Desperate for a solution

[Sheryl]

I am at my wits end with Holly and her barking etc.  Last week, we went to Callander to the Christmas shop and decided to take the girls with us.  The minute we got out of the car Holly started barking and lunging at people.  I thought that the more crowds she got into, the less she would bark.  Not so.  She then added insult to injury by leaping at a poor baby whippet who was sat there minding its own business.  It was so bad that I had to go into a shop and get her a muzzle.  Not that she was going to bite anyone but other people were not to know this and to be honest, if another dog had gone for my two like she went for that one, well, I think I would have throttled it.  While I was buying that, I bought one of those chains that hooks into the one lead so they could walk together.  She twisted and turned so much that poor Chloe had enough after 5 minutes and sat down in the centre of the main road and refused to go any further.
I don't want to leave her behind but she is getting so bad that I am seriously thinking of putting her in kennels just so we can go out together in peace.  I know I should have taken her to puppy training classes (a mistake I won't make again) but Chloe ignores people, why won't Holly?                    

[LindaW]

Hi Sheryl,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble with Holly.  It does sound as though she may not have been well socialised as a puppy - was she taken to places where there were lots of people regularly when she was a puppy?  I don't know how old she is so it is difficult to advise you without knowing more.  She may be behaving in this way because she is frightened.

I would certainly not advise the use of a choke chain which is what I think you must be referring to (correct me if I am wrong).  The use of such chains is frowned upon now in good dog training circles. I would advise the use of a Halti or Gentle Leader which will stop her pulling and give you more control over her - also it will help to calm her.  

It is never too late to start training classes or a training program and I think she would benefit greatly from it.  

Remember to always reward good behaviour and ignore the bad behaviour as any response from you to it will effectively reinforce it (dog thinks - ahh I get attention if I do this so will do it again)!!


Hope this helps.                    

[Pammy]

What a nightmare for you. I agree with Linda, try a head collar and don't let her off the lead. I's a hard one to try and advise by the written word but there are some techniques you can try.

When you are approaching people, draw her head to you and gee her up - talk really happily to her perhaps have a tasty treat so that her attention is to you - not the approaching people.

You must be confident - if you are at all nervous, she will pick it up and that will feed her anxiety. It's hard, but essential. Walk quickly and confidently up to and straight past people, don't slow or let her slow. She'll be too busy trying to keep up with you to have time to bother with the people. She is likely to try at first, but in time should ignore them.

You might also want to try an anti-bark muzzle on her too. You need to be able to concentrate on her behaviour and if she's barking at people who may then be grumbling at you it will distract you.

Take her to places with lots of space and people. You can then keep her her at a distance from the people while you start this new regime. Gradually, over time, move her closer to the peole. Make sure you reward her when she is doing well and ignore the bad behaviour. A  firm "no" is good, but then move on.

I also think you need to do this on a one to one basis. YOu can;t do it with another dog by your side. What is more likely to happen is the anxieties that Holly has will begin to rub of onto Chloe :-

hth                    

[Jane S]

I agree it's never too late to start one-to-one training though as I think Holly is about 6 or 7, then her behaviour is well engrained now & you will have to put in a lot of hard work to see an improvement. I seem to remember you saying that she is generally a nervous, timid dog so it's probably a combination of lack of socialisation & a genetic disposition to nervousness that causes her to behave like this. Chloe behaves differently because she's a different dog with her own personality & with a different family background. I know you live way up North Sheryl, but have you checked to see if there is a good trainer/behaviourist anywhere near you? Might be worth investigating anyway                    

[Michele]

I would certainly not advise the use of a choke chain which is what I think you must be referring to (correct me if I am wrong).  The use of such chains is frowned upon now in good dog training circles. I would advise the use of a Halti or Gentle Leader which will stop her pulling and give you more control over her - also it will help to calm her.  

Can't add to the others sound advice but just wanted to say......
Linda, I don't think Sheryl was meaning a choke chain but a chain with a clip at each end and a ring in the middle so you can walk 2 dogs on one lead.                    

[LindaW]

Sorry   You are right I think Michele                      

[Sheryl]

Can't thank you all enough for your replies and advice.  Fear not Linda, I have never used a choke chain yet on either dog although I have come near to throttling Holly recently  Jane, what a memory you have, yes, she is seven in January and yes, she is a nervous dog.  This barking starts from the first time I let her out in the morning, where she sticks her tail out rigid and runs out barking.  She barks at noises, people, the tele, birds, cats, everything really.  However, this lunging at people and dogs is relatively new.  Today I was putting her in the boot of my car and an old man and old dog walked past the end of my drive.  She jumped out of the boot (as I tried to put Chloe in) and did the running at hyperspeed, slams the brakes on and barks her head off routine.  It was a good job the old dog was so placid.  One day she may pick on something that savages her.  Pammy, when you say a head collar, do you mean like those halti things?  I have chest harness for them both at the mo as they used to choke themselves on just collars.  Is this for more control over where they are looking?  The anti bark muzzle, is that like the one I have which is nylon and covers most of her snout?  I understand what you mean about the one to one thing though.  I was just hoping against hope that Chloe would be a calming influence but all that happened is that she upset Chloe who (usually) is soooo laid back she is almost horizontal.  I guess it is going to be a long process and I don't mind that if it would even improve the situation by 50%.                    

[Michele]

Sheryl, what about the Aboistop collar, if it only works for a moment that you can get her attention it might be worth a try.
www.companyofanimals.co.uk is where you can order them from. They're not cheap but I borrowed one from a friend and it really made a difference here.                    

[PennyB]

Do you ever take her out on her own. I sometimes take out my dogs separately to train them as they both have different needs.

I would suggest 1-2-1 training as a good trainer can see some things that you can't.                    

[Pammy]

Sheryl

Yes - I do mean the Halti type head collar - as you can make sure she's looking at you - try having a bit of liver or something in your hand too. And the anti bark muzzle is the close fitting nylon one.  

As you have found - they don;t seem to be that good at picking up the good behaviour - just the not so good

Good luck