Maybe we have finally turned a corner

zaclucy · #1 03-04-11, 03:52 PM

As some of you know, I have had many problems with Barney over the last 2 years. He has just turned 4, and for his 1st two years he was an angel, obedient, good with other dogs and people. Probably due to more than one reason, at 2, he turned into this insecure animal, who was frightened of so many things, and he became a bully and fear aggressive towards other dogs.

This morning he had an encounter with 2 dogs he didn't know, managed not to pin down, attack, or otherwise intimidate said dogs, and indeed interacted with them, then returned to me, without me having to ask him to. On the strength of this phenomonen(sp), we ventured down to the river and met up with Pam and her fur balls. Although he wasn't impeccably behaved with Zandi, he was MUCH improved on his previous behaviour, and when we were joined by 2 other dog walkers and another 5 dogs, we spent at least half an hour in their company, with Barney off lead, un muzzled, and perfectly, wonderfully, amazingly behaved. I then allowed him to walk home off lead, and he interacted perfectly with another 2 dogs, he has met before, and returned to me without being asked.

To say I am gobsmacked is a huge understatement, and maybe, just maybe, at the age of 4 Barney is now maturing, and may even be on his way to becoming a (nearly) well balanced dog. I may be reading too much into a single day event, but one can but dream!!!!!

#2 03-04-11, 03:57 PM

Janet, this post has given us hope where there was none. Just back from a 2 hr walk with Remus who behaved really well, until a terror on lead approaching us barked at him. Remus lunged for it, and even though I told him off, you could see he still thought it was 'worth it'

Heather · #3 03-04-11, 04:01 PM

Good boy Barney!

zaclucy · #4 03-04-11, 04:10 PM

I have actually seen some improvements from him over the last few weeks. he lunges less, and with less intensity, and although he still barks, it is only half heartedly, and I have been able to distract him with treats, which I wasn't able to do before. He would be too far into the 'red zone', that the only way to calm him, was to put distance between us and the other dog. He has also become more responsive to me, and tends to listen more.

I can't kid myself that everything is going to be hunky dorey on the strength of one day, but it does give me some kind of hope, where at one time I truly thought there was none, and that he would be insecure forever.

xx