Socializing Max and I had our first informal training session today with a big dog. I was very brave and didn't panic, but I forgot to do my part giving commands and praising. Luckily the neighbor who owns the big dog is advanced enough to be a professional trainer and she did a great job handling me. How did Max do, you ask? :p Very well. He sniffed the other guy and he spent 10 minutes just sitting side by side with him. Both the dogs had already had long walks. Max has a problem passing other dogs because he thinks he needs to protect me, and his little brother Teddy. My father has been taking Max for his morning walk over the past week and he has not barked at other dogs. My goal is to teach Max that he doesn't need to protect me or bark at other dogs. I'll keep updating and I hope to get pictures. |
Sounds like progress :) Great job Max! |
Thanks Ryan! We met again today with the big dog, Buddy. His owner leashed him to a post and then took Max's leash to do some walking exercises. The expression on Max's face was priceless -- he was smiling, but looking back at me as if to say, "Is this okay, mom?" :p We hung out with Buddy for a long time today, just sitting and sniffing and walking a little. Max sat and offered his hand to Buddy's owner -- too cute! Buddy's owner recommended a local trainer who has a lot of experience in dog obedience competition. I'm looking into signing up Max for classes with the trainer. Buddy is going to be busy for a couple of days, but I hope to get pictures at our next meeting. |
YAY Maxman! I'm so proud of you AND your owner. :) |
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We met with Buddy the big dog this morning, our third get-together. Max didn't bark once on approach. In fact, he didn't seem all that interested in Buddy today. I brought treats this time and Max performed sit and down, but no handshake. Max demonstrated great awareness about moving out of the way when Buddy would move or swing his tail (must be all that practice avoiding me rolling over in bed, lol). When Buddy barked (not aggressively, just a typical woof woof) at a strange man walking down the street, Max was flustered and jumped up on me to be picked up. I was surprised because he hasn't done that since he was a puppy. Instead of picking him up, I happily said, "Buddy has a big voice, doesn't he?" Max appeared reassured, but I think he had been challenged enough for the day and was happy to head for home. Next up in our socializing agenda is Buddy's brother, the dreaded Chow mix that is Max's nemesis and big-time barking trigger. |
Maxman had his first meeting today with one of his biggest neighborhood barking triggers, a Chow. Neither Max nor the Chow barked -- it's a miracle! They just checked each other out. We kept it short and went back to the Chow's brother, Buddy, who is much more laid back. Max is very comfortable with these dogs, he even looks for them when we are out, but I was disappointed that he barked like mad at other big dogs on our walks last night and this morning. A lot more work is needed. We tried introducing my other Yorkie Teddy to the big dog, Buddy. Teddy demonstrated fear-aggression. He is fine passing dogs on the street, but he wasn't eager about getting close to a big dog. Poor Teddy received bad responses from a couple of smaller dogs on our walks and I think that has set him back socially. |
You're absolutely right that YOUR attitude will determine a lot of what happens. My first Kerry Blue Terrier started being a little dog aggressive... got into a couple of fights... and I became terrified of meeting other dogs. My terror fed her protective instinct, which made her MORE dog aggressive... it was a vicious circle. With subsequent dogs, I've been very careful not to let my fear come to the fore... and I have two Kerry Blues and a Biewer Yorkie who love to meet other dogs, and who regularly with 3 labs, a couple of Australian shepards, and various other mid-size dogs. Can't emphasize enough the importance of regular walks with other dogs. |
I'm glad to hear that Max is making progress!! I know you guys have a lot of work still ahead of you, but it is awesome that he is making friends with some larger dogs. |
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JL |
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I was reading a book last night by Barbara Woodhouse titled "No Bad Dogs: The Woodhouse Way." While I strongly disagree with her use of choke chains, I did like her tip to say "What a good dog!" I tested it on my boys separately last night on our walks and they both responded to the word "what." Every time I said it, they would look up at me happily and they seemed more eager to follow commands. I usually say "that's a good boy." The sound of "what" is a real attention grabber. |
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I agree with her though we tend not to rward our dogs with our voice enough. I have one dog that likes that sometimes more then food. JL |
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