obedience has turned STRESSFUL - YorkieTalk.com Forums

marcerella02 · 01-30-2007, 04:10 PM

we started intermediate on saturday.. i am just posting this NOW because of how stressed out i have been about it.. layla and i LOVE Our trainer.. which is why were are taking more obedience. layla is in a class with two 5 month old chocolate labs, a 6 month old golden retriever and a 5 month old American Eskimo Dog. Layla LOVES obedience.. she loves the big dogs... although she sometimes get scared, she did really well for having not been in a long time. THe problem is with the American Eskimo Dog. The "parent" is useless.. she is there because her husband thinks she can't handle the dog.. oh and she brought her 4 children under the age of 7 along... well this dog barked and barked and barked.. a very high pitch park... most of the class... Christina (the trainer) told the girl to spray him with water whenever he barked.. she didn't... for whatever reason the barking really bothered layla.. she tried nipping at the dog whenever it passed by and even showed her teeth. i was such a mess when i left there.. this is NOT AT ALL like layla. IN fact today a friend of ours brought their 4 year old yorkie Max over to visit and he barked at layla.. growled a little bit.. she just kept on trying ot play with him.. dind't care... i'm so sick about going back... i love the other dogs in the class and i know this is a behaviour that needs to be corrected. but i feel like she almost has a right to get pissed off....??? this is not usual for her as i just discribed, so do i spray her with water at class when she acts this way??? any help or ideas would be SO appreciate.. th is makes me sick to my stomache... i hate seeing her act like this... it's not my sweet girl that i know.

margot. · 01-30-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcerella02

we started intermediate on saturday.. i am just posting this NOW because of how stressed out i have been about it.. layla and i LOVE Our trainer.. which is why were are taking more obedience. layla is in a class with two 5 month old chocolate labs, a 6 month old golden retriever and a 5 month old American Eskimo Dog. Layla LOVES obedience.. she loves the big dogs... although she sometimes get scared, she did really well for having not been in a long time. THe problem is with the American Eskimo Dog. The "parent" is useless.. she is there because her husband thinks she can't handle the dog.. oh and she brought her 4 children under the age of 7 along... well this dog barked and barked and barked.. a very high pitch park... most of the class... Christina (the trainer) told the girl to spray him with water whenever he barked.. she didn't... for whatever reason the barking really bothered layla.. she tried nipping at the dog whenever it passed by and even showed her teeth. i was such a mess when i left there.. this is NOT AT ALL like layla. IN fact today a friend of ours brought their 4 year old yorkie Max over to visit and he barked at layla.. growled a little bit.. she just kept on trying ot play with him.. dind't care... i'm so sick about going back... i love the other dogs in the class and i know this is a behaviour that needs to be corrected. but i feel like she almost has a right to get pissed off....??? this is not usual for her as i just discribed, so do i spray her with water at class when she acts this way??? any help or ideas would be SO appreciate.. th is makes me sick to my stomache... i hate seeing her act like this... it's not my sweet girl that i know.

you know...it's funny - Banks is somewhat fearful of other dogs and during their playtime (we're in a puppy class) he's mostly a loner. When they do come near him he either gets on his hind legs and shows teeth (no growl thouugh) or runs away...at the end of class this week though, he started barking and lunging at the other dogs for NO REASON! I totally know how you feel - it made me feel sick to my stomach! I'm farily worried about him and afraid I'm not socializing him enough...your advice on that would be great!

In any event, it's always tough to be in a class (any class - human and dog) where one person isn't pulling their weight and acts totally inapproprately- it just ruins it for those of us that do the work and try hard.

