 Re: 9-month-old GSD; help needed: reactivity & manners
[Re: SamanthaTopper ]
#384089 - 10/10/2013 04:43 PM |
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From the very last comments I agree that this sounds like a dog that doesn't have enough rules that are being enforced. River starts behaving irrationally (reactive, butthead, spoiled, stubborn) if I don't constantly enforce our house rules, leash rules, and good manners rules. Some dogs regardless of breed really do need extra work because they're programmed to be more socially challenging.
nope, he doesn't. i'm not as consistent as i should be.
sometimes when he attacks the cats i don't even do anything. i don't know why. part of it is because i don't know what to do. part of it is because i already see what will happen and how useless it is.
but the bottom line is that some times he chases them and i just sit there dumbfounded.
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Re: 9-month-old GSD; help needed: reactivity & manners
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#384094 - 10/10/2013 07:07 PM |
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When you can't control the dog (or, more precisely, when the dog hasn't been taught self-control)--you control the environment.
Of course he chases the cat. He's a dog. If you leave your ham sandwich on the floor, he'll eat it.
But you have the power to limit his access to cats and ham sandwiches. You are the human here.
Figure out a way to make it impossible for him to chase the cat. Problem solved. Only then do you have the ability to actually teach the multiple steps that will be required to desensitize him to the cat.
This is why collars, leashes, crates, baby gates, and doors were invented.
Cinco | Jack | Fanny | Ellie | Chip | Deacon |
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Re: 9-month-old GSD; help needed: reactivity & manners
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#384100 - 10/10/2013 07:27 PM |
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Lol OK, we will start a new life today
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Re: 9-month-old GSD; help needed: reactivity & manners
[Re: Natalie Rynda ]
#384113 - 10/11/2013 12:08 AM |
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Lol OK, we will start a new life today
I believe you started when you decided to stay upbeat when training. Training when you upset, frustrated, mad, etc is a no win situation for both you and the dog. The dog reads that like a book and acts accordingly.
There were times early in my AKC competition days that my wife would meet me at the ring gate and take the leash if my score wasn't in the 190s at the very least. 
Now I'm just a nice old granpa!   
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
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Re: 9-month-old GSD; help needed: reactivity & manners
[Re: Bob Scott ]
#384118 - 10/11/2013 01:03 AM |
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Lol OK, we will start a new life today
I believe you started when you decided to stay upbeat when training. Training when you upset, frustrated, mad, etc is a no win situation for both you and the dog. The dog reads that like a book and acts accordingly.
There were times early in my AKC competition days that my wife would meet me at the ring gate and take the leash if my score wasn't in the 190s at the very least.
Now I'm just a nice old granpa!
For sure. I can't get over how much difference something like that makes.
Your wife would take the leash if you got bad scores so you don't take it out on it dogs? Or so they don't sense your mood?
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Re: 9-month-old GSD; help needed: reactivity & manners
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#384143 - 10/11/2013 04:52 PM |
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i do have a question about the cats.
even if i keep him tethered, one of the cats is "my" cat, she's always around me and sleeps with me, so even tethered to me he has access to her.
with her he's not violent, it's strictly play. he can't contain himself when he sees her, he will sniff her obsessively and will chase her EVERY TIME.
what i'm saying is, tethered or not, i have to come up with a reaction.
i'm thinking of spraying him with lemon water every time he tries chasing, will that work?
do i spray for the actual chase or, as Ed suggests somewhere, even looking at the cat?
the other cat things are not so innocent with, there's definite aggression and they both contribute to it. but he's easier to avoid.
still though, i need a reaction when he lunges towards him.
also, sometimes, even RIGHT BY MY SIDE he will be pretty close to the cat. the cat will sit in our path and not move.
should i spray the cat to make him get out of our way?
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Re: 9-month-old GSD; help needed: reactivity & manners
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#384179 - 10/12/2013 03:28 PM |
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"... he will sniff her obsessively and will chase her EVERY TIME."
You won't let him. This is NEVER OK, whether the dog and cat seem to get along or not. Running and chasing are verboten.
He's on leash and the other end is in your hand.
" the cat will sit in our path and not move."
Cat sitting in my path? Make the cat move, is what I would do.
Do the cats have plenty of areas they can easily access that the dog cannot? IMO, this is important even with a dog who is pretty well controlled and has a good leave-it and recall. In this instance, it's imperative.
Have you read Ed's cat intro article?
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Re: 9-month-old GSD; help needed: reactivity & manners
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#384186 - 10/12/2013 06:16 PM |
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"... he will sniff her obsessively and will chase her EVERY TIME."
You won't let him. This is NEVER OK, whether the dog and cat seem to get along or not. Running and chasing are verboten.
He's on leash and the other end is in your hand.
" the cat will sit in our path and not move."
Cat sitting in my path? Make the cat move, is what I would do.
Do the cats have plenty of areas they can easily access that the dog cannot? IMO, this is important even with a dog who is pretty well controlled and has a good leave-it and recall. In this instance, it's imperative.
Have you read Ed's cat intro article?
I did, months after I messed up the introduction. That was one of my questions.
Can I follow his advice now? After I already messed up the introduction and they have a history?
As far as me not letting him, how? She's always by me. So that's what I'm asking, what do I do when he tries? Spray him? Pop the leash? Do what?
I can't stop letting the cat sleep here, she's very needy and is already stressed that he gets most of the attention
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Re: 9-month-old GSD; help needed: reactivity & manners
[Re: Natalie Rynda ]
#384189 - 10/12/2013 06:57 PM |
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Multi dog, multi cat, multi critter home here. We teach no obssessing, chasing, cage jumping, or terrorizing of any animal, by any animal. Cats can learn too.
Kitty sitting in your path? Kitty coming head on? With leash in hand, I use the top of my foot, under the cat's chest,lifting with my foot, escorting him off to the side.(No,I am not kicking or tossing).They do catch on.
A leash, you in control, and consistency. My goal is to have them ignore.
Is the dog crated at night?
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Re: 9-month-old GSD; help needed: reactivity & manners
[Re: Tammy Moore ]
#384192 - 10/12/2013 07:22 PM |
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Got you.
Yeah, he's crated right next to my bed.
I have 2 cats, the 2nd one sits in the way and wars with the dog, will make him move.
The first one is not obnoxious but she's always near me, no exaggeration.
So even tethered to me they will be next to each other. Because of that they learned to tolerate each other (there's no aggression) but still obsession and chasing.
So my question is, what do I do when he goes to sniff her or lunges at the other cat on leash?
Do I pop the leash, do I spray? What do I do?
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