's response was to start looking frantic and then turn to try to run to me, getting zapped all the while. I yelled to stop and walked quickly toward Cody, who crawled on his belly to me the rest of the way and stayed flattened to the ground.

#1 angrily started a lecture about how I am turning Cody into a wuss and allowing him to end the lesson by crawling on his belly was simply reinforcing his obstinate behavior. And again that I would have a dangerous and untrained powerful dog doing bad things in the world. #2 was not nearly so agressive, but he clearly is a convert. I did not point out to #2 that this is the same dog who happily bounced through his lessons with him without the Hassen method.

My questions:

1) Was I wrong to stop the lesson based on Cody's response, even though I would agree with #2 that there was probably not even as much phsyical pain as a hard leash correction?

2) Though I would never admit it to #1, I wonder if I am over protective of Cody. I feel that he is a lot more sensitive (responsive) than the impression his size and strength give "strangers" . Can I turn him into a "wuss"? I feel that he is a confident, friendly, pet level Rottweiler, not a PP or ScH level which I think is awesome but well beyond my abilities).