sibylle

Hello Aidan, Thank you for your advise. I do most of things you suggest. My dog always wags when she sees other dogs, it is first after they have sniffed to each other that she wants to attack (suddenly - out of the blue). I would like to know if you are on the Eastern Shore of Hobart, how could I contact you? I cannot afford a bevourist just at the moment, but I will in the fulture. How much do you charge? Regards Sibylle For the issue with the visiting cat, it would be much easier just to use management (crates, doors etc) as it is only a temporary situation. If you cannot work with someone directly, then settle on a compromise. My suggestion would be to walk on-leash and avoid areas where other dogs play off-leash frequently (although you will need to be prepared for off-leash dogs just about anywhere). You can use your clicker to teach calm behaviours around other dogs. You start off at some distance from another dog (preferably one who is under the control of someone who is aware of what you are doing and helping you). I like to start by teaching the dog that it is OK to look at other dogs without reacting, you simply click and treat when your dog is looking at the other dog and not growling/lunging/barking etc Use a very high rate of reinforcement (click/treat often, keep your hand loaded with small, soft treats). I would also teach him a formal heel - look up at you and move with you. It doesn't need to be pretty, just functional. This is for when another dog gets too close and you want to move off without fuss. As your dog gets very good at both looking at other dogs (on a loose leash) without reacting, and heeling around other dogs, you can start to move closer. It is very helpful if you are working with someone who has their dog under control and is working with you, because you can set your dog up to succeed by manipulating the distance between the dogs. At this point I like to throw in other behaviours that will (a) be useful around other dogs and (b) keep the dog "thinking" instead of "reacting". Sit, down, stay and the recall are at the top of the list. I spend a lot of time working on recalls (on leash at first). Remember to always set your dog up for success. If you aren't getting the behaviour you want, don't wave useless bits of meat around under your dog's nose, make it easier instead - get some distance, reduce the distractions, take a short break somewhere quiet, maybe come back later. Work in short, frequent sessions. When I do this with a class I have all the dogs in their cars and bring them out individually or in very small groups for 3-5 minutes at a time when it is their turn. Over an hour they will have 4-5 of these 3-5 minute sessions in total.

Thanx for that. Sibylle Hi Sibylle, are you able to travel to Hobart? I don't know of anyone in the Huon who would be able to help. Dr Katrina Warren does consults at Tasmanian Animal Hospitals in Kingston. Aidan

Hi Staranais, Thanx for that. I live in Southern Tasmania near Cygnet, 60 km from Hobart, but I don't think there would be anybody here. Regards Sibylle

I have been to obedience classes the first year. Later I have done clicker-training, and I also use "triangle of temptation", which has been suggested long time ago on dogz-on-line. She is de-sexed, as she has got meat allergy, so I didn't want to breed. I feed her Eukanuba fish+potato dried and wet food. Nothing has changed, we have lived in the same house all the time. The behaviour has changed slowly. But she is only vicious to other animals, she loves people. I thought I had a watch dog, but I am sure she would lick the robbers to death, if they came. Only the week before my cat died, I visited the vet for her vaccination. I also told the vet about her aggression, but apparently there is nothing psysical wrong with her. But thank you for all your replies. I must think about that. Regards Sibylle PS I took this lovely photo of my dog and cat just last month, and I thought they would be fine, when they sleep together. See attachment.

I am 60+ and have had dogs and cats most of my life. I bought a female Welsh Terrier 2½ years ago, and she has grown up with my 10-year-old Burmese cat. About 2 years ago she was attacked by 2 pitt bulls, but my hand came in between, so she wasn't hurt. I don't know whether that was the trigger for her becoming aggressive. She has been very jealous of the cat and sometimes out of the blue she would attack him. It became worse and worse, and in the end, I never left them alone. Unfortunately my cat died suddenly of a stroke 4 weeks ago. One should think: Problem solved. But I looked after my daughters cat for a week (I have done that before with no problems). The dog was so aggressive, so I had to tie her up inside the house and put muzzle on her. The other day I walked her on the dog-beach, and she had her tail between her legs all the time. I have never seen that before. She usually wags when there are other dogs, but lately I have to drag her away quickly, as she will attack them after a little while. This morning there was a male puppy on the local beach, and I thought that would probably be all right. They both wagged and sniffed. But suddenly my dog got on top of the puppy and growled violently and would have attacked had I not pulled her off. Fortunately she is so small. I am wondering whether there would be anybody who could give me advise, as I have never had a vicious dog before? Regards Sibylle