Dog Training Question

[snoopy1239]

You have to be careful here Adam. He sounds pretty sure of himself.

Every time you give him the 'Be quiet' command and he ignores it, you are reinforcing the notion that there is nothing you can do about it.

If you know he's not going to obey, don't give the command. it's counter-productive.

How close do you have to get to your stranger before he barks?

What happens if you take him to a place that is teeming with strangers. Somewhere like Trafalgar Square for instance?

That makes sense.

I probably wouldn't take him to somewhere as busy as Trafalgar Square as so many people would want to stop and ask about his dreadlocks and whatnot. Also, children are enthralled by him, and I don't want him intimidating a small child with his bark. In fact, if I see kids, I try to avoid them as it could put us in a tricky spot if he did react negatively.

To be honest, we don't have problems with busy places as long as we're continually moving, and the proximity of the stranger isn't necessary the biggest factor. It's more just when someone attempts to interact with either him or myself. For example, someone could ask directions from across the street, and just that momentary interaction would set him off.

[snoopy1239]

Had any success training Dana to do things on command?

Do you offer her treats if she obeys?

Yes, but her treats are either alcoholic or illegal, unfortunately.

[RED-DOG]

You have to be careful here Adam. He sounds pretty sure of himself.

Every time you give him the 'Be quiet' command and he ignores it, you are reinforcing the notion that there is nothing you can do about it.

If you know he's not going to obey, don't give the command. it's counter-productive.

How close do you have to get to your stranger before he barks?

What happens if you take him to a place that is teeming with strangers. Somewhere like Trafalgar Square for instance?

That makes sense.

I probably wouldn't take him to somewhere as busy as Trafalgar Square as so many people would want to stop and ask about his dreadlocks and whatnot. Also, children are enthralled by him, and I don't want him intimidating a small child with his bark. In fact, if I see kids, I try to avoid them as it could put us in a tricky spot if he did react negatively.

To be honest, we don't have problems with busy places as long as we're continually moving, and the proximity of the stranger isn't necessary the biggest factor. It's more just when someone attempts to interact with either him or myself. For example, someone could ask directions from across the street, and just that momentary interaction would set him off.

Ahhh! The plot thickens.

This is exactly what Matt & I mean about it being better to actually witness the behaviour before offering advice.

[Rod Paradise]

Not sure if returning with treats is a good thing - when imposing yourselves as alpha to a dog, ignoring them at first when you enter a room is a tool to use, likewise always eat something before giving them food even just a biscuit - the alpha dogs only pay attention to the lower ones when it suits them & they always eat first.

Snoops - I'd a friend who got saddled with her daughter's dog which became aggressively defensive of her. I sent her the book below & she followed the instructions in it & ended up with a well behaved dog.

May be worth a try, or, try dog trainers near you - like EvilPie says you don't want him biting anyone.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dog-Listener-Jan-Fennell/dp/0006532365/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1343824334&sr=8-4

[EvilPie]

You have to be careful here Adam. He sounds pretty sure of himself.

Every time you give him the 'Be quiet' command and he ignores it, you are reinforcing the notion that there is nothing you can do about it.

If you know he's not going to obey, don't give the command. it's counter-productive.

How close do you have to get to your stranger before he barks?

What happens if you take him to a place that is teeming with strangers. Somewhere like Trafalgar Square for instance?

That makes sense.

I probably wouldn't take him to somewhere as busy as Trafalgar Square as so many people would want to stop and ask about his dreadlocks and whatnot. Also, children are enthralled by him, and I don't want him intimidating a small child with his bark. In fact, if I see kids, I try to avoid them as it could put us in a tricky spot if he did react negatively.

To be honest, we don't have problems with busy places as long as we're continually moving, and the proximity of the stranger isn't necessary the biggest factor. It's more just when someone attempts to interact with either him or myself. For example, someone could ask directions from across the street, and just that momentary interaction would set him off.

It's almost as if someone was describing Ronnie.

You need to seek professional help. I'm not joking here either, you could have a serious aggression issue if it's allowed to develop.

I've learnt the hard way through having a similar dog. Now he's absolutely fantastic around the house but I'm still very wary when he's around strangers.

These situations can be managed but you need to do it as soon as possible.

Also I'd have to say that the barking thing can actually be a blessing at this stage. The bark is a warning to people to not come any closer. It's better than him staying quiet and then biting them when they get within range. Once he's bitten you've pretty much shot it. You'll never trust him again. Whilst he still in the warning phases you've got a chance to pull it around.

[snoopy1239]

You have to be careful here Adam. He sounds pretty sure of himself.

Every time you give him the 'Be quiet' command and he ignores it, you are reinforcing the notion that there is nothing you can do about it.

If you know he's not going to obey, don't give the command. it's counter-productive.

How close do you have to get to your stranger before he barks?

What happens if you take him to a place that is teeming with strangers. Somewhere like Trafalgar Square for instance?

That makes sense.

I probably wouldn't take him to somewhere as busy as Trafalgar Square as so many people would want to stop and ask about his dreadlocks and whatnot. Also, children are enthralled by him, and I don't want him intimidating a small child with his bark. In fact, if I see kids, I try to avoid them as it could put us in a tricky spot if he did react negatively.

