harper

Don't worry, it seemes to be rife on the health forum too.....people being told to pay for a vet consultation. BTW I did a lot of reading in relation to the behavioural issues I was having with my dog but I was also given the advice on this forum to seek a professional trainer. I followed that advice and it is absolutely the best thing I have done for my dog. Despite all my reading on the subject I now realize I didn't know as much then as I thought I did. ;)

Before we started on Eagle pack holistic I was tossing up between EP and California Natural but then realized that the only suppliers of California natural (and Innova) were PP stores and I wouldnt spend one cent in those places so EP holistic it is and the dogs love it and are doing well on it.

Just wondering where to find this Flexicose and what is the going rate? Sounds like it might be a help for a friends arthritic dog or do you think joint guard is just as effective?

Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories of your beautiful boy. Chocky will always be with you in heart and soul. Romp and rest easy at the bridge Chocky.

So sorry for your loss, BrissyGal. RIP little Ratty boy.

Hi Bosco, I have a fear aggressive GSD as well & currently finding some methods to rehabilitate him. How is your dog doing, is he still aggressive? Hi moon, I found dol because of the endless hours at night searching the internet looking for answers to mine and my dogs problem. First thing I have learnt is that a recommended, reputable trainer/behaviourist is the only way to go. I didnt have a good experience with the first trainer...expensive and not very helpful and that put me off a bit from trying another one. But then I decided to contact erny and havnt looked back. Things are on the up and up for me and my dog and all and sundrie have been commenting on his improvement. That isnt to say that we dont still have our little setbacks but they are usually due to me either sinking back into getting flustered and not handling the situation according to our 'program' or becoming a little over enthused and pushing things but because erny likes to be kept up to date that means I get to debrief and pinpoint areas that need work as we go along. Initially it all seems so daunting and there have been a couple of periods where I have slacked off a bit with the program but have pretty much seen immediate results for the worst so I kept working at it and after a while it starts to become second nature. I feel like we are reaching some little milestones with my boy and it just makes me all the more exited to get to the next one. This has and continues to be a huge learning curve for me and my dog and I have gained so much more confidence as a dog handler. We just reached our initial goal of doing a stand for examination and put up a level at obedience. So, Moon, there is hope. I look at the whole process as on going management and improvement and that goes for me just as much as the dog. By the sounds of it you are in NSW so if that is the case I would definately follow other peoples advice and get in touch with steve from k9force. Best wishes for you and your dog. Would be great to hear how you go.

Kelly sounds like she was such a beautiful family member, friend and companion. RIP Kelly Run free, girl.

Definately. I've been flat chat this last week but have been meaning to give you an update. Sending pm now.

Hey erny. As a client of yours I cannot comprehend the ignorance of this anonomous person making judgements on you as a proffesional trainer when they really know nothing about you. I hope the numbskull that sent you the anonomous email has read this thread. General concensus... oooohhhhm....nut bag? So glad I found you here on DOL cos I couldnt have wished for a more passionate, dedicated and damn good trainer to help us with our problems and you know how much you have helped us. You know me and my little family here thinks you are the best.

In the thread anxiety and fear/stranger agression (or was that an e collar thread ) I explained how my boy was having these problems and was after any success stories. It was around then that I decided to give erny a call and I am so so glad I did. Even though me and my dog are still a work in progress, his specific problems, general behaviour and ability defer to me has improved no end along with both our confidence in my handling skills. Thanks to erny I consider our case to be a success story in more ways than one. My OH and I are so thrilled about the progress that we have made and are making with our dog so I will just go on to say that for south eastern suburbs I recommend erny at Pro-k9. :rolleyes:

I just wanted to say thanks to those who shared their experiences and for the helpful responses. Much appreciated. By the way,Vickie, Zeus is one beautiful little chap. :cool:

Have been a procrastinater and had been meaning to call erny for weeks but now we are booked in.

Have you found that medication can help whilst doing all the behavioural modification stuff?

Thanks Lablover.......Two steps forward, one step back, one step forward, two steps back. The vet has suggested to use a prozac style (cant remember the name of it) medication temporarily along with training. What are peoples thoughts on these types of drugs?

Only just read your post so you have probably already been to the vets and have your answer so hope all is well. It's not panosteitis is it?

Sorry for your loss. :D I am not really much help on this but here goes...... Maybe you could go for a walk and then do some fetching to wear her out and then just before you leave give her a stuffed kong. Doggie day care a couple of days or more per week? Do you know if she stops barking shortly after you leave? I hope you get some good, helpful advice. Best wishes to help your girl.

Thanks for sharing your dogs story skip. Experiences like yours and cosmolos have given me more encouragement. I am in the 'learning' category with this type of problem (and everything else ) and I have done a lot of reading on the subject but had not found any personal experiences with treating this type of thing so really appreciate the feedback. I will let you know how we go.

Thanks for your replies. Cosmolo your girl is absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing your experience as I know fear is a large part of our problem. Like Georgie, my dog is doing great with obedience and sociallising with other dogs but he can be very skittish, anxious and demanding of attention ( although I do try to only reward relaxed behaviour and ignore attention seeking behaviour). He will sniff the hand of the people at obedience and take food off them but still maintains a fearful posture and retreats quickly. He seems to have a tiny bit more confidence around people with dogs. Strangers are his biggest fear, especially men. When I say aggression what I mean that often when a stranger focuses their attention on him he barks in an aggressive manner. There is alot more to this but it would probably take me 10 pages to explain. I did get a home visit from a trainer who did help with a couple of things but am going to be seeing another one on a more regular basis to really attempt to get the best posible outcome. Was just wondering what other people experiences have been in treating this kind of problem.

Was just reading the anxiety and genetics thread with much interest as I have a anxious, fearful, stranger aggressive dog. I have noticed this type of problem has been posted on occasion with some good advice and recommendations to seek a professional trainer. I was just wondering if anyone has what they would call a success story in treating these types of problems.