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Rascal

Has Anyone used Don Sullivan's "Secrets to Training the Perfect Dog" DVD system?

I have heard good things from one couple but I would like more opinions before I spend the money to get it. What do you think about it?


Asked by Rascal on Sep 19th 2008 Tagged dvd, donsullivan, theperfectdog in Methods of Training
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Burkett's Cookies 'n' Creme

Personally, I do not agree with his methods. I've never actually seen his TV show or his commercial, but a friend told me that at the bottom of the commercial it says "may not work on naturally aggressive breeds like Pit Bulls". Why, that jack, Pit Bulls are NOT untrainable. I'll try not to get started on that...
In my mind, he's in the same place as Cesar Millan. And if you don't know where Cesar Millan is in my mind, I'll tell you...I don't agree with his methods either.
It's not that I hate, or even dislike, either guy, I just don't like their methods.
There are several helpful articles in this link that use methods which I advocate:
www.flyingdogpress.com


P.S. And his methods heavily involve the dominance theory, which was proven outdated a long time ago. I'm not a believer in the dominance theory.
Honestly, looking at the guy's website, I'm constantly rolling my eyes.
If you want to try it, no hard feelings from me. I just personally wouldn't even think of trying


Burkett's Cookies 'n' Creme answered on 9/19/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Guest

All I can say is this program is the best 2 payments of $29.99 that I've ever invested on my dogs. I received the program a few days ago and put it to use right away. I was astounded by the results. I have two poms and after putting the command collar on them and running through the commands that I'd learned the results were almost immediate. I was worried that the collar would hurt so I wrapped it around my wrist and pulled like I would on them. It didn't hurt but you can definitely feel the correction. For them it just took a small gentle pull and they got the point quickly. No yelping, nothing. All I can say is Don's dogs are completely trained and well behaved and mine weren't so I didn't feel like I had anything to loose. His methods make a lot of sense and that's why I think they are very successful. My dogs are giving me the same amount of love with 10 times the respect. They know that I'm in charge with no question now. I tried treats and they only responded when I had them!


Guest 979447 answered on 9/20/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Kolbe

Personally? Attend a good group obedience class where you can learn in-person from a trainer with real certifications (APDT-certified) and get some socialization in. Training is not just about training the dog - it's about training YOU too, how you interact with your dog and what signals you throw to your dog.

The command collar is basically a modified prong, not something I'd personally put on a little dog like Rascal. Some people swear by corrections-based training - I used to too - these days I've read up on the science behind learning and I get the same results without the use of force or physical corrections.

In the end, obviously your dog, your decision to make...if I can train a Pit Bull without a plastic prong collar, I should think you'd be able to train Rascal without one.

Also Guest "I tried treats and they only responded when I had them" - error with trainer, not method - look up 'Variable Reinforcement Schedule' - that's the step you missed. PM me if you have ?


Kolbe answered on 9/20/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 3 Report this answer


Guest

I seem to be hearing wildly different things about it also.

At first there's this site suggesting it's not all that it's cracked up to be
www.dogstrainingguides.com

But then when I look at reviews on kaboodle I see some people praising it and others calling them liars.
www.kaboodle.com

At this point I don't know who to believe... But, hopefully those links will give you plenty of reviews to browse over.


Guest 512857 answered on 10/14/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

I'll have to disagree with one of the fellow posters about becoming the dominant (alpha) one to your dog. I adopted a big dog who was an adolescent and decided that he was going to be alpha. I hired a trainer and the first day of training was all about how I needed to become alpha. I put her techniques into action and just like that (snap) I had a dog who was realizing that I was the boss.
There was no touching, shouting, pulling or any contact or verbal interaction. It was all about eye contact, or lack there of, walking over thresholds first, eating first, greetings after I came home, etc. The dog who would greet me or come to me for affection and put his paw on my foot, immediately stopped stepping on my foot and stopped trying to get in my lap. I come home and ignore him and with in 1 minute I have a calm dog lying on the floor waiting for me to call him for affection. Amazing stuff. It helped establish my role in his life within his first two weeks with me. We both needed it.


