Back from the behaviourist

[Helen]

so pleased it went so well    I'm sure you and Lucy will go from strength to strength 

[Top Barks]

We have just got back with little Lucy Loo and I feel so much more positive 
The behaviourist brought his dog (Jodie a GWHP and absolutely gorgeous  ) to do some walks past and to determine whether Lucy was fearful, aggressive or fear aggressive. Jodie lay down in the middle of the field and as we walked Lucy past we watched Jodie's behaviour. Jodie just gave Lucy calming signals which is a good sign that Lucy is just fearful because if Jodie had perceived her to be aggressive then he would have reacted as he is also a fearful dog. So I took this part of the assessment as being very positive.

The guy reccommended that I take Lucy for short training walks alone and when we are approaching dogs just turn around as soon as she gets to the point that she is uncomfortable. Hopefully with time she will learn that I will always deal with any perceived problems and she won't have to be so fearful.

As for her other submissive behaviour he said just to not actually train her but keep rewarding all her good behaviour until she learns that good behaviour is always rewarded and she won't be punished for bad behaviour. Once she is more confident we can do more structured training with her.

Sorry for all the waffle but i feel so much better 

Glad things have gone well Emma, but I do find it a little strange that the trainer used a fearful dog as a stooge A bit like me using Douglas really and I just wouldn't. I'd be interested to know more as to why he used this particular dog?
I would want to use a bomb proof dog myself and not one that might react. Thank god for my old boy oliver who just takes it all in his stride. You barking at me! Whatever!!!
Turning round is a good management option which I often use, but were there any other suggestions as to how you might make Lucy more confident around other dogs? Parrallel walking or rewarding her looking at other dogs for instance?
Teaching her a get behind is another option if she is worried about things in front of you and you can't turn round.

Well done on your progress and keep us informed.

[EmmaA]

We have just got back with little Lucy Loo and I feel so much more positive 
The behaviourist brought his dog (Jodie a GWHP and absolutely gorgeous  ) to do some walks past and to determine whether Lucy was fearful, aggressive or fear aggressive. Jodie lay down in the middle of the field and as we walked Lucy past we watched Jodie's behaviour. Jodie just gave Lucy calming signals which is a good sign that Lucy is just fearful because if Jodie had perceived her to be aggressive then he would have reacted as he is also a fearful dog. So I took this part of the assessment as being very positive.

The guy reccommended that I take Lucy for short training walks alone and when we are approaching dogs just turn around as soon as she gets to the point that she is uncomfortable. Hopefully with time she will learn that I will always deal with any perceived problems and she won't have to be so fearful.

As for her other submissive behaviour he said just to not actually train her but keep rewarding all her good behaviour until she learns that good behaviour is always rewarded and she won't be punished for bad behaviour. Once she is more confident we can do more structured training with her.

Sorry for all the waffle but i feel so much better 

Glad things have gone well Emma, but I do find it a little strange that the trainer used a fearful dog as a stooge A bit like me using Douglas really and I just wouldn't. I'd be interested to know more as to why he used this particular dog?
I would want to use a bomb proof dog myself and not one that might react. Thank god for my old boy oliver who just takes it all in his stride. You barking at me! Whatever!!!
Turning round is a good management option which I often use, but were there any other suggestions as to how you might make Lucy more confident around other dogs? Parrallel walking or rewarding her looking at other dogs for instance?
Teaching her a get behind is another option if she is worried about things in front of you and you can't turn round.

Well done on your progress and keep us informed.

I did think it was a bit odd to use Jodie as a stooge but I don't think he had much choice as it was the only dog he had at home. Jodie sat in the middle of the field as we walked by at quite a distance. The guy said that Jodie gets fearful when you are stuck on a narrow path and passing each other closely. He did say about parrallel walking as well which I will try but I will have to use unsuspecting members of the public because Lucy is generally OK with dogs that she knows.

[Mudmagnets]

Glad things are getting better for you - onward and upward.