RachelleBuck Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Hi Everyone, I was just wondering if there was any GOOD dog behaviorists in the Werribee VIC area. The problem is my 2 year old border collie. She is very fear aggressive, to the point where I avoid situations where I would be near other dogs. I have tried obedience, which didn't work. She was too busy barking and snapping at the dogs on the other side of her. She has been at ADT for almost 2 years now and while she has got a little better she has not improved to anywhere near where I would like her. She will still snap when other dogs come too close and will go nuts if a dog stares at her. I was making a break though at ADT when we first started, as she was a "project dog" of one of the NDTF students but when the student left I was left on my own. I think everyone is scared of her. She is not a mean dog just fearful, you can see it in her eyes. I have now been told by ADT that they have given up on her which really p*#@ed me off. I was wondering if anyone knew of anyone good in the Werribee area and their contact details and maybe even a price guide if possible. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Rachelle, I have pm'd you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL1 Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I have now been told by ADT that they have given up on her which really p*#@ed me off. Sounds familiar. Too hard basket i bet. Careful what trainer you try next, i've tried several through glowing recommendations and achieved nothing other than an empty wallet. I wish you all the best in finding a suitable trainer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 (edited) i have pm'd you too ETA- who told you they had given up on her? was it one instructor? the centre manager? Understandable that something like that would upset you.. Edited October 29, 2007 by Cosmolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 In all the history of ADT as I have known them, there has NEVER been an instance that I know of where either the management or the trainers have turned their backs on dogs with problematic behaviours . The only time this has occurred as far as I'm aware has been where the owner has not followed instruction/the program set - even then "giving up" isn't something that has been done easily. I'm not suggesting that you are one of those cases Rachelle, but I would strongly urge you to contact ADT Management and let them know what has occurred. As you would have been following the direction given to you it is completely out of the ordinary for ADT to "give up" and in the absence of good cause to do so I'd suggest that it's possible you have been informed incorrectly - ADT Management would want to know about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RachelleBuck Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 (edited) Thanks everyone for you advise and Pm's. I have spoken to the instructor I had last night and voiced my problems and will be doing the same with management today. It was one instructor that told me they had given up on my dog becuase they belive it is genetic and there is nothing to be done about it. I am not happy with this. I am not after a "cure" but a solution that will make her more managable. I will be tring to work this out with ADT as I pay a lot of money when I joined believing that they would be able to help me out. Thanks heaps everyone you have given me a great list of people to try and I can not thank you all enough for your help!!! I really need it. I am not about to give up on my little girl!!!!! Edited October 29, 2007 by RachelleBuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 (edited) ... they belive it is genetic Rachelle - one other thought. Seeing as how "genetics" are thought to be contributing to the cause of the problematic symptoms your dog is exhibiting (and that definately can be possible), have you consulted with your dog's breeder to discuss this more fully and to check back through your dog's breeding lineage to determine if there were any known problems there? If there is and has been, I'd be very dim on the breeder if these issues were not made known to you before you acquired your pup and even dimmer if they knowingly bred and are continuing to breed these dogs. This won't help your present situation though, but it might help to quantify the suggestion that's been made in relation to the genetics issue and to know what you are really trying to deal with. ETA: What socialisation experiences (including how often and how were they applied) did your pup have in its critical period (8-16 weeks of age) and onwards? These early experiences have a huge impact on dog behaviour and if your dog is genetically wired for the behaviour it is exhibiting at the moment, these early socialisation experiences (or lack of them) can impact on that again. Edited October 30, 2007 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Sorry Rachelle - my thoughts on the current behaviour issue and problem you have are coming in spits and spurts. So in addition to checking out the question of genetics and early socialisation (above) another question which I think is pertinent is where are you now at compared to where you began when you first started with working on your dog's behaviour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RachelleBuck Posted October 30, 2007 Author Share Posted October 30, 2007 Hi Erny, Biggest problem is I am her breeder. Yes I stuffed up with the mating of her parents, her father has far too strong of a herding instinct. So everyone shoot me down in flames!!!!! So needless to say I have desexed both her parents so this