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09-02-2008, 09:37 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 57
| Advice please... Ok, so Boston had his first night of puppy class tonight and it did not go so well. But let me give you a little background first. Boston is 5 months old now. Ever since the day he came home he has been around other dogs. We have TONS of dogs in the neighborhood that just hang out at our house. The little man has never had a problem with any dog. He also has been fine at the pet store (i take him once a week) and also at the vet. In fact, 15 min. before his class, he met a dog in the previous class and was fine with him. Okay...so this is what happened... Puppy class started and our trainer told us to drop the leashes and let the pups meet each other. There are two other small dogs and a 20-ish lbs. pit bull mix. My little man is still the smallest in his class. Well what happened was the little guy was scared at first, but did not try to hide behind me. The other dogs came over to him and sniffed him, he was scared but he let them. After about 2 min. the pups started to play with each other. The started to jump around, but the little man was still a little scared. Then, all three dogs went over to him and i believe the pit bull was sniffing his and the other two where jumping on him to play (he was backed up against the wall) and Boston SNAPED. He started growling, barking, showing his teeth, and biting if the other dogs even came NEAR him. Also, the whole rest of the class he would not go near any of the other dogs. He tried to hide behind me all night. I was so embarrased. The first thing the trainer said was "You have to bring him around dogs." Then I got so upset because I DO! The other dog owners where shooting me dirty looks. Its worse when you 21 and everyone else in the class is older. I feel like they think my dog is psycho and im a bad momma because im young. However, I felt better once the class started and Boston was the only one paying attention/getting the tricks. Now my problem is is that I dont know what to do, or what caused this. My thoughts are... 1)- He does have an "alpha dog" issue. 2)- He was nervous. 3)- He wasnt used to metting for dogs at once. Im sorry this is so long, but can someone PLEASE help give me advice please? Tell me what I am doing wrong and how I can fix this? Thank you
__________________ Nikki and Boston |
Welcome Guest! | |
09-02-2008, 09:50 PM | #2 |
..... and BLAIR'S too ...... Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA
Posts: 3,190
| I am so sorry to hear the 'Dog Class' did not go to well .... ...... but I don't blame the little guy ... he was scared .... and don't be embarrassed about it ... I can't imagen what it must felt liked to have dirty looks from the entire class .... some people can be so ignorant .... I can't give you any advice on this .... I hope one of the YT Members can .... just hug the little guy and show him that you support him .....
__________________ I LOVE MY LIFE AS A MOMMY AND A WIFE |
09-02-2008, 10:10 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: So. California
Posts: 4,057
| Aww the poor little guy was just scared. Is the instructer against letting you reassure him when bigger dogs come near? I would NOT let them back him up in a corner. It makes him feel threatened and trapped and the only way out is to try to scare them away. Always give him a way out. I would not force him to let a bigger dog play with him. He is just being a puppy and if he feels insecure, he will lash out.
__________________ Sonya, Owned by Ladybug, Tilly, Sunshine, Beamer, Rainbow, Sonny and Righteous RIP Sunnie (11/12/2003-7/31/2009) |
09-02-2008, 10:15 PM | #4 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: arizona
Posts: 77
| I've never taken "Biscuit" to a training class, but I have a question for you...isn't it kinda scary when you have to let the other dogs come over to "Boston"? I mean what if one of the dogs was to grab him? The owners don't even have ahold of their leash? I guess I am a bit neurotic. I think it is great that you take your little guy to class. I can understand how he would have felt overwhelmed by the others. If it were me I would have been shooing them away, and giving the other owners dirty looks, LOL, I guess its better that I don't take him Patti |
09-02-2008, 10:20 PM | #5 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 57
| well what happpend waas when she told us to drop our leashes, she told us to stay back and let them do their own thing. after they were seperated is when she told me to tell him "good boy". But I was not allowed near him during the meeting period. I just dont know how to fix it you know? I dont want him miserable for the next 4 classes. Nor do I want him to do this everytime he meets a new dog from now on, you know? It is very stressfull. He is my baby, I dont want him to be upset!
__________________ Nikki and Boston |
09-02-2008, 10:40 PM | #6 | |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 57
| Quote:
I do agree with you. I think the dogs should have been on the leash when they first met. And yes, i was scared out of my mind. I just thought the trainer knew best.
__________________ Nikki and Boston | |
09-03-2008, 02:52 AM | #7 |
Love my Mika!!! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cheshire UK
Posts: 2,430
| Your situation sounds very similar to something that happened to us recently. I take Mika pretty much everywhere with us, I'm a SAHM so she goes out alot. I always let her meet other dogs BIG and small and theres never been any problems. She also lives with 2 other dogs-a staff and an OESD. Recently I took her to my brothers house and she met his 6 month old staff pup. I let her off the lead and Mika attacked him I was really taken aback She had never snapped/growled before at anything!!! I tried to calm her down but she was not happy, my brothers dog was fine he didn;t feel threatened at all and was just trying to play with her. I found once she was back on her leash she was much happier and actually started to play. But once I let her go again she got all defensive. I think the leash is like a security blanket to her, she feels safe and secure and is much happier. I am going to continue trying her off her leash with my brothers dog, I want them to get along, but carefully does it Hopefully Boston will learn to play nice too with time and patience. Good luck to you both
__________________ YORKIE MUM TO MIKA 12 MONTHS OLD