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Now that the tax refunds have injected some much needed funds into our frail bank account, it's time to dive into training classes! I just finished emailing a novella to a local trainer who was recommended by the trainer who rescued Renji (the local one apparently is better versed in aggression and other behavioral issues).
Here is the trainer: http://thecaninecenter.com/YourTrainer.html Apparently she also trains performance horses.
Renji is coming along very nicely. He is getting much better with me when around other dogs and people, not so much yet with my DF. One really awesome thing happened about a week ago- I was out cuddling the neighborhood cat and when I wanted to go inside he wanted to come with! Bad idea, but I did decide it would make a great training session. I had Renji out of the crate, then I opened the window next to the couch and called the cat up to the windowsill. Renji started squeaking and chirping like a thousand budgerigars. I made him platz and hold it, and he writhed and begged and shifted what body parts he could but he held that platz. Drove us nuts with the SKOOK SKOOK SKOOK whiny chirps that said "Oh my GAAAWD the cat is RIGHT THERE just barely FOUR FEET AWAY and you're NOT LETTING ME KILL IT!?!?!? AAAAAAAAAUGH!!!!!!" He even held it when the cat stared at him (and yes, I corrected the cat for egging him on). After about 10-20 minutes of this, the cat shooed away and slowly Renji's chirps died down and I released him. The rest of the night he was looking for that cat, but oh well, he held the down and didn't fly through the window! Impressive!
There are several downsides though, things I won't discuss publicly. Things that give me cause for concern. I am concerned about potential liability and we have to be extremely vigilant with him. If anyone sneaked up on him for a petting, well I don't want to think about that. Honestly I am quite uneasy about his temperament towards other people and other dogs. I know he would be a fantastic dog in a rural environment because he has the perfect temperament for that but over here there are kids and dogs and people everywhere and there is no choice but walk him on the streets and the sidewalks so it is less than ideal. I've emailed the trainer though and I hope to hear back soon. Renji has the potential to do agility and obedience BUT at the moment he would miserably fail anything that had to do with people or other dogs. I hope we can work past it and manage those issues so that I can work him more and put a cert or a title or two on him. At LEAST not have to worry about how he'll react next. Yup, he has a very low threshold for defense and is very quick to react and get defensive/aggressive. He's very territorial and everything's a potential threat. Thankfully he can be pretty biddable and will easily work for food and especially toys!
I really hope this trainer pans out. She's the closest and best bet. Wish us luck!
Here is the trainer: http://thecaninecenter.com/YourTrainer.html Apparently she also trains performance horses.
Renji is coming along very nicely. He is getting much better with me when around other dogs and people, not so much yet with my DF. One really awesome thing happened about a week ago- I was out cuddling the neighborhood cat and when I wanted to go inside he wanted to come with! Bad idea, but I did decide it would make a great training session. I had Renji out of the crate, then I opened the window next to the couch and called the cat up to the windowsill. Renji started squeaking and chirping like a thousand budgerigars. I made him platz and hold it, and he writhed and begged and shifted what body parts he could but he held that platz. Drove us nuts with the SKOOK SKOOK SKOOK whiny chirps that said "Oh my GAAAWD the cat is RIGHT THERE just barely FOUR FEET AWAY and you're NOT LETTING ME KILL IT!?!?!? AAAAAAAAAUGH!!!!!!" He even held it when the cat stared at him (and yes, I corrected the cat for egging him on). After about 10-20 minutes of this, the cat shooed away and slowly Renji's chirps died down and I released him. The rest of the night he was looking for that cat, but oh well, he held the down and didn't fly through the window! Impressive!
There are several downsides though, things I won't discuss publicly. Things that give me cause for concern. I am concerned about potential liability and we have to be extremely vigilant with him. If anyone sneaked up on him for a petting, well I don't want to think about that. Honestly I am quite uneasy about his temperament towards other people and other dogs. I know he would be a fantastic dog in a rural environment because he has the perfect temperament for that but over here there are kids and dogs and people everywhere and there is no choice but walk him on the streets and the sidewalks so it is less than ideal. I've emailed the trainer though and I hope to hear back soon. Renji has the potential to do agility and obedience BUT at the moment he would miserably fail anything that had to do with people or other dogs. I hope we can work past it and manage those issues so that I can work him more and put a cert or a title or two on him. At LEAST not have to worry about how he'll react next. Yup, he has a very low threshold for defense and is very quick to react and get defensive/aggressive. He's very territorial and everything's a potential threat. Thankfully he can be pretty biddable and will easily work for food and especially toys!
I really hope this trainer pans out. She's the closest and best bet. Wish us luck!