[Ostory]

We have two seperate issues here.

First, the correction given to the pup for attempting to rebel against the trainer. A correction is needed here, but this one was over the top. Obviously, it was based on fear by the handler/trainer. It is not uncommon, for the fear of getting bite by the dog to cause an over reaction by a handler.

Second issue, is one of Pack order. For this reason I would have rebucked the trainer, and protected my dog. One major reason dogs don't look to their owns as Alpha leaders is because they don't lead. By allowing an individual outside the pack to dominate both the pup and the owner, the owner has shown great weakness to the pup. Even when I take my adult dogs to the Vet, I play act with the Vet after something like a shot is given. I will push the Vet away from my dog, and warn him not to hurt my dog. The Vet finds this amusing, but I must be able to walk out on a Schutzhund with my dog off lead and he must trust that I am in charge. If I demonstraight to him that I am not in charge from time to time, how can he trust me?

The dog did need a correction after it got to this point. A good trainer would have never allowed it to reach such a point. The owner's instincts was correct, but too often peer pressure will cause them to do the wrong thing.

I don't like to see obedience place on such young dogs.