[Brightelf]

For anyone following Grimm's story, I have been having onleash dog reactivity from him. He has been on a prong for nearly his entire life, and I've recently undergone a 'sea change' of trying a halti (don't laugh!

)and positive clicker training methods to desensitize him to other dogs while onlead. I notice significant improvements

but we are just beginning, only 4 days into this method so far-- but good results.

Taking into consideration that onlead doggy aggression may not in fact be true aggression, and, if it is true aggression, can have many causes..

What methods have you used to rehabilitate on-leash dog aggression?

What worked? What made things worse?

Did any special book, training tool, collar, or 'set ups' using other dogs really help, or make things worse?

Has any dog with dog aggression ever been able to consistently just stroll onlead by another onlead dog on a walk without firing up? Basicly, how successful have you been able to be with whatever methods you have used?

 

[Brightelf]

WOW, Lisa.. nopw that is a story from the trenches!! You really did much work with her, it sounds like. How great that obedience became a second-nature habit for her, due to your dilligence!

Grimm is not truly dog aggressive.. he's friendly offlead with other dogs, a playful goof. The tension and stress of NOt going up to meet the other dog drives him bananas, plus the many many months of using prong corrections.. stupidly.. to try and correct for this, only solidified the problem and exacerbated it. I want to do what you did, Lisa-- or try to-- once this problem is under control enough for me to be *safe* taking Grimm to classes regularly.

Thanks for sharing what worked for you!

 

[Brightelf]

MaggieRoseLee, i love her articles.. have read this before-- but she is SO on-point about this, I will read it again.

BowWowMeow, Bingo! Grimm's been evaluated by a few trainers-- not true aggression, he just wanna get the party started and can't.

Ruth, you and Rafi really make a great team. How did you think this idea up? I can see Grimm dropping his toy though.. our walks neccessarily are looong.. about 45 mins (i live in a highrise in a dense city-- wish to move to a rural area in 1 - 2 years)

3K9Mom-- Good point, thank you!

Grimm does have a 'Leave it.' It does need to be sharpened! I could build his Leave It at home in the livingroom using a regular collar-- flat buckle or even prong-- and just move to doing this outdoors when he has the halti on. (still don't like that thing.. but sooo grateful it, and the positive approach is making some difference here) This is a good idea. Thank you!

 

[Brightelf]

Yaaaayyy Jamie, GREAT post LOL!!

Really, you bring up a good point (I think 3K9Mom has said this in the past, too).. taking my emotions out of it helps alot.

You're lucky Ris will play tuggy on walks! I also am impressed with the obedience aspect.. that seems to be a recurring theme.

I can hardly wait until Grimm is actually safe enough for me to bring to a class situation where we can go regularly! Thank you for the tips!