I received this e-mail this morning from an acquaintance. Considering her dog's probable ill-treatment in the past and the fact that he has no other issues, my advice was to either just forget about the (minor) problem or try to distract him with a treat or a toy.
But does anyone else have any suggestions as to how they might approach this? Anything/everything is appreciated.
Pete
**********
Casey is the foster that we decided to adopt a couple months ago. He is a
VERY sweet and sensitive boy who was well trained in obedience and agility
in his younger years. His mistress was dying and gave him to her brother to
care for. My husband and I are pretty sure that the brother abused him not
only physically but verbally. Scott has helped him overcome his fear of
men; he approaches them excitedly unless a strange man has an object in
their hand then Casey will hesitate, this is even w/boys. He performs his
basic commands w/out hesitation but needs to work on "heel". He isn't
pulling on walks near as bad. I don't believe the brother walked him much,
just let him out in the yard w/his other dog. Casey loves our Sayde and I
believe he is very social w/other dogs... Casey relates good times when he sees other dogs which finally brings me to my concern.
Casey would get quite worked up when I would walk him and Sayde separately; since
then I walk them together. They do well together on walks till Casey sees
another dog. Then he becomes very excited and VOCAL. I have tried using a
martingale (popped it) and he cried like I was abusing him; tried prepping
him by talking to him praising him for a "good quiet", distracting him (no
distracting him); putting him in a sit til the passerby dog was out of view;
I have tried "watch me" using a treat and currently a HALTI on both dogs. I
have been utilizing the HALTI for a few months, it's helped w/the pulling
issue and when pulled it can muzzle a dog. He vocalizes through this. I
believe the brother of the deceased (yes she died) was harsh with him in
training/correcting him. When I have tried correcting him I see the anxiety
come into his eyes... One time I had given him a command to sit; he was
hesitating because of his focus on a passerby dog, so I used the pressure
point at the hips to make him sit, he cried like I was abusing him. Any
other time it wouldn't have fazed him but when he does wrong he associates
abuse. I could just let him bark til the passerby dog is out of view... but
I want to be a nice neighbor and at 6 am I don't think they appreciate that.
He is a loud boy. It also gets my Sayde going who knows better but heh her
brother is doing it. And I dont want people to think he is aggressive or
ill-behaved because he is neither. He wouldn't hurt a flea. He is a young
7.5 yrs and loves to play and such. Casey has a big heart... if I let him
have his way or he was off leash he would just approach a dog and try and be
friends.
I am considering a prong/pinch collar (for the both of them)... I've never
had to use one but I don't know what else to do... I just know I need to try
something else...I'm not enjoying my walks like I used to and I don't want
him to have control of these situations nor think I'm going to hurt him when
he's doing this
Casey has decided I am his protector. To this day we have to be careful
how we correct him--no raised voices; otherwise he thinks he's going to get
hurt. How sad. We've had him for a little over four months... which isn't
really that long I guess.
She doesn't mention anything about distance from the other dog, meaning that she's probably trying to distract him when he's already reacting. See this thread:
I asked the owner about the distance thing. Her reply:
"I have/do praise him for being quiet as I see a dog approaching BEFORE he reacts or notices. It doesn't make a difference. I have tried distracting beforehand....but he doesn't miss anything--very quick. He doesn't get like the dog in that other posting. He just barks and wants to cross the street to say hi, doesn't act aggressive at all. I say "hi" to those passing by....when I've gotten them under control or before they start their barking. Sometimes, when Scott has walked him and dogs passed by he doesn't bark--but this is far and few between."
It doesn't sound like she's doing two things:
1) Stop moving closer to the other dog. If she has to turn and go the other way, so be it.
2) Don't just distract the dog; have him do some fun obedience drills and/or tricks. He needs to actively be DOING something besides barking, but it needs to be done at a distance where he won't be tempted to bark. The treats/play are rewards for his actions, not just bribes to distract him from another dog's presence.
Eventually, she'll be able to be closer and closer. This is effective for nonaggressive dogs too because it is simply learning obedience under distraction. When she moves closer to the other dog starts barking, she is no longer in control of the situation.
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