Rise To The Challenge Or Not?

[Clyde]

I don't know if she'd be a suitable candidate as a therapy dog (at this stage).

Dogs need to be bombproof and absolutely no jumping. Dogs must have excellent recall even when around other dogs/people. I had a Rotti who did a test to be one, and even though she passed it was pretty rigorous. I can remember the person doing the test was jumping all around my dog excitedly inviting her to jump and she remained in a tight sit. Whereas my Rotti now, well......... he would launch and grab with affection and wrestle them to the ground so probably not so suitable!

[ruthless]

Some of what you have stated appear to be symptons of anxiety, but I would not say this unless I could see your dog. A lot of behaviours that we in the past would have labeled as :"too friendlt etc" respond very very well if we treat them as anxious response to the environment around them. A couple of very good resources are "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDavitt and Get Connected by Brenda Alloff.

I agree, she is quite an anxious dog. I'll check out those books you recommended, thanks

I don't know if she'd be a suitable candidate as a therapy dog (at this stage).

Dogs need to be bombproof and absolutely no jumping. Dogs must have excellent recall even when around other dogs/people. I had a Rotti who did a test to be one, and even though she passed it was pretty rigorous. I can remember the person doing the test was jumping all around my dog excitedly inviting her to jump and she remained in a tight sit. Whereas my Rotti now, well......... he would launch and grab with affection and wrestle them to the ground so probably not so suitable!

Burst my bubble why don't you

Just kidding. I hadn't really looked into it. I figured as long as she was on lead and I had control of her we'd be good to go!

Surely there's something other than Lure Coursing that she could be good at?!!!

I'd love to try flyball or agility with her, but I figured her obedience needs to be a whole lot better first.

[Kavik]

For agility, you need a good recall, and a sit or drop stay. No precision heeling or attention work. I prefer to go to clubs that focus on only agility if I want to do it, rather than obedience and agility, as clubs that do both usually make you get to a certain class in obedience first. While I understand why they do this, I have no need to teach precision heeling, straight fronts, finishes etc to my agility dog. And I already have too much handler focus!

[Clyde]

I don't know if she'd be a suitable candidate as a therapy dog (at this stage).

Dogs need to be bombproof and absolutely no jumping. Dogs must have excellent recall even when around other dogs/people. I had a Rotti who did a test to be one, and even though she passed it was pretty rigorous. I can remember the person doing the test was jumping all around my dog excitedly inviting her to jump and she remained in a tight sit. Whereas my Rotti now, well......... he would launch and grab with affection and wrestle them to the ground so probably not so suitable!

Burst my bubble why don't you

Just kidding. I hadn't really looked into it. I figured as long as she was on lead and I had control of her we'd be good to go!

Welcome to my world. I was the same with George a year or so ago, wanting to do something together. He is too easily revved up to do much.

I think the CGC website might have what your dog needs to be able to do in order to be a therapy dog, go and have a squiz.

When are you going to come and cool my drinks for me anyway?

[Nekhbet]

I question why I go there. Sometimes I enjoy it, but mostly I feel like it's a waste of time as we're getting nowhere. I do no training during the week, apart from generally trying to reinforce her manners around the house. I keep meaning to, but with four dogs and a husband who often works late, I find it hard. They're in runs all day and I think it's mean to come home and then crate them while I do one on one training. Excuses? Maybe!

I've kind of accepted that we may never progress and going to training is good socialisation for her, if nothing else! I also like giving her some one on one attention as I feel somewhat bad about ruining her world by bringing Chopper and Trixie into it

not saying you need military precision with her but some consistancy. You dont put 100% into dog club, she wont care one bit. As for generally trying to reinforce manners - some days she has to some days she doesnt.

Dog doesnt take you seriously, or have a lot of respect for you as a handler. Not saying your dog hates you but you dont show her you need to be taken seriously.

Maybe a few home sessions would be better to regain control, or try another club