Ballistic - need BIG time help
 

Smokey is a relatively calm yorkie... until he sees another dog.... then he goes BALLISTIC. He just wants to play, but he sounds like he's going to rip their heads off. I know when we talked to a trainer they said to try to divert his attention with something like a treat and hold his attention. That doesn't work with him. All he can focus on is the dog. He flails so much that I can't even restrain him. Today I was sitting on the porch with Chip and Smokey and the neighbors dog came outside and of course Smokey went nuts. I tried holding him with my arm straightening his body and my hand covering his eyes and holding his mouth shut. I just don't know what to do. I can't take him anywhere because this is how he acts and I want to get him into obedience training, but we'll be kicked out with the way he acts. It's embarassing!

Then the other problem... like I said he's great... until he sees my cousin's cat. He plays soooo rough with him! Even more rough that he plays with Chip and Mojo (kitty) is very gentle and doesn't like it. The problem is soon my cousin is moving in an apartment with my husband and I and obviously will have his cat. We can't have Smokey behaving the way he does. I'm thinking of trying a spray bottle for discipline and treats for a reward. But what if a spray bottle doesn't work? Then what? Right now it's easy to seperate the cat and the dogs because we live in a townhouse, but it won't be easy nor will it be fair to all three animals to seperate them.

Any advice?

Anyone?

Looks to me like little smokey has a LOT of stored up energy. Could you maybe take him to a park or somewhere he could run and get it out of his system.

It seems like Smokey & Brownie have more than looks in common.
Brownie's 6 & i still have not figured out how to stop this.

Maybe they should get together and have a ballistic fit together! Wear each other out!

Bentley is the same, he is like that with animals and people, I was talking to someone and they suggested putting him in daycare, so in September Im going to try that, see what happens. I also have a name of a dog trainer so once the kids go back to school Im going to get hold of her. I was told alot of Bentley's problems is fear, as when I hold him he is alot better than when I put him down, then he really goes crazy.

Nolee is this way also. He plays very rough with other dogs! It really scares me that he is going to hurt someone's dog, but he is just rough. (fingers crossed) I have also heard that exercise will help calm them also!

I wonder what that would do Brownie has never had a dog challenge him. Even big dogs back down lol.

I would suggest you work with a trainer that understands aggression.....
actually reactivity more then aggression. He has Little self control.
I look into the book control unleashed and also the C.A.T. program.

I also try to actually get him to look at the dog then back to you and reward the look back. Your trying to stop him from looking altogether like many trainers do for aggression but this is reactivity and it is different.
if you give him what he wants the look at the dog after you treat him for the look at you the more a dog gets what he wants the less they want it and the more interesting you become.
You are not interesting and that is ok cause your not a dog but you can work on being more interesting by allowing the look ats. You become not the person taking something away but the one going ok look as long as you can look at me for a second. All to many people.. trainers think you should be the end all and be all in your dogs life. it is not possible and totally ok for them to be dogs and sniff and want to be with other dogs. He just over reacting cause man it a dog can I play. and a leash and his mother is holding that up. Self control and possibly a little fear cause it not in control.

Now C.A.T. program is new ( Constructional Aggression Treatment by Kellie Snider and Dr Jesus Rosalez-Ruiz) and I have not worked this yet much but have look and see if you can find someone in your area that does it works with treats but the treat is once you settle the thing that scares you leaves but not before you calm down.

As for the cat... leave it should be taught.. plus a way for the cat to get away from the dog and have alone time. no access to the cat zone by dogs.
and allow the cat a cat pole.... here is were an aggression trainer wold be able to help teach and again it self control not aggression as such.

JL

small size big ego
 

I have a lot of empathy because Trinket does the same thing. I keep telling her she might end up as a tooth pick if ever I am not around.