Hi All

Two years ago I moved to the UK for work (on a nature Reserve). Rules meant I couldn't have my Dog Molly (German Shepard) on site. I was desperate and my partners mother agreed to keep her. At that stage Molly was a well trained pup, well socialized and friendly. She sometimes got nervous around dogs whilst on the lead but off it she was great. When I left for the UK she had to live with three dogs. She quickly resorted to aggression out of nervousness I'm sure.

When ever I was home I tried to do what I could to remedy her bad habits but I was never home long enough to give her the time she needed.

Since Christmas I got a new job and dont have to live on site. I have brought Molly whos now 2 and a bit over to the UK.

She now lives with me, my girlfriend and Finn who is a small and lovely Jack x Yorkie.

The problem is that occasionally she flips and attacks Finn. I will step in and she will stop and begin playing and licking him or just ignore him all together.

She seems to hate all dogs (im too nervous to let her off lead). She lunges, barks, growls, and really just flips out when we pass dogs. Its intimidating for other people and dogs.

I want to be able to trust her, be able to enjoy going for a walk with her and all the things people with happy dogs do.

I have got the patience and time to commit to Molly. I don't have lots of cash to spend on a behaviorist, I also dont have the experience or knowledge to go it alone.

Can she be good again?

Im happy to answer any questions that might help get to the root of the problem or help with sorting these problems out.

Hope someone can help

Thanks

Ricky

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I know one thing I would be very worried about Finn and his welfare. Yes up to now you've stepped in but what happens when it's the one time you aren't there or watching what's going on?


A difficult situation and lots to remedy there I can't give advice on that I'm afraid but I just hope they're not left together out of your sight.

Hope you get some good advice soon.

First things first...do not leave these 2 dogs together unsupervised under any circumstances....not only is it dangerous it's irresponsible as one or both of the dogs could get hurt.

I think the biggest step you need to overcome is her attacking the JRT, can you identify any triggers, toys/food etc etc? if not then the best thing i can suggest is get a clicker and when Molly is calm or being nice to Finn click and treat with tons of praise, GSD's are very smart and she'll soon learn that being nice to Finn get her lots of praise and attention. Feed them seperately, let them have toys/chews seperately so there's no trigger to set Molly off and they only come together when there's nothing for them and they're being watched.

When out, maybe start by getting Molly a muzzle and a longline, the longline means she can run around and exercise(therefore making her more calm and complacent) and you can work on recall training or play games with her. Try and either find places where you are alone(maybe a field?) or walk her at unsociable times.

With regards to calming her around other dogs, do you know anyone with a calm, placid dog? The best thing you could teach Molly is "watch me"...start at home with a "watch me" and when she looks at you click and treat(and always praise), once she's got this down perfectly start slowly increasing the length of time between the command and the treat so she gets the idea of waiting. To strengthen this you could maybe try doing it around Finn while in the house. Once she's perfect in the house move to the garden, then to a quiet area of you local park etc etc, Molly should learn there's a connection between other dogs and treats. eventually Molly and Finn should be able to be walked/trained/played with together but always give them some alone time too.

Can i ask what you're feeding and how often? also how much exercise and training/play you do with Molly every day? If Mollys tired and is on a good quality diet she should be easier to keep calm

I'm sure others will be along with more advice but hopefully this will get you started, it will take a lot of time, patience treats and consistency but it will be worth it if it works.

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When did he last have a check up at the vet? That would be my first call, as he could have some underlying medical problem.

Next I think it would be a good idea to find a good training class. There is one in Great Chesterford, as I see you are in Cambridgeshire, who was good with Ferdie, but I don't know what they are like now. Anyway, you need to find a few, go and sit in on a class and explain your situation. Classes cost very little compared to a one to one behaviourist, and most of those are only using the title so not worth the money.

That way your dog will be getting used to other dogs again in a controlled environment, but you must find one that uses positive reward based training methods, not one spouting about being his pack leader. That is outdated and quite frankly will do more harm than good.

Take him out on a long line so you can always reel him in, take lots of treats to reward him when he doesn't react. Do not let him too close to other dogs, spot them first from a distance, make him sit, then give him a treat if he doesn't react.

You need to get some good training books, anything by Ian Dunbar will be good.

Others will be able to give you more advice, but I think you need to start with a vet check.

