|
Location: Tayside
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 680
|
|
Originally Posted by
Wysiwyg
Is it OK to ask
how he is now better behaved - ie what were you told to do about it, how has the problem been tackled?
I'm guessing he was lunging at other dogs previously?
Dogs who have arthritis can be like this as in some cases, they are afraid of other dogs getting too close.
Then they realise lunging works, then you have a strong learning and reward situation
He's calmer, I can walk nicely on a loose lead (my arm was straigh t for the first of weeks I had him), he pays more attention to me, he'll leave things when I say. He doesn't whine/pine as much when he sees otyer dogs, although he doesn't completely ignore another dog walking by, he'll sit or lie and watch it go past (in close proximity ) without trying to tapproach it.
He's allround better behaved, more relaxed, more sociable.
He did get to the point where he wanted to pull towards other dogs, but we're past that now(onlead).
He has arthritis, loose ligaments in his shoulders, and cataract in one eye. Old age type ailments I suppose, but we keep him pain free through medication.
Originally Posted by
Wysiwyg
Why does he have no recall in other environments? I mean do you know the reason for this at all?
Have you been shown how to train for distractions and how to graduate from house to garden to quiet area to slightly more distractive, etc etc?
I don't know. Maybe it's because he was nearly 10 years old when we got him and appeared to have had no training other than "paw". He didn't know sit, down, and pulled like a train on lead (all rectified I might add !).
Maybe it's because he's a GSD/Husky cross (though we think it's probably malamute judging by his build).
He's been to an intensive recall workshop and attended lessons pretty much weekly since we've had him. I've put more time and effort into training with Locky than was needed with my 2 other GSD's who are really well behaved with absolutely bombproof recall - if a rabbit/squirrel/deer suddenly pops up whilst we're walking along and they give chase, I can call them off. I'm 100% confident in them. If we are walking more "formally" and they are to heel, they won't even attempt to chase (though they will look at me as though asking for permission).
Perhaps he'll never have a recall like the other 2, but there's no reason to try .
Originally Posted by
Wysiwyg
Or are you concerned he may go for other dogs, rather than recll?
As I mentioned, the other 2 are bombproof in all ways. Rightly or wrongly I feel a sense of responsibility in owning GSD's as I'm aware of peoples perception of them.
I can't/won't have them running up to people worrying them. It's only ever onlead that he's actually fought/pinned another dog, but what happened yesterday just adds fuel to the fire of predjudice against GSD's.
I don't actually believe he'll approach another dog and start a sustained fight, but if the other dog "rejects " him (for want of a better description) he'll growl/snap and leave - but that in itself is enough to scare many people, and lets face it, I shouldn't be allowing that to happen.
Originally Posted by
Wysiwyg
That is heartwarming to read, and really good for him and I suspect you also, to see him playing
Melts my heart - I love him to bits.
Originally Posted by
Wysiwyg
I'd like to see this on a video. It's hard to tell from your post but if it was an air snap, I'd say considering he was surprised, he actually behaved very well?
I wonder what you think now that you know that it was him who approached the westie.