Max's Training Diary

Following the Paddy Driscoll seminar, I now feel more equipped to deal with Max's issues, so I thought I'd keep a bit of a diary on how we get on, and which techniques we are using etc.

So, yesterday hubby and I walked the boys into the village and back. This 2 mile walk would usually be pretty bad, with Max reacting to every person and dog we encountered, and Murphy providing 'back up' for him...

Rules for the walk were:
Allow the dog to walk on whichever side they find comfortable
Spot potential issues and calmly ensure the dog is at the furthest point away from them, with you in between
Don't panic!
If you need the dog to move sides - do it behind you, not in front
Keep walking - don't 'stop and sit/wait/watch' unless you absolutely have to
Move the dog to walk slightly behind you if needed
Use food as a distraction AND a reward

We actually had a much more relaxing walk than we would usually have.

We encountered/passed 4 dogs, which would usually have been pretty bad 'flashpoints' previously.

We were able to spot the dogs approaching, cross the road in a couple of cases, ensure M&M were on the appropriate side and in Max's case, move him slightly behind me.

We had a couple of growls from both, but in their new positions no acting up on the end of the lead. In one case, M&M didn't even spot the dog until it was past us!

The only one where we had an issue was a BC, whose owner stopped, as we walked past and the BC gave M&M 'the eye'; however the Boxers were quickly walked past with some jolly words.

We even met a person and were able to stop and have a quick chat. Luckily, M&M had met her before (a few years ago though), and we were able to enlist her in dropping treats for Max without touching/looking at him - so a positive 'stranger' experience for him!

Well done Max (and Shelley!)

Well done all!

Looking forward to hearing about all the updates as you go.

Good job! sounds like something I could get involved with re. Jake. Looking forward to reading your progress.

Good luck .Its something we have isssues with at times with Ben so will be following with interest

Well done all of you! It's nice to keep a diary, then you can look back in future and it's also good to air some thoughts.

Sounds very positive Shelley. I will follow your thread with interest. Keep up the good work!

Glad you had a nice positive walk

Well done. Sounds like a positive step in the right direction.

Really good! Well done, keep up the good work. I bet you yourselves feel less stressed, don't you?

It's just nice to know what to do sometimes, isn't it? The dogs' stress levels will be down too, and thus down more again next day.

Wys
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