Some issues...

[Sasha's Mom]

Sasha will be 2 years old this month, and we're continuing training and NILIF.
I like our trainier, and he is wonderful with her... but there seems to be some issues I feel startet AFTER we began class.

1) She never used to be dog aggressive, but in class, she has been barking and lunging at other dogs. I do think it's because all the excitement, and frustration that the dogs are not allowed to sniff or interact with each other. Before, I would let her say hello to other dogs on walks, and she loved it. Now, however, it seems like she gets stressed around other dogs on walks. If she sees another dog at the other side of the street, she will bark and growl at them, BUT with her tail wagging. She will also do this in the car.
In class, we always correct her, and take her aside from the group and give her seperate commands until she is calm. She will do long down stays even in a group, and she will focus on me only (treats help here!). By no means is she perfect, but she's come long way since we started.

2) She will also sometimes bark back at me or the trainier when she's being corrected for barking. When she's overly excited, she will nip at my leg, not hard, but enough to leave a blue mark.

3) She's been snappy at my husband! If he bends over her to pick up something, she will snap. She doesn't do it to me -- I give her the "drop it" command if she has something, or DISTRACT her to something else, so she forgets about whatever was keeping her mind. Is this the right way? Hubby thinks if we distract her, and then tell her "good girl" that we're teaching her that misbehaving leads to positive attention. Help us out here please.

4) Trainer has told me to work on her NOT challenging me. We're doing this every single day. We're getting better at communicating with each other, and she's more attentive to my commands now. BUT - sometimes I have to MAKE her sit, if her mind is focused on a guest coming, a dog, etc... She knows her command well, and will RACE to do them if there is a treat involved. if not, she wil look at me like... hmm, what's in it for me, is this worth it? when I tell her in a stern voice, without repeating the command, "you heard me" she will, however, do it.

I don't know about your dogs, but sometimes I feel like I have a "bi-polar" dog... she's the sweetest girl one moment, then she turns into a monster. She misbehaves when she's bored, so yes -- a tired dog, is a good dog, believe me- that's the golden rule here.

Appreciate any feedback you may have.

[bliss7373]

Hang in there. She's not bi-polar...she's just a normal dog.

First, regarding the issues with other dogs, your thoughts are on point. Sasha's self control is still limited at this point. She has never, in the past, been expected to exhibit self control around other dogs - she sees them, she visits them - and that has changed. The barking and redirected nipping are the same thing - she doesn't know how to channel her energy appropriately and control herself. I personally would give a strong leash pop and verbal correction when she nips at you, but otherwise I would continue to follow your trainer's direction and be patient. The control will come. You might also consider implementing stress breaks and redirection via tug - i.e. when you see she's "building up" (but before she breaks into barking and lunging) - take her aside and engage her in some tug. Give her a chance to blow off some of that steam in an acceptable manner.

Second, regarding picking up items, you are handling it correctly. Ask her to drop it and praise when she does. Explain to your husband that it is as simple as this: do you want to set your dog up for success or do you want to set her up for a confrontation where she feels she has no other choice than to bite? I'm assuming he realizes what the potential consequences to Sasha may be if she bites. Another thing to consider - are you leaving too many high-value things lying about? If this is occuring frequently, I'd get stuff off the floor.

Finally, regarding the slow uptake on the commands, you have two different scenarios...one where the dog is faced with a distraction she cannot conquer (like guests at the door) and one where she's deciding whether or not to comply. In the first scenario, I would be more patient and again, be careful that you don't set her up for more than she's capable of. Remember to build up slowly.

In the second situation, she's telling you that you've been using the treats more as bribe than a reward. You've also set up a situation where her command isn't "sit" anymore - it's "sit" followed by "you heard me." A good way to stop this is by doing "random" commands throughout the day. Keep small treats hidden in your pocket - you don't want her to know you've got them. Several times a day, stop what you're doing, snap a leash on her (so she can't blow you off by walking away) and give a command. No treats in sight. If she complies instantly, praise and treat! If she doesn't comply within 10 second, turn your back on her and ignore her for 30 seconds....the leash will keep her from wandering, don't let her sniff or play with a toy. Turn around and give her another chance (repeat the command). Repeat this series until she complies, then compliance results in a treat and some praise. Unsnap leash and go about your day. The speed of compliance should increase over time. Once she's reliable, start doing it without the leash on, as it becomes a "clue" that you have food.

