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was I the only one that was *curious* about the training method described below by gonexenopus?

her elderly rescued maltese with multiple problems was going to a behaviorist's 'ranch' for an extended period (6 wks if I recall)to run with a pack of 10-15 other dogs, so she could learn how to be a dog.

I'd asked if there was more to this method & for some details & updates.

I'd be interested in some of you regulars' opinion or further explanations...

>>was I the only one that was *curious* about the training method described below by gonexenopus?
>>
>>her elderly rescued maltese with multiple problems was going to a behaviorist's 'ranch' for an extended period (6 wks if I recall)to run with a pack of 10-15 other dogs, so she could learn how to be a dog.
>>
>>I'd asked if there was more to this method & for some details & updates.
>>
>>I'd be interested in some of you regulars' opinion or further explanations...

>>>>>>>>>

My opinion is that a dog needs to be living at home unless boarding is necessary for some non-training reason. I've come across too many situations of abusive trainers functioning by taking the dogs away from home where the owner can't see what is being done to the dog. And the owner isn't learning how to handle the dog, nor is the owner bonding with the dog. But this sounds like a "guru" trainer, and people get really seduced by the presentation.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

hear the 'method' described or from some who have gone this route.

I'd never do it nor suggest it for anyone. But especially for that particular dog.

I understand that its quite likely that the maltese has 'learned' some of its behaviors from being overly coddled when it was afraid & other good intended but confusing messages.

natural pack behavior includes ganging up & attacking the weakest member, so it seems seriously dangerous.

>>natural pack behavior includes ganging up & attacking the weakest member, so it seems seriously dangerous.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yes indeedy, especially for a Maltese! And these little ones are not stupid, either. They know they can be torn apart by the big dogs. So there's risk of the dog not only being torn up, but also that the dog could develop fears and fear-based aggression (or aggression already there could be made worse). This would be a "flooding" situation, and for the most part that is no longer how we train dogs--OR humans. It's the equivalent of throwing a little kid into deep water in the name of teaching the child to swim. Not MY kid! And not my dog, either.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47