To be honest, we don't have problems with busy places as long as we're continually moving, and the proximity of the stranger isn't necessary the biggest factor. It's more just when someone attempts to interact with either him or myself. For example, someone could ask directions from across the street, and just that momentary interaction would set him off.

It's almost as if someone was describing Ronnie.

You need to seek professional help. I'm not joking here either, you could have a serious aggression issue if it's allowed to develop.

I've learnt the hard way through having a similar dog. Now he's absolutely fantastic around the house but I'm still very wary when he's around strangers.

These situations can be managed but you need to do it as soon as possible.

Also I'd have to say that the barking thing can actually be a blessing at this stage. The bark is a warning to people to not come any closer. It's better than him staying quiet and then biting them when they get within range. Once he's bitten you've pretty much shot it. You'll never trust him again. Whilst he still in the warning phases you've got a chance to pull it around.

I've already sought help from a behaviorist, but there's only so much we could do in one session, and we mainly focused on getting him used to being in rooms alone. Although Hank's not aggressive with his barking, we are remaining cautious just in case. It's for the reasons you mentioned that I'm perhaps less inclined to try bottles-and-stones methods as this might mean he just skips the warning bark in future without actually solving the problem. Out of curiosity, how did you fix the issue with Ronnie?

[snoopy1239]

Not sure if returning with treats is a good thing - when imposing yourselves as alpha to a dog, ignoring them at first when you enter a room is a tool to use, likewise always eat something before giving them food even just a biscuit - the alpha dogs only pay attention to the lower ones when it suits them & they always eat first.

Snoops - I'd a friend who got saddled with her daughter's dog which became aggressively defensive of her. I sent her the book below & she followed the instructions in it & ended up with a well behaved dog.

May be worth a try, or, try dog trainers near you - like EvilPie says you don't want him biting anyone.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dog-Listener-Jan-Fennell/dp/0006532365/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1343824334&sr=8-4

Thanks for the tip Rod. The training was a method given to us by a behaviourist. I think the idea is to make him realise that my leaving the room isn't a bad thing as he gets treats and that we're playing a fun game. When I return for the final time, I don't give treats and just ignore him.

[EvilPie]

I've already sought help from a behaviorist, but there's only so much we could do in one session, and we mainly focused on getting him used to being in rooms alone. Although Hank's not aggressive with his barking, we are remaining cautious just in case. It's for the reasons you mentioned that I'm perhaps less inclined to try bottles-and-stones methods as this might mean he just skips the warning bark in future without actually solving the problem. Out of curiosity, how did you fix the issue with Ronnie?

You can't necessarily 'fix' these issues particularly the defensive aggression. Some dogs just don't want to be around people the same as some humans don't.

Rather than try to change the dog's personality you just have to learn to manage situations so that your dog isn't put in to a potentially difficult position.

For example, I'd absolutely love to take Ronnie to the pub with me on a summer evening. I know though that I can't because if he takes a dislike to someone he'll get grumpy and be unhappy and I could potentially be causing an aggressive reaction from Ronnie.

You just have to make every situation a positive one rather than a stressful one and slowly they get better.

[EvilPie]

You might find this DVD useful Snoops http://www.cadelac.co.uk/dvd.html

It was made by the team that I worked with as a trainer. Denise who presents the DVD is a very good friend and was very helpful with my problems with Ronnie.

It won't give any definitive answers to your problems but I'm sure it'll give you some good tips on small things you could change to make life better for you all.

As little things improve around the house you'll notice your relationship with Hank gets better and then things get so much easier.

Whilst Denise could never 'fix' Ronnie's problem she was the one who was mostly responsible for mine and Ronnie's relationship changing to the point where he's now the best house dog I could ever wish for.

[pleno1]

where do dogs think you're going when you go to work?

[RED-DOG]

where do dogs think you're going when you go to work?

Dogs don't think in those terms Patrick. They are just reassured by past experience that this is a normal state of affairs. They know you will return.

You will still have to take part in the greeting ritual when you get back though.

If you usually come home at the same time every night, they will become anxious if you're late. Dogs are excellent time keepers. (Especially watch dogs) 

[Karabiner]

^^^

I'm sure I heard a mass internet groan there.

[RED-DOG]

^^^

I'm sure I heard a mass internet groan there.

Pearls before swine.....

I'm wasted here Ralph.

[pleno1]

My dog was with my girlfriend for 3 years before me but is extremely claps to
Me now.

Sometimes my gf goes away for a week for work, maybe once every 6 months or so. Where do the dogs think she's gone? After 5 days or so what are they thinking?

They are clever girls and defOnitely mummy girls even if v close to me

[RED-DOG]

My dog was with my girlfriend for 3 years before me but is extremely claps to
Me now.

Sometimes my gf goes away for a week for work, maybe once every 6 months or so. Where do the dogs think she's gone? After 5 days or so what are they thinking?

They are clever girls and defOnitely mummy girls even if v close to me

They are not capable of thinking about where she's gone. When she doesn't come home they will miss her, increasingly so for the first few days, and then gradually less and less.