. I'd say stick it out - don't let youself get upset (i know it's easier said than done!) and think of it as a test for both of you! So long as you both keep your cool (she'll pick up on your energy) and stay confident and focused, you'll end up having such a beautifully behaved companion! Kudos to you for making such great efforts to train layla!

my only suggestion (and my trainer said this to us) would be to seek out other American Eskimo dogs outside of class so that layla doesn't associate ALL amerian eskimo dogs with unstable, unbalanced energy. My trainer said some breed - specifically terriers - were bred to be able to distinguish different kinds of dogs - so if there is a very negative experience with one type of dog, your dog may become aggressive or fearful around all dogs of whatever paticular breed. Hope this helps and I'd like to know how it goes!

marcerella02 · 01-30-2007, 04:30 PM

great suggestion!! now i just have to find one

socialization is SO hard... especially because ALL of the dogs are bigger than our baby!! you know what REALLY helped layla... two things... 1) our beginner class was just layla and another dog (her Great Dane boyfriend!) which worked out SO well... because it was one on one.. so you might ask for a semi-private class with a relatively nice dog... just to ease him into it.. and 2) layla goes to daycare... it is her... two labs and a labradoodle puppy (who to be honest, she is not crazy about.. but it is SO good for her) its kinda like kids... going to preschool a few times a week to get socalized... see if you can find something like that around... it has done WONDERS for her confidence around big dogs... she is not scared of them at all! its the little ones we have to look out for! keep at it! Banks is very lucky to have such a dedicated parent! i wish you were in OUR class!

margot. · 01-30-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcerella02

great suggestion!! now i just have to find one

socialization is SO hard... especially because ALL of the dogs are bigger than our baby!! you know what REALLY helped layla... two things... 1) our beginner class was just layla and another dog (her Great Dane boyfriend!) which worked out SO well... because it was one on one.. so you might ask for a semi-private class with a relatively nice dog... just to ease him into it.. and 2) layla goes to daycare... it is her... two labs and a labradoodle puppy (who to be honest, she is not crazy about.. but it is SO good for her) its kinda like kids... going to preschool a few times a week to get socalized... see if you can find something like that around... it has done WONDERS for her confidence around big dogs... she is not scared of them at all! its the little ones we have to look out for! keep at it! Banks is very lucky to have such a dedicated parent! i wish you were in OUR class!

Thanks for the tip! I'm thinking maybe a few times a week in day care would be good for him. He won't have me to run to - not that I don't like it, I just want him to be cool around other dogs. Things are just so expensive here!! I suppose the expense is worth it so that he doesnt get beat up at the dog park!

FirstYorkie · 01-31-2007, 12:27 AM

Marcerella,

Oh, please don't stop going to class!

In your situation, here's what I would do:

1) Talk to the trainer. Point out how much the other dog's behavior is stressing your dog. It's really the trainer's responsibility to control the other dog if the owners won't do it (how aggravating!).
2) Break any prolonged eye contact between Layla and the American Eskimo. Do this by either getting her to focus on you or by stepping in front of her line of sight.
3) Step in between Layla and the AE whenever that dog is walking by yours. Let Layla know that she doesn't need to fight him - you will handle HIM for her. Also make sure she isn't feeling trapped (back against the wall) when he walks by unless you can get between them. It seems to me that Layla is feeling threatened by him. Let your body language tell her that you will run interference for her.

Personally, I wouldn't spray her for acting like she is in class. At least, not yet. I'd try the above. If she acts up, I'd put her in a "down stay" and avoid eye contact with her.

marcerella02 · 01-31-2007, 06:18 AM

those are GREAT suggestions.. thank you so much!! i really don't want to spray her so i will try those first!!! we have a great trainer so i'm definitly going to talk to her! thanks SO MUCH!!

FirstYorkie · 01-31-2007, 07:51 AM

You're very welcome. Good luck!

margot. · 01-31-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstYorkie

Marcerella,
2) Break any prolonged eye contact between Layla and the American Eskimo. Do this by either getting her to focus on you or by stepping in front of her line of sight.
3) Step in between Layla and the AE whenever that dog is walking by yours. Let Layla know that she doesn't need to fight him - you will handle HIM for her. Also make sure she isn't feeling trapped (back against the wall) when he walks by unless you can get between them. It seems to me that Layla is feeling threatened by him. Let your body language tell her that you will run interference for her.

