A day at the dog park

[Ninjasquirrel]

This was an interesting article:
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/aggressive-dog-training-and-socialization/
I tried to call a trainer for a quote but they're closed until monday. My SO doesnt really want to. He said "we havent even tried so we dont know we need to yet". Either way I'm going to pick up some books on it. If we try and Its not improving he will let me get a trainer for her. We have a friend with as the woman said in the article "bulletproof" dogs. He just hasnt been over yet to do training. I'm gonna knowledge myself up before he does and have as many hotdogs and cheese pieces at the ready. I think the "jolly time" technique might work. But im gonna do more research

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Move her to doorway, lie down-stay....will take time to change the habit.

Rome wasnt built in a day...

 

[rosemarythyme]

This was an interesting article:
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/aggressive-dog-training-and-socialization/
I tried to call a trainer for a quote but they're closed until monday. My SO doesnt really want to. He said "we havent even tried so we dont know we need to yet".

I'd still talk to the trainer at least, a good one will take a few minutes to talk to you on phone or via email to at least get an idea of what the situation is, and what they can do to help. Also this isn't going to be like signing up for a general obedience class, so likely one or two sessions to assess things will be all that's needed at the start (so not a huge time or money commitment) and then you can touch base with them if you need additional guidance.

I get your SO wanting to try and deal with it yourselves (which is what I do, since you need patience when adopting a dog) but there's also a point when you need to call for help. Warning bites may or may not be that breaking point... I say that because my male dog bit me twice early on (resource guarding) but I dealt with it myself and we've had no repeats of that since. But when we added a new dog and the two of them fought twice in three days, that wasn't something we could resolve ourselves, so that's where the trainer came in. Took 2 sessions with her and about 8 weeks but we finally got both dogs on the same page, and after that they were great friends.

 

[aart]

Rome wasnt built in a day...

Yep, just sharing my stories and trying to encourage you by giving you ideas(for now or, more likely, later)...
...following this thread has brought back my many dog training memories.
So many ups and downs, goods and bads....a bit melancholy as my dog is nearing the end and is probably the last dog I will have.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I'd still talk to the trainer at least, a good one will take a few minutes to talk to you on phone or via email to at least get an idea of what the situation is, and what they can do to help. Also this isn't going to be like signing up for a general obedience class, so likely one or two sessions to assess things will be all that's needed at the start (so not a huge time or money commitment) and then you can touch base with them if you need additional guidance.

I get your SO wanting to try and deal with it yourselves (which is what I do, since you need patience when adopting a dog) but there's also a point when you need to call for help. Warning bites may or may not be that breaking point... I say that because my male dog bit me twice early on (resource guarding) but I dealt with it myself and we've had no repeats of that since. But when we added a new dog and the two of them fought twice in three days, that wasn't something we could resolve ourselves, so that's where the trainer came in. Took 2 sessions with her and about 8 weeks but we finally got both dogs on the same page, and after that they were great friends.

He's my financer so all things must go through him. I am a stay at home dog/chicken/cat mom. I manage the cooking, cleaning and small projects. I get a little spending money from things I do but big purchases (anything over 100 dollars) go through him. Its a perfect situation for both of us and it works. I am looking for work but my field is pretty competitive so I can sometimes be without work for months

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Yep, just sharing my stories and trying to encourage you by giving you ideas(for now or, more likely, later)...
...following this thread has brought back my many dog training memories.
So many ups and downs, goods and bads....a bit melancholy as my dog is nearing the end and is probably the last dog I will have.

Thats unfortunate. Ive lost 3 dogs in my whole life and 1 cat. Countless small animals I've had and lost since they don't live long. My cat is 15 now...she might have another 5 years on her. At least I hope. I've had her since she was 2...another rescue. But you dont really train a cat...it trains you. I used to live in apartments before me and my SO moved in together about 2 years ago. We waited to get a dog until we knew our situation was working out. It can be rocky moving in together. We fought pretty much once a week for 6 months getting over each others little quirks and bad habits. Now we rarely fight. We have had disagreements (more recently because of the dog) but not anything horrible. He has his own opinions on dog training...which are mostly wrong, i.e. not reinforcing the good behavior enough. But he's been watching me with the dog and learning. He said he was jealous of how good she is with me on putting the harness on. Then I told him how to get her there. I'm really training him AND the dog. It's tough...but I love both of them so its worth it

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Duchess did not want to go potty last night. We brought her inside and played with her for a bit and then tried again. She finally went after that and was given a treat. No accidents in the crate and when pee first thing this morning

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I think we might be out of the woods now. Duchess went potty right before bed with no problems. She's sleeping all through the night and was calm and laying down in her crate when I let her put this morning. I took her right away and she went with very little promoting. No accidents at all. I'm gonna start not giving a treat everytime she goes and just praise.

 

[townchicks]

Good job. I think it's too soon to stop the treats, however. I'd keep them up for at least a week, and then slowly wean her off, treats sometimes, play with toy, sometimes, and just praise sometimes. Two or three successes in a row does not mean she has really learned it. Your goal is for it to become a habit. Habits take many repetitions. keep up the good work. I take it you have decided she'll stay?

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Good job. I think it's too soon to stop the treats, however. I'd keep them up for at least a week, and then slowly wean her off, treats sometimes, play with toy, sometimes, and just praise sometimes. Two or three successes in a row does not mean she has really learned it. Your goal is for it to become a habit. Habits take many repetitions. keep up the good work. I take it you have decided she'll stay?

Ok we will keep at it then. We've decided she deserves another chance to prove herself. We love her personality and behaviors can be modified or changed. As it stands if we were to bring her back to the shelter with the knowledge that she has bitten someone, is being incontinent, and is not dog friendly...that could be a life sentence in the shelter...or they might put her down. She deserves better than that. I believe that dogs can be rehabilitated if you are calm, patient and understanding. Most people dont want or have the time. There is another border collie currently in that shelter and unfortunately shes been there quite a while. Shes untrusting, not dog friendly and very shy. She will be in there a while before anyone will help her. I'd hate for Duchess to join her. The longer they are in a shelter the worse some of those behaviors can become. She has not bitten me since that incident however. She has stopped being aggressive towards her food entirely and has ceased accidents in her crate. She's getting much better with my SO as well and responds to his directions. I think she just needs to know that we love her and bond with us more. Based on what we were told she probably is just very defensive and frightened of being alone. I can't blame her for that. She just needs to know that she doesn't have to feel that way. I'm actually starting to think it was the experience at the park that caused this...it did start happening shortly afterwards...what do you think? It can't be just a coincidence that these events coincided...can it?