Re: BAT tips [quote author=Oberon link=topic=4934.msg71213#msg71213 date=1398543372] We definitely want updates, so definitely assume that they're appreciated [/quote] Absolutely!
Re: BAT tips First success After Jen's great advise on counter conditioning to help Charlie with his barking/lunging at certain dogs, David had a good outcome this morning. Returning from his walk they spotted Woody a way in front, tasting gammon in hand and on the approach allowing Charlie to lick it although he did manage to take a bit : Woody pinging like crazy on his lead on the approach but Charlie just looked at Woody, he did get a little excited but his attention was firmly back on David's hand, he walked past NO barking/lunging sat and received his big treat . Absolutely amazing, now just Sid to tackle Thanks Jen x
Re: BAT tips Brilliant Helen. I'm so glad it's worked. You and David just need to remember tasty treats when you go on walk. They are constantly in my pocket. : Once you've done it a few times he should start looking at your hand before you get the treat. Then he's really got the idea. Remember to make sure he sees the dog before you get the treat out. I know it sounds a bit mean but it feels quite good when your dog behaves and the other doesn't.
Re: BAT tips Jen, yes ashamed to say we did feel a little smug, but Woody is only about a year old and Charlie is 3 1/2 years so we haven't got the "oh he's still a puppy" excuse :-[ One day, one day : x
Re: BAT tips Jen, should we give Charlie the treat if he barks when he walks past a reactive dog? This happened this morning, again spotted Woody all was good, when they were next to each other Woody pinging Charlie had a bark but David kept walking and gave him the treat, just not sure if that is seen as treating for the bark :-\ Thanks x
Re: BAT tips It's a good question. Technically no I don't think a treat should be given if the dog reacts. However I work on what the situation is like. For example if the dog we are passing is really reacting at us and my dogs do a little grumble but in the main are calm once we are passed I will say look at me or sit so they are refocusing on me then treat. That way they arent getting the treat for the bark but for being calm. I think teaching the dog to control its reactions is what's important. Of course I could be completely wrong but it's worked so far. Don't be disheartened that he barked this time. Remember you are trying to change something he's been used to doing for a long time, something that seems natural to him. (I keep telling myself that as well. :)
Re: BAT tips Thanks Jen will give that a go. Charlie is catching on fast to this so really hoping for a good outcome. Don't worry not getting disheartened just plodding on : x
Re: BAT tips It works with my two so I'm confident it will work for Charlie. He's got nowhere near as many hang ups as mine. I thought after I'd posted earlier I bet charlies bark this morning was still an improvement on what he would usually do. We can plod on together. . My money's on Charlie getting there first. ;D
Re: BAT tips It was a massive improvement and only 1 little bark this morning but it's only been trialled with Woody, still got Sid and Dasha to tackle yet. Having said that when Charlie is on his long line and meets Dasha he doesn't react but Dasha has a bark. Sid is a whole new game as every dog in the Village doesn't like him, he's a Boxer so not sure that squashed face is something to do with it. We can be plodding buddies ;D Thanks for all your help Jen I appreciate it. x
Re: BAT tips It's that and the wrinkles that are a problem I think. Wrinkled brows, which Boxers have, give off a "I'm pretty bothered by you" signal. Obi likes to have a good old shout at unknown dogs on lead out on walks too so I'm plodding along right with you guys He's doing pretty well - mostly he's at the "there's a dog barking so I'm looking at you....so where the heck is my treat????" stage.
Re: BAT tips Plodders unite . same here, slow but steady with these things I think, and not to worry about the odd blip. Yesterday we had major breakthrough with Cuilli sitting outside a café in the sun with three strange dogs going past, not a peep and very relaxed. But then at night indoors in a pub (they had a very sociable day yesterday!) she had a bark at a dog going past outside, she clocked it through the window, like everything it is very context specific at first I think, the trick is to get that behaviour generalised, and as we know dogs don't do generalised so well! I really like hearing about these updates folks. Good to know we are not alone and well done to everyone - Charlie seems to be catching on quicker than Cuilli has
Re: BAT tips Obi's good with other dogs in his obedience classes and tests though? Well, I assume he must be as he is such a champ. Is it because he knows the other dogs? Is it different in class? I so want to go to a class...but I'd be daft to do so right now. I'd spend my whole time "being calm around other dogs".
