Dog Aggression Progress...

[jaybeece]

I've mentioned my boy's dog aggression many, many, MANY times and wanted to post about how he's doing

Which is.....bloody great!

We're booked in for a visit to K9 Force soon and some days I hardly feel like we even need it any more (don't worry, we still do and are definitely still going!). He's gone from being no good around golden retrievers, staffies and boxers from any distance to actually sitting right next to them and accepting them approaching him with some coaching from me. He's even had sniff sessions with them and only tensed up a little rather than flying off the handle at them and scaring the crap out of everyone. Well ok, maybe not boxers quite yet, but we'll get there

He had a dane walk 3 metres from him today and barely batted an eyelid which has never happened before.

We started an advanced obedience class this week and he just did so well in a group of very excited dogs running around agility equipment, I don't think I've ever seen him that happy and, more importantly, confident! He's always been quite nervy, but as each week goes by he's getting just that little bit more comfortable being around all the other dogs. I cannot believe he picked up jumping through agility hoop thingys first go and while other dogs were shying away from the tunnel he was trying to duck through it as we walked past, I think this dog is just made for agility. Shame he's almost too big for some of the equipment!

When we started back at obedience in Nov/Dec last year he was unreliable around most medium-large dogs, extremely reactive around dogs such as boxers, danes and rotties and I was so stressed out of my brain I just couldn't bring myself to let him go near other dogs half the time, I was so scared he'd hurt them and he honeslty probably would have most of the time if he had the chance. The instructors have managed to coax me into calming down a lot more which has been half the battle on it's own (seriously, I should have a stiff drink before training) and now I'm feeling a lot better about it all and am more willing to let him socialise with dogs I'd normally not even bother trying with as it's too stressful.

It's been a very long and extremely rough past couple of years, but both of us have learned so much lately that it's all been worth while. I'm not expecting him to ever be 100% or adore every dog he meets, but he's becoming far more predictable and less intense when he does arc up over other dogs. We have a long way to go still, but it's getting more fun now to train him which is the way it should be.

I am just so damn proud of my silly brown muttface. He's such a special pup and I'm so lucky to have him in my life

Now I've told my mum, my boyfriend and DOL...who else can I gush to.....

[Seita]

That's fantastic! Keep up the good work!

[Erny]

He's such a special pup and I'm so lucky to have him in my life

And you in his Jaybeece .... you in his .

Now I've told my mum, my boyfriend and DOL...who else can I gush to.....

The World. Shout it from the mountain tops! People who don't have a dog with these sorts of issues often can't completely realise and empathise how great a mile-stone that has been achieved with each improvement along the way in rehabilitation. Some people who do have a dog with these sorts of issues will gain hope from the successes, be they small or large, these stories provide. It is a story of hope.

Well done - I know how hard the work can be at times and how long it can take to get to each albeit small breakthrough. Yet the reward of getting there is immense beyond description. I still experience goose-bumps at the memories I have of working with dogs and experiencing the sight of their improvement and the joy of such a deep understanding we gain of each other in having worked and achieved.

Good for you .

Celebrate!

Edited April 13, 2008 by Erny

[jaybeece]

Thanks Seita and Erny, I love how supporting people are here!

And I'm really forward to the seminar Erny I'm sure Mr Muttface will be a right bloody suck up with everyone there, just like he always is.

[B-Q]

Such good news! Keep it up its obvisouly paying off.

Now I've told my mum, my boyfriend and DOL...who else can I gush to.....

The World. Shout it from the mountain tops! People who don't have a dog with these sorts of issues often can't completely realise and empathise how great a mile-stone that has been achieved with each improvement along the way in rehabilitation. Some people who do have a dog with these sorts of issues will gain hope from the successes, be they small or large, these stories provide. It is a story of hope.

Too right, my mother said to me the other day "I didn't relise how hard it must be having a dog that wants to fight everything I understand now"... as we were leaving the vets with Harry in a muzzle. Maybe she'll stop trying to make me bring him to flyball comps etc now.

And you have given me more hope, sometimes I feel like we'll never get any further. Yes I need help, and I think I've founf someone that is coming to help Harry through his issues, if all goes well I might ask her to come back to see Buster when I have the money.

[Kavik]

Well done! I know how stessful having a dog aggro dog is. That is great progress!

[4 Paws]

Congratulations Jaybeece,

did you have to muzzle your dog when at obedience classes to start with?

I'm just going to start with one of my girls who's dog aggressive and while I have made heaps of progress after seeing K9 Force I'm a bit worried about starting as I can't obviously use the tools I've been using on her(prong,e-collar) and concerned she may learn to be aggressive again.

The instructor said that she'd have to wear a muzzle till she's been passed by the chief instructor as not being a risk to other dogs but a muzzle is only going to protect other dogs ,not help me control her.I have been reading about Hushers helping with aggression and contemplating using one as well

[Kelpie-i]

Jaybeece, I know how you feel....it's a great feeling of jubilation when your dog is finally able to even just sit next to another dog without reacting. Those who have never had to deal with this will never know the feeling.

