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fun4fido · #4 (**permalink**) 15-11-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louiseb

I have a jack russell mix who is now 11 years old. When I first got him from Kennels he was about 14 weeks old and terrified of everything - he hated men, children and loud noises. He is now loving with all humans and can be totally trusted with kids, loud noises don't bother him anymore BUT... he always wants to pick a fight with any dog he doesn't know.
Over the years he has been to various dog training etc... and I have always said "can you help me with his lunging and growling at dogs he doesn't know". No-one was interested so in the end I gave up

Needless to say he still has this problem which cost him a trip to the vets last year and a chunk out of his ear. I wasn't walking him because I always put him on the lead when I see another dog. He grew up with another dog and is best mates with my mums collies. We also rescued another terrier cross last year and he plays with her all the time. He was neutered years ago and is plainly scared of these dogs rather than out n out nasty.

I have spent the last 11 years shouting NO at him when he goes barmy at other dogs. The only way I can not get a reaction is if I sit him and make him watch the other dog pass by saying "leave it".
I would really like for him to walk past another dog without a reaction at all. Anybody any ideas??

Holly the female just looks at him gone out..... Thank god!!!

Hi,

First off can I say how devoted it is of you to still be working on this, you deserve a medal

Unfortunately this is not necessarily the kind of behaviour that will be address in a group class, not really any fault of a trainer, it's just that your issue requires a personal approach.

Have you thought about seeking the professional assistance of a behaviourist? I feel confident that a good behaviourist could help you resolve this issue.

A good place to start is here: The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors

Make sure you find a behaviourist who can give you a program of desensitization and counter-conditioning, as well as set up scenarios for you where your dog can meet reliable dogs. Reliable dogs are often used for cases like yours, reliable means they are extremely obedient and pretty much bullet-proof, and will not react to your dogs aggression in a controlled environment.

In the meantime I would suggest you buy yourself a clicker and start clicker training, your dog is not too old to have his behaviour modified by clicker training.

I don't really need to tell you to be patient, but just to make you aware that modifying your dogs behaviour will take some time, but hang on in there. I have personally worked with many older dogs like yours, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

What I might need to tell you is that you also have to think about how your behaviour effects your dog. How do you behave when you see another dog getting close, how do you feel? I would imagine that you're not too relaxed (which after all this time is to be expected), but your dog will pick up on your body language, so really make an effort to remain calm, (no shouting), confident, but focused at the same time.

Don't create tension on the leash, and when/if your dog lunges move your hands as necessary to keep the leash loose, without allowing your dog access to the other dog.

Before you start using the clicker with your dog you will need to do what is called charging the clicker. So for a week, three times a day, click and treat your dog for 5 minutes. He doesn't need to be offering you any behaviour (other than being interested and focused on you while you do this).

What you are doing is conditioning your dog to associate the sound of the clicker with good things, the treat/reward.

Once your dog has this association, you can start using it on walks. Whenever you think your dog is about to react, but before he has a chance to do so, ask him to sit. When he complies start to click and treat him, your aim is to keep him focused on you, so keep the treats coming, click and treat every few seconds.

This will be a step in the right direction and a behaviourist will help you take this forward by creating scenarios will reliable dogs.

Hope this helps.

Angela