Re: BAT tips Which classes are you going to Julie? Do you know the people who run it well? you could pop in for the last 5 minutes so that you only built up gradually?....just a thought And either way you're doing so well it's not a million miles off ;D
Re: BAT tips I haven't found a class - yet. But was hoping in the summer to go to gundog classes in Cornwall. My neighbour emailed me saying this person is very good and runs beginner's classes. http://www.countrysportssouthwest.co.uk/providers/q/action-view/ref-174/ It's a great idea to go at the end, yes. I could ask, for sure. It's such a lot - an hour - to spend getting used to a new environment.
Re: BAT tips [quote author=JulieT link=topic=4934.msg72103#msg72103 date=1398856511] Obi's good with other dogs in his obedience classes and tests though? Well, I assume he must be as he is such a champ. Is it because he knows the other dogs? Is it different in class?[/quote] A bit excited when we arrive at the club but we have a run in the off-lead area and that sorts him out. He's absolutely fine in class (on or off lead), in tests, at the dog park, on a group dog walk. Last week we attended a puppy class as the "sensible older dog" (slight eye roll) who the puppies were introduced to. His job was to spend an hour sitting still and scoffing roast pork while puppies sniffed at and then climbed over him. He did great. His problem is that he likes to whine or shout at other unknown dogs he sees on lead or at dogs bellowing from behind gates. He is not fearful. He's excited, vocal, impatient and confident. [quote author=JulieT link=topic=4934.msg72103#msg72103 date=1398856511] I so want to go to a class...but I'd be daft to do so right now. I'd spend my whole time "being calm around other dogs". [/quote] Spending time practising calmness is always time well spent, in my book
Re: BAT tips Thanks, Rachael, I think excited, impatient and confident applies to Charlie. Vocal may well come in time. : [quote author=Oberon link=topic=4934.msg72125#msg72125 date=1398859028] [quote author=JulieT link=topic=4934.msg72103#msg72103 date=1398856511] I so want to go to a class...but I'd be daft to do so right now. I'd spend my whole time "being calm around other dogs". [/quote] Spending time practising calmness is always time well spent, in my book [/quote] It is, and Barbara's suggestion of just going for part of a class is a really good one. Going for an hour though, when he is so excitable, would just be too much.
Re: BAT tips Absolutely. An hour is far too long. Our classes are an hour and I'm exhausted by the end from keeping my dog busy.
Re: BAT tips [quote author=Oberon link=topic=4934.msg72098#msg72098 date=1398855813] It's that and the wrinkles that are a problem I think. Wrinkled brows, which Boxers have, give off a "I'm pretty bothered by you" signal. [/quote] Makes sense, thanks Rachael
Re: BAT tips [quote author=debsie link=topic=4934.msg72102#msg72102 date=1398856490] Plodders unite . same here, slow but steady with these things I think, and not to worry about the odd blip. Yesterday we had major breakthrough with Cuilli sitting outside a café in the sun with three strange dogs going past, not a peep and very relaxed. But then at night indoors in a pub (they had a very sociable day yesterday!) she had a bark at a dog going past outside, she clocked it through the window, like everything it is very context specific at first I think, the trick is to get that behaviour generalised, and as we know dogs don't do generalised so well! I really like hearing about these updates folks. Good to know we are not alone and well done to everyone - Charlie seems to be catching on quicker than Cuilli has [/quote] Plodders Unite, I like it we should start a new thread ;D Brilliant that you can go for a coffee with Cuillin now I think I am more than used to the odd blip. Charlie is catching on quick but I think that's more about the gammon than us : Keep going Jen, Rachael Debsie and us One day ladies one day xx
