I was nervous, but all turned out OK...

[DolphinGirl]

As some of y'all have read, I have had issues with Aspen and his fear aggression. He barks and sometimes lunges at strangers since his tail was run over.

Well, I have been working with a great trainer and things are getting better. Today was a true test. I went outside to do a little training with Aspen in the front yard. I thought all my neighbors would be at work. So I let Aspen run into the front yard while I went in my car to get his tug. All of a sudden I heard someone calling to him. Aspen slowly walked over. At this point, I walked out of my garage to look and see my new neighbor outside calling to him. I told the guy he is skittish with people he doesnt know and called him back. He came to me but then the 3yr old boy and mom came out and Aspen went to investigate them as well. No barks, no lunges, just sniffs.

I had his e collar on him and he came back when called, but he didnt seem to worry about these people...and in my yard. He always barks at people in my yard. I am so proud of him, even though I was a little nervous and should have kept him by my side/leashed.

PS...the little boy actually pet him on the head.

[juliejujubean]

way to go aspen. Great progress, keep up the good work!

[fuzzybunny]

That's fantastic! Good boy Aspen

[High5]

Thats awesome, it must have made you feel really good.

[onyx'girl]

I would not be happy if my neighbor called my dog.

I'm glad Aspen chose to be friendly, but it could have gone another way....Good Boy!
If he was leashed to you, do you think he may have shown reactive behavior?
I sometimes think Onyx is more reactive when I am with her like that than on her own(when people come over and are in the back yard or our shop, she may bark but not act out) On leash she tends to be more reactive.
I hope Aspen continues to progress

[DolphinGirl]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

I would not be happy if my neighbor called my dog.

I'm glad Aspen chose to be friendly, but it could have gone another way....Good Boy!
If he was leashed to you, do you think he may have shown reactive behavior?
I sometimes think Onyx is more reactive when I am with her like that than on her own(when people come over and are in the back yard or our shop, she may bark but not act out) On leash she tends to be more reactive.
I hope Aspen continues to progress

I was nervous b/c I knew it could have gone the other way. The man picked up his puppy (Jack Russell) and Aspen came and sniffed it and the man pet him too. I do think he picks up on my nervousness via leash bc I am afraid he might react. He was not under a command when we went outside. When he is in a command to platz, sitz, etc he doesnt break it with a stranger....so far.

[DolphinGirl]

Went to the trainer today and Aspen jumped up on a wobbly whelping box (flipped upside down) and laid down next to me. My trainer had one of the decoys come up to me looking Aspen in the eye and shake hands with me. I was watching Aspen and correcting if he took more then a second for a look. No barks or grumbles from Aspen!

Then he had the decoy run at me. No bark, small correction. Then the trainer told me NOT to corrrect this time and the decoy ran to me (like a jogger on a path) and he rested his head on my leg, sll the while I was watching him.

Later, we went to the vet for some heartworm...no barks, just laid there and accepted a pet on the head from a former Petsmart classmate.

Finally, we went to petsmart and he just laid next to my foot as I talked to people. He was such a good boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once we got home, he slept like a baby. I love seeing my old Aspen...I really hope he can love people again some day.

[fgshepherd]

Aspen sounds like a very good boy. You should be very proud!!