BC Crazy

Years ago I lost my prize BC girl to a bait The agony & suffering they injure in their slow & extremely painful death is mind blowingly cruel There are some very sick, cruel people out there Please be careful BCPuppy with your pooch. I wouldn't wish the horror of this situation on anyone. I hope they catch the guilty SOB very soon before too many more beautiful innocent dogs lose their lives.

I agree with this completely. It sounds like Frosty is getting to control who she meets, doesn't have strategies in place for staying under threshold and is getting to practice reactive behaviours repeatedly. MrsRB, I'm not sure if you're aware but every time Frosty uses her reactive behaviours they're being reinforced and make it more and more likely that she will behave reactively next time. The more she practices them the harder it becomes to change that behaviour. I think, based on what you described yesterday, that there is a risk of stress stacking happening as well, as each episode builds on the previous one. It sounds like the situation at your friends was too much for her and she might be better off in their backyard or staying home next time? What tools or techniques are you using to keep Frosty under threshold? Have you been doing any counter-conditioning work and trying things like the Look at That (LAT) game or Behaviour Adjustment Training (BAT)? Another great tool is teaching your dog "let's go" for getting out of situations quickly, including turning and running in the opposite direction. We use "leave it" as well and Emily Larlham teaches that in her Reactivity DVD as a tool. I'm a bit concerned that Frosty hurt her neck and I personally don't recommend tethering reactive dogs in situations where they may encounter other dogs. I think being tied up adds to them feeling trapped and can make behaviours worse, as well as meaning we don't have the control that we would have if we were holding the leash (I take Justice to cafés but keep the leash looped over my wrist even when I'm eating and stay alert for people walking by with dogs so I can manage Justice before he has a chance to get worked up), but we also risk our dogs hurting themselves by doing exactly what Frosty did. Maybe it would be worth looking in to a front attach harness if she flies forward so hard that she jars her neck when she gets to the end of the leash? At least that way she's less likely to come away with an injury. Excellent post Snook RB, I always try & keep Stella under her thresh hold of reactivity. So she always 'wins' & is calm. Well as calm as she can be. I am raising the bar with her each day I take her out BUT very, very slowly. She would of just flipped out & then completely shut down in the situation you discribe. I wouldn't tether her anywhere either. Just too risky IMHO. She would of upended the whole table, chairs, everything in a split second.

I will be following this thread as I was thinking of adding this product to our caravaning doggie first aid bag :)

Oh OK, no worries Raineth :laugh: Thanks for explaining about the 'leave it' scenario. I never thought of that aspect actually. I'm going to watch out for that now though cause the last thing I want is to be rewarding her running off. Gosh & she is smarted enough to figure that too. I battle to stay one step in front of her at times. She is such a thinker.

I use the 'leave it' command quite often with Stella & it seems to be very effective in breaking her focus on the on coming dog or whatever it may be that she is about to react to. She is given a simple obedience command such as sit/down facing me & is rewarded. When I feel she calm then we continue on. Simply Grand may I ask why you don't like using the 'leave it' command out of curiosity? Just sitting down quietly when we are out & about is a work in progress for us. I'm gradually lengthening the time each time we do this. She has really improved though. This is a very difficult task for Stel just to be well, still for any length of time. We can sit together now & just people watch in a quieter area now & she relaxes on a good day. She is not the type of dog you could take to an outdoor cafe or anything. She'd be like a bull in a china shop Stella just wouldn't be comfortable. Lots of noise & people just stress her out a lot. She would just unravel emotionally very quickly.

Gosh, how gorgeous That's a big litter. I think I counted 11 puppies. Correct me if I'm wrong. Lovely & healthy cuties....

Dancin, that is a very clever idea bringing a rubber mat along to put on the metal table most Vets have. That is Stella no.1 fear those darn slippery staino tables. Luckily the new Vet we go to does consults on rugs on the floor. Stella doesn't even need to be muzzled now. While she isn't over the moon about being there, she tolerates it. Which is a huge improvement from previous Vet visits :) I am going to pack a rubber mat when we travel now though just in case we need to make a Vet visit for any reason. Thanks for the heads up

What a tragedy R.I.P. poor pooches. Run free now at the bridge. Very uplifting response by so many people. That was lovely to see but it is such a bloody shame those totally innocent, defenseless dogs that lost their lives in such an horrific way all because some heartless, smart ar#e kid decided to get his kicks

Haredown, yes poor fella's construction is far from good Even to someone with limited experience as myself. Not a record that I'd want to be part of his breeding program to promote.

5 years old... so young to go to the bridge. Gorgeous dog... 13kg of food per day. WOW !!! R.I.P. Zeus

Thats so very sad on so many levels.... horrifying & heartbreaking... The poor family. Thoses kids finding their beloved dogs slaughtered. Thoses poor dogs would of been terrfied. I hope the dogs that did this get PTS ASAP before they affend again.

Nice persephone

Yes... couldn't agree more T. What a pathetic waste of oxygen he must be

The Cruz range didn't float my dogs boat at all I'm afraid BUT our Chuck It ball thingo gets a huge work out daily. They LOVE it!!!! I think it does give them a pretty good work out mentally & physically as well.

wonderful news... Great update

R.I.P. dear little Jack ♡

I have just read through this thread & was too wondering how things were going. Hope your little pup is OK?

YES YES YES Snook.

I don't agree with that outcome one bit either Snook. Whats changed, NOTHING... I think this dog should be muzzled & leashed when out in public. Look at what happens when he isn't Just not good enough IMHO...

Oh cute as Blue eye's & ear tips are a little white. Unique as well :D

Beautiful dogs... Seems quite anxious to me though. Yawning & stuff. He is sure what to make of things I don't think.

So pleased that everyone got to settle & caught up on some much needed sleep. Well done. Izzy will be so thankful :)

Oh that is so sweet. My boy was exactly the same when he realized that Stella was actually coming home with us. He was like, 'Wow', thanks mum. My very own BFF :laugh: The look on his face was priceless...

Yes Izzy would be going into her crate like she has always probably done. Then you say 5 mins & she is upset. She realizes she is on her own. I only got to mention bed & my guys race to get into their crate even if they have just got out of it but that certainly doesn't mean they want to stay in there. This will take time for Izzy to feel secure again.

Agree with persephone. Don't put that collar on her she is very stressed already, poor girl Sorry for the loss of your other dog. It is always a difficult time for all concerned. Even for your girl. Personally I would move the crate into your bedroom. Put a thundershirt on her plus spray her bedding with Adaptil spray. This girl is fretting & probably very lonely. Izzy is missing her pal. Another alternative would be to make a comfy, warm bed in the lounge for her perhaps. As she just wants to be near you.