[Gas Man]

Well say what you want. You CAN NOT train a powerfull breed dog the same way you do a lab or retriever. Lab's and retrievers DO NOT act the same or as challenging to anybody or any other dog.

I used the shock collar at the house to control him better when he gets out of line. Sure he would be better behaved if I ran him out more, but working 60+ hrs a week doesn't offer much free time for such. You will rarely ever have problems with tired dogs. Further walking with the dog aids in the alpha roles. But as i said, I don't always have that time for doing this everyday. He gets walked and other forums of interataction.

But I ran the collar for about a month, maybe 6 weeks. And now he rarely ever needs it. It was a tool that I used, nothing more different than a kennel. People use kennels for all sorts of reasons whether it be potty training or punishment. The dogs don't always like it but people do it anyway. That is not to say that we all will agree with each other on training.

I personally don't agree with sleeve training. I believe it breeds aggressive behavior in the dogs, especially the powerfull breeds. Police K9 dogs do this but they receive round the clock training far beyond what most normal owners would give. They have to be vicous on command to a criminal but soft/gental enough to let 1st graders maul them at school. But again, these dogs aren't the norm nor their training.

My dogs father and siblings were sleeve trained. I did some time with his father at the breeders house. It was an amazing thing, however, that dog hated me all the time, wanted to eat me all the time. I believe its the contridiction from soft vs sleeve agressive that causes some dogs to "snap" if in the wrong position.

Perhaps I'm completely wrong, perhaps not. Perhaps the 3 trainers I have consulted with are complete morons, perhaps not. Some are fine with shock collars and others are against it. Some believe Ceasar Milan is too hard on dogs, some don't. All I know is that fora 5.5 month old puppy my dog listens to me and is very well behaved. At the end of the day something I have done or not done has worked.

If my dog gets out of line or does something wrong I tell him so, one way or the other. Shcok collar, he still understands, I can tell by his reactions to the shock and to me.

Which by the way, powerfull breeds doesn't only mean their size, it also has to do with their mentality.

And at the end of today... I didn't create this thread to debate training, just share the good times Brinks and the family & friends are having.

Also, that is one great looking Rot I have always loved Rots. They are such a big muscle bound dog that are usually giant teddy bears.