Air Biting / Personal Space issues

ernie18 · 06-14-2011, 09:31 PM

preface: lucy is a 2 year old gsd now, she had a ton of socialization as a puppy, lots of situations and meeting dogs and people....

A few months ago we were at a dog park and she was being the chased dog in a game in a tag and got overwhelmed and had 2 dogs surrounding her, she wasnt happy and the 2 dogs which lived in the same house started a dog fight with her, ever since then shes been on and off about who she meets very protective of her "space"

now when meeting a new dog that she doesnt know and is to intrusive sniffing/licking she will air bite at the dog/ lunge at the dog. i think its a confidence issue. She has never bitten another dog nor do I think she would but i dont want to take it for chance.

she also gets very huffy/ excited when we walk by another dog too. i often stop make her sit and refocus her to snap her out of it.

we are currently in an agility class through our local club, but i am wondering if there are any techniques tips i can help her through this "phase"

sagelfn · 06-14-2011, 09:40 PM

Leslie McDevitt: Control Unleashed®, The Book <-- The LAT game

ernie18 · 06-15-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sagelfn

Leslie McDevitt: Control Unleashed®, The Book <-- The LAT game

thats it? a book?

cant offer me any insight to the book? any tips from the book? throw me a bone here or let me sniff something

how do i know you're not the author's relative or something trying to get a little kick back, very bizarre if you ask me.

anyone else with some tips that have substance?

sagelfn · 06-15-2011, 10:16 PM

Sorry. I was assuming more people would jump in. At work and could not link you to more informative description of the game. Thought maybe you would google it. I didn't think I was qualified enough to explain it to you properly. The book has a lot of great tips but you have to read the whole book, can't just say do this and expect it to work.
Link explaining it better
Downeast Dog News - The Look At That Game

The LAT game is my anwer to your question "are there any techniques I can help her get through this"

Worked well with my reactive dog

sagelfn · 06-15-2011, 11:05 PM

Here are some threads with more tips on dealing with reactive dogs...

Aggressive lunging at children.... (more details on LAT)

Reactive Issues

Dog Reactive Training Mehtods

There are many more threads if you do a search

**Cassidy's Mom** · 06-15-2011, 11:07 PM

I second the book - Leslie McDevitt is an agility trainer and competitor, and she is AMAZING at reading, understanding, and working with "issues" dogs. Her book is chock full of exercises that would be helpful for you. I highly recommend it. I can vouch for Brandi - she is not a relative, she is not getting anything from recommending the book, it's just that Leslie has such amazing insight that could totally help you with your dog. She has a yahoo group, but if you want to be able to ask questions (anything other than "read only"), you need to have read the book. Leslie is extremely generous with her time and advice, but people need to be at least familiar with the exercises and techniques in the book, to avoid duplicate questions.

**Cassidy's Mom** · 06-15-2011, 11:09 PM

Truly, only someone who has not read Control Unleashed or is not familiar with Leslie McDevitt would say "that's it? a book?" about a suggestion to check her out and read her wonderful book. She is one of my (very few) training heros.

onyx'girl · 06-15-2011, 11:11 PM

I would at this time not do the dog park. Your dog needs to be in controlled environments to work thru the reactivity.
I also recommend the CU book, and recommend it every chance I get for reactive behaviors!
I am not a relative either, though I wish I was...'Aunt' or 'Cousin' Leslie would be a great family member to claim!

And reading the fact that you are doing agility would make this book so much more valuable. The exercises in it are great for competition dogs, and it was written for dogs doing agility that show reactive behaviors.

**Samba** · 06-16-2011, 11:48 AM

I really like Leslie's work. The book is good. she has a puppy book coming soon, I think.I bought her videos also. Really good work she does with reactive and easily stimulated dogs.

Jax08 · 06-16-2011, 12:28 PM

Your dog has developed fear aggression. She's going into the mode of "I'll get you before you get me". You need to keep her around dog YOU trust and she knows. Nice stable, non reactive dogs, to help her rebuild her confidence. If a strange dog is coming at you, put her behind you in a sit and block the dog. It is your responsibility to protect her and let her know you are doing that so she can trust you and not take matters into her own hands.

Definitely teach her LAT (Look at that). Start with inanimate objects, move on to having her looks at dogs (only dogs that are well under control). Teach her Leave It. Leave It works on everything. I don't care if the the garbage or a cat. Leave It means leave it alone...period. I use it with Jax when a dog is coming and she starts to lunge.

Some dogs recover nicely and others, like mine, are a work in progress. I've come to accept that Jax never has to play with another dog again but lunging, snarling and carrying on are unacceptable. I only require that if she doesn't like them, then she ignores them. So be realistic in what you think your dog will be capable with. There may be a group of dogs she is fine with or she may never be comfortable playing with another dog ever again. It will be much easier on her if you lose any expectations you might have.

And NIX the dog parks.

