Terrible teens - part 2

[kazP]

Since my last desperate posts about Abi’s terrible behaviour towards other dogs whilst walking… with hindsight, I probably did the very worst thing - I took Abi for a walk in an area where I knew there would be zillions of other dogs!

What was I thinking!!! My parents came along to provide some moral support (now they feel terribly sorry for me)… the walk can only be described as similar to a game of rounders where there is intense pressure to get from base-to-base without being caught out. For me, a ‘base’ was a solid tree that I could wrap her lead around to prevent me being dragged along the ground the minute she caught sight of another dog. We endured this for an hour before returning to the car – in tears!

Then there was a life-line… Jude (a forum member) popped round to see if she could help. After going through the tedious, but necessary routine of getting Abi to remain calm whilst I donned my coat and attached her lead, we headed out for a short walk. Within 5 minutes we encountered a couple of dogs and as usual, Abi went mental. It was actually very reassuring to have Jude beside me… totally unflappable, whilst Abi was lunging and barking. It would be so much easier if Abi wasn’t so powerful.

After the walk, Jude kindly took the time to help evaluate Abi’s behaviour and I think we both agreed that her rehabilitation will require time and patience. Hopefully we are going to attend a local GSD club (without the devil dog) and pick up some tips there. We may also be able to walk our dogs together, but initially with considerable distance between us.

Considering what looks like hostile lunging to get at other dogs, I am becoming increasingly nervous to let her near them. A few weeks back during the snow, Abi was loose (but with a muzzle) and played well with a collie… in fact, the collie was the more dominant of the two. Does this mean that Abi is less of a threat that I think?



I’ve gone back to basics with Abi’s training and have a problem with her lack of focus / eye contact with me. Sometimes she watches me, sometime not. Kelpiemad, if you are reading this, I would appreciate some tips on gaining Abi’s attention.

Sorry it is another long post, but this problem is really consuming my life at the moment.

Most dogs will be better off-lead. There's usually an initial 'straightening up' session where they work out who's in charge (more so in a pack of dogs). On-lead however it's a different matter as sheps being protectors will want to do that, so that's where your obedience work comes in.

I might have asked this before, sorry, but have you taught Abi 'Watch me' or 'Leave it' ? 2 very useful commands.

[kazP]

The leave it command is 100% brilliant indoors and to some extent, good outdoors... if there is another dog / person / car about, she is deaf.

The 'watch me' command has always been weak... she seems to watch everything but me!

Originally Posted by kazP

The leave it command is 100% brilliant indoors and to some extent, good outdoors... if there is another dog / person / car about, she is deaf.

The 'watch me' command has always been weak... she seems to watch everything but me!

There you have it - practice leave it where there's slight stimulation to start with and build up. Get friends to act as stooges.

Watch me - use a kissy noise with it. Re-inforce the dog's attention on the kissy noise with treats etc at home and then practice outside. I taught watch me by holding a treat by my eye, then progressed so the dog looks at you and not the treat even if you hold a treat where it can see it, the dog knows it has to look at your face in order to get the treat. I'm probably not explaining it very well But what you want to aim for is an instant look when you say 'Watch!'

[kazP]

Thanks Anni, I'll start doing that.

[Mewzard]

I'm sorry to hear that your walk was so bad! I think i said on your other thread that Oka is just the same when out. I have found with Oka it's somewhat easier to walk straight past the other dog...you actually get less interaction time if you briskly stroll past Though obviously easier said than done with many Kilos of dog on your arm!!

Do you just use a collar with her? We got a harness when it started getting difficult to keep a good control on a exciteable and strong puppy.... We bought this one: Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harnesses . It is so good, the lead connects in the front so if they pull it just turns her back to me there is a huge difference between her on a harness and her on a collar.

Have you tried a squeaky ball to get her attention? That worked for Oka as she doesn't have one as a toy - i bought it purely to get her attention when we were out.... Over treating using the BEST treats (sausage, cheese,choco drops, cooked chicken, something with garlic, (found some chewy bar by pedigree Oka goes nuts for?)) So she's more inclined to look, treating for turning her head a little bit my way, and then more as she actually looked closer.
She still has many times that she "blanks" me. i have spent the past week going out to spots that are not that interesting but still have some distractions and working on basic commands..sits, downs, watch....using high value treats and have 'down graded' the treats in the house.

Hope some of my waffling helps...I hope that the GSD club can help you too

[kazP]

Nothing is ever waffle... I always appreciate suggestions. Unfortunately I can't walk Abi straight past another dog... the minute she sees a dog she goes insane and it takes every ounce of strength to stay upright. She does use a Halti, but after the incident with the oil lorry where she was 'spinning' with the collar on, I've not used it again.

Just by chance today, I watched a You Tube video posted by DTJazz on a different thread... I contacted the trainer in the video and he is going to come down from London to do some training with Abi (I was dead shocked that he was willing to travel). The daily walks have become so miserable that I'm dreading going out the front door with her (but do)!

[Axelsmummy]

[QUOTE=Mewzard;171114]Have you tried a squeaky ball to get her attention? That worked for Oka as she doesn't have one as a toy - i bought it purely to get her attention when we were out.... Over treating using the BEST treats (sausage, cheese,choco drops, cooked chicken, something with garlic, (found some chewy bar by pedigree Oka goes nuts for?)) So she's more inclined to look, treating for turning her head a little bit my way, and then more as she actually looked closer.
She still has many times that she "blanks" me. i have spent the past week going out to spots that are not that interesting but still have some distractions and working on basic commands..sits, downs, watch....using high value treats and have 'down graded' the treats in the house.[QUOTE]

Axel has a ball on a rope and when my OH takes him out, Axel is so focused on retrieving it, that he intentionally ignores the other dogs. We know this is an avoidance behaviour and we are gradually working with him over this. We also have different food reward levels, bronze is a bit of his normal dry food = general obedience around the house, silver is any beef flavour store bought treats = obedience in a slightly higher distraction area like the garden, and gold is cheese or liver cake = out on our street and park walks. (And there are many times when we are out that even the gold reward isn't enough, but I think no matter how good or what age they are, at some point they all have times when they just don't want to listen!)

Also, although I haven't been able to start the street training I mentioned on your other thread, (our trainer is on hols this week), we did fairly successfully pass a choccy lab that we know Axel doesn't like the other day. I was able to reward him for not reacting until they got quite close, then as soon as he barked, I pulled him in close and swiftly walked on until Ax was calm. He then did a sit and look and got another reward. He only managed to get a pathetic little bark out before I was on his case and we moved on so quick I don't think he knew what was going on!

Hang in there and keep up the hard work, (I was just like you are a few weeks before christmas, inc the tears), but I wouldn't have believed the difference a few weeks can make.

Big hugs (for both of you)

[kazP]

Awww... thank you. Well done to Axel

[ArchandEbs]

My Arch was one of the worst teenagers you could ever imagine. I was scared of him - I don't mind admitting it!

When he was a puppy I went to a training club and being a complete novice didn't realise that their methods were making him worse.

The lady who ran my little local pet shop adored Arch and told me there was nothing wrong with him - it was the training.

With a lot of patience, time and confidence building (mine!) I now have a dog that everyone comments on being a big softie, who is friendly with other dogs and I refer to him as the UK Ambassador for GSDs in Australia!

I didn't want a robot dog - I have a dog who comes back, is friendly and doesn't pull on the lead.

He's now nearly 12.

I know how hard it is - but with the right training club, consistency and patience you will see a change in your dog and you learn to enjoy them rather than feeling like you're going to have a nervous breakdown everytime you go out!