This is great advice for me and Banks! He got really aggressive at the end of our last puppy class (barking and lunging at the other puppies) and the people were talking while the dogs were just sitting around staring at eachother so I'll have to make sure Banks faces me and/or run interference when he's getting into a staring competition. Thanks for the advice!

sassypup · 01-31-2007, 12:20 PM

I agree, stick to it! There's always an 'annoying one' in every group and don't let that ruin your experience. You are there to learn as well as Layla. If this persists, ask the trainer her suggestions since she's the expert. Better yet, go on the other end where the bothersome dog is....keep layla as far as you can from that particular one.

FirstYorkie · 02-01-2007, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by margot.

This is great advice for me and Banks! He got really aggressive at the end of our last puppy class (barking and lunging at the other puppies) and the people were talking while the dogs were just sitting around staring at eachother so I'll have to make sure Banks faces me and/or run interference when he's getting into a staring competition. Thanks for the advice!

Our trainer is really adamant about this and it seems to work. It amazes me when, in the middle of explaining an exercise, she'll suddenly say "Joey and Spot are staring at each other - please break their eye contact". If it goes to the point that they bark at each other, she'll be a little annoyed with us that we didn't pick up on the staring contest earlier.

Apparently, staring is very aggressive in dog language.

FirstYorkie · 02-01-2007, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by margot.

This is great advice for me and Banks! He got really aggressive at the end of our last puppy class (barking and lunging at the other puppies) and the people were talking while the dogs were just sitting around staring at eachother so I'll have to make sure Banks faces me and/or run interference when he's getting into a staring competition. Thanks for the advice!

Our trainer is really adamant about this and it seems to work. It amazes me when, in the middle of explaining an exercise, she'll suddenly say "Joey and Spot are staring at each other - please break their eye contact". If it goes to the point that they bark at each other, she'll be a little annoyed with us that we didn't pick up on the staring contest earlier.

Apparently, staring is very aggressive in dog body language.

Akina · 02-01-2007, 09:40 AM

Momiji goes to puppy class at the same company as Banks (Margot's boy) but different date.
Too bad we are not in the same class. It would be so nice to have other yorkie in the class.
However, Momiji has 1 pom puppy and 1 Shi Zu puppy in the class. (Shi Zu is a big time barker!!!)
Others are big dogs.
Momiji isn't crazy about grate dane or golden retriver and they don't care for Momiji as well.
They think she is a little moving toy..... Poor baby.
But there is Sidney who is a mix breed.
She is 5-6 times bigger than Momiji but she is a good nature dog.
She tries so hard to make herself smaller so she can play with Momiji!!
She is sooo sweet and I love watching them play.
Anyhow, it is sooo difficult for us to let our little baby play with thoes big babies.....
I hope your Layla will calm down and won't hate ALL AE.....

01-30-2007, 04:10 PM	#1
marcerella02 Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 11,257	obedience has turned STRESSFUL we started intermediate on saturday.. i am just posting this NOW because of how stressed out i have been about it.. layla and i LOVE Our trainer.. which is why were are taking more obedience. layla is in a class with two 5 month old chocolate labs, a 6 month old golden retriever and a 5 month old American Eskimo Dog. Layla LOVES obedience.. she loves the big dogs... although she sometimes get scared, she did really well for having not been in a long time. THe problem is with the American Eskimo Dog. The "parent" is useless.. she is there because her husband thinks she can't handle the dog.. oh and she brought her 4 children under the age of 7 along... well this dog barked and barked and barked.. a very high pitch park... most of the class... Christina (the trainer) told the girl to spray him with water whenever he barked.. she didn't... for whatever reason the barking really bothered layla.. she tried nipping at the dog whenever it passed by and even showed her teeth. i was such a mess when i left there.. this is NOT AT ALL like layla. IN fact today a friend of ours brought their 4 year old yorkie Max over to visit and he barked at layla.. growled a little bit.. she just kept on trying ot play with him.. dind't care... i'm so sick about going back... i love the other dogs in the class and i know this is a behaviour that needs to be corrected. but i feel like she almost has a right to get pissed off....??? this is not usual for her as i just discribed, so do i spray her with water at class when she acts this way??? any help or ideas would be SO appreciate.. th is makes me sick to my stomache... i hate seeing her act like this... it's not my sweet girl that i know. __________________ http://misscanam.blogspot.com/ Layla 's Simon

