I certainly get the impression that they must be, Val. Perhaps we have more hours in our days for them to spend training! ;) :D

Your rules must be much differnt then here in Canada , personal protection dogs are anything but uncommon.

It certainly seems the rules are very different.

We notice many differences in attitudes to dogs on the other side of the water.  That's why it's worth being aware when posting on a UK board.

Reposted because you appear to have missed it further up the thread!

Sorry mannyG, I have a friend who is an armed Ministry of Defense dog handler and his dogs are NOT trained with anything other than his voice and TOYS!!!!!

I work for my husband (family run), I have 2 children, 3 dogs and I am studying to be a canine behaviourist. I also paint and enjoy running. :)

I make time for my dogs and that includes training classes and ringcraft.
I would not have my dogs if I could not dedicate the time to them. I fit them in with everything else, they are one of my pleasures in life.
I think time for dogs for training etc should be taken into consideration when buying a pup.
And if anyone is too busy or has too many hobbies they should get a goldfish :)

Not many of us that the patience and time to train our dogs to be the best they can be when we work and have other hobbies as well

That's the first thing that I can agree with you mannyG!!  One reason why I won't home my puppies when the whole family work full time.

People just see buying a puppy like they buy a new TV these days and expect them to instantly be well behaved and obedient dogs.  I'm old enough to remember when training classes were heaving with owners and new puppies, all anxious to train they puppies like they trained their children.  Now we have increasing numbers of dogs and children with no manners and everyone wants the quick fix, hence the rise in manufacturing in this harness and that head collar, and a new breed of canine behaviourists. :(

>it isn't going to jab through your dogs trachea but maybe 1/4 of an inch through your dogs skin.

I'm sorry for anyone who thinks drawing blood is a humane training method. :(

I was comparing this to the slip(choke) chain that some people here believe is more humane , Lets see...

slip ,choke to death if something goes wrong
or
pinch , minor injury if something goes wrong

I am 5 foot and 8 stone.
My newf is heavier then I am.
I do not need a choke on him.
Because he is trained properly :)

Any police dog you will see here is equipped with a prong , even those considered as family pets to some officers have the prong on for work.

Don't all police dog handlers over there keep their dogs as family house-pets when they're off duty?

No, some police station have kennels (In canada). Don't know much about the UK.

JG  my friend had a GSD, trained and successfully worked for manwork, who developed HD.  This dog was resigned from service and lived the rest of his life, at home with 2 children - and no prong collar!