Children?

[kubo]

Now, I know NDT is not meant for children but then again, a lot of dogs are part of bigger families with children. What do you let children do with your dogs and what's too dangerous? How do you let the kids take part in the dog's daily life? Do you let them train their dog in a different, more child-friendly way? Do you let them observe from a safe distance when you train the family dog?
I'm just wondering since a lot of kids that I know would want to participate whenever they can.
I brought my dog to a school one time, had the kids stand in one line and my dog on the leash next to me. I taught each kid how to food lure him into the sit position. They had a blast!

[kubo]

Also, how would older/weaker/disabled people apply the Pushing method or run away from the dog? It just popped into my mind and I'm just curious cause I can't really see my grandma doing that with a German Shepherd for instance

[neilsattin]

Two good questions. Very different answers.

• Children. It's really up to you to judge whether or not a child is mature enough to be able to try some of the techniques. And also the emotional stability of the dog. Can a child give a dog a very relaxing massage? Sure. Can a child play tug with a dog? Only if the child understands enough to let the dog win, and to not let the game get too crazy. Can a child push with a dog? If they can understand the technique AND the dog isn't aggressive, then sure. It's really up to you to know both the child in question and the dog in question well enough to decide whether or not it's a good idea. If I'm working with a family, then I might have teenage children participate fully in the training, but younger children might just play fetchtug (and focus primarily on the throwing - i.e. no tugging).
• Older people. Again, it depends. What is the person comfortable with? If someone in their 80s has an unruly German Shepherd, that's a situation that might call for a dog-swap with someone who has a nice, calm shi-tzu. However you could use a dog trolley, for instance (or even just a line with a bungee cord attached to a pole) to allow someone to "push" without necessarily having to be the recipient of the entire push (i.e. the pole/trolley absorbs most of the force).

Any other thoughts?

[kubo]

Ok, to keep the children on the safe side makes sense. So basically, if I feel it's too much of a risk to the child or the dog, I can have the child observe and learn, then maybe later re-evaluate the situation and decide if the child should participate or not.

As for older people Pushing with their dog, how would you use a flirt pole (is that what you meant?) to "push"? And I guess people in a wheelchair, for instance, could have the dog push while the person is sitting in a wheelchair?

Thank you for your answers!

[neilsattin]

Imagine just straight-on pushing with your dog. You have to keep moving backwards, and absorb all the force of your dog pushing against you.

Now imagine your dog tied up to a trolley-line. You can push with your dog, but most of what's absorbing the force of your dog's push is the trolley line. It keeps you from having to completely absorb the force. You would stay in the border zone, so as your dog pushes against you, the trolley line is "pulling" to keep your dog attached on the line. Make sense?

Those are just some ideas, but I would LOVE to hear from someone who's wheelchair-bound, and who has a chance to learn the exercises, get a sense of what they're about, and put their own spin on how to do it.

[BoxerLove]

I do have a disability, not in a wheel chair. I am physical week. I have purchased the DVD. Two things holding me back. First pup is 5 months old. Not sure when to start. Second, I'm afraid I will not be strong enough. That if he jumps and pushes, my condition will deteriorate. I looked up the trolley line. I don't get how that would absorb some of his push. I can see how that would keep us on a straight line, but that's all I can see.

Any ideas would be appreciated as tending to the prey drive makes so much sense.

[Alec]

The bungee cord will be attached to the pole behind the dog so that it provides the physical resistance. Or in other words, it works in place or your hand. The dog will only be able to get as close as you let them.