[SunCzarina]

Originally Posted By: AllieGWhat your all saying is helping my mind.We have 2 sessions left,she still reacts to dogs,do I continue private or group or do I do it on my own now that I know what I am doing?[..] so I'm not sure if I should keep pushing or ease off.What would you guys do?
Thanks again.

I would back down a bit with the formal training. You need to keep taking her out for walks even though the weather is getting crappy. Break out the snow pants and take her out or she'll back slide over the winter.

Personally, I think a lot of this has to do with age and experience. The more she experiences, the less likely she is to react. For example, if over the winter she walks past (but not through) 50 automatic doors, by spring she'll learn that's just how some doors open (I do have admit, fear of the automatic door is not something I've ever dealt with).

Originally Posted By: G-burg

Quote:Listen to your dog, what is she telling you?

Amen!!!

That's the reason I stopped trialing my one shepherd in AKC obedience.. She did not enjoy it... So we do other things together.. Things that she does enjoy..

Morgan didn't care for ring style OB either. Her OB is dead on, most obedient dog I've ever had. Does she want to show it off to other people, no way.

What does Athena seem to enjoy, the river across the street, hiking? You have the tools on how to handle her, just take her out to what she likes then gradually increase her comfort circle.

 

[allieg]

She just loves to be home and running around the yard playing ball.She likes to go on strolls in the park up the road or in the field. I haven't been able to try anything with her with her attitude.We tried agility at home but she won't jump things you want her to.She will jump over the stone wall to catch her ball but not a stick and blocks...

 

[SunCzarina]

Originally Posted By: AllieGI think if I can find people with dogs and keep getting her out I can do what I am paying some $300. to show me.

well you've got me and Dawn, niether of is going to charge you a penny. Get in that tank and drive it!

 

[allieg]

Ya I know.I have to get over my fear of Mass driving..At least I have the neighbor now,she isn't scared of us anymore....

 

[Ruthie]

Originally Posted By: Chris WildIMO, yes we should ALWAYS listen. We shouldn't always do what they want, obviously, or we'd be standing at the treat jar all day long dispensing them. But we should always do what is best for them, and listening to the dog provides tremendous insight into what is best for the dog. It can be very hard to divorce what is best for the dog from our own wants and dreams and desires, but it's what we have to do.

Exactly the distinction I was trying to make! Listen yes! Do what they say, not always. And it is really difficult to divorce what is best for the dog from your own desires.

Training, IMO, is should always be two sided. The dog and the experience should always make you grow and make you a better person too, hence my previous post encouraging you to think about the "why".

 

[SunCzarina]

Originally Posted By: AllieGYa I know.I have to get over my fear of Mass driving..At least I have the neighbor now,she isn't scared of us anymore....

Nashua or Salem are only about an hour for me (yeah, I drive like an animal)

 

[TxRider]

Originally Posted By: RuthieListen to your dog, what is she telling you?

ROFL, mine is telling me she wants to spend all day out hunting for small creatures to molest... And eat treats and sleep once the streets are clear.

It's her job to watch everything I do and to patrol the streets and keep the neighborhood free and safe from squirrels, cats and any critters but people and dogs, and to meet and greet all the people and dogs she sees with a lick in the face.

 

[TxRider]

Originally Posted By: luv my RoganThank you Allie for this post. My dog is fearful around strangers and I am always looking for information to help him. I love to hear about what others are doing with their dogs. I wish there was a section dealing with just this issue.

My new girl is that way, I have been taking her daily around people and telling them how to act with her. She has actually taken treats from a few strangers now, when usually she refuses unless they drop it for her and sometimes even then.

I have an advantage that I also have Hope along with her, who is much bigger and not shy with strangers at all and enthusiastically greets all dogs and their owners and kids. So Kaya can hang back, and watch how Hope handles it and how I handle it. I think that really helps her.

 

[dit]

Have you or the owner consulted with a behaviorist (vs a trainer)? Has the"training" program included desensitization? Fear aggression can be extremely difficult to overcome and can be genetic. Maybe a DVM behaviorist (there are not that many in the USA) could help. If the problem is severe, I would invest in that before saying "enough is enough."

 

[JakodaCD OA]

allie, I would do what others have suggested,,you've got 2 classes left, this trainer has helped you immensely (I think) and I think he's given YOU the tools you need to continue yourself..

If she is stressed out/uncomfortable in the building, your not going to get anything out of her because she's too stressed..

Masi HATED puppy class, most likely cause she got jumped every darn time we went(long story),,tho I didn't have to 'drag' her thru the door and she wasn't a quivering bag of nerves in the place,,I know she was stressed and did not want to go there. I yanked her out and started going to another facility (very different training methods as well) and she LOVES it, she eagerly goes in, there are just as many dogs if not more, but it is way more controlled..Masi likes "order" and likes situations that are more "controlled"..

