Dreading training :(

gruffalo55

The experiences in this thread do take me back to the days of 'school' with our dobe, the feeling of dread beforehand and the crippling embarrassment each week has never been forgotten! :rotfl:

elsien - we had the same problem with headcollar walking, I practised by starting with two leads, one attached to headcollar and one to normal collar. At the start of a walk I would use the headcollar lead until the initial energy burst had gone and it gave me the confidence that I could control him suddenly if and when needed.

Wellyboots6

They didnt want me to use a headcollar in class either.... until the instructor had to hold LS for me whilst I did something. She then realised why I use a headcollar and decided to make an exception!

With taking toys off LS, I have to slide my hand in to his mouth behind the toy and then ball my hand in to a fist. He doesn't want to bite and so he doesn't bite down while my hand is there. Eventually he gets tired of holding his jaw open and lets go. Not ideal but it seems to work so far! I am putting a 'drop' to it when he does let go and then praising him.

I used to do the two leads trick too to practice. He walks nicely though usually, but will lunge when he freaks out. Therefore a collar will never be safe as he is too unpredictable and strong.

It does sound like you will get there though Elsien, Gitdog sounds willful enough to have you properly trained in no time

meritaten

oh gawd - I probably did something wrong here and will get flamed.
Staffies are notorious for not letting go of anything in their mouths if they don't want to - so the method I used was from old training books for staffies. if they have a 'grip' on something then you block their nose with one hand and when they open their mouths to take in air you take said item out! it DID work - and my staffie certainly never held a grudge!

Raksha

Don't compare your self to others in the class, you and gitdog are a unique combination. They may be dealing with all sorts of other issues that you've already got sorted.

neveranymoney

I love reading your updates Katy. You ARE getting there! I've puppy class tonight and the little madam had taken to ignoring me quite a lot as hub has been on funny shifts and I have taken the opportunity to get stuff done round the house and Christmassy fings and the result is a daddies pet, flips sake.

Wellyboots6

Thanks NAM

I'm sure once you get to class and there are rewards on offer then she will change her priorities!

It is LS' class christmas party next week. We had to sign up on Monday to confirm we were attending. The look of unease on peoples faces as I queued to put my name down! When I got to the point of signing up I did check with the instructor that I could bring my friends dog instead of LS as he really wouldn't enjoy it. I think she was close to crying tears of relief!!

I do feel bad that he can't go to his first Christmas Party, but as they will be playing games, there will be food around etc it really would be too much of an unpredictable environment to be safe currently. I also think he (and the rest of us!) would find it too stressful to enjoy it.

I am going to take my friends (well-behaved) dog, so that I can still go and also to give me a chance to mix with other dogs and owners, with a non-reactive dog. It will be a novelty, but I am also hoping that I may recognise if it is some way I am reacting to other dogs that LS is picking up on.

I will have my own little party with him another day, and we have something to aim at for next year too

neveranymoney

lS doesn't know he's actually missing the party, but I do know what you mean, the 'fun' stuff is just too much for some dogs.

Where I attending your classes, I would be looking at you with admiration for persevering and being a responsible owner who is trying their best to have a happy dog. With scampers, I lost count of the amount of people who told me to get rid of him (like he was a defective toy and this was often shocking from doggy people) from the get go. Had we not had children, we would have carried on but I know it feels to look wistfully on at people and their perfect ruddy dogs! Everyone's an expert, they would do this or do that. Stuff 'em, I say! You are doing a bang up job!

krlyr

If it's any reassurance, even before her reactivity I doubt Kiki would have enjoyed a Christmas party type environment, and many other non-reactive dogs wouldn't really thrive in that situation. Different dogs enjoy doggy company in different ways, not always in big numbers or in a slightly chaotic way. Whenever I've been on group walks with mine, they've always been much happier hanging back with me - they tend to pick certain dogs they like the behaviour/temperament of and stick to mixing with them rather than absolutely every dog in the group. Whereas other dogs just like looning around and playing with every dog they meet, some prefer just sticking to their 'housemates', you see all kinds of different interactions and relationships.

But do enjoy your bit of novelty with a normal dog, I know I do when I'm around much more 'normal' dogs than my own!

Wellyboots6

I missed the doggy christmas party due to over-indulging at a human christmas party the night before!

Usual training resumes tonight though, although I just caught LS drinking half a cup of coffee, so I don't think I am being pessimistic in expecting the worst!!

We had a majorly minor breakthrough earlier on his walk however, when we had to negotiate two little dogs on leads blocking our path. Luckily I had Absolute Favourite Ball in my pocket, and managed to time it right so as he took a deep breath ready to do his psycho act, I stuffed the ball in his gob. He then had a second or two of total confusion where he realised that if he barked he would drop the ball, by which time we had nipped past them with minimum of fuss.

The worrying thing was, the woman with the two dogs gave us a big round of applause. I think we have a lot of work to do on our reputation around here...