Guest 404377 answered on 12/29/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

I think this is one the best training dvd i have seen and, me and my family are happy that i ordered it, i did no research on it and just ordered thh thing i was going to put my dog in a school and go to classes but i thought why do all that when i can train him in the comfort of my own home and have my son and wife help and we can all go through the experience together, what i liked the most was the no treat rule(i hate it when people train with doggie treats) and it is true i saw a difference with in like 10 minutes NO JOKE!!!...so dont worry about what anybody says we are all cridicts and do what you think will help your dog. I did & he is great. He is a 4 month Bullboxer and walks totally off the leash, just be dedicated to your dog and your dog will be dedicated to you too...


Guest 634608 answered on 2/6/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


KIRA

All I can say is that it's not perfect but
preaty dam close. I've used it with my golden, Kira, since day one at 9 weeks of age and i have never had a dog with this amount of obidience at now age 4 months. She's a perfect little lady but has not lost her puppiness. The only drawback is that it stops in every section covered. It;s a question of preference. Nonetheless it's a great product and it's to bad that there isn't a way to ask Don a question if something should arise during the training.

Raymond Aponte

Cayey, Puerto Rico








KIRA answered on 3/4/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


max

I have purchased the system, and have used it for a month, month and a half. We no longer need the system. I can take my 2 rescue boxers for a walk with no leash, anywhere. And I don't have to worry about them running off or not lisening to me. I think the bond with me and the dogs have grown and keeps growing.
The system uses a plastic corective collor and some rope. You correct your dog or disipline them by snaping the rope. I did it on my arm it doent hurt. But you also use verbal praise more than the corrections. It's a great feeling to be able to take your dogs anywhere, under any situation. The dogs recognize they get more freedom by doing what you want. It is a great system


max answered on 3/8/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

In response to the FIRST answer...it states in the infomercial, that this method should not be used on aggressive breeds that were TRAINED to be aggressive or mean.

I ordered the system for my dogs, a Rottie and a GSD/Pitt Bull. I am excited to see if it works. My girls like to jump on company among other issues...but overall, they are good pups. I will let you know how I am doing when I get it!


Guest 320918 answered on 3/10/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Maggie

I bought Don's system and am very glad I did. I just got it yesterday and tried it today. I did have a question for Don as we use a doggie door and he wanted you to take your dog out on the leash to go potty. But I am unable to do that. I emailed him about this and wondered if I should leave the leash on her when she goes out. He called me and we talked about it and he said that it sure work as along as she doesn't get hung up, With our deck and small side yard that is her's i don't think that will be a problem, but I plan to watch her. So I put the collar on and got it fitted put the long leash on and we practiced in the house at first. She would pull on the least so I gave the short little jerk, She came right back to me. I stood for awhile and then started to walk again. She did the same thing so did I. It only took the 2 times for her to learn to wait for me. Then I had to sit down and I had her do a down the way the video showed. As soon as i let off the leash she would get up, so I would put her down. This took a little longer maybe 5 minutes. So then I decide to go to the shop and get my scooter, and when i opened the front door she tried to bolt out. But a little jerk on the lead and she came back. I started again and she bolted again. So over we started, She did it 1 more time. Then she walk out with me very nice on the loose leash. When I got to shop I had to sit down to catch my air and she just laid right beside. Didn't even go to my husband. The scooter she would run away and then i would get her back, then she tried a couple of time going around the back of it and the leash would hang up. I figured out what she was doing as that would make me stop. So I just made her stay on one side.This all took about 1/2 hour to maybe 3/4's.
I am her best buddy now and when our son-in-law came home from work she didn't even jump on him. she went to him and set until he petted her. We have a long way to go, but I am impressed and the support is there. It sure didn't hurt Maggie at all.
If you have any comment or question please I would like to hear them? I haven't gotten very far yet but I am going to follow through for Maggie's sake and our sake.
Tammy


Maggie answered on 3/20/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

Yes I got it last week and after watching the dvds I tried it on my husky/ aussi mix, who was on his way out the door, and the system acctually worked! I was speechless, my 9 year old son who has'nt been able to pet him with out getting hurt, got to sit beside him and pet him! I am so glad. This training system has probably just saved my dogs life.
Yes I have tried other metheds as my vet suggested and nothing worked. I cant wait to show her the change.


