would you

[jesterjenn]

Originally Posted by sarahj

We are trying to teach her barking at people is not good, but its not as easy as it sounds.
She knows the quiet command, but its a struggle to get her focus when she is gets rattled. When we can manage to get her attention (just before she sees something) we can get her focus but then it slips and she freaks.

We have a trainer, a behaviorist and a wonderful vet. Without them i don't think we would even be able to walk her during the day, let alone take her for group walks. The vet even offered to look after her when we are away (he said she is lush lol)

I have heard good things about the rescue remedy but i can't seem to find the kids/pet version, the normal stuff has alcohol in it.

We are considering Zylkene but its very expensive (insurance won't cover it) the vet has said it works in some dogs but not all. He suggested, we research it before we make a decision but in the mean time he found us some treats from pets at home- they have valerian, skull cap and chamomile. i think they are called Goodnight treats.

I don't know how you are trying to get her to be quiet towards people (I know how challenging this is as Jess barks at other dogs, but knows the quiet command, but with dogs, she may as well not know any commands?!), but (and any trainer/behaviourist please say if this is a kak idea) have you maybe thought about getting people who you know and trust (who preferably don't know Sally, but know you have control of her) to go to walk past you in the street (or even in the garden if you feel more in control there) and when she is barking, get the person to stop at a safe distance, and you work on getting her quiet, then as soon as she is quiet, the person walks away, but not until then, so maybe try and get her to understand that if she is quiet, the person goes away? Would that work?

[gsdlover4ever]

i would keep the dog as well.

Zara can be a bit funny with strangers coming to the house, however i have done lots of work with her and if the people are nice and calm she goes up to them for a clap and sometimes evena belly rum. she sometimes licks their hands as well.

when strangers or people who are nervious of dogs come over i make sure she is on a lead and i have a supply of treats ready - it usually works.

a few weeks ago i was waiting at a bus stop with Zara and a strange woman came over and asked if she could pet her. i don't allow strangers to pet her so i said that she doesn't like it. straight after that she went over to the woman and stuck her nose in her pocket and tried to steal some dog treats, she is a little monkey. lol
atleast it shows the training has payed off.

I think I have the best of both worlds, my three will go running to the gate if anyone arrives, scares the hell out of some of them, and few are brave enough to come in,.. but some do, and those who do are fine, the dogs mill around them, but thats all.

I think our jobs helped a lot in the early days,.. we are both Posties and we have to keep our vans parked at home,. [ remember we are a bit remote ] we each have a day relief Postie, and a holiday relief Postie,.. all these people bring their own cars here, park up and take Postal vans away from time to time

The dogs were all introduce to the people as we got the dogs, so they are quite used to people coming and going,.. we also taught them not to go through the open gate, there is an invisable line drawn across there.

So we dont mind the barking, it only lasts untill the dogs reach the gate,.. about 50 yards away,.. most people stay out though and wait for us to go down

[talknerdytome]

I would absolutely keep him. Rusty was horrendous with guests when we first got him, would run up to them and just bark and bark and bark and snap if they came near. With a lot of work (and willing volunteers) he is massively better. We have to explain to people before they come over to ignore him, and fuss Murphy, and let him to them. It took lots of cheese, but it was worth it in the end!

My Mum said when we first got him that we should take him back ASAP, then she went on to say that we should just keep as an 'outside dog' and only now 5 months later has she stopped saying it! It's hurtful, and it can be disheartening, but hang in there.

[blackdogs]

Originally Posted by sarahj

We are trying to teach her barking at people is not good, but its not as easy as it sounds.
She knows the quiet command, but its a struggle to get her focus when she is gets rattled. When we can manage to get her attention (just before she sees something) we can get her focus but then it slips and she freaks.

We have a trainer, a behaviorist and a wonderful vet. Without them i don't think we would even be able to walk her during the day, let alone take her for group walks. The vet even offered to look after her when we are away (he said she is lush lol)

I have heard good things about the rescue remedy but i can't seem to find the kids/pet version, the normal stuff has alcohol in it.

We are considering Zylkene but its very expensive (insurance won't cover it) the vet has said it works in some dogs but not all. He suggested, we research it before we make a decision but in the mean time he found us some treats from pets at home- they have valerian, skull cap and chamomile. i think they are called Goodnight treats.

The rescue remidy is the same for adultsand kids it's grape alcohol it won't hurt her give it a go in time of stress, i would get the drops and put some in her water bowl as well as give it oraly mimimum of 4 times a day, see how it goes in the mean time i will look and see what other mix can be made for you x

[lisyonok]

My OB trainer advised me to try giving my GSD some Dorwest Valerian to "chill her out" - at the moment I can't take her into a showring, because as soon as she gets bored (which takes about 20 seconds of standing still) she starts barking at other dogs there. I will definitely give it a go, and see if she calms down a bit. I'll let you know if it works.

[sarahj]

Originally Posted by blackdogs

The rescue remidy is the same for adultsand kids it's grape alcohol it won't hurt her give it a go in time of stress, i would get the drops and put some in her water bowl as well as give it oraly mimimum of 4 times a day, see how it goes in the mean time i will look and see what other mix can be made for you x

The only one I have found has brandy in it. I'm sure its not a lot, but its why the pet one is alcohol free. When i did a bit of research last night it said that the alcohol will only be a factor if the dog is on medication, which sally isn't so i shall be picking some up tomorrow!
x

[sarahj]

Originally Posted by jesterjenn

I don't know how you are trying to get her to be quiet towards people (I know how challenging this is as Jess barks at other dogs, but knows the quiet command, but with dogs, she may as well not know any commands?!), but (and any trainer/behaviourist please say if this is a kak idea) have you maybe thought about getting people who you know and trust (who preferably don't know Sally, but know you have control of her) to go to walk past you in the street (or even in the garden if you feel more in control there) and when she is barking, get the person to stop at a safe distance, and you work on getting her quiet, then as soon as she is quiet, the person walks away, but not until then, so maybe try and get her to understand that if she is quiet, the person goes away? Would that work?

we have friends who come round and a separate group also walk on the other side of the road from us, not making eye contact and stopping every now and then. We have only just started this one but it seems to be going okay.

Im just getting funny looks in sainsbury's buying almost nothing but cheese and digestive biscuits for all the cheesecake i have to make.

x

They all want cheesecake though. lol

[jesterjenn]

Originally Posted by sarahj

we have friends who come round and a separate group also walk on the other side of the road from us, not making eye contact and stopping every now and then. We have only just started this one but it seems to be going okay.

Im just getting funny looks in sainsbury's buying almost nothing but cheese and digestive biscuits for all the cheesecake i have to make.

x

They all want cheesecake though. lol

But cheesecake is sooooo nice - that is why

[GV9297]

Originally Posted by sarahj

just hoping to get a general consensus

Would you keep a dog that didn't like strangers?


I have no plans on getting rid of Sally, we are making excellent progress with her and thats all that matters. When she gets to know people she loves them and my friends and some of my parents friends have taken the effort, which means we can have people round for BBQs and things.
My family (aunts uncles etc) that live in the UK have taken the effort and they can pop round to coffee when they fancy it.

A neighbour just told my brother that the dog should be shot because she will bite someone and I'm so peed off.

My dog is a rescue dog who doesn't really like other dogs or anyone else apart from me and my partner. He is ok with anyone who comes in the house with me but we are working with a trainer with him. When we first had him he sort of held my neighbour and bruised his arm but my neighbour still thinks he's gorgeous!? (his wife wasn't so pleased though!) I take him out with a muzzle now (although neither of us really like it!) until he can be better behaved. Perhaps that rule should apply to your neighbour!