So my dogs aren't that socialized around other dogs and in certain situations, and I'm trying to help fix it. I went to the library today and checked out lots of books on dog training and socialization. However, almost all of the books are just ranting on about "You need to socialize when your dog is a puppy" (which I already know) and they don't really explain HOW to do anything!
Here are the problems I need help fixing:
For Lily:
-Barks/Growls at other dogs, may occaisionally snap out of fear, which then becomes aggression.
-Is freaked by people wearing hats or large, dark cothing
-Startled in noisy situations
For Sophie:
-Barks/Growls at other dogs (when they are far away), becomes EXTREMELY nervous when they come near, and tries to run away and escape from them. Also, she once peed when a dog came up to her. (Sophie never shows any sign of aggression and has never once snapped at or nipped another dog)
-Scared in noisy situations, such as along a busy street (I live right next to a loud, busy street)
Are there any books that you thought were very helpful that you could reccomend for me to read? Or, do you have any sort of things I could do to fix these problems?
I can not get a professional trainer to come help because we are quite tight on money and it seems like all trainers are $1000 to come help!
Any suggestions/advice?
If you need anything else, ask.
Thank you!
Dog Training Career: Doing It and Loving It
Recommended Answer:
WOW you have your work cut out to you, and you are going to have major patience but it is fixable.
First I would work very hard on lead with sit, stay, heel etc. Use treats and lots of positive reinforcements just use your yard without any distractions. I always recommend a basic choke collar fit high on the neck right behind the ears for easy control and easy, safe corrections. A quick snap and release is all you need and the sound it makes kind of brings them back around.
You need both dogs to totally be fixed on you. The more they focus on your the less they will be distracted by the things that really bother them.
Once you have mastered this then slowly start adding some distractions. It would be great to enlist your friends with dogs that are reasonably calm. Keep them focused with treats and at the moment they start to break say a command like "ignore" use a quick sanp and release of the collar and treat as soon as they go back to looking at you.
This should help with both of their dog issues. Just remember the more they are fixed on you (and the treats) the less they think about the bad stuff.
The easiest was to help with the man issues is to have very calm male friends, come in your house, quietly sit down on the floor with a treat and let the dog come to them. Slowly you can add the hat.
Eventually you will be able to ween them of of the treats and just use the positive reinforcement.
It is hard to remember everything to type but maybe ai have helped a little:))
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/Do…
Dog Training: It's Not Just For Adults Anymore
- if you want your dogs to start socializing start having them go for walks togather with other dogs this makes them feel like the other dog or dogs there walking with are part of there pack and they want be agressive towards them, if your dog is afraid to be neir another dog just have it walking close to it such as across the street every time you walk it have the dog get closer and closer soon it will get used to that dog being their, if your dog is afraid of hats you could try just setting a hat out on the floor and let it become comfortable with it.
- Here are a few people I know that may help you with the books they have written:
Patricia McConnell
Brenda Aloff
Suzanne Clothier
William E Campbell
And lots of treats. Dogs must smell it to believe it, just like humans must see it to believe it.
I would go with cautious canine by patricia mcconnell based on what you wrote. - Perhaps this site will help you out:
http://www.dogstardaily.com-train-aft has a FREE book you can download and read. Also at the top of the page they have a drop down on training and behavior. I'd suggested looking at the 'fear' and 'aggression' sections. - Lily's problem with black coats/hats is the easiest, either have a loan of one or get a second hand coat, and get a few different hats. Then you start to wear them around the house. When she is no longer bothered by you wearing it, then get guests to wear it at your house until she is happy with that. This is called desensitization, teaching her that there is nothing to fear.
One problem you have is that much of your training will have to be done separately to begin with, so you will have to walk them separately. The below is also a desensitization program.
Perpendicular Pooch Technique
Your dog needs to learn a sequence of commands you expect it to follow, this starts at home.
You must teach your dog to 'leave' a food treat (you can just drop it on the floor) & 'come' to you and to 'sit' still for 5 seconds, then make a fuss & allow the dog the treat. Repeat until your dog is perfect.
1. Use a Halti or Gentle Leader, take your dog to a local park where there is a popular walking path.
2.Choose a location where other dogs are unlikely to approach, approx 25 yards at right-angles from the walking path.
3. Take your dog through the routine you taught it at home to make sure it is responding.
4. As soon as a dog appears, tell your dog to 'leave' and turn and walk away from the path for five paces. Then tell your dog to sit. There are only two outcomes - the dog responds and sits - or it doesn't.
If your dog responds then praise it liberally with pats, hugs and food and return to your starting point to repeat the process with the next dog.
If it does not respond, issue another 'leave' command and continue to walk away from the walking path. Finish with a sit but this time tap your dog on its rump to ensure it gets the message. If your dog still does not respond, then you are too close to the path, leave the park and return another day and start at a greater distance.
5. After a few days, if your dog always obeys then move to 20 yards.
6. Continue until you are able to win the confrontations while walking along the path and are approaching other dogs head-to-head rather than at right angles.
As soon as you have taught Lily leave, I would do obedience class with Lily. As she has more issues she would probably benefit from obedience classes, the trainer can give you advice when she sees the body language and your dog will learn to accept other dogs near her. The more a dog obeys you quickly, the more control you have over the dog. The main problem is neither of your dogs obeys you, and neither seem to trust you to protect them.
Sophie would probably benefit from having a young pup over at your house for a very closely supervised visit. As she is so apprehensive of other dogs she should feel safe with a young pup (so long as she shows no aggression). she will feel safer at your house to start with. Also, on weekends take a book to a park and sit in a quiet corner and just read your book for a couple of hours, have sophie lay next to you, she can watch what is happening without being confronted. Remember dogs pick up cues from owners, so it is really important that you remain calm, if she shows any fear, tell her off, No, don't be silly. don't comfort her, if an owner comforts her dog then this confirms that there is something to fear. Ignore her fear as much as possible, just tell her off. when she sits quietly give her a treat, start when the dogs aren't around, the treat when they are approaching and going past. I would also spend time in your front yard so she gets more experience with noisy cars. You have lots of work ahead of you, especially with 2 dogs. - Have you tried Bark Busters?
I have used them and they only cost me 400 for both of my dogs! Plus its a lifetime agreement that if you need them they will come back!
Before I used them my dogs were very noisy in the house and outside. Now after training them with Bark busters They are not noisy in the house and not nosy outside or when your on the phone!
You should also train them separate not toether because its too distracting! - I'm with Koter Boter. Barkbusters is a great professional trainer. I can give them a reference also.
With all the problems you are having I think it is going to be overwhelming for you do to this on your own.
The money will be well spent considering the stress you are going to put yourself through!
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