[Robenk]

I don't know about your dogs, but sometimes I feel like I have a "bi-polar" dog... she's the sweetest girl one moment, then she turns into a monster. She misbehaves when she's bored, so yes -- a tired dog, is a good dog, believe me- that's the golden rule here.


I totally hear you Sasha's Mom!! I can't wait to try Bliss's advice and to hear the others! Carley just HAS to be Sasha's "sister from another mother" :) (Although Carley's a few months younger :) LOL) Carley's doing nearly the exact same things! UGH!

There's a light at the end of this tunnel, too, right?? LOL

[jakesfostermom]

Originally Posted by bliss7373

Hang in there. She's not bi-polar...she's just a normal dog.

Sasha's self control is still limited at this point.

All of Jamie's advice is SPOT ON! I picked out these two comments of hers - because learning and maintaining self control is likely the biggest challenge a lot of our dogs face

Hang in there - continue being fair to her and holding her accountable to your commands. Repetition, repetition, repetition - and time......and remember you'll have challenging/frustrating periods like this, in your training with Sasha - but you remaining fair and consistent will go a long way to reinforcing to her, the behavior that you want from her.

She does indeed sound like a normal dog to me too - a spunky, fiesty, energetic, normal dog - who lucky for her, has an owner willing to put in the time and dedication to train her properly. HAVE FUN....and always end those training sessions on a positive note - even when you find yourself frustrated - switch to something she does well, and end there.......then come back to the training item that challenges her at a time when you are fresh and ready to start in again

[bliss7373]

I wanted to chime in again - and let you know that you aren't the only one working on self control right now. I have a 7 month old GSD puppy, Pieka. Pieka is smart, very high drive, extremely energetic, biddable....all things that I hope will make for a great competition dog someday and also make for lots of challenges now.

In the last month or so, Pieka has discovered that reacting to other dogs is fun. She barks, she bounces, she focuses on them like a laser beam. I went from a puppy that was totally oblivious to a Great Dane puppy standing on her tail in class....to a puppy who can be difficult to redirect. So I'm doing all of these things too.

We're working on redirecting to a tug or using a tug after successful behaviors to release steam. I write the letters D=BST! (Distance = Below Stimulus Threshold!) on my hand to remind myself to just turn and walk away if I know she cannot control herself that close to a dog. Last Thursday, her stimulus threshold was about 50 feet. We're doing the Look at That! game from Control Unleashed. We're doing LOTS of praise and click/treating for voluntarily (without prompting) re-orienting to me and remaining calm around other dogs.

In addition to our regular obedience class, we go to another club where I belong at least once a week. For awhile, we didn't even make it INSIDE the club because I thought her head would explode. I also go to pet stores at least once a week. We won't conquer it if we don't work on it.

So, I have lots of sympathy toward you. Hang in there, we'll all get through it, and have dogs who CAN control themselves!

[jelly8bean]

I've got one of those dogs too. Indigo my 2 yr old Dobie is reacting to other dogs. She barks and bounces and focuses on them exclusively till she knows them. In my obedience class we have a boxer and a Yorkie.. the first class she just went nuts.. then she settled down and now can do off leash exercises. But meeting new dogs.. got to react! I will also try Bliss's solutions and I am taking her on walks and to pet stores already. What I'm also doing is when we see another dog I am using lots of watch me and treats to keep her focus. It is working and I can tell that the reaction of the other dog has a great part in Indigo's reaction. If they are calm and quiet and going about their business with their owner.. then I can now walk Indigo by alright. But if they are also barking and lunging.. different story. I like the idea that it is focused on her self control.. that helps me work on it in a more positive way.

[SaschasPet]

I am in the same boat as you. Sascha USE to be great around other dogs then, a JRT bit her on the face - mind you she still plays with him and the most unruly GSD I've ever encountered in my life tried to get at her. After that, she thought it was fair game to bark, growl, lunge at all other dogs. It's been a true test of patience with her to try to move past this. I have tried rewarding for actually looking at other dogs (compliments of CU), I have tried the opposite and rewarded her for focusing back on me after looking at other dogs and tried redirecting. I spoke at length with my trainer about this last week and she has offered to bring in her Borzoi this week and we are going to try to do some socializing. I'm nervous as all get out but I can't tell you how much I appreciate her offering to do this. I really want to be able to take Sascha to dog events but am fearful of doing so because she acts like such a brat and I don't want people to get the wrong idea about her. Good luck with your Sasha! Keep us posted on your progress.

