A STORY ABOUT "INDIFFERENCE TRAINING"
~THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL~
Published with permission from the author - Smile’n Clyde’s Owner
Does your Dogo look at you with a look of endearment, love, and respect? (See photo) That's Clyde's wide eyed look of love aimed towards me. More powerful than a hug or a kiss to him. He's feel'n it and so do I. His eyes will look different when he's hunt'n, chase'n, or close'n the deal on a critter. This look is for me! Clyde is not pet grade. Both his parents were hard on the hogs. Clyde was the scrappiest pup in his litter. High energy. He is a real Dogo, with hard working bloodlines. Ain't no show dog.
Maybe your Dogo ignores you, and makes you work for it's attention.
It might even be giving you that side eyed stare-down, that says it's deciding when it's time to give "YOU" a correction.
All Dogo owners should know about "INDIFFERENCE TRAINING." Your dog trainer didn't tell you about it, but they showed you how to carry kibble in your pocket, and might have given you a certificate. People that don't need indifference training, are the people that already do it without even thinking about it. I've never seen this taught anywhere else. This is how to control a Dogo with your mind. No magic, just pure Dogo psychology. With this method, there is a little bit of training involved, but it is mostly going to be a lifestyle change for all involved, starting with you. First you will change, then almost instantly the Dogo will begin changing as well. Dogos aren't very good at reasoning. They just respond to the situation they are in. Their situation, is our situation. Got a grumpy Dogo? Got a happy Dogo? They are just responding to the situation we’ve put them in. Change your situation = change the Dogo’s behavior.
This method worked for Clyde, and was taught to me by "THE DOGOMAN," Marcelo Ignacio Fernandez. It involves subtle hints that your Dogo is reading from you that you are missing. This way of thinking is programed into dogs minds. It’s Dogo instinct. Like a Wolf, when they perceive weak, imbalanced, and incompetent leadership, they become motivated to take control, and move up in rank within the pack. To lower the perceived rank of the Dogo, you will have to take away the Dogo's "SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT," and replace it with "HUMILITY." A Dogo that feels entitled to anything will feel more important than the kids, other people, and in the worst case, you. Show the Dogo it is entitled to nothing. It is aaaaall yours, "NOTHING" belongs to the Dogo. Dogo rules include...45 minutes or more of walking time with "YOU" per day, every day. More is better. Back yard time doesn't count! Rules include, no walking in front, faster corrections, vary or even miss feeding times, never step over the Dogo, walk through them, random awakenings are ok, no whimpering allowed, move bedding spot at random, no couch time, or time spent on any elevated furniture. Feeding time should be calm, and respectful, and they must give space. It sounds a bit cruel, but it's their rules. It’s not cruel at all to them, it’s Dogo order of life.
HUMAN RULES DO NOT WORK ON DOGOS!
Here's the "indifference" part. The Dogo only gets what you want it to have, but you never give it when the Dogo wants it. Never give it to the Dogo when it's begging, whimpering, or staring at you for it. (Wide eyed staring is asking) The Dogo does that because it has worked in the past. Don't even give them eye contact. If you do allow the Dogo to have it’s way, it can't be till the Dogo walks away, lays down, and forgets about it for a while. (Calm Submission) When you offer it to the Dogo, it will be because you initiated it, and not because the Dogo successfully manipulated you into doing it. The Dogo will get used to the changes in a few days, and nobody gets bit after that! The Dogo gets humble, and the kids, and other people move up in the pack’s rankings.
FOLLOW-THROUGH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!
Follow through means if I tell Clyde something and he ignores me, I will make it happen... and quick. After trying me a few times he will know, when I say something, might as well do it before he comes and makes me! LOL! If I said it, I meant it! 100% of the time. No exceptions! Dogs are happiest at the bottom wrung of the ladder. There is less responsibility for them, and they don't have to make decisions on the fate of others. Its better to go through the trouble of training, and just live a happy life! Exercise, Discipline, and Affection. In that order. According to Cesar!
You will not be "DONE" in a week. This is a life sentence. The good news is, you should have been doing all this to begin with. Your life will get better because of it. You don't get the dog you want... you get the dog you need. Dogos will instinctively point out all your flaws. It's up to you to do something about it.
(Now, go do it.)
Is Your Dogo a Canine Good Citizen?
Why not put all your training work to the test and find out?
AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program does just that!
When you participate in the program, your dog’s mastery of ten basic skills that instill confidence and good manners in and out of your home will be tested.
Does your dog have what it takes?
Below are the ten skill demonstrations that will be observed.
1. Accepting a friendly stranger. Evaluator approaches, shakes hands with handler. Does not touch dog.
2. Sitting politely for petting. Evaluator pets dog, dog must show no shyness or resentment.
3. Appearance and grooming. Exaluator inspects dog, combs or brushes lightly, examines ears and each front foot.
4. Out for a walk. Handler takes dog for a short walk including right turn, left turn, about turn, and stop.
5. Walking through a crowd. Dog and handler walk close to several people; dog may show casual interest but not jump up.
6. Sit and down on command/Staying in place. Handler shows dog can do sit and down, then chooses a position, leaves dog and goes to the end of a 20 ft. line and returns immediately.
7. Coming when called. With dog still on 20 ft. line from Test 6, handler walks out 10 ft. and calls the dog.
8. Reaction to another dog. Two handlers and dogs approach, shake hands, exchange pleasantries, move on. Dogs can show casual interest.
9. Reaction to distraction. Distractions are presented; dog may not panic or show aggression.
10. Supervised Separation. Handler goes out of sight for 3-min. Dog is held on 6 ft. leash by an evaluator.
Please reach out to AKC.org or your local obedience clubs to find a certified evaluator or classes.
Check out their website for more info: https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/
So You Want to Show Your Dogo?
Want to show your Dogo but don’t know where to start?
Dogo Argentino Club of America member and show veteran, Bonnie Blink, has outlined the basics on how to get started in the world of AKC Conformation Shows.
Follow the link below to read more….