So with that in mind, I would work on her this winter, continue the socializing, training yourself, and do as you said, reaccess in the spring and heck you can always go back to this guy and do outside stuff..))

I know how hard you've worked with this girl, and again, I admire you sticking with her, and you've done a great job with her!!

 

[allieg]

Originally Posted By: ditHave you or the owner consulted with a behaviorist (vs a trainer)? Has the"training" program included desensitization? Fear aggression can be extremely difficult to overcome and can be genetic. Maybe a DVM behaviorist (there are not that many in the USA) could help. If the problem is severe, I would invest in that before saying "enough is enough."

If this was directed to me here's my answer.
The first in home trainer was supposedly a behaviorist.He said she was anxious and needed to be worked at slow.It would take time.I agreed but needed more help at how to handle her when out.He wasn't willing to help.
One SchH trainer wanted board and train and another wanted to use the remote collar.This one was willing to work with me with a method I was willing to do.
We are making progress,today proved it.My training thread explains all we have been through.I'm not giving up,I never will.I may lay off a bit but not give up.After today I might go another 6 week round but we'll see,he may just let us loose.Either way I am more positive now.

 

[allieg]

Originally Posted By: SunCzarina

Originally Posted By: AllieGYa I know.I have to get over my fear of Mass driving..At least I have the neighbor now,she isn't scared of us anymore....

Nashua or Salem are only about an hour for me (yeah, I drive like an animal)

Great,now I have to find a place in those areas to have a good meet up and walk the dogs...

 

[SuzyE]

My dog HATES strangers and has since a puppy. What I taught my dog is to tolerate strangers.What I have taught strangers is "Sorry this dog doesn't like to be touched." I have had three other dogs that were fine with strangers. Jazmin was a therapy dog. My GSD,Paige, will NEVER be a friendly dog. All I ask of her is to ignore people. the sooner I accepted that about her the better off I was.

 

[allieg]

That's all I am looking for at this point.I went into training hoping for a doggie play group dog but have since learned a lot of what sets her off and feel it will never happen.That's fine,I just want to be able to take her out and about and not have her so worked up over meeting another dog on our walks.

 

[Ucdcrush]

SuzyE touches on what I was going to mention - acceptance. I would also say that expecting perfection can set you up for defeat, and adds pressure. It sounds as if you are frustrated, and that is from pressure, you are not reaching the ideal you have set in your mind and it bothers you.

It sounds like you need a different mindset, possibly combined with a different approach. Dropping the need for perfection does not mean you have to give up, and it does not mean you have to aim for mediocrity. It means you can accept and not become frustrated when things don't go perfect. Paradoxically, this tends to help your performance.

 

[allieg]

I was frustrated 5 weeks ago.I am less frustrated now since I have been given the tools to work with.

 

[debbiebrown]

there are so many training methods out there, so many activities for dogs, so many options.
i never thought Sam would do well in Agility because he is so unpredictable, nervy and unsure. we overcame his running out issues on the course, and he is doing fantastic with the Agility itself. i am happy with that accomplishment. i want to compete with him, but honestly i do not know how well he will do in a setting with alot of people and dogs. i am going to try taking him into these settings and see how he does. it might be to uncomfortable for him he gets very nervous when alot is going on, but i gotta give him a chance. if it doesn't work, who cares, i will still do agility classes and keep seeking new things for him to try.

as far as the dog interactions. for us, i had to just let go of my anxiety about Sam charging other dogs. with thew help of my trainer in class we let him go, corrected him when he was getting nasty, rewarded him for doing proper doggie meets, sniffing, etc. he is now a bit more relaxed with the dogs, now we need to work on people....................its an ongoing process of one step forward two steps back. easy to get frustrated, but also with the right mind set you have to stay positive because frustration does rub off on the dogs.

so, i think again, if you had the right trainer, a set up with mild dogs in a playtime setting and the right corrections, dogs do learn alot from each other. you gotta let go of the anxiety with dog to dog meetings and just let it happen in a controlled enviroment with a good trainer present. this is how they learn. it might look nasty in the beginning but i think thats what needs to happen. its helped me to just jump in and do that with both my young dogs.

 

[onyx'girl]

I think agility training builds confidence,too.

 

[debbiebrown]

yes, it sure does. any activity will. but the Agility would be great for any insecure dog if your willing to put the time and effort in.

that might be another option for Athena. maybe a small class, with mild dogs. talk to the trainer before hand see if she's willing to help with Athena's issues with other dogs. just being around other dogs in class will help...........

seriously, i think you just need to dive in. we all tend to be protective of our dogs with issues. sometimes you just have to let go of that and do whats best for the dog.

 

[allieg]

The one place I know of wants well behaved dogs so I'll have to check other places.Would doing it on our own help?If so I can get Hubby to build a thing or 2 and do it through the winter.Lexi would do it too.She loves to jump.