never happens again. So therefore I have had Libby from the moment she was born. She was sosalised with other dogs (including the 7 in our family) all her life. I think that they whole pack mentality comes in with them though. Her mother was a very protective mother of her pups. Not such a great think I have discovered. Anyway I have taken your great advise and spoken to ADT ( well they rang me about this post) and I have discovered all the additional services they offer that I never knew of. They proberly told us about them a million time and I was not listening, imagin having a wired bomb on the end of the lead all the time, you don't always listern when you should be. So anyway have aired my problems with them and they have pointed me in the right direction, thanks Erny. I was proberly really unfair for me to post the first post I did without fully explaining that with our other dogs (yes we keep ADT in business with 6 dogs from our family attending there) have made real break thoughs at ADT. But like any over protective mother I was getting really frustrated and just lashed out at ADT when it was not their fault. I should of spoken up sooner and not got my nickers in a knot. I was just expecting them to come to me with speaking up. So we will head forward from here and believe me I do recommend ADT to anyone that is looking for a dog training centre to take their loved ones. Lucky I don't have any 2 legged kids, their poor teachers would want to shoot me down in flames!!! Thanks everyone for your posts and good luck words!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanglen Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Well done for completing the post, good luck with your little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 (edited) Hi Rachelle - thanks for posting a more complete picture. Yes - it can be really frustrating trying to work through our dogs' issues. I can fully understand your feelings. I feel a private consultation may help you immensley as there are things the trainer/behaviourist can help you with in your general day to day interactions with your dog at home in an aim to heighten and solidify very clearly your leadership status which overall gives you not only the right to govern your dog's behaviour (from your dog's point of view) but also puts your dog in a mental state of mind that is a bit more ready and accepting of your right to protect .... rather than its. This is one of the first areas IMO to investigate and remedy where necessary and possible. The private lesson can then see you working at lower intensity situations outside of the class environment ..... working onwards and upwards (within the limitations of your dog's capabilities) towards increasing the distractions to which she obviously now is aversed. Good luck Rachelle. When you train for behaviour modification (especially serious ones comprising of aggression) never forget where your dog came from; be happy with each and every small improvement and pat yourself on the back for each and every one of them. Be prepared also for set-backs that do occur and to work through them as they come. Try not to be frustrated by them but simply view each of them as a challenge that you will work to overcome. Baby steps ............... ETA: Rachelle - you've been honest about the info on your dog's background. A mistake occurred but you've done the right thing to prevent a repeat of it. You've done the right and responsible thing. Not to mention the effort you are making to train your dog. So no flaming from here. Edited October 30, 2007 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RachelleBuck Posted October 30, 2007 Author Share Posted October 30, 2007 Thanks Erny, I will be looking into the one on one training some more so that not only myself (That trains her each week) but my OH that does not train her has an idea of what we need to do to help our little girl. I know that I am making a lot of mistakes with not only my handling of her in day to day life but for not speaking up soon. Thanks for your help and wish us luck!!!!!! ETA: I have another dog at ADT who is no problems (Libby's mother), who is a dream to work and be around. I think that is why I am at such a loss with Libby. I have never had to deal with this before. Thanks everyone!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I know that I am making a lot of mistakes with not only my handling of her in day to day life but for not speaking up soon. You are learning from your mistakes though Rachelle - and from them you will become more knowledgeable and experienced in dog behaviour and training than many other people who don't have the issues that you have to deal with. So take heart ................... Thanks for your help and wish us luck!!!!!! I do. Take small steps - this will be easier for you and for your dog. I don't train over your way, so unlikely our paths will cross, but look forward to hearing about your progress from time to time. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 (edited) Good luck Rachelle and I hope you have luck with little Libby Aslo, Kathleen did a great job on Saturday !!!! Edited October 30, 2007 by BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lablover Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Hi Erny,Biggest problem is I am her breeder. Yes I stuffed up with the mating of her parents, her father has far too strong of a herding instinct. So everyone shoot me down in flames!!!!! Small query please? Why do you feel her problems are related to having a high herding drive sire? Are her litter mates temperament similar to your retained dog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now