Quote: stephanie biros

Watching that Cesar clip was very inspiring to me, along with all these posts. The way he sits there and doesn't react, never acts upset the dog is trying to bite him. It just is what it is, and he's dealing with it.

He inspires me too.

Oh, and I wanted to add, I am wondering if the Tufts people will be able to teach me anything new. I went to their webside and they posted an example of someone they helped with aggression problems, and basically they gave the same advice I've received here. Thought I guess if it gets my s.o. on board it'll be worth it.

I think it would be a huge plus having someone right there to see your dog and see what's going on. The body language and subtle cues that a dog puts off can be easily missed or misunderstood. Working with someone one-on-one has an advantage that a forum, however good, just doesn't have, IMO.

Great post, Mike. I like your approach - even though it's not what I do with my dogs. Hell, I probably don't do what you do cuz I'm just too damn lazy.
I watched a Cesar episode once where he fed a whole "row" of pitbulls and such, all up on a platform. Other dogs had to stand a wait and watch these guys eat before they got theirs. No fights broke out - it was incredible. I'll bet that takes a lot of patience and training.

 Quote: Sarah Morris

I think it would be a huge plus having someone right there to see your dog and see what's going on.

Stephanie, did you actually mean going to the clinic at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts?

Or were you thinking of the VetFax or PetFax consultation?

I was assuming the VetFax, since your vet suggested it, right?

We'd actually go. We had brought him last year or so to the orthopedic dept, to get a second opinion on his elbow dysplasia, after he had had surgery. They were great! It's only maybe 3 hours from my house, so I feel it's worth the trip for them to *see* him (and us.)Plus my family lives in MA so I can always go for a visit!

Sometimes it's better (or makes more sense) for you to be told what to do by a professional, in person, who is actually watching your dog.
Although almost everything the behaviorists said to my friend's nephew is found here on the Leerburg site. I had forwarded some articles from here before his appointment in Guelph, but he was reluctant to implement some of them until he was told the same things from the professionals.

******** UPDATE *****************
So, I've decided to hold off on the Tufts evaluation, due to cost, and in speaking with a trainer I have worked with (who unfortunately doesn't live near me any longer) she has known people to go there and come out with pretty generic information and/ or a prozac prescription for the dog!

I've been diligent about striving towards being the pack leader, though it has not been without it's challenges.

The first week or so we had Cerbie in the crate at night in the basement, he whined and moaned throughout the night, keeping me awake. In the past, we had automatically assumed it was due to his leg discomfort, and had let him out and stopped the crating. It killed me to keep him in there and ignore him, but his protests have stopped. It is a large crate, so there really shouldn't be any pain issues.

For the first couple weeks he seemed really depressed and lethargic. I'm usually the "softy" who caves when I see this happen, but I've been committed to this, so I've remained strong. Lately, he's a wiggly happy boy when let out of his crate in the morning, even my s.o. has noticed a change. He's been much more obedient (even around the neighbor's cat when off leash. He attempted to break his down, but one stern voice correction fixed it and he was calm again, even as the cat approached and was pet by us.) He still tests us, and I think he always will, but I have great hopes if we remain strong and committed he'll do fine.

I've started implementing marker training, though I have some questions and have yet to get my "basic dog obedience" dvd working (operator inadequacy with mechanical devices!) I've been more consistent with training, and I see that it's paying off! We've even recently taught him to "play dead", a wonderful calm submissive posture. I have to work on the s.o. also, as he'll have Cerbie "play dead" and approach him to pet him, thinking he's getting him used to being pet. I've just reinforced we have to be working on training him, becoming pack leaders, and building his trust, without forcing things he doesn't like (like being pet when laying down.) I think that's the hardest part of all of this: trying to convice a human when their thinking is not in line with nature's principles!

There have been no aggressive reactions recently. He's being fed in the basement, and I have him exercise (work for his food) then sit and make eye contact with me before being released to eat in private. I'm not feeding in the crate, but there's a corner of the basement we've made a safe place for him. Initially he'd wait for me to walk away and up the stairs, but now he'll start eatting immediately upon release, definately not as threatened.

I'll tell you, dog training is definately not an innate thing to many of us. I personally was brought up to expect a lovey dovey snuggly dog, but I realize now this is a stupid and dangerous expectation. Thanks to everyone and your replies! This is one site I make sure to visit to continue my education whenever I have time!

Stephanie -

That's GREAT! Good update and keep up the good work, it really does pay off.

The learning curve for owners is the hardest and longest, I find. It can be very difficult for us humans to change old habits.

Look at what you have accomplished, just since June 4!

I cannot congratulate you enough. Good for you!

If you want to open another thread with questions about your marker training, please do.

And again: Good job.