The popularity of/handling wolf dog types Discussions

I see COAPE are holding an event for anyone looking to increase their knowledge of 'wolf lookalike dogs' Wolf hybrids/ wolfdogs. I think its particularly good that they wish to point out the differences between the 'types' to the public and agree there is much conflicting advice on websites, wish it was not so far from me :-(
http://www.coape.org/cpd50.html

Its a very broad subject. Lets hope they have some experience of these dogs themselves.

Interesting to see that they are going to concentrate on 'aggressive' cases during the members only session (picture of the GSD).

If you saw the picture then just under that are their bios.

rune

I did notice that in one place at least, the term "wolfdog hybrids" has been changed for "wolf look a like dogs" Wonder why that was?

Looks an interesting talk, the people and speakers do seem to have some experience too.

Personally i feel its very important to separate the two, huge difference between a dog with a pure wolf parent within the last five generations and a dog that just so happens to look 'wolfy'
The public are confused and talks like this will help, i hope they come to Scotland at some point. Just as a matter of interest is anyone here going along?

SO do I, its a shame it wasnt done in the first place though.

I only commented because the last expert who lectured me on the evils of wolfdogs finally admitted they had never met one; I would hope they can put a more balanced view differentiating between the so called look-a-likes which are just cross breeds of dogs with those that have sufficient wolf content to make behavioural differences. Would be nice to see the name of someone with plenty of real experience take a lecture, perhaps Nicole Wilde from the US.

I hope I am wrong but I wouldn't put any credence in an organisation which provides a "professional dedicated qualification" for "Pet Behaviourists" via a qualifying correspondence course and a four weekend "advanced" course. My kids have more hands on experience than that and I would trust them long before any "professional" "pet behaviourists."
Sorry for the cynicism, but we have seen so many desperate owners ripped off by "pet behaviourists" that is difficult to assume anything but the worst.

a ruefully cynical, Mick

http://www.peakeservices.co.uk/index.php
This lady certainly appears to have considerable experience with Wolves AND dogs, to offer a reasoned opinion.

If one wanted to add to the cynicism, you could include all those breeders who are misrepresenting what they sell in the first place! There are those that claim to be squeaky clean and honest and yet still buy breeding stock of 'unusual' parentage!

Seriously though; if lecturing primarily to 'behaviourists', you need people with real world experience.

She claims to run pet dog courses in Devon and breeds terriers but couldn't see what direct experience with wolves on the web site.

She has written a correspondence course on wolf behaviour: for £440 you get a six part correspondence course of wolf ecology and behaviour. Its extra for a day at a wolf park.

No mention of hands on with wolves or wolfdogs though.

Hmmm, she lives in Devon and runs 9 training classes a week, probably a fair bet she's met more than one or two wolfdogs/ wolfdog crosses by now don't you think?
To have worked with Ray Coppinger and Erik Zimen, study wolves yearly at yellowstone ect would give her a pretty in depth knowledge of wolves i would have thought.

http://www.pfneville.f9.co.uk/pfn/shop/media/owad.htm

http://openlibrary.org/a/OL928116A/Erik_Zimen

yep staying for the weekend

Kirsty has extensive experience in the US of working with wolves.

She also writes for Dogs Today if any of you get it?

I agree that there are many 'pet behaviourists' who are quacks, because you don't need any qualifications or experience to call yourself one.

To be a member of CAPBT you need both, you don't just get practioner status from the off and you need to prove yourself with case studies and the like. What makes you think members don't have hands on experience?

Ethology is a studied science, let's not forget that. Training and behaviour do go hand in hand, but I wouldn't trust kids to write a full behaviour modifcation programme for a client, teaching kid to train a dog yes, but they're not qualified to write reports like that.

Would you consider starting a thread or adding your findings to this one once you have been?

That is a great idea Liz, I hope Petrina agrees xxxxx

hi
im sure it will very interesting,(would love to go)
but im not sure if its just jumping on the 'band wagon' so to speak:?
the wolf lookalikes are crosses with no wolf content,and the saarloos and csv are dog breeds with wolf blood,and are still in the minority over here :? so...............

I got the Coppinger series on ebay a few years ago and also Erik Ziemens book, so i guess i have been fortunate "to study with Ray Coppinger and the late Erik Zimen". The statement is not very specific is it? You seem to have embellished it to working with...

Wolfdogowner
Let's see what she actually says and by all means if she talks a lot of rubbish discredit her then, you seem a bit on edge about the talk, do you feel they will be negative about Saarloos dogs?

Because their website doesn't mention experience, just a qualifying correspondence course and the four weekend advance course.

Mick

If allowed!

I think it's just that because these 'new' breeds are getting so trendy so the likelyhood of them needing specialist behavioural assistance is increasing. Basically LOTS of poeple who are getting these wolf 'type' dogs (sorry if that's not thr right lingo!) don't have a clue as to how to meet their needs.

Also all CAPBT members are required to do so many hours a year of Continuous professional development to keep their membership so the sunday will be part of that.

Well, only if you think reading a book is the same as having them as a tutor on your course?

Right, and have you seen any of the course materials to see how involved and clinical the course is? ;-)

Have you ever heard of EMRA for example? It's pretty heavy going compiling behavioural reports, because at the end of the day you're a professional and you could get sued if what you're saying is wrong.

If you don't like the association that's fine, but why not try and look for the positives instead of being negative ey? The association has a code of practice which doesn't allow the use of any aversives for one example, that has to be a good thing no?

Shame you removed the rest of my quote but I guess we answer what we want to answer.