Dog trainer found dead covered in dog bites

[Demovictory9]

https://nypost.com/2019/02/11/trainer-found-dead-with-dog-bites-after-missed-obedience-class-cops/

66-year-old dog trainer’s body was discovered in her backyard covered in bite marks, according to authorities.

Police said the victim, identified as Elaine Richman, was found dead Friday morning at her Houston home after she missed several obedience classes, news station KPRC reported.

Richman appeared to have been mauled by dogs and had bite marks on her arms, hands and face, police said.

Emergency responders pronounced the trainer dead at the scene.

Two full-grown Doberman pinschers were inside the home, authorities said. It’s unclear if they are responsible for the trainer’s death.

Houston Kennel Club president, Tom Pincus, said it’s rare a dog would cause their owner’s death, the Houston Chronicle reported.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. That's weird.

And scary.

You'd think that an experienced dog trainer would have been able to handle the situation, whatever it was. I suppose the basic lesson is that when a dog goes rogue and attacks a human, it can be very difficult to survive.

[Drahthaardogs]

4. The "new" methods almost all positive reinforcement

Many of the new trainers have no idea how to handle a high drive tough dog climbing the leash back at you.

Personally, I am a huge Michael Ellis fan. Best trainer I've ever seen.

[jberryhill]

2. From local coverage...

“Richman's relationship with other Doberman owners were strained after she was forced out as treasure of the local organization following a financial probe.

Following her death, a number of Doberman owners contacted by ABC13 were reluctant to talk about Richman.”

Sounds like humans may have had something to do with this.

[hlthe2b]

3. Trainers take on difficult dogs and the article did not say the dobermans were hers....

when one does not know a dog, its temperament and background, it is always wise to go slowly. Certainly a tragedy...

She was a professional, but she may have become overly confident in her ability to judge dogs she didn't know and moved too quickly with them.

Most of us know and trust our own dogs as much or more than any person... That's perfectly natural. But, if we were suddenly given an adult dog about which we knew nothing, it would be wise to approach them slowly and patiently until their temperament and any issues became apparent.

[Drahthaardogs]

5. Serious dogs need serious training.

The all positive crowd has over estimated their ability in some cases with really handler hard dogs

[hlthe2b]

6. Yes... I have never believed in a single approach. Different breeds, dog w different temperaments

need to be approached in varying ways...

It is simply not true (and in some cases dangerous) to assume dogs can't be taught the word "no" and thus a combination of both positive and negative reinforcement. Having trained quite a few dogs to avoid rattlesnakes while hiking in Colorado, I can attest to the critical importance of teaching a dog to respond to "NO!"

[Drahthaardogs]

9. Well

When you have a Czech bred GSD get pissed and climb the leash back at you, a cookie isn't going to help.

Truly the real serious dogs are rarer these days. I attribute it to schutzhund which was a breed test being replaced with IPO, which has become a sport. The newer dogs operate out of prey drive more than fight drive. They are sport dogs and most wouldn't come off the sleeve if their life depended on it.

I have a real soft spot for the true man-stoppers. Such dogs are NOT for everyone.

[IluvPitties]

7. Very sorry to learn about this. RIP.

I am glad this is not a story about pitties, though.

[ecstatic]

8. I came in expecting this to be about pit bulls. nt

[Doreen]

10. That is so odd and sad.

She was outside and they were inside. Did they just happen to be inside or shut inside? Were they aggressive to the police? Did they find any evidence of an attack by the dogs ( blood, material, saliva match from her body to theirs? ) what type of training practices did she use? Were they her dogs? Hers or not were they problem dogs? There are other questions I have but it gets to be to many. My experience with Dobermans have always been very good. I was owend by two, know many people who have had them, and worked as a dog groomer for 11 and a half years and worked at animal shelters for almost 4 years. I would much rather bath and clip nails of a Dobrman than a poodle. It kind of creeps me out to think someone could have set their own dogs on her.

[shanti]

11. According to the story

she was suffering from some serious health issues, had fallen several times, heart, etc. The story didn't say whether or not her death was caused by the bites. Maybe she had a stroke, fell, and the dogs tried to get her up with nips. Would dogs do this? I've never owned a dog..