Guest 184538 answered on 4/26/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

I received the DVD as a gift and sadly have to report that I only saw 10 seconds of it. I first have to say that I have a well behaved PITBULL and I'm always looking for ways to continue his training. I was offended by the comment at the begining of this video...... it said that these techniques would not be compatible for pitbulls who are bred to fight and be agressive.....completely uncalled for! My dog's breed should not be labeled as aggresive or vicious. Needless to say that due to this ignorant remark I did not see the video, I've given this back to my friend which in turn is looking into a refund!
Sorry friend, but I refuse to support any product that discriminates ANY breed type.


Guest 959348 answered on 5/22/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

I'm about ready to order this system based on what I've read here and other comments.

Question for those who currently use it: Can you still let your dogs on furniture, on the bed, etc., as long as you invite them up?


Guest 389497 answered on 6/20/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

Everyone that answered with a negative comment either has not seen the product or has misunderstood some aspect of it.

First off -- If you have not personally experienced it, you have no room to comment.

Second -- No dog, REGARDLESS OF BREED, that has been PREVIOUSLY TRAINED for fighting and aggression can be re-trained back. (Sorry that pitts have gotten the unfortunate rap in this category. I agree - punish the one responsible, not the breed.) But, once trained, there is no return for them.

I bought the system, I have an 9 year old and a 10 week old boxer mix (both rescues!!). I will let you know what I think, since I have bought the system and will use it BEFORE making any comments on its usefullness.


Guest 088258 answered on 6/21/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

We brought our French Mastiff puppy home when she was two months old. The first week, she was great. By the end of the second week, we were at our wit's end. She was biting everything (furniture, people, walls) and wouldn't walk on a leash no matter what. We ordered Don's training and got it about 8 days later. Right away, we watched the intro chapters and leash training (watch everything twice, at least) and took her out for her first lesson. We were pretty skeptical, but presto! Within five minutes, she was the perfect leash walking dog. Next, we focused on the biting.
We had had several friends and trainers recommend different techniques to stop that habit. None worked for more than a day or two. Don's has worked permanently. We now have a six month old puppy whose very playful, plays well with other dogs, loves to go for walks (she's so excited when the least comes out), and couldn't be better behaved. I have recommended this system to several friends, all with great results.


Guest 370658 answered on 7/2/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

I've been using the system for about 2weeks, and it appears to be working. My dog has proven to be much smarter & more responsive then I had given her credit. For 4 years we had been struggling with her "independent" attitude -which included begging, barking at gardener & visitors, jumping onto the table & stealing food, trashcan diving, and being untrustworthy offleash at the park. She also had the irritating habit of playing keep-away with the ball during fetch. Most of these problems have cleared up, though I'm not quite ready to trust her offleash yet. The program has definitely improved the relationship between my dog & myself.

The thing I like most about the program/video is Don's friendly attitude towards the dogs, and the dogs' response. Correction is just correction, not a belittling of the dog. The dogs look so happy to be around him -not timid & scared, or looking entitled (as my dog was when we used "treat" training). My dog now respects me, & is still her playful self


Guest 068758 answered on 7/9/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

Don's views on treat training are very black-and-white, it seems. When I watched his videos, he seemed to be under the impression that any dog who gets a treat for doing something will -always- expect that treat. This is not so. I have seen compulsion methods, properly applied, serve only in the end to toughen a dog up. Sure, she'll know the commands but it's anybody's guess as to whether, once she figures out how to take a correction, she will choose to obey. I'm a firm believer in -some- compulsion training, but figure out how to communicate with your dog and develop a relationship first. Reward the pooch with a smile and some praise every time she looks up at you. Learn not to squeak your praise at her if she's supposed to be holding a down or stay. Use whatever it takes to get her attention on you (I find snapping my fingers works on 90% of the dogs I help to train, and kissy noises or the occasional goose on the flank pick up the other 10. Use whatever works, and keep an open mind


Guest 574858 answered on 7/10/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

Yes it is great, we just purchased it for our 10 week old Black Lab and he is doing wonders with the training.


Guest 812119 answered on 10/29/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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