I haven't managed to get to the trainer yet we are still persisting with click and treat which Eric enjoys and is happy to be touched, albeit not always immediately but we go at his pace. I've also had him at the vets tonight for his gunky eyes (always something!) and had a long chat with the vet. He has checked him over and said there is nothing obviously wrong. His suggestions are 1. Use Adaptil to see if this helps 2. consider chemical castration (tardak) if we want to see if that will change his behaviour - but not just yet. He has had great results with a labradoodle who became very growly/snarly with the husband. They they went on to have him done. 3. consult the behaviourist they use (i have heard of her - many mixed opinions lol) Has anyone ever tried chemical castration??
Hi Jools Good to hear that progress is slowly being made with the hands and C&T with Eric, and it's good that you're working at what's comfortable for Eric all the time. It's good that the vet has ruled out any physical reason for him to respond with the growling at your husband. I don't have any direct experience of Adaptil although my trainer uses it for dogs that show stress in training classes and it certainly has helped one dog in our class who is very reactive. Although not yet perfect he can cope better with being in a hall with other dogs, as long as they keep their distance, and he no longer needs the Adaptil. May well be worth a try, I used the feline version - Feliway for my 2 cats when we first brought Juno home. I sprayed it around liberally numerous times a day for around 2 weeks. I'm pretty sure it helped them with their stress at the sudden introduction of a puppy that was as big or bigger than them. @Beanwood used a suprelorin implant for Benson and kept a log on how he progressed which may be helpful for you http://thelabradorforum.com/threads/suprelorin-and-benson-a-log.10782/ the thread also has another link to a previous thread on tardak Can't help much on the behaviourist question. There are good and not so good behaviourists, much the same as trainers Normally the vet would be a good source on a good behaviourist, I guess mixed views would depend to some extent on what the opinions were and held by whom. You could also try the APBC (the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors) for registered practitioners in your area.