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i think the above is really good advice. Trouble has been more reactive since Stark has been walking with her because she isnt getting as long a walk as she is used to, theres no way i could ever walk her enough on the lead

i think its going to be small steps one little nit at a time and lots of encouragement. if she's nervous, and gsd's do tend to be, then telling her off will not help.

take everything you can from here, post lots at each step and do one little thing at a time, encourage her for good play with your other dog to start with and see what you can do about giving her a good run at least once a day even if it means you going out at stupid o'clock so she doesnt come across other dogs fo the meantime

she'l learn quickly i'm sure. treat her like a rescue i guess who needs to learn everything from scratch incuding ow to walk, socialise, be calm.....

good luck she's beautiful!

Hi, as your dog appears to have a lot of problems with other dogs, the LAST thing you should do is to take her to a class which contains a lot of the "enemy".

In any case most trainers would not welcome a dog like this in their class, unless they run specific classes for dogs with these sorts of issues.

Unless you have the skiils, knowledge, ability, training and experience to tackle this on your own it would be foolish to try to tackle this without professional help.

Luckily you live where you do, as you have a world renowned behaviourist on your door step.

However, like most reputable behaviourists, she would not see you without a vet referral.

So your best bet is to visit the vet first to rule out any underlying medical conditions, and then ask for a referral.

Surely it is worth finding out how much this will cost before dismissing the possibility out of hand?

It may cost you more in the long run if you fail to do so.

Books are great, but dogs don't read them, and in any case it is very easy to get muddled and they are just generalisations, not recipes.

By seeing a reputable behviourist she will be able to gauge the exact cause of her behaviours and construct a behavioural modification programme tailored to your specific needs.

Any advice given over the ether can only be very wide generalisations and may not always be suitable for your particular case.


Pam Mackinnon
Address: PO Box 240, Whittlesey, Peterborough, Cambs, PE7 2QB

Tel: 01733 204118 Email: pam@talkingdogs.org.uk
Fax: Website: www.talkingdogs.org.uk

or you could try

Yvonne Collins DipCABT 00253
Address: HOT DOGS TRAINING Cloverleigh, Quanea Drove, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5TJ

Tel: 01353 668953 Email: cloverleigh@btinternet.com
Fax: Website: Hotdogs training

She runs special needs classes for aggressive dogs

If your dog is insured? Check your policy as some insurances will cover behaviourists with a vet referral. I know ours does but they ask for proof of training before they will consider a behaviourist.

Not sure what they consider proof or sufficient training though. So if anyone is thinking how useless that KC bronze award is sitting in the back of the drawer. Think again.

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I'm quoting Ballybee but I am trying to answer most questions.

Molly gets James Well beloved with some wet food of various brands to make it more interesting for her.

She gets three short walks a day as I'm too nervous to take her far in case I get into a bad situation. I have got her a Mikki muzzle which has helped somewhat.

Our pet cover isnt great, Ive checked and it doesn't include Behaviorist cover.
Molly has not been to the vet in a while but I did consider this so shes booked in next week.

I appreciate all the advice and I will keep you all up to date, so glad to have something a bit more solid to work with.

I will see what the vet says and look further into the behaviorist, it was wrong to rule it out so soon perhaps.

Last thing is, because we are new to the area, I don't know too many people with dogs to test molly around.

I will get an Ian D book, thanks for the recommendation.

I promise not to do any Cesar Milan stunts!

Thanks again

Ricky

Forgot to say, I feed Molly once at night. I play with her for at least an hour excluding walks.

Thanks for the info

I've heard of JWB making dogs hyper before so it might be an idea to try a different food? Also as she's a big dog you'd be better off feeding her twice a day, for all we know part of her behaviour could be because she's hungry!!!

GSD's are very smart dogs, you can buy a load of interactive treat dispensers you could put Molly's meals in so she gets mental stimulation too(mental stimulation is very important in the breed as i'm sure you know). For example you could give her breakfast in the toy so she's already losing some energy(should make training easier) and give her the wet and dry mix at night. 3 walks a day is fine, i'd say at least 45 minutes per walk and Molly would be getting plenty of exercise. The longline will help as she'll be able to run and play(if she likes to play).

Have you considered getting a warning jacket? they're similar to the coats guide dogs wear but you can add a message such as dog aggressive or will bite to warn other owners away from her.

Please keep us all updated on Molly's progress, i'm sure she'll pick up all the new training easily and improve as well

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Owned by Tummel the rottaridgeador and Dante the Italian Spinone