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heh... i'm literally just walking in the door... tilden is in his kennel... so you may sense a bit of frustration here.
this evening tilden's herding lessons were a bit different, it was actually a herding game day / bbq. we get there, excited, prepared, etc etc... we're greeted by an off leash border collie barking like mad in tildens face. he was his usual self and just slowly approached the dog, they sniffed, licked, things were fine. we successfully met about 10 other dogs before the BC approached us again, this time tilden did one of those growl/snap type moves and it sent the dog off yelping. after that - our day went to **** and he was lunging, barking, snapping at all the dogs. i attempted to correct and distract him using treats, balls, obedience work, everything - but it was his mission to act a fool.
for those who have met tilden, i'm especially interested in your opinions.
my take on the situation was a) he got some sort of alpha rush by scaring the BC off... and b) the environment of 30+ dogs on leash and in cages jumping and barking and whining with excitement was just an environment that he didnt (doesnt?) do well in. i took him down to the creek to play awhile, walked the perimeter of the facility so that he could see and smell from afar... by time we made it back they had started the exercises and he began to lunge at the pen towards the sheep (after being described more than once as a "polite herder"). so finally i left, frustrated and embarrassed. i could feel it building and it wouldnt be fair for me or him to stay.
help, advice, comfort, experiences, explanations... anything?
i dont even feel like i knew him today.
this evening tilden's herding lessons were a bit different, it was actually a herding game day / bbq. we get there, excited, prepared, etc etc... we're greeted by an off leash border collie barking like mad in tildens face. he was his usual self and just slowly approached the dog, they sniffed, licked, things were fine. we successfully met about 10 other dogs before the BC approached us again, this time tilden did one of those growl/snap type moves and it sent the dog off yelping. after that - our day went to **** and he was lunging, barking, snapping at all the dogs. i attempted to correct and distract him using treats, balls, obedience work, everything - but it was his mission to act a fool.
for those who have met tilden, i'm especially interested in your opinions.
my take on the situation was a) he got some sort of alpha rush by scaring the BC off... and b) the environment of 30+ dogs on leash and in cages jumping and barking and whining with excitement was just an environment that he didnt (doesnt?) do well in. i took him down to the creek to play awhile, walked the perimeter of the facility so that he could see and smell from afar... by time we made it back they had started the exercises and he began to lunge at the pen towards the sheep (after being described more than once as a "polite herder"). so finally i left, frustrated and embarrassed. i could feel it building and it wouldnt be fair for me or him to stay.
help, advice, comfort, experiences, explanations... anything?
i dont even feel like i knew him today.