I've been sick for the last week and I've had lots of time to THINK about training my dog, but no time (re: strength) to actually DO it. Today, I feel all better and I decided I would look at Dr. Yin's website (drsophiayin.com) to find a certified pet-dog trainer in my area who can help me with the dog aggression. While I was there, I found a video about training for dog aggression. Go to "Resources" then "Dog Behavior Issues", under "Aggression: Inter-dog aggression" watch the video "Podee is Dog Aggressive".
Now I feel re-inspired. I'm going to start training for this when I get home. She even explains what to do in an emergency! (Some trainers assume you can control every situation your dog is ever in.) I own a Haltee for Juneau, but I tend not to use it. Now I see that it can really help when she is going crazy. Now that I have a direction to go in for training, I don't have to be afraid when I see another dog.
I'm going to watch the video again!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Professional Wanted
Yesterday afternoon I went for a walk with Juneau and my parents at a local farm/park with trails around the fields. It is a lovely place.
I have been avoiding walks where there are other people because Juneau is really stupid around other dogs (as you know.) The first dog we saw she tried to attack. She was on a leash, but there was a lot of lunging and snarling. Then we saw a boxer on the path whose leash was being held by a 4 year old girl. (Seriously people?!) That made me turn around and find another path. We next saw some dogs from a distance and Juneau was ok with that so I gave her treats for watching me.
Then we ended the walk with more lunging and snarling at an ancient greyhound who wasn't even looking at her. That's when my dad said "wow, your dog needs to be trained." Obviously, I know he's right, because I'm trying to train her, but maybe the dog-aggression thing is out of my reach. Maybe I need a professional to show me what to do when I DO see a dog. Then I think, "that's how I ended up spending $1,200 on the zap-collar trainer."
I'm going to do some research and see if I can find a positive-only trainer in my area. I need some supervision and suggestions in specifically that area. Not obedience, not coming when called, I've got that in the works. Just fear-based dog-aggression. Any suggestions?
I have been avoiding walks where there are other people because Juneau is really stupid around other dogs (as you know.) The first dog we saw she tried to attack. She was on a leash, but there was a lot of lunging and snarling. Then we saw a boxer on the path whose leash was being held by a 4 year old girl. (Seriously people?!) That made me turn around and find another path. We next saw some dogs from a distance and Juneau was ok with that so I gave her treats for watching me.
Then we ended the walk with more lunging and snarling at an ancient greyhound who wasn't even looking at her. That's when my dad said "wow, your dog needs to be trained." Obviously, I know he's right, because I'm trying to train her, but maybe the dog-aggression thing is out of my reach. Maybe I need a professional to show me what to do when I DO see a dog. Then I think, "that's how I ended up spending $1,200 on the zap-collar trainer."
I'm going to do some research and see if I can find a positive-only trainer in my area. I need some supervision and suggestions in specifically that area. Not obedience, not coming when called, I've got that in the works. Just fear-based dog-aggression. Any suggestions?
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Confessions and Help
Ok, I have a confession to make. I had a horrible Juneau day last week that made me cry and I didn't tell you about it. To be honest I thought things were going so well and I didn't want to admit it was so bad. But then I thought, "What if someone is reading my blog and they think they failed because they had a really bad dog day too!" So I decided to post.
Two Thursdays ago, I came home from work early. I was sick with a nasty chest cold and I just needed to go to bed. I let Juneau out of her kennel and she jumped on me. I did what Dr. Yin says and became a tree. Only she didn't stop. She jumped four times and on the fourth time she bit me so hard on the back of the arm I cried out. (I really try to not cry out, so that she doesn't think I make fun noises when she bites me. I learned that one talking care of parrots at the Seneca Park Zoo.) Then I just started sobbing. :-/
I took her out back to go to the bathroom before I went to bed and she wouldn't sit by the door. I was good and waited until she stopped being stupid, but I really felt like crap. She jumped up on me again.
Finally, I got to sleep, and she cuddled with me in the bed until I forgot about it. And the next day was better again.
Now the happy story: Today our other dog Lucy had to go to the vet for a long appointment. She has Cushing's disease and needs periodic re-checks that take 2 hours to run. So Juneau, my husband and I went for a training walk. I had Juneau on the hands-free leash and he was watching us. After about 10 minutes he pointed out that when I stop and wait for Juneau to sit, I should pay attention to her front feet. She had been sitting with one foot in the air so she could jump up at a moments notice. But, she SHOULD be looking at my face calmly awaiting my next move. I hadn't noticed her feet because I was always waiting for her to look at my face. Another pair of eyes always helps!
Two Thursdays ago, I came home from work early. I was sick with a nasty chest cold and I just needed to go to bed. I let Juneau out of her kennel and she jumped on me. I did what Dr. Yin says and became a tree. Only she didn't stop. She jumped four times and on the fourth time she bit me so hard on the back of the arm I cried out. (I really try to not cry out, so that she doesn't think I make fun noises when she bites me. I learned that one talking care of parrots at the Seneca Park Zoo.) Then I just started sobbing. :-/
I took her out back to go to the bathroom before I went to bed and she wouldn't sit by the door. I was good and waited until she stopped being stupid, but I really felt like crap. She jumped up on me again.
Finally, I got to sleep, and she cuddled with me in the bed until I forgot about it. And the next day was better again.
Now the happy story: Today our other dog Lucy had to go to the vet for a long appointment. She has Cushing's disease and needs periodic re-checks that take 2 hours to run. So Juneau, my husband and I went for a training walk. I had Juneau on the hands-free leash and he was watching us. After about 10 minutes he pointed out that when I stop and wait for Juneau to sit, I should pay attention to her front feet. She had been sitting with one foot in the air so she could jump up at a moments notice. But, she SHOULD be looking at my face calmly awaiting my next move. I hadn't noticed her feet because I was always waiting for her to look at my face. Another pair of eyes always helps!
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