Hi all,
After reading many posts here I learned that you can't treat aggression issues over the internet and one-on-one training with a professional was needed. So last Saturday I had a trainer/behaviorist over after discussing my girl's unique issues at some length on the phone, and all I got was a statement that a 3 year old GSD is likely set in her ways and there's little that can be done aside from his $650, 10 lesson obedience training package. He had me do some treat training, like downs, sits, etc. which she already knows. The trainer is a known quantity, being the friend of a friend who trains Belgian Malinois for ringsport (?). I sent the trainer away with $60 and a promise that I would think about his proposal.
Background: I adopted Donna (not her original name) at the very end of July from a woman who had gone through a divorce and couldn't keep her. The previous owner said she had aggression issues, so I initially balked, but when nobody else would take her and she was going to the shelter, I stepped in since I can handle a large dog and had no other animals in my home. Her aggression is fairly mild. Basically, any new situation with a dog she doesn't know is treated as a threat, but known dogs in familiar situations are mostly no big deal. She can walk for miles with her greyhound friend, or hang out in close quarters with my mom's dog with zero aggression. Unknown or known bad dogs off leash coming up to her too close when she's on leash are a serious problem, as are uncontrolled dogs coming near our home (lots of laissez faire dog owners where I live). I usually put her in a sit when there's another dog, and let the owner know not to let his/her dog come close. She's fine like that as long as there's enough distance. She turned 3 yo mid-October, weights about 85 lbs, and was only spayed in Sept. She gets multiple walks per day, regular runs of 2+ miles, and we do obedience training with positive reinforcement multiple times per day, both in the house, in the yard, and on walks.
No doubt more obedience training is always best, but my girl is doing well with obedience, which I feel I understand and can accomplish, though obviously not as well as a pro. Since GSDs and this kind of aggression are new to me, I wanted specific suggestions and exercises to address her very specific aggression issues, not a $650 proposal for general obedience that might lead to improvements, though the trainer couldn't guarantee that.
At this point I'm inclined to save the big bucks and take her to a 'big dogs' walk every Saturday morning, where large breed dogs and owners get together and walk straight ahead with separation to address lack of socialization etc. issues. I already know about re-direction, though honestly she's not terribly food motivated.
Thoughts?
Thanks
After reading many posts here I learned that you can't treat aggression issues over the internet and one-on-one training with a professional was needed. So last Saturday I had a trainer/behaviorist over after discussing my girl's unique issues at some length on the phone, and all I got was a statement that a 3 year old GSD is likely set in her ways and there's little that can be done aside from his $650, 10 lesson obedience training package. He had me do some treat training, like downs, sits, etc. which she already knows. The trainer is a known quantity, being the friend of a friend who trains Belgian Malinois for ringsport (?). I sent the trainer away with $60 and a promise that I would think about his proposal.
Background: I adopted Donna (not her original name) at the very end of July from a woman who had gone through a divorce and couldn't keep her. The previous owner said she had aggression issues, so I initially balked, but when nobody else would take her and she was going to the shelter, I stepped in since I can handle a large dog and had no other animals in my home. Her aggression is fairly mild. Basically, any new situation with a dog she doesn't know is treated as a threat, but known dogs in familiar situations are mostly no big deal. She can walk for miles with her greyhound friend, or hang out in close quarters with my mom's dog with zero aggression. Unknown or known bad dogs off leash coming up to her too close when she's on leash are a serious problem, as are uncontrolled dogs coming near our home (lots of laissez faire dog owners where I live). I usually put her in a sit when there's another dog, and let the owner know not to let his/her dog come close. She's fine like that as long as there's enough distance. She turned 3 yo mid-October, weights about 85 lbs, and was only spayed in Sept. She gets multiple walks per day, regular runs of 2+ miles, and we do obedience training with positive reinforcement multiple times per day, both in the house, in the yard, and on walks.
No doubt more obedience training is always best, but my girl is doing well with obedience, which I feel I understand and can accomplish, though obviously not as well as a pro. Since GSDs and this kind of aggression are new to me, I wanted specific suggestions and exercises to address her very specific aggression issues, not a $650 proposal for general obedience that might lead to improvements, though the trainer couldn't guarantee that.
At this point I'm inclined to save the big bucks and take her to a 'big dogs' walk every Saturday morning, where large breed dogs and owners get together and walk straight ahead with separation to address lack of socialization etc. issues. I already know about re-direction, though honestly she's not terribly food motivated.
Thoughts?
Thanks
