Life with Dex... mixed

[Steph&Dex]

We've had a really good week, things have been improving every day and it's felt so good. It's been difficult finding people who will not run away at the sight of him acting like a lunatic but they are becoming more common and now he's getting to meet more dogs he's not trying so hard to get at them, He can even Ignore(!) some dogs already and in general he doesn't make a lot of noise, just a little bit of a whine as we walk past like he's saying 'But I just wanted to have a Proper look!'

He's now on a raw chicken based diet which has settled his stomach, such a relief. He ate a single small chip off the floor a few days ago and well... there were a LOT of night time trips outside.

Today.. I feel a bit sorry for myself, and he feels sorry for himself...


Woke up feeling really run down, found out later there's been some potentially bad news in the family. Thought I'd take Dex to Hardcastle Crags because it's a nice walk and would be able to chill out a little bit. But of course it would be today that he has his off day. Going for every single dog's throat, pulling me over on the footpaths, massive prey drive. He was going for a labrador and I shouted at him and he turned on me and has taken 2 chunks out one of my fingers but it could have been a lot worse. The owner of the other dog came back to see if I was ok and then when she left I just sat there at the side of the road for half hour crying and feeling like he's too much for me Obviously he at least realised he'd done something really wrong because he was submissive if I so much as looked at him and good as gold most of the way back even voluntarily walking behind me down steps(which is proving a tough one at other times) . Had a go at two more dogs while I was talking to a man who has a dog he gets on with though he was even snappy at him today. Managed to pull me down the river bank twice in that time. Then at least for the last 5 minutes he was fine.
Gut feeling is my run down ness really affected him making him even more unsure of everything around him.
I did get really angry with him at one point trying to walk down a wet grass path, my ankles were really sore and I'd given him a long lead and he just kept pulling and waiting then pelting off again which kept jarring the lead and him and me. Slipped over and just sat there seething until he walked over to me and sat down.

You know when the emotions just HIT? For a moment I wished he'd just disappear. Aligned myself to calm down, used a bit of EFT (Emotional freedom techniques- find them useful ) and came to a more rational place and was able to look at the whole situation more objetcively.


But am glad he's here... it's just an off day for both of us... a hard one.
And I love him very much anyway

Sorry for the sorry venting x

*also re-realised after being bitten that the calm but firm mannor works much better. So... feel guilty, but also feel like ... kind of glad I got the reminder even if I don't wish to repeat it.

[jesterjenn]

Bless ya

Just try and forget about events of today and focus on how well he's been doing

Hope your fingers heal soon!

Oh Steph! Sounds like you need chocolate, a hug, or both. Put it down to a bad day, we all have those from time to time. Dogs pick up on our energies more than we realise. Is Dex a pure GSD or is he crossed with a husky (looks a bit like it from his pic)? It's just crosses can be hard work as the husky part will make him more wilful.

Get a grip of him, regain control and work on the obedience aspects. You need to set the boundaries and not allow the bad behaviour from him. His reaction to you telling him off would worry me - no way should he bite you, that doesn't sound as though he's steady, especially with the dog aggression. I don't know what your experience of dogs is but maybe consider professional help from a behaviourist. Getting him stella with obedience commands and socialised with other dogs would be a start. x

[Steph&Dex]

He does have Husky in him, I had a Siberian and grew up with Husky types so did kind of expect the challenge! From what I've experienced with them is that they will respond to agression with agression, need the boundaries made clear and in a no nonsense way but calmly...

He's been picking up on comands so well, considering I've only had him a week today he's been doing incredibly well. The main hurdle was getting through of his nervous energy so he could concentrate. We met up with a behaviourist who said he's waiting for me to step up and be the pack leader so he doesn't have to be on alert all the time, have been using the things she taught me and honestly until today though of course there are challenges it's been so rewarding.

Dug in to the chocolate draw already lol

I'm studying animal energy therapies at the moment, it's so intersesting, it's just being able to appy the knowledge. I've used them with horses for 2/3 years now and would like to learn how to apply them with dogs!

Ok... going to take this day by day again. Taking a step back this eve I think

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Originally Posted by Steph&Dex

He does have Husky in him, I had a Siberian and grew up with Husky types so did kind of expect the challenge! From what I've experienced with them is that they will respond to agression with agression, need the boundaries made clear and in a no nonsense way but calmly...

He's been picking up on comands so well, considering I've only had him a week today he's been doing incredibly well. The main hurdle was getting through of his nervous energy so he could concentrate. We met up with a behaviourist who said he's waiting for me to step up and be the pack leader so he doesn't have to be on alert all the time, have been using the things she taught me and honestly until today though of course there are challenges it's been so rewarding.

Dug in to the chocolate draw already lol

I'm studying animal energy therapies at the moment, it's so intersesting, it's just being able to appy the knowledge. I've used them with horses for 2/3 years now and would like to learn how to apply them with dogs!

Ok... going to take this day by day again. Taking a step back this eve I think

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I see Steph I didn't realise you'd only had him a short time! He's pushing boundaries then, seeing what he can get away with. Maybe because you were down, he saw that 'weakness' and behaved the way he did. Calmness is key - you sound clued up about the breed, so just see this as a crap day and move on from it.

[wee rascal]

That was a bit of a day!

Hopefully you can have a more relaxed evening and everything else you have on your plate just now can be put aside for a bit.

[Steph&Dex]

Ooh remembered I got a few pics before the drama!




and one this eve outside the chip shop where he proceeded to lay lenghtways across the path just as a family complete with a twin buggy came along.


I think he definitely picked up on my mood today and that's probably what made him more unsure of the world. Going to take him for a chilled out few laps of the park this eve, nothing too stimulating

Thank you xx

Wow what a stunner! He looks a bright boy and will be big when he fills out. I can see similarities with my dog in him, he's a GSD x husky mix too x

[Stuart]

Dex is an absolute beauty, one of the best looking short haired white I have seen, thank you for showing the photos.

Anni has said it all,... he does sound like he is doing very well considering how long he has been with you, it does help a lot when you are aware of what to expect

I also think that today didnt go as well as it could have simply because of how you were feeling,... I think you are going to do very well with him in time

[Bonniesmummy]

Wow Dex is a beauty

Firstly, I'm so sorry that you received some bad news regarding your family today They really do pick up on your mood don't they and it's really hard to try keep your calm when they are being complete ar$e's don't be hard on yourself and just put it down to a bad day and a learning experience for you both

Tomorrow's a new day, chin up hunni

Auds xxx