Joey also gets cold easily, and will shiver if he's even slightly chilled. Some of the things your trainer suggested aren't so bad, I think this is based on tough love type of training, and she must have gotten the impression your dog was displaying many bad traits. You basically take away all things, and make your dog realize everything good comes from you. I've read of using this technique with teenagers, who are displaying really dangerous behaviors such as skipping school or drug taking, and it can be effective, but I didn't know it was useful for dogs. Dogs don't really understand why their beds are taken away.
I do a lot of "trick" training with Joey, and he does get most of his food by performing, and I actually think this is very good for him, and it seems to give him confidence. Remember, many dogs bark because they are scared. At the very least, I think you should make a dog sit and stay before you give him a meal. Concerning your problem with walks, Joey did the same thing, and I found a couple of things that helped. One is redirection, turning his attention away from the source of anxiety, and also watching out for what could be a problem, and walking in a fast pace way past the problem. When you are doing a purposeful walk, they tend to really get involved in the actual walk, and bikers and other dogs don't get their attention, as easily, on the other hand if you are taking a "stroll" they will notice every little thing. So as we are walking, I'll notice a biker and continue to walk fast, if Joey gets too agitated, I will say UH-UH, and continue to walk in a fast pace, if he continues, I will do a turn-about so that he can't see the object, and continue this until the biker/dog is out of site, and his episodes of agitation are now quite short. |