Hi everyone, we have initiated our training plan for Mission Almost Impossible, Charlie : We took him to Anton Lakes where he encountered at least 10 dogs and 1 off lead dog, not a single bark, lunge or any issue of any kind So why does he bark/lunge at certain dogs that he encounters where we live? Could it be habit? I am at a loss and don't understand this :-\ Any ideas? Charlie also sat but whined whilst watching Ducks and being fed chicken for 5 minutes - brilliant. But then came the Canada Geese, hissing and trying to chase him, well that's when the fun started, Charlie barking and dragging David who almost ended up in the Lake, which reminded me of Lochan's story where she did end up in the lake ;D Overall he did brilliantly in a new situation with lots of distractions and walked on a slack lead, so very proud today Thanks x
Re: Town Dogs vs Country Dogs Very well done all round Helen , thats some achievement ;D I truly believe that our rescue dogs have some baggage and when we dont have any history like you and me , its hard to understand certain behaviour patterns at times . Millie can also be reactive when on lead, but not to all dogs :, I guess we will never understand, but just try to manage the situation as best as we can xx
Re: Town Dogs vs Country Dogs My dog growls and lunges at dog's down our lane, but I can take him into town and he won't even notice a dog six inches away from him! I think it is territory guarding.
Re: Town Dogs vs Country Dogs Good boy Charlie! It might be that the numbers helped - my Charlie used to focus on a single person walking towards him and try and jump up to say hello, but I've always been able to walk him down a busy high street (I think the fact there are just too many people to say hello to helps, and he focuses on other things). Also, just a complete different situation might have helped - my boy is worse with other dogs on one particular track where he can see another dog coming from a long way off - it's like he winds himself up a bit waiting for the other dog to pass, and becomes more determined to say hello. Yet if he were sat in a chill exercise at the pond he would be able to watch that same dog walk round the pond without reacting.
Re: Town Dogs vs Country Dogs Charlie did very well Helen in such exciting situations you should be proud. ;D My two react to some dogs and not others. I wonder if it's like the vibe the other dog gives off that we don't see. The dogs they react to tend to be reactive dogs themselves so they will probably be strutting towards us dominant body language etc looking straight at us. Passive dogs that just walk passed with perhaps a glance in our direction get no reaction back. You'd think my two had no issues at all when we meet dogs like that. Charlie probably barks and lunges at those dogs for a very good reason we just don't understand. Have you tried counter conditioning with those dogs if you know which ones they are ?
Re: Town Dogs vs Country Dogs [quote author=Jen link=topic=5496.msg69360#msg69360 date=1397920073] Charlie did very well Helen in such exciting situations you should be proud. ;D My two react to some dogs and not others. I wonder if it's like the vibe the other dog gives off that we don't see. The dogs they react to tend to be reactive dogs themselves so they will probably be strutting towards us dominant body language etc looking straight at us. Passive dogs that just walk passed with perhaps a glance in our direction get no reaction back. You'd think my two had no issues at all when we meet dogs like that. Charlie probably barks and lunges at those dogs for a very good reason we just don't understand. Have you tried counter conditioning with those dogs if you know which ones they are ? [/quote] Counter conditioning? ???
Re: Town Dogs vs Country Dogs I think your all right ladies . I think the numbers must have helped so no fucusing on one dog, also some dogs that Charlie barks/lunges at always did it to him first and now he does the same back : yet Woody was the dog he had a little play with who does bark at him - good grief they are more complex than humans : Considering that's his first time in town apart from to go to the vets he did really well, so we will try to do this training at the weekends and see if it helps x Thank you
Re: Town Dogs vs Country Dogs Sorry it's so second nature to me thanks to my monsters I assume everybody knows what it is. : You will need tasty treats. 1. Charlie sees the dog he might lunge at. 2. You get a very tasty treat out and use it to get Charlie's attention and keep his attention as you pass the dog or as it or you move away. You can let him lick at the treat or nibble but don't let him have it until you've passed. Praise, treat for not reacting. Keep doing this whenever you see a dog he might react to. Eventually Charlie will look at you or at least your hand for his treat when he sees the dogs. You need to try to make sure he has seen the dog before he is aware you have the treat. The idea of counter conditioning is you are changing the dogs association with something so instead of Charlie seeing the dog and thinking I need to lunge and bark he will think Ooo treat. It works when my two see dogs coming towards us they start nudging my hands looking for the treat.
Re: Town Dogs vs Country Dogs Oh that's sounds like a great idea, so Charlie will eventually be making the decision rather than me? Thanks Jen
Re: Town Dogs vs Country Dogs I think it could have been the numbers - a bit of a sensory overload, but in a good way if you had a successful time. Also, and this is a massive generalisation but is based on experience and I do have evidence to support this having worked in a city and countryside dogs home as well as living in the city and country - country dogs are usually better socialised, or you are more likely to bump into well socialised dogs than not, in the country. Therefore better socialised dogs are giving off 'good vibes' that other dogs pick up on and are more likely to react favourably. I know I have better reactions from Penny when I'm out walking her at my parents house, they live in a small village in the country, than when I walk her at home (I live in the city) and it's not just that it's a novelty as I've walked her at my parents at least once a week since we've had her.
