I had to go away for 4 days to a conference, and I just got back (in the middle of a rainstorm no less) So it took me most of yesterday to get settled back in. So this morning I woke up and went to play with my dog (we do drive building stuff almsot every morning before I run) Nothing. Dog doesn't MOVE. Now, I have a 2 year old boxer. Normally I have to wear pants in case she gets a bit over the top (even though it's 90 degrees here now!) to protect from her paws. So I call her over to me, and she comes, reluctantly. I called the vet immediately, got an appointment for later on (2 hours from now). Then I called the kennel I board her at, to find out what she has been eating (she should have gotten what I left with her to feed) and to see if I can look at the tapes (the whole facility is on camera) to try and figure out what may have happened.
She sounded puzzled, like my dog was fine leaving there, asked me what made me think she was sick.
I explained about her lack of energy with playing ball. She responded by saying, "Oh, well I noticed that too. After I worked with her the first day on her manners with the ball she didn't seem interested any more. I guess if she couldn't play her way she didn't want to play at all"
Now, before I go any further, I do want to say that she meant well.
But I am furious. She sat there with my dog for 2 hours yelling "OUCH" taking the ball away and making her "down" every time my dog went for the ball.
Now my dog doesn't want anything to do with it! There goes four months of drive building back some distance... not sure how much yet. I am starting with a new item to see if that helps.
GRRRRRRRRRRR I NEVER asked her to "train" my dog. Apparently it's a "freebie" she offers people. Says I am the only one that has ever had a problem with it. I asked her what she planned on doing if my dog started doing bite work with her because she was that clueless! (she didn't have an answer for that, I think she had forgotten what I told her before I left) I had explained VERY carefully what could and could NOT be done with my dog BEFORE I left it with her. Paid extra so my dog could have the larger run and she thought I was lying about my dog's obedience and everything simply because it didn't LISTEN to her??? (my dog is trained in german and a few commands in dutch)
Alright I will stop because I am so upset right now I would go on and on and this is so long already.

!!!!!!! Oh man!!! I'm so mad for you Cameron, I have no words. That's just unbelievable that she would take it upon herself to do that.

I don't even know if your idea to use another item would be the way to go. I, personally, would be tempted to immediately undo what that person did and continue to use the ball and high encouragement and praise for your dog to get it.

At first I thought it would be a good idea to use another item like you said but then that leaves the ball way in the background of your dog's mind, and the negativity associated with it settles in more. So I'm thinking it would be best to try to undo it as soon as possible.

I think she may have hit my dog in the face for lunging toward the ball. I initially got her to do protection work with, but she was just too soft for it. (The picture in my sig are all her, but she just wasn't "there" with it) She had FANTASTIC prey drive, and would really go all out before. I have been doing S&R with her instead. Now she just acts fearful. She has NEVER acted fearful before! But I have always known, since day one, that I could not be too harsh with her or she would shut down. She wants to please so badly that she stopped playing because that was what that stupid woman wanted her to do. I am simply not sure which way to go. If I can teach her that being in drive is still ok then go back to the ball after she has been reassured that I do want that... I don't know. But the sight of a ball made her duck her head and pin her ears back. I think I need to take a day to just calm down and start thinking about how to fix it. Right now I am just seeing red. Please, any suggestions are more than welcome.

Yikes Cameron! I couldn't imagine someone undoing all the hard work and training that have gone into my dogs. Thank goodness they can go with me where ever I go.

I think if you stay with the ball and make it fun, fun, fun with lots of praise, hopefully your old playful dog will return. Good luck!

Oh, and my dog who would tuck into the down position in midair on her way TO the ground now cowers into a down, slowly.

Edited by Cameron Feathers (05/13/2008 12:34 PM)
Edit reason: spelling

Cameron, go back to square one with a flirt pole or a rag. Make the prey item totally separate from you and your body for now, until she becomes interested and comfortable with the prey item then reintroduce yourself into the picture. After she shows interest mark the desired behavior of alert to prey item/moving towards prey item/chasing prey item/catching prey item. Show her that you want her to play, that play is the desired behavior she gets rewarded for. But test the waters first, communication (verbal or body language) may be too much pressure for now so just allow her to get curious and interested in the prey items again for now.

I worked at a boarding kennel and it is unthinkable to have done what she did. You do not train someone else's dog unless asked, period. I would be FURIOUS as I am sure you are.

What all have you talked to the woman about? Did you explain how she ruined your training of your dog?

Edited by Jennifer Marshal (05/13/2008 12:40 PM)
Edit reason: p.s.

 Quote: jennifer marshal

I worked at a boarding kennel and it is unthinkable to have done what she did. You do not train someone else's dog unless asked, period. I would be FURIOUS as I am sure you are.

What all have you talked to the woman about? Did you explain how she ruined your training of your dog?

yes, briefly I did. I did not see any point in arguing with her, but I did mention it. Her response was to point out that my dog would not be safe around a child if she had a toy because she thought my dog was resource guarding when she was in drive and motivated. She was very set in stone on her opinion, and said that it would be irresponsible to allow a dog to get that intense on a toy. When I told her that I don't allow children (or anyone for that matter) to work with my dog or train it, she was horrified. Said I was creating a "ticking time bomb" by training her to be like that etc, etc. She went on to "preach" to me about how HER dogs know that children crawl around them while they are eating, playing, etc, and that they are expected to allow children to pull tails, ears and take their food/treats/ toys at any time.
Basically she thinks that a dog should sit there and be a furry play toy for her children. I told her I felt sorry for her dogs that she allowed children to torment, for her children who are growing up with no respect for the dogs they have or anyone else's. She may have even introduced her children to my dog to "train" as well. I cannot even imagine what would have happened to my dog if one of her children were bit while torturing my dog. Obviously, I did my homework on this place before coming, and I even brought my dog to introduce to her before I left her there. This is the first time I have left my dog, EVER with someone else. I don't even know where to look if something ever came up in the future, and I don't know that I would even trust someone to ever look after her again. I mean, this woman appeared to be great. Very professional appearing, place was AWESOME, answered all questions I asked wonderfully, great vet references, great customer references... I never thought to bring in a lie detector test with me, but that shall be on the bill if I am ever in this situation again!
grrrrrr (still pissed)

Cameron, I would be furious, too. If there ever is a next time, maybe you should have written list of do's an don'ts for the people who are boarding her. Make sure they read and sign it. If they are not willing to do so, then go to a different kennel.
I'd be tempted to demand my boarding fee back.

had a simular problem with Roxie at a kennel, dispite their worst attemps at training, Roxie destroyed a couple of hundered dollars worth of crates and other equipment and I was told not to come back. I forgot to tell them all her commands are in Germish and she only listens to me and my daughter

I don't board my dogs because I know from working at a boarding kennel the kind of things that can and do happen. If I go anywhere and cannot take my animals they are left in the care of someone I trust. If someone I trust to care and handle them properly is unavailable I just don't go anywhere. I have no life but I have happy dogs!