Behaviourist Assessment Today (just wanting to share)

[Vicki]

Not really looking for advice, just wanting to share.... and maybe some words of encouragement from anyone who has been through this.

Today we met an APDT behaviourist for the first time. Sally has become increasingly aggressive when meeting dogs on-lead, and has some resource guarding issues (only directed at other dogs, not at people). So OH and I decided we really needed to try and get to the bottom of it all.

In the past I've been concerned about behaviourists, because you hear so many bad stories about dodgy training methods. However COL reassured me (mainly thanks to Karma's and TopBarks' many excellent posts) that as long as we found someone who was APDT accredited, we should be ok. So, that's what we did.

There were two stooge dogs at the assessment. Sally was quite happy to ignore them when they were in the same room, and wasn't paying them very much attention. Then we did a 'nose-to-nose' introduction. After the initial sniff Sally was a bit gobby with the first stooge dog, but really lunged, snapped and barked at the second one.

Because she remained calm and happy as long as we weren't standing too close to the other dogs, they have suggested we sign up for one of their general training classes, and we are going to concentrate on getting her used to being around dogs on lead in a controlled 'safe' environment. They will continue to assess her over the next 6 weeks, and may suggest one-on-one 'special needs' classes if they think that is appropriate.

We (and the behaviourist agrees) think Sally's aggression issues probably developed during a short (3-month) stint when I was putting her into doggy day care. We'd just had the big earthquakes in Christchurch, and I was scared about leaving her at home in case a big one happened when I wasn't there. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I am wishing I could have found another solution. However lots of pets in CHCH are now suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (as are lots of kids too!) and as Sally was never alone when an earthquake hit, she has coped reasonably well with that side of things. So, who knows which is the lesser of the two evils....  

Anyway, our first class is on Tuesday. Please wish us luck.

Vicki & Sally

[Eve]

Sounds like you are already half way there Vicki but recognising the problem and doing something about it. With your positive attitude I'm sure it will ge much better.

[Karma]

Sounds great.
We ended up with a fairly similar approach with Honey when she was guarding us from other dogs... we started a clicker obedience class, which meant he was working in close proximity to other dogs who weren't interested in her in the slightest.. it improved our relationship, her confidence and gave us some useful training skills... was definately worth doing!  

[cazza]

Am sure all will go well for you and Sally you have the right approach and got the right help

 

[Helen]

Sounds all positive    I also think that your fear and unhappiness and stress in Christchurch (all completely understandable) may also have affected Sally in some way over that period.  

Dogs are so sensitive and I know that mine will pick up on any stress I have.

Good luck with it all  

[Vicki]

Thank you for the kind words Eve, Karma, Cazza and Helen.

Sally may always be a gobby, aggressive little madam.... but at least I know, for my own peace of mind, that we are trying to do the right thing.

One of the trainers who was at the assessment compared taking a young dog to day-care, like taking your beautifully behaved child to school for the first time. They come home having learned all sorts of colourful swear words and knowing how to throw punches!!

[starboy]

Good luck with the classes. 

[Sarah.H]

Sounds really good  . I know going to classes really helped Millie with her dog - dog issues.

[ollie nathan's mum]

Good luck with the classes

[Top Barks]

best of luck and keep us informed

[Goggins]

  good luck with the classes....let us know how you all do....

[Vicki]

Well, we had our first class last night. The trainers told the rest of the class not to let their dogs get up in Sally's face, and so we had no problems. In fact there wasn't a single grumble, growl or evil look.

Sally was so happy and excited, to be in a room full of nice dogs and nice people, her entire back-half was wagging for the whole hour!! Her excitement levels meant we had a few problems getting her focussed on some of her commands - but I expect she will get calmer and less hyped as the weeks progress.

Anyway, it was great fun, the trainers are lovely and I'm off out to buy our first clicker today! 

She is such a Jekyll & Hyde character at the moment. Off-lead she is everyone's best friend. Even on a long line she is happy to meet and great other dogs. But if she is on a short-lead, and knows she can't run away, she is horrid.

Thanks everyone for your support. 

[8 Hairy Feet]

Hi Vicki
I'm so pleased you and Sally
had a good class.
Your commitment to doing the
right thing by her is obvious and
I'm sure you will both benefit from
them.
Well done to both of you!
steffxxx

[cazza]

Am sooo glad the first class went so well and that the trainers were up front with everyone as in not letting their dogs get too close to Sally

Sounds like you had a fab time x x x

[Vicki]

Another update on how Sal is doing. I am making sure we completely avoid any on-lead meetings, with the result that we haven't had a nasty incident since she met the stooge dogs at the assessment. 

Both today and yesterday an off-lead dog came barrelling towards us while Sally was on the lead and in both cases I quickly let her off. Yesterday it was a rather fearsome looking doberman that came running up to us. Once let-off Sally ran past it so fast (with crazed look in her eyes and ears flapping in the wind) that the poor doberman looked completely dumbstruck. Sally obviously decided she didn't like the look of it (can't say I blame her) and didn't attempt to initiate play. So once safely past it, we went on our way.

Today it was a cairn terrier that came running at us. Again I let Sal off, and she did her 'fly-past' but this time the Cairn bounced around, and the two of them ended up playing a very good natured game of chase for ten minutes.

Am feeling much more confident now that I have a bit of a strategy. And it is reassuring to be reminded that she is actually a nice, friendly little dog when she is off-lead.