These sort of dogs teach you a lot about......well,DOGS!

Great progress and keep it up.

Let us know how you go with K9.

[jaybeece]

did you have to muzzle your dog when at obedience classes to start with?

He's muzzled for offlead work, but onlead he's not. The club policy is if the dog is under control then they don't wear a muzzle, if they're not or they've attacked another dog then they must be muzzled at all times. I don't have any problems controlling him and he's never bitten another dog so it's not necessary.

I'm comfortable leaving it off most of the time as it annoys the crap out of him, but when I find one that he's happier to wear I'll probably just leave it on him while we're training as it'll be easier to switch between onlead and offlead stuff. I don't know if I'll ever trust him enough to go unmuzzled when he's offlead, but that's not a big deal really. Better safe than sorry

I'm just going to start with one of my girls who's dog aggressive and while I have made heaps of progress after seeing K9 Force I'm a bit worried about starting as I can't obviously use the tools I've been using on her(prong,e-collar) and concerned she may learn to be aggressive again.

The instructor said that she'd have to wear a muzzle till she's been passed by the chief instructor as not being a risk to other dogs but a muzzle is only going to protect other dogs ,not help me control her.I have been reading about Hushers helping with aggression and contemplating using one as well

I thought prongs and e-collars are legal in NSW? Or is it just against the rules of the club? I train with a check collar since prongs are a no-go in Vic, but use his head halter too when we're around a few dogs. Really helps redirect him if needed so it might be worth trying one out to see if it helps in the absence of a prong and/or e-collar. That would be a bit rough having to forgo to tools you're confident using

Kelpie-i : I'll definitely post an update after seeing K9 I'm really looking forward to learning more and finding new and improved ways of helping the large brown one behave himself.

[jaybeece]

Too right, my mother said to me the other day "I didn't relise how hard it must be having a dog that wants to fight everything I understand now"... as we were leaving the vets with Harry in a muzzle. Maybe she'll stop trying to make me bring him to flyball comps etc now.

And you have given me more hope, sometimes I feel like we'll never get any further. Yes I need help, and I think I've founf someone that is coming to help Harry through his issues, if all goes well I might ask her to come back to see Buster when I have the money.

I definitely know what you mean Whenever I tell someone who's met him that he's not so good with other dogs they don't understand the extent of it and don't really take it seriously. He's such a sooky boy so they just can't imagine how different he is when he goes off his head at another dog, needs to be seen to be believed I guess. He really does look terrifying when he arcs up and in some ways I'm relieved when people finally see it as they can stop thinking I'm making a big deal out of nothing!

Also, I know how you feel about not getting any further, I've felt it many times and probably will feel it again if/when he has a bad day at school or in general. So don't lose hope As long as you keep working and keep trying to move forwards I think you will, even if it feels like it's 2 steps forwards and 10 back some days.

[Erny]

I thought prongs and e-collars are legal in NSW?

Use of PPCollars (ie 'pinch' or 'prong' collars) is NOT prohibited in NSW.

Use of electronic collars (and I believe other electronic devises) ARE prohibited in NSW.

Use of PPCollars ARE prohibited in Victoria.

Use of electronic collars are permitted in Victoria provided certain conditions are met (ie Vet permission and supervision/instruction of qualified trainer).

However, news has it that there is currently a push to outlaw the use of both of these tools in all States of Australia. If people don't stand up now and write letters etc., then it is likely that use of these tools will be regulated against in total, in all areas and regardless of the dog, the situation, or whether it is the better tool for the job in terms of the dog's overall welfare.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Erny

[peibe]

I actually got tears in my eyes reading your post

I am so glad that you doggy has an owner like you who is willing to work with him through his problems and love him no matter what

Well done

[Cosmolo]

Good work Jaybeece- its great tp hear such positive updates!!

Erny OT, whats this about a push to band Rt's and prongs in all states? Push by whom? Surely innotek will have something to say about it? They've won against Hugh Wirth once..

[Erny]

Good work Jaybeece- its great tp hear such positive updates!!

Erny OT, whats this about a push to band Rt's and prongs in all states? Push by whom? Surely innotek will have something to say about it? They've won against Hugh Wirth once..

APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers - Australia) are doing the 'push'.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Erny

[jaybeece]

Ok, he really outdid himself today. I saw an offlead lab at the local school (normally there are never other dogs there) and I'd generally just stay away, but this time I thought I'd take advantage of it. We were higher up near a railing and the lab was lower down so I knew it wouldn't be approaching us which was perfect.

First walk past my boy barked and carried on a bit with his fur standing on end and very stiff, second pass he was still pretty excited, but no barking. And then 3rd pass...nothing Mild interest, but he was cool by then so we hung around just standing there watching the lab and his people while I had a little glee explosion complete with a silly amount of praise. I was almost tempted to take him down to say hi, but thought I'd keep it at baby steps for now, hopefully we'll see them there again some time.

He also did some weaving around some poles and I swear he's already picked up "in" and "out". Freakin' smart arse.