Alpha Rolls

[crow_noir]

Let me tell you the experience that happened two weeks ago in class. I saw a doggy mom try to do it to Newfoundland. He started freaking out and she looked at me to show her what she was doing wrong. I politely explained that there were different training philosophies out there and this was one in which I personally did not agree with. I invited her to stay after class. We talked about aggression and dominance. She read that you "had" to enforce your authority over dogs or they'd walk all over you, and how she was afraid that since he's going to be so big that she better do it now while she can still control him. I explained that he's obviously submissive and the rolls were actually doing more harm that good.... that with each roll he was scaring him and making him lose his sense of security and trust, and that TRUST was far more important in becoming authority to him than sheer muscle. Anyway, I might not be explaining everything so well, but it made perfect sense at the time and she thanked me profusely for explaining it so well.

A week later she came to class with a HUGE smile on her face. She said that since she stopped trying to do alpha rolls that EVERYTHING changed. She swears she has a different dog. He trusts her again, He's relaxed and willing to let her do whatever she wants to him. He's eager to respond to her.

Thats only one incidence where people tried to use rolls that weren't successful.... and every time the outcome is the same when they stop the rolls and start positive training methods.

[kallisto4529]

Ok I have not voted yet, due to the fact I am not sure what you are talking about when you say an alpha roll. What exactly is that? My vet told us with Reilly when he snaps and tries to bite us out of aggession to put him down on his side and hold him until he stops struggling, is this what you are talking about?? If so, I did not like it all, I tried it once and I hated it, now don't get me wrong, Reilly really needs a trainer and when we come back from vac, he is going to obedience class, but I dont like the idea of us "man handling" him, I feel we should be able to deal with his issues without that, we all just need trained on the correct way.

[catnapper]

Ok I have not voted yet, due to the fact I am not sure what you are talking about when you say an alpha roll. What exactly is that? My vet told us with Reilly when he snaps and tries to bite us out of aggession to put him down on his side and hold him until he stops struggling, is this what you are talking about?? If so, I did not like it all, I tried it once and I hated it, now don't get me wrong, Reilly really needs a trainer and when we come back from vac, he is going to obedience class, but I dont like the idea of us "man handling" him, I feel we should be able to deal with his issues without that, we all just need trained on the correct way.

Thats exactly what an alpha roll is. Your vet needs to take a few refresher courses on dog training.

[nancyweNW]

This may work for some dogs but I tried it once on mine as recommended by my trainer. All it did was scare her and not correct the behavior. I've never tried it since and won't.