Customer Reviews

Dog Aggression: Biting [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I wanted to get more information to treat dogs that bite which I did not get. The video focuses more on dealing with preventing bites and working with puppies. Unfortunately in real life we as trainers need more acurate and practical information on dealing with adult dogs that are biters. It would have been very interesting to see real life cases covered in the video. I would say the video is good for prevention but fails to talk about management and behaviour modification of adult dogs.

This video did not live up to my expectations. I have a five-year-old Chihuahua who is somewhat afraid of people and lunges and bites when strangers get too close.

The description of the video promised a simple behavior modification program to help deal with his aggression. Instead, Ian Dunbar simply says that behavior like this in old dogs is very difficult deal with, and focuses on puppy socialization in the video.

Well, that's great if I had a puppy, but I adopted an older dog, and I need help now.

I don't recommend this video for owners of older dogs with biting problems. If you have a puppy, it might be somewhat helpful, but there are better books.

While the video does emphasize puppy socialization (as mentioned by previous reviewer) the video is not ABOUT puppy socialization. This is, however, a 1.5 hour video whereby the importance of socialization is certainly mentioned...because it's the crux of the behavior problem. It's the crux of a LOT of behavior problems. It SHOULD be mentioned. It SHOULD be emphasized.

The 1.5 video hours is that of a seminar in which Dr. Dunbar discusses this and several other causes of a biting behavior. He quite formidably describes the grades of a bite, which certainly has a bearing on how one should perceive the problem. He discusses potential causes and offers techniques to work through each one. The viewer determines which cause is most suitable to his own circumstance.

Previous reviewer also mentions that Dr. Dunbar says behaviors like this in old dogs are very difficult to deal with. Though I don't recall such a comment in the video, I think it is an honest expectation for the viewer. I think it goes without saying, biting is MORE difficult to resolve the longer it goes on, as it is with any bad habit. But it is not an impossible feat, nor does Dr. Dunbar imply that it is.

I, too, am a behaviorist and I support Dr. Dunbar's approach in resolving a biting problem by reconditioning the behavior, NOT by aggressively reacting to it with any form of punishment. I fear one is attracted to a video with such a title with expectations of traditional forms of punishment as a means for resolution. If this is what you're looking for...keep looking. It won't be found on this video. Positive reinforcement is what will be found here. And resolution for a dog already displaying the problem IS found within if you follow Dr. Dunbar's instructions.

Dr. Dunbar is one of the forerunners in the early 90's movement in motivational training. I jumped on that bandwagon myself at that time and can assure you that your relationship with your dog will be much better with techniques offered by Dr. Dunbar and supporters of motivational training. This is not to say a dog should never be punished (humanely). I am merely supporting the way Dr. Dunbar resolves aggressive issues. Any behaviorist will tell you, fighting aggression with aggression (or bullying) will not end well.