Obedience Training: Is It The Answer?

[Elmo]

Hi Everyone,

We've moved to Melbourne from Canberra 2 years ago and my Maltese X Shihtsu is going from bad to worse.

He used to go to obedience training in Canberra and used to socialise well with other dogs.

But since we've mobed to Melbourne, I work longer hours and my baby is left homealone most of the day.

Recently I notice that Wilbur barks and growl at every dogs he encounters when we go walkies.

If other dogs come closer to him, he would make scary noise as if he was about to rip that dog apart

I figure that it's because he doesn't get enough socialisation with other dogs.

Should I start him on obedience training again?

I don't want him to cause problems to other dogs in the class though.

Any advice please --

Thanks in advance.

Edited August 8, 2007 by Elmo

[Poodle wrangler]

Yes, start him back at obedience. Let them know his recent behaviour changes, too, so any incidents in class can be avoided.

How are the basics:

Is he getting daily walks?

Training- even if it's only 5-10 minutes a few times a week?

Does he have something to do while you're at work? Toys, raw bone etc?

Does he seem healthy? If he's an older dog, has he seen the vet recently?

Any other behaviour changes?

Dogs like routine and sounds like his has changed a lot for the worse (from his point of view).

Are you inclined to "spoil" him because you spend less time with him?

[Erny]

Hi Elmo. Moving house can make a big impact on dogs. Also, we tend to make some unintentional and even sub-conscious errors when the dog comes to a new home. (Like 'spoiling' them, as PW has made reference to.) Change of routine also would have an impact.

If leadership is in place, this helps a dog adjust to these big changes in its life. I'm not suggesting leadership alone will do it, but it's the first place to start.

If Wilbur was well socialised in the critical period (age 8-16 weeks) then simply having reduced amount of social contact should not result in growling/barking behaviours. To me it sounds as though Wilbur believes he has to look after both himself and you - so his perception of his heirarchy status has probably changed, or you are now simply seeing the more obvious signs of pre-conceived ideas he had but that are revealing themselves more as a result of these big changes in his life.

I don't know Wilbur and there are various things we can do to re-establish ourselves as pack-leader and 'take the load' of responsibility away from our dogs. I would say this should be the first area you need to look at and making sure that all interactions you have with Wilbur are on your terms and that Wilbur must work for everything that he receives from you.

There are other things to do in relation to be barking/growling, part of which now may have established itself as a learnt behaviour. Difficult to tell you in a step by step fashion over the internet and without being able to actually see Wilbur as much is dependant upon the dog and its temperament. What you do may also need to change in ways according to the change of Wilbur's perception of you as leader, as well.

Certainly you will want to avoid inadvertently reinforcing Wilbur's barking/growling behaviours and part of the 're-training' will be about preventing it so that it does not continue to become 'learnt' and more ingrained.

Taking Wilbur back to obedience will be helpful - but much depends on how he behaves there and in particular, what you do about it. So sometimes this can be a good thing, and sometimes not.

Definately be calm but assertive/firm. Set boundaries and limitations. Wilbur needs these things from you.

Edited August 8, 2007 by Erny

[Lablover]

May I add: If you do decide to join a club, I suggest not entering a class, until Wilbur displays little reactivity. Just bum around and watch and do a little obedience on your own. If he reacts to dogs while walking about the burbs, obedience class will more than likely cause unnecessary stress on him, let alone you.

[Cosmolo]

Agree with what the others have said but would also suggest perhaps starting with a private lesson or two first before going into an obedience class. Choose your obedience classes carefully as well and make sure that the instructors have the experience and knowledge to deal with such issues.

[Elmo]

Thanks guys for all your advice so far.

Wilbur knows basic commands like sit, drop, wait and stay.

We do reinforce it at meal time and also when we play with him.

He can also do tricks like roll, dance and beg.

We usually leave stuffed Kong or food cube for him before we leave for work.

He has doggy door to go in and out as he please.

He has never destroyed anything inside or outside the house.

His daddy takes him for a short walk as soon as he gets home.

I normally take him on the weekend for a long walk.

He is very good with human -- its just all other doggies that he is having problem with.

[Cosmolo]

Given that he is experiencing problems with dogs, i do think it would be good for him to be assessed in a very controlled way with perhaps one or two calm, placid dogs before surrounding him with dogs in a group class. Whereabouts are you located?