Training and Behavior

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Comment by Mel Simrell on April 29, 2008 at 6:33pm

Hi everyone-
My goldendoodle is sooo shy when company comes over that many times she hides behind a chair and won't come out for a long time.
Any advice? She was not abused as a pup and will warm up to some people after awhile....

Comment by Laurie on April 29, 2008 at 7:13am

I just want to add that we're so fortunate to have so many knowledgeable trainers/behaviorists out there who can help so many of us in such a wide variety of situations. Now, if only so many of the dog owners with dogs really needing it would get on the training/behavior understanding bandwagon!

Sorry I didn't get to meet any of you at the Pet Fair. Sunni, I would have loved to see your Cooper do dock diving! And I wanted to get over to Behave's presentation but needed to stick around my booth. Hopefully I'll get to meet you all sooner rather than later!

Comment by Sunni and The Pack on April 27, 2008 at 6:41pm

The training issue sure came up for me and My Hell Hound at the Pet Fair. Cooper goes OUT OF HIS HEAD when dock diving is brought into the picture. As a conscientious owner I have been trying to acclimate him to every thing that may distract him so as to have a behaved dog in every situation. You would not believe how many people approached Cooper in his highly agitated state, saying "isn't it wonderful how excited and happy he is to jump!" No No No. Not Happy, Not Excited, completely out of control and obsessive. Until he learns to focus on me his adventures on docks are limited (he is great at it, jumping 17 and a half feet). This overly food obsessed dog won't even look at string cheese when in this state. There are several dogs at competitive level that will actually snap at another dog if it comes into their range when they are focused on the competition. All in all I was happy with Coopers behaviour at the fair, but feel the same as BEHAVE! about letting dogs approach others while on leash. (whats with all the flexi-leads anyway). Since Cooper is kindness on four paws, I don't worry, but I have had several instances where he was attacked by a 15 pounder with little to know correction given by the owner. I guess since the small dog couldn't possibly "hurt" a big powerful Lab that makes the lack of manners acceptable. Coopers paw offered playfully could squash such an attacker. So along with getting the word out...lets try to push obedience for all size of friends...my tangent over as well.
Also...how many of you came into contact with some of the representatives of Pit Bull Rescue? The young people that I spoke and interacted with were an amazing asset to their organization, as were their amazingly handled and behaved friends. There were several young ladies in particular that I took the time to compliment for their commitment to their beliefs. All in all the fair was a great experience for me, as I hope it was for all of you.

Comment by Bobbie Lyons on April 22, 2008 at 2:25pm

I am so with you Sister!!!!!!!

Comment by Behave! on April 19, 2008 at 10:34pm

Holy Moly! What a busy day. We spent the day at the Companion Pet Fair at the Expo center today. We presented a training for the CGC certification Workshop and then did CGC testing for most of the day. We occasionally were able to slip away and see some of our doggy friends but if we missed you, we're sorry! Big events with lots of people and pet dog owners sure can be stressful from a trainers perspective. Gosh, I wish there was a way we could really push appropriate handling etiquette. I can't tell you how many people I saw let their dogs go right up to other dogs on leash without asking permission or even responding when the other handler was obviously struggling to keep their dog from reacting or even pulling their dog away. I understand that this is a doggy event and we understand that you may not want to bring a highly reactive or aggressive dog, however even nice dogs can get snappy in stressful situations. I really would like to push some handler etiquette to the public. I would really like to get the message out that just because your dog is friendly, doesn't mean every dog is friendly and that's okay. That dog has just as much right to be out and about as other dogs, that's one of the reasons for the leash law. Also, please don't walk up and let your dog interact with other dogs without asking permission and same goes for petting! Okay, tangent over! :)

Comment by Bobbie Lyons on April 12, 2008 at 1:37pm

The big thing here is teaching people that it is not an overnight/quick fix. It truly works with consistent training and building a trusting relationship with the dog. And you are so right, these principles work on lots of different behaviors, not just fear or aggression. You can use LAT on the side lines of an agility ring to help calm your dog or use a mat. It is truly amazing how it works.

Comment by Behave! on April 11, 2008 at 10:32pm

I think it's so great that these Principles found in books like Control Unleashed and Click to Calm are being embraced by people all over! These principles are great to use in all dogs, not solely dogs with reactivity issues. Not only do these exercises strengthen handler and dog relationships and enhance communication, but they are very humane and leave both dog and handler feeling good! I strongly urge anyone who has struggled to keep their dog's focus in the face of distractions to read these books or take a Controlled Unleashed or Growly Dog class. Your dog will thank you!

Denise

Comment by Bobbie Lyons on April 11, 2008 at 2:43pm

I have worked with my 2 yr. BC (middle in my picture) since he was around a year old using the control unleashed principles. I have to tell you that Riley's progress is finominal. When I got him at 5.5 mos old, he was reactive to everything, other dogs, people moving to fast, my toddler moving to fast, odd things in streets or driveways, barking dogs behind a garage door or fence and any and all things that "rush" up to him. He paced back and forth for hours and now paces but quits when I tell him to. The key is keeping the energy level down, which is hard at my house with kids 9 yrs old and a 3 years old.

Since he has been given some coping skills and my support, his progress is better than I ever imagined. I am doggy sitting for a friend of mine right now. Suki is a BC and very sensitive to light changes, paces and shows very classic signs of a rescue dog. Riley was actually play bowing last night to get her to play with him. She has only been with me since Wed so this is just fantastic. He was playing nice, and reading her signs of whether it was to much or not. Riley played VERY rough when I first got him and my older dog really had to teach him to play appropriately and how to read the signs from another dog.

Riley no longer reacts at dogs behind a fence or garage door but still does react to other dogs on leash but he turns almost immediately now for my support. This has taken a ton of time and patience but man is it worth it.

I know behave teaches Click to Calm and I haven't read that yet. I have heard that it is similar to Control Unleashed. I need to get it and read it as not every dog learns the same way and more tools in the tool box are always appreciated.

Sorry I guess I am rambling on but I just wanted to say a few things about my own reactive dog and the benefits of consitent work. It really makes life much easier. For the past two days I have been walking 4 border collie by myself and when you have dogs trained well, it is truly a pleasure. I do still have to watch for those issues that come up and Suki is a bit sensitive to her environement but all in all now that Riley is not freaking out and barking at everything, it is truly easy to walk them all together.

Bobbie....The "look at that game" alone has made my life so much better with Riley.

Comment by Andrea Schneider on April 11, 2008 at 12:46pm

I found this good online magazine and thought members might want to check it out. It's very local to Boston, however the trainer Jo has some very interesting questions, answers and resource suggestions (books). Let me know if you like this resource and find it useful.

Andrea

http://care.dogboston.com/dogarchives/dog-training-advice/

Comment by cherish on April 7, 2008 at 10:14am

Count me in with the Control Unleashed... I would love to learn more for the sake of mine and my Dobie's sanity! :)

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