[jakesfostermom]

Originally Posted by SaschasPet

I really want to be able to take Sascha to dog events but am fearful of doing so because she acts like such a brat and I don't want people to get the wrong idea about her.

Maybe you can speak to your trainer about this 'goal' of yours - we did when we first started formal classes and our male was reactive to other dogs on lead and our trainer gave us sage advice about how to put ourselves in situations with our dog and other dogs - he said by 'flooding' him, we could continue working on our own appropriate behavior, because he would be unable to focus on one particular dog........the dictionary says this about "flooding":
a form of psychotherapy in which the patient receives abrupt and intense, rather than gradual, exposure to a fear-producing situation.

We have since walked in all types of dog walks, pooch parades, social gatherings, etc., and for us - it definitely works. The key is to get the advice of your trainer, about how to handle your own dog, how to react to a situation that might change, and maintaining that 'safe circle' around you and your dog. I don't think I'm explaining this properly - but if you can speak to your trainer about 'flooding' - I bet he/she will know what you are wanting to do - and how they can help you. We had marginal luck with one on one (dog to dog) attempts at this - we have much better results when we were in a dog walk with 300+/- other leashed dogs walking in the same direction.

Good luck - again - my apologies for my attempt to explain this.......it has been and continues to be a good experience/training exercise for us.

[SaschasPet]

Originally Posted by jakesfostermom

Maybe you can speak to your trainer about this 'goal' of yours - we did when we first started formal classes and our male was reactive to other dogs on lead and our trainer gave us sage advice about how to put ourselves in situations with our dog and other dogs - he said by 'flooding' him, we could continue working on our own appropriate behavior, because he would be unable to focus on one particular dog........the dictionary says this about "flooding":
a form of psychotherapy in which the patient receives abrupt and intense, rather than gradual, exposure to a fear-producing situation.

We have since walked in all types of dog walks, pooch parades, social gatherings, etc., and for us - it definitely works. The key is to get the advice of your trainer, about how to handle your own dog, how to react to a situation that might change, and maintaining that 'safe circle' around you and your dog. I don't think I'm explaining this properly - but if you can speak to your trainer about 'flooding' - I bet he/she will know what you are wanting to do - and how they can help you. We had marginal luck with one on one (dog to dog) attempts at this - we have much better results when we were in a dog walk with 300+/- other leashed dogs walking in the same direction.

Good luck - again - my apologies for my attempt to explain this.......it has been and continues to be a good experience/training exercise for us.

LOL - totally got what you were trying to say! I did speak to her about this and how we want to attend dog events with her. She was the one who actually suggested her and I working together with Sascha & her Borzoi. But, I will mention "flooding" to her and see what she has to say.

On a side note - we have yet to have any issues with Sascha around other rotties. Go figure, a breed specific dog!

[jakesfostermom]

Originally Posted by SaschasPet

LOL - totally got what you were trying to say! I did speak to her about this and how we want to attend dog events with her. She was the one who actually suggested her and I working together with Sascha & her Borzoi. But, I will mention "flooding" to her and see what she has to say.

On a side note - we have yet to have any issues with Sascha around other rotties. Go figure, a breed specific dog!

Wheh - glad you got what I was trying to say ......on our one on one attempts, our male would 'learn' to accept that particular dog, even become un-interested, but the next time we saw a different looking dog, he was the same as before....I think that's when our trainer suggested the flooding exercises in places where we would encounter multiple leashed dogs, so he couldn't focus on just one. Hopefully Sascha will have good results on the one on one.....and you'll find the two of you doing all the dog events you want to do together!!!

And he too is much less interested in rottweilers we see out and about, and I thought it was because he lives with three of them......

[SaschasPet]

Originally Posted by jakesfostermom

And he too is much less interested in rottweilers we see out and about, and I thought it was because he lives with three of them......

LOL - that is just too funny!