Quote: Carolyn Pinkerto

I really wish I had listened to myself and to my dog.

This is gold.

leih

Patricia,
Don't worry about your dog being reactive about other dogs when at a SchH club. The dogs are rarely on the field at the same time. And when they are you can work as far away as need be.

There's no reason to put off attending that type of venue if that's where your interest lies.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.

Noah Rosewater
M & M Enterprises

 Quote: Lauren Jeffery

She also quickly developed a habit of sleeping on top of the kitchen table, because of the owners who allow their dogs to lay on the picnic tables a the park.

Lauren, that is an interesting dog that you have there. I have had my dogs climb all over & lay down on picnic tables, chairs, benches etc at the beaches & in the parks since they were little pups & they have never once thought that this translated into sleeping on my dining tables, chairs or couches in the house.

One day we were at the park the dogs were on the tables. The next day at home, I left the room to put in some laundry, came back and she was taking a snooze.

At first I cracked up laughing, I was just so caught off guard. SHe looked a me like "What's so funny? This is totally the place to be!"

Then I made her get off.

She's a wacky one! This dog has been full of surprises since the moment she came into my life.

She doesn't do it anymore, by the way. Only a couple of times.

Hey, anything is worth trying at least once, right?!!!

I take my dogs climbing on playground equipment, fire escape stars, bleachers & anything that I can find to give them something to do & different to think about. Glad that they never thought that they should climb on things in the house. My males pushes the boundries all the time, but has not tried furniture scaling yet. LOL

What's even better is that once she learned that being on the table is wrong she started barking at her dog friends for being on the table!

Now that we have the house rules set straight I should try that playground equipment idea. She has no fear of any surfaces, she would probably love it.

Thank you all so very much. I have read every link and we have already started the process. I have hope now he will not always be this way and have realized my part in his behavior. For instance, I have let him walk ahead at times during our walks.For awhile he walked at my side then I would allow him to explore ahead then walk beside me again. Must be confusing him.I will give him a break time (off to the side to sniff),then keep him at my side while walking. Also I have started claiming the door after telling him its ok, and he doesn't stop barking. We live in the city so he hears and smells things before I even see anything and I am relaxing my grip on the leash when we are out(since we are no longer close to anyone)this is helping too. I have rewatched Bernhard Flicks focus and grip DVD as well as, the pack leadership and Micheal Ellis DVD.I will be ordering his heeling DVD today.Most importantly he will NOT be going to a daycare or petsmart trainer or anyone that does not agree with my training views. I need to protect my dog.Does this sound right? Did I leave anything out? We are going to the Porcupine Mtns. this summer and staying on the beach in a small rental unit community. The owners will allow Axel to be there as long as he is on leash (didn't say how long of a leash) and behaved. So I really need to get Alex to understand focus under distractions.

Kudos to your commitment to getting your dog past this stage.

I think that you would do well to find a good schutzhund club and start taking the pup there.
They will be able to help you if it is a good club.
Remember to ask if you have any questions about the links.

Sounds like you have a good plan! I am going to order the focused heeling DVD as well, even though I have no plans to compete with Maya. I just think it will be beneficial in terms of practicing focus.

My only word of advice is to be patient. The process can take awhile (I'm still going through it), and there might be set backs along the way. With the amount that you are educating yourself, however, coupled with a good dose of determination, I believe Axel is going to greatly improve. Keep us posted.

Just ordered Micheal's heeling DvD and so far no questions on the links, everything has been really easy to understand,to the point and full of wisdom. I love that! You all are so wonderful.