Hi Joe, Ambi when she gets fired up in basically unredirectable but she's not so much aggressive just over the top anxious. So we've come up with a 2-pronged plan with her, the relax protocol is an integral part of that, The BAT (and this is my understanding of it so I may not explain it correctly)is that the reward is leaving/getting distance from the other dog (functional reward)-in Ambi's case in the initial stages I would call or say come, if she didn't I would just start walking in the opposite direction because she wouldn't/couldn't listen. Then she got to the point where she realized if she came willingly we left the dog faster, in some cases I even jogged her away, then when she was a "safe" distance (to her) she would get her bonus reward-treat.
At this stage I am letting her look at dogs and turning her away before she becomes reactive. I walked her today and a dog barked at her and came out of the yard at her and she barked once. I don't know if I'm answering your question, I'm not sure what you mean by compulsion, its functional reward and positive reinforcement and it has taken months to get her to de-escalate her reaction to this point and it will take a lot more work but she's worth it. If you want I can probably type some of the BAT program in to see if that makes more sense than I do.

What is the Leerburg BB referred to in this thread? And congrats to the OP on such great success! My pup is going through some reactive issues and it's always great to hear success. Thanks!

Jon

Jodi I briefly read on BAT after I posted and there isn't any compulsion meaning corrections used to redirect from what I've read, all positive reinforcement. The leaving getting distance is the funcinal reward.

I see there's two dvds, Intro to BAT & Organic Socialization have you seen either?

 Quote: Jodi Moen

Amber has had her issues recently, the neighbors little dog has become quite a bit more aggressive at the fence, making it difficult to just go out to eliminate. Poor Ambi she trys to be good, but this little dog is relentless. I may have to consider moving so that my dog can relax in her own yard.

How long is the section of fence that you share with your annoying neighbor? Personally, I'd throw a stockade fence up on that section that you share that way the dogs can't see each other, it gives you more privacy, and is better security. With the right supplies, the right tools, a few friends, and fast drying quickrete, you could have it done in a day. That's one option.

Another cheaper option is to plant vines along the fence, it takes longer but looks pretty. There are some types of vines that grow rather quickly too. If you want to be a pain, and are willing to be patient, plant rose bushes along the fence. Rose bushes make for better security too.

I put up 280' of 6' chainlink fence with just me and my son in three days, it's well worth the effort. My dogs love it.

I've been thinking about your predicament a lot these last few weeks (probably because the way you describe Amber reminds me so much of my Lenney ). I was first going to suggest that maybe you should visit your neighbours, you know, real polite-like, introduce yourself "formally" (if you never did that before) and say that you are wondering if they could do you a favour -- then explain (in a bit of detail) about Amber's issues, and could they perhaps keep their dogs inside for a few weeks when they see that you are outside with Amber. You'd have to be a real jerk to not agree to that... But on re-reading your posts, it sounds like maybe they are jerks. Is this then maybe one of those instances where you have to stand up to the little dog and show Amber that, as her pack leader, you are "protecting her" from the little brat? After all, if your neighbours think it's okay for their dog to stand on his side of the fence and harass your dog, then they shouldn't complain if you stand on your side of the fence and yell at their dog (or smack the fence with a big stick, etc). I hope the situation has improved for you in the meantime. If you are renting, I imagine you don't want to be investing a chunk of money in a privacy fence ... but hopefully you've at least found a way to fix the gap where the little bugger slipped through last time?

Thanks for the suggestions, I've asked them to work out a schedule to no avail so I've been taking Ambi out earlier although yesterday they had the little PITA out at our new time, so I brought Amber to the front yard where she could still hear him and she did so good, didn't react back and we were able to get inside in 5 minutes. I never know where he'll be so its a crapshoot as to where to go. I can't whack the fence and yell as much as I would LOVE too because that would tell Amber her over the top reaction is ok.

The fence section is at least 150' and I think a stockade fence would be a good solution, but I rent so I'd have to see if my landlord would be ok with it. I'm probably going to wait and see if the situation improves any and then decide if we need a fence or to move.

I have not seen the DVD's, after the reactive dog class I decided to work with a behaviorist and have gotten the relaxation protocol and BAT exercises through that channel. I'd be interested in hearing more about the DVD's.

Yes that is correct about the functional reward. The reactive dog class trainer basically had us clicking, throwing treats and telling us NOT to talk to the dogs-which for me made no sense, as they didn't know if they were getting treats because they were good or bad. With BAT I don't have to worry about clicking or getting treats out, and I've seen Ambi start to react to a dog and then remember to turn her head away. For me, BAT, along with the relaxation protocol just works for Ambi on several different levels and I wish I'd discovered it when I first got her.

Jon, I initially posted on my GSD Amber under 8 month old is aggressive on leash, then Amber updates.