A day at the dog park

[Ninjasquirrel]

We have long lines (15') both inside and outside the house (I keep one on the porch, it's handy!) All new dogs get to drag around the long line until they learn to stay in a specific area of the property. Our new dog has this down for the most part - even if she misbehaves she does it in the approved area.

Obviously when walking off the property she's on a leash. I've been training her on loose leash walking and overall she's doing well at staying at my side, no pulling. She's just really powerful (so must be on a head halter) and prey driven so if I can spot the rabbit/squirrel first, it's no problem, I can keep her attention and make her stay with me going forward. It's when she happens to see one that I didn't that she can suddenly bolt. Honestly in that case I'd rather let go. My mother in law recently broke her arm when her dog bolted and she didn't let go.

Still need to do formal training on our dog, but she's had such bad anxiety that we're waiting for the medication to fully sink in before we schedule for classes.

I recommend buying a realistic squirrel toy. Make it clear that your dog is not allowed to play with it. Then do reaction training. If she reacts negatively calmly take her away from it. Reward when you get the behavior you want. Our dog has a squirrel problem but it has improved. She is trained to not exit the porch unless I say ok. We tell her to sit before coming outside and then wait. Ok means you can go. I try to see the squirrel before to predict the reaction. Before it didnt matter what I said she was running through that door at it. Now she waits calmly and waits for an ok. Once the squirrel is gone I say ok and she can go sniff where it was. The leave it command is very helpful. Our girl is still learning but she is improving. Im currently reading behavior adjustment techniques and she is responding very well

 

[rosemarythyme]

I recommend buying a realistic squirrel toy. Make it clear that your dog is not allowed to play with it. Then do reaction training. If she reacts negatively calmly take her away from it. Reward when you get the behavior you want.

I don't mind her having *some* prey drive (she nabbed a vole for me, which is a good thing!) but yes it needs to be something controllable. Not sure if she'll fall for fakes but it sure would be a great way to start her on the Leave It command.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I don't mind her having *some* prey drive (she nabbed a vole for me, which is a good thing!) but yes it needs to be something controllable. Not sure if she'll fall for fakes but it sure would be a great way to start her on the Leave It command.

I started with Duchess by first getting her to drop it and just replaced drop it with leave it. That took some time. Then I'd throw it and tell her to leave it. She'd usually go get it and then drop it. Now I can throw it and she wont chase it if I say leave it. I only rewarded when she left it. It works great for the real deal but she does need a little reminder once in a while. The biggest reason we did it was because of the cat. Now that she leaves the cat alone its for squirrels and chickens. If you have the fake squirrel toy you could probably also try to desensitize her to the squirrels by tying it to her collar. If she has to carry it around all day she will get bored of it. I started Duchess's training with the chickens by tying feathers to her collar and having her sit and watch them but unable to get to them. Her only problem now is jealousy. She doesn't want us to pick them up. She did that with the cat too though

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Oh I forgot to mention: I would also carry the toy around in my back pocket so she could see it and grab it. Everytime she tried to grab it I said leave it. A reward and praise when she did not take from me. When she took it I would tell her to leave it and praise came after she let go but no bonus reward

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Based on what Ive been reading and the behavior I have observed Duchess is a "frustrated greeter". She wants to see the other dog, play with it and meet it BUT she sucks at it. Probably from having a poor reaction previously. I am understanding why she bit me as well. Her fear threshold was stacked: I went in the house and I'm afraid I'm gonna get in trouble/its dark out and I dont like it/mommy seems irritated. She hasn't bitten me since though and now I've learned how to bring her below the threshold. Tonight when she hears the neighbor's dog we're going to walk her to our fence "look at that! Leave it" then walk back to the house, give praise and then give a treat. If it works we will continue until she's able to calm herself

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Ive been doing the sessions with her and my SO with miraculous results. She's learning the behavior he wants and expects. Ive been working with HIM on leash etiquette. Tonight he was doing well...until someone was shooting off fireworks and then it went poorly. I stepped in and reminded him and walked with them. She went pee and poop and got a functional reward of a walk. She's getting better everyday. I highly recommend Behavior Adjustment Therapy by Grisha to anyone!!! Its made a huge difference in only a few days!!

 

[aart]

How's da Pup?

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

How's da Pup?

She has not had a single accident! She is going at night as well but it takes us a few tries. Ive been working on her social behavior. I act like a dog and bow to her on the floor and she bows back. Then we circle each other with me fake sniffing. Shes started to do the sniffing as well. We havent been around other dogs in a while but I think its best we work on OUR bond with her first. Shes still not 100 percent with my SO. She gets over excited and the play mouthing turns to a play bite. He understands better now though as to why she is doing it and is being patient. He's getting better with commands but still hasnt mastered the leash. We started bell training her today so she will alert us when she has to potty. We started this because if she has to go she will bark, jump and nip at us. She stops that behavior quickly with a firm no from me but will continue it with the SO if Im not around. If she does it with him I walk her away until she calms down and then say Go see Daddy! Then when she is calm and greets him he gives her a treat and then its potty time. Baby steps....but shes improving daily.

 

[blackandtan]

IMO, Dog parks are a great idea on paper, but reality is different. I won’t go to one again, but there are other great options out there.
I live in the country so country stuff is good: walking off leash, hand and voice commands, no chasing animals etc.
For “city training” I’ll park at, say, Walmart, and walk around the parking lot - which it happens to share with a pet store, so we go there too.
We go for walks at the marina and get experience with traffic, weird noises and smells, kids and strollers, drunks under bushes, dropped ice creams, on and on.

You could also contact local kennels, because they often have a secure play area for boarded dogs that you can use for a small fee, likewise with training facilities - they’ll probably have agility type equipment either set up or that you can use for a small fee when there aren’t classes, great to do with a few dog friends that you know and trust.
Anyway, that’s my 2cents

 

[aart]

Hows da pup?