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| Basic training classes; About to fail | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 30 2008, 03:05 PM (175 Views) | |
| weluvalfie | Jul 30 2008, 03:05 PM Post #1 |
Squeaker
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Hi, Just wondering what advise is out there for me and my rescued Parson JRT. Alfie is 2 and we adopted him 2 months ago. We have been attending training classes and next week is the 'big test' . Alfie, who is not without his 'problems', has taken a serious dislike to the trainer and if he does his usual growls and snarls at him, he won't pass. This is such a shame as we/ he have worked so hard and Alfie is very good at all the commands required of him. Alfie does have unsociable tendencies but none more so than with this trainer. How can this be overcome? Or should I accept defeat and come back to the course another time when Alfie's confidence has improved? I welcome your feedback. /Users/sam/Desktop/alfie1a_pdd.jpg |
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| ClaireS | Jul 30 2008, 03:37 PM Post #2 |
Moderator
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Hello :welcome: to terrier talk! It is difficult to know why Alfie is reacting like he is - it could be fear or dominance and I'm no expert! He may just need more time to settle in and there is no harm in taking things slowly, but you also need to be careful not to let certain behaviours get ingrained or your jub will be that bit harder later on! What does the trainer suggest? He really is the best person to advise on what course of action to take with your attendance at the classes. If they don't seem to have any suggestions, then you may be better off looking for another class where they have more experience of dealing with a dog like Alfie. Why not put a post in the Introductions section - we love to hear about new members and their dogs, 'problems' and all :D |
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| weluvalfie | Jul 30 2008, 03:52 PM Post #3 |
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Squeaker
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Thanks Claire. The trainer said that, he thinks, Alfie's aggression stems from insecurity. He asked me to play down any response, so as not to reward the behaviour. Alfie also growls at all the dogs in class and will bark at any 'intruders' who dare to turn up late! In the first few weeks he bit the trainer (and drew blood) when he touched his rear-end to get him to sit. Alfie had surgery to remove his hip bone, due to Perthes disease, shortly before we took him on. Initially it was hard to know if his bad mood was because of pain or because he is a pain! Now, as he hasn't changed that much, I think he is a bit of a pain!http://209.85.122.87/5901/100/0/e7917//e7917.gif |
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| ClaireS | Jul 30 2008, 04:03 PM Post #4 |
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Moderator
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Poor Alfie, it sounds like he has had to deal with a lot! If I were you I'd be interested to find out whether his operation could have left him in any pain - there may be a link there, especially if he lashed out after having his back end touched. If you take a break from the training I'd still do a lot of obedience work in the park, in a quiet corner away from other dogs. Aim to work closer towards the other dogs without Alfie reacting to them! It is difficult, my dog Archie can be very reactive towards other dogs but thankfully is great with all people. You can also look into alternative ways of calming him and giving him confidence - DAP diffuser sprays etc. There are also members on here that have experience of other alternative remedies like rescure remedies and herbal products that could help too. |
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| weluvalfie | Jul 30 2008, 04:21 PM Post #5 |
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Squeaker
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In the last week I have started letting Alfie off the lead in the park and he loves it. I have seen that he loves playing with the other dogs and he has not been aggressive at all. So I think it's being on the lead that is the problem. I understand that he's NEVER been off the lead before. Can you imagine how much pent up energy and frustration he has built :no: I hope that in time, when he experiences being off the lead more, he will gain confidence and not be reactive to dogs when he's back on the lead. He's due for a visit to the vet so I'll ask him what we should expect regarding pain after exercise at this stage of his re-coup.Thanks for your input. :flower: |
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| PaulaK | Jul 30 2008, 04:26 PM Post #6 |
Moderator
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It sounds like he's under a lot of stress when at training so I would be tempted to not take him for a while and work on things on your own in places he's confident. In my experience as an instructor the training hall is really not the place to deal with aggression problems due to the fact that there are loads of other people and dogs and the stress levels go through the roof. We always make people stand in different parts of the hall each week so their dog doesn't perceive one bit as theirs then try to defend it. Well done for taking him on, if you trust your vet and can afford it ask them if they know of any good one to one trainers that you could work with, not necesarily a behavourist. |
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| weluvalfie | Jul 30 2008, 04:36 PM Post #7 |
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That all makes perfect sense. I did try to base ourselves in different places each week but there are only 2 areas where he can be less in the path of the other dogs, so not much scope really! Will definitely consider the 1-1 trainer. |
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| piwoodhouse | Aug 1 2008, 11:39 PM Post #8 |
Total Gas Bag!
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When he was with my two in the back garden (off lead, obviously) he was a perfect angel. Widget tends to growl at other dogs whenever he's on the lead and I'm convinced he does it to make himself look as threatening as possible given the fact he's not able to run away. Another consideration: my two get along far better with dogs of their own type/size. Again, Widget generally feels threatened by labradors and bigger or by very bouncy dogs so it might be worth speaking to trainers to see if there is any terrier/small dog training class around. |
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| cruisingkerry | Jan 31 2009, 11:37 PM Post #9 |
Squeaker
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hi, George is the same when he's on the lead, growls and barks and jumps around looking very aggressive, he's so friendly off the lead though. Where we go for walks and the times we go its rare for us to bump into other dogs which is a shame because he has to be trained out of it. Strangley enough when we did the basic kennel club training and when we went to see the agility class the other day he's brill on the lead, sniffs the other dogs but no barking or growling or anything bad. Strange! |
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| RJL | Feb 2 2009, 07:34 PM Post #10 |
Chatterbox
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Some class instructors can be a bit dim when it comes to their own body language and positioning :doh: Being in a confined space, on a lead, with a nervous person on the other end, in a room full of other dogs who all have nervous people on the ends of their leads too is bad enough. If the dogless person at the front, doing all the talking, is standing in a confrontational way, especially if they or their helpers appear to be blocking a doorway, it can be the last straw :yikes: As the handler you must feel happy and relaxed in the class. Have confidence in yourself! You obviously do know your stuff - probably more than you think! If you go back, don't be afraid to speak to the other people in the class. Make an effort to go up to the most grumpy looking, unapproachable ones and just say something nice about their dog - they probably look grumpy because they are terrified and think everyone if looking at their dog and thinking 'crazy dog - rubbish handler :( !' If you think that the instructor's method of approaching your dog is intimidating - maybe by casting a shaddow, blocking the exit, too forceful a stance etc. don't be afraid to have a word after the class has finished - or if you really find him so unapproachable - vote with your feet and change classes. If that isn't an option, can you take Alfie out to play just before the class and play some really silly (but educational) games with him, so he is really focussed on you before he goes in and then really work to keep that momentum? |
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