01-30-2007, 04:30 PM	#3
marcerella02 Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 11,257	great suggestion!! now i just have to find one socialization is SO hard... especially because ALL of the dogs are bigger than our baby!! you know what REALLY helped layla... two things... 1) our beginner class was just layla and another dog (her Great Dane boyfriend!) which worked out SO well... because it was one on one.. so you might ask for a semi-private class with a relatively nice dog... just to ease him into it.. and 2) layla goes to daycare... it is her... two labs and a labradoodle puppy (who to be honest, she is not crazy about.. but it is SO good for her) its kinda like kids... going to preschool a few times a week to get socalized... see if you can find something like that around... it has done WONDERS for her confidence around big dogs... she is not scared of them at all! its the little ones we have to look out for! keep at it! Banks is very lucky to have such a dedicated parent! i wish you were in OUR class! __________________ http://misscanam.blogspot.com/ Layla 's Simon

01-31-2007, 12:27 AM	#5
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Marcerella, Oh, please don't stop going to class! In your situation, here's what I would do: 1) Talk to the trainer. Point out how much the other dog's behavior is stressing your dog. It's really the trainer's responsibility to control the other dog if the owners won't do it (how aggravating!). 2) Break any prolonged eye contact between Layla and the American Eskimo. Do this by either getting her to focus on you or by stepping in front of her line of sight. 3) Step in between Layla and the AE whenever that dog is walking by yours. Let Layla know that she doesn't need to fight him - you will handle HIM for her. Also make sure she isn't feeling trapped (back against the wall) when he walks by unless you can get between them. It seems to me that Layla is feeling threatened by him. Let your body language tell her that you will run interference for her. Personally, I wouldn't spray her for acting like she is in class. At least, not yet. I'd try the above. If she acts up, I'd put her in a "down stay" and avoid eye contact with her. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training! Last edited by FirstYorkie; 01-31-2007 at 12:29 AM.

01-31-2007, 06:18 AM	#6
marcerella02 Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 11,257	those are GREAT suggestions.. thank you so much!! i really don't want to spray her so i will try those first!!! we have a great trainer so i'm definitly going to talk to her! thanks SO MUCH!! __________________ http://misscanam.blogspot.com/ Layla 's Simon

01-31-2007, 07:51 AM	#7
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	You're very welcome. Good luck! __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-31-2007, 12:20 PM	#9
sassypup Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: S. Ca Posts: 1,905	I agree, stick to it! There's always an 'annoying one' in every group and don't let that ruin your experience. You are there to learn as well as Layla. If this persists, ask the trainer her suggestions since she's the expert. Better yet, go on the other end where the bothersome dog is....keep layla as far as you can from that particular one.

02-01-2007, 09:40 AM	#12
Akina YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Mateo Posts: 887	Momiji goes to puppy class at the same company as Banks (Margot's boy) but different date. Too bad we are not in the same class. It would be so nice to have other yorkie in the class. However, Momiji has 1 pom puppy and 1 Shi Zu puppy in the class. (Shi Zu is a big time barker!!!) Others are big dogs. Momiji isn't crazy about grate dane or golden retriver and they don't care for Momiji as well. They think she is a little moving toy..... Poor baby. But there is Sidney who is a mix breed. She is 5-6 times bigger than Momiji but she is a good nature dog. She tries so hard to make herself smaller so she can play with Momiji!! She is sooo sweet and I love watching them play. Anyhow, it is sooo difficult for us to let our little baby play with thoes big babies..... I hope your Layla will calm down and won't hate ALL AE.....