06-14-2011, 09:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
ernie18 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 30	Air Biting / Personal Space issues preface: lucy is a 2 year old gsd now, she had a ton of socialization as a puppy, lots of situations and meeting dogs and people.... A few months ago we were at a dog park and she was being the chased dog in a game in a tag and got overwhelmed and had 2 dogs surrounding her, she wasnt happy and the 2 dogs which lived in the same house started a dog fight with her, ever since then shes been on and off about who she meets very protective of her "space" now when meeting a new dog that she doesnt know and is to intrusive sniffing/licking she will air bite at the dog/ lunge at the dog. i think its a confidence issue. She has never bitten another dog nor do I think she would but i dont want to take it for chance. she also gets very huffy/ excited when we walk by another dog too. i often stop make her sit and refocus her to snap her out of it. we are currently in an agility class through our local club, but i am wondering if there are any techniques tips i can help her through this "phase" __________________ "lucy" maggie von der sauk 5/21/09

06-14-2011, 09:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
sagelfn Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,748	Leslie McDevitt: Control Unleashed®, The Book <-- The LAT game __________________ -Brandi Sage 6-5-09 Facebook

06-15-2011, 10:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
sagelfn Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,748	Sorry. I was assuming more people would jump in. At work and could not link you to more informative description of the game. Thought maybe you would google it. I didn't think I was qualified enough to explain it to you properly. The book has a lot of great tips but you have to read the whole book, can't just say do this and expect it to work. Link explaining it better Downeast Dog News - The Look At That Game The LAT game is my anwer to your question "are there any techniques I can help her get through this" Worked well with my reactive dog __________________ -Brandi Sage 6-5-09 Facebook Last edited by sagelfn; 06-15-2011 at 10:19 PM.

06-15-2011, 11:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
sagelfn Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,748	Here are some threads with more tips on dealing with reactive dogs... Aggressive lunging at children.... (more details on LAT) Reactive Issues Dog Reactive Training Mehtods There are many more threads if you do a search __________________ -Brandi Sage 6-5-09 Facebook

06-15-2011, 11:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cassidy's Mom No Stinkin' Leashes Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 24,942	I second the book - Leslie McDevitt is an agility trainer and competitor, and she is AMAZING at reading, understanding, and working with "issues" dogs. Her book is chock full of exercises that would be helpful for you. I highly recommend it. I can vouch for Brandi - she is not a relative, she is not getting anything from recommending the book, it's just that Leslie has such amazing insight that could totally help you with your dog. She has a yahoo group, but if you want to be able to ask questions (anything other than "read only"), you need to have read the book. Leslie is extremely generous with her time and advice, but people need to be at least familiar with the exercises and techniques in the book, to avoid duplicate questions. __________________ -Debbie- Dena 9/12/04-10/4/08 Forever would have been too short Keefer 8/25/05 Halo 11/9/08 Cassidy 6/8/00-10/4/04

06-15-2011, 11:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cassidy's Mom No Stinkin' Leashes Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 24,942	Truly, only someone who has not read Control Unleashed or is not familiar with Leslie McDevitt would say "that's it? a book?" about a suggestion to check her out and read her wonderful book. She is one of my (very few) training heros. __________________ -Debbie- Dena 9/12/04-10/4/08 Forever would have been too short Keefer 8/25/05 Halo 11/9/08 Cassidy 6/8/00-10/4/04

06-15-2011, 11:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,596	I would at this time not do the dog park. Your dog needs to be in controlled environments to work thru the reactivity. I also recommend the CU book, and recommend it every chance I get for reactive behaviors! I am not a relative either, though I wish I was...'Aunt' or 'Cousin' Leslie would be a great family member to claim! And reading the fact that you are doing agility would make this book so much more valuable. The exercises in it are great for competition dogs, and it was written for dogs doing agility that show reactive behaviors. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

06-16-2011, 11:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,447	I really like Leslie's work. The book is good. she has a puppy book coming soon, I think.I bought her videos also. Really good work she does with reactive and easily stimulated dogs.

06-16-2011, 12:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,314	Your dog has developed fear aggression. She's going into the mode of "I'll get you before you get me". You need to keep her around dog YOU trust and she knows. Nice stable, non reactive dogs, to help her rebuild her confidence. If a strange dog is coming at you, put her behind you in a sit and block the dog. It is your responsibility to protect her and let her know you are doing that so she can trust you and not take matters into her own hands. Definitely teach her LAT (Look at that). Start with inanimate objects, move on to having her looks at dogs (only dogs that are well under control). Teach her Leave It. Leave It works on everything. I don't care if the the garbage or a cat. Leave It means leave it alone...period. I use it with Jax when a dog is coming and she starts to lunge. Some dogs recover nicely and others, like mine, are a work in progress. I've come to accept that Jax never has to play with another dog again but lunging, snarling and carrying on are unacceptable. I only require that if she doesn't like them, then she ignores them. So be realistic in what you think your dog will be capable with. There may be a group of dogs she is fine with or she may never be comfortable playing with another dog ever again. It will be much easier on her if you lose any expectations you might have. And NIX the dog parks.

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