Thanks for the support, guys. It looks as though you guys are right about this. Today in training (our 6th session) my trainer did some things he's never done before because of my concerns. Well, actually he trys to expose the dog to something different every time and each time the dog comes out shining Anyhow, today he put up some chairs with a small opening between them, then he laid his jacket on the ground between them. Then he stood behind them with the sleeve on and had me release the dog. At first, he wasn't too sure but it didn't take him long to decide that he wanted the bite more than he cared about the chairs and going between them. I was so proud! We did quite a few other things too but I won't go into all of them, point is, my trainer believes that he is just becoming more aware of his surroundings and reacting to them. He does not believe that he has any nerve issues, at least nothing yet. He even gave Levi a couple of cheap shots with the stick today to see how he would react and he didn't freak out at all! Whew! He also says I worry too much, ya think? He says he will let me know if there is anything to worry about, lol. So, we did good today, great bite work! Every time he gets better and better and more intent on the game. Love it! Love it! Love it! He even did great on the out! What a rush to watch your dog excel and do better each time! What did I do with my life before I got my dog?? According to my family, I WAS a mom, lol! Ah well, what do you do?

 Quote: RobbinMann

my trainer believes that he is just becoming more aware of his surroundings and reacting to them. He does not believe that he has any nerve issues

Hmmm, sounds familiar. Hypothetically.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

I wonder if it's possible that the dog is simply becoming more alert due to the training? Is he spooking and freaking, or just noticing and reacting?

Is someone gloating??? Hypothetically??? ROFLOL

Hypothetically, I think that is GREAT news!!!!

Good Job to the Hypothetical handler and K9...

I'm startin to get the feeling the cat is out of the bag

Weeellllll......maybe a little, but this IS a great thread

Robbin, FWIW, I never bought the "hypothetical." That was partly why I said what I did- I kinda thought I knew who we were talking about, and I had just a wild guess that he's probably ok.

Along these same lines, I would appreciate some ideas for exposing him to stuff. I mean he isn't afraid of the stores. Home Depot, Petsmart, Target...no worries but what kind of things can I do w/him to expose him in a way that he desensitizes to all the "little" what's its?? Short of chucking chairs at him, lol! If exposure is what he needs and becoming more aware of things around him, what do you guys suggest?

Robbin

One thing that was briefly mentioned earlier in this post was adding distractions while in drive. However, I am not sure if you caught it because no one really expanded on it.

Basically, one of the most valuable tools to overcomming distractions and "spooky" stuff is the dogs drive. Adding these while the dog is high in drive will help him overcome them. For example, you might have the decoy throw a bucket of empty water bottles at him when he comes in for the bite, or perhaps a bucket of water. You can use whatever he fears. Even if it is a certain noise, smell, or sound. If you allow him to experience this when in high drive he will work right through it and it will not bother him when not in drive.

In PSA we use a ton of distractions and introduce them to the dog this way. Works like a charm. All of these issues are easy to overcome when the dog is high in drive.

Thanks Jenni, truth be told, I was concerned about the issue primarily because I know how most people view the mixed lines or even just the show lines here on the board. Thus the hypothetical clause, lol. I wanted the dog to have an opportunity to go through what any "working dog" might go through w/o being judged for his half "show" background.

I guess maybe I was the one doing the judging, huh?

P.S. What gave it away? The fact that everyone knows he's a "shork" dog (show/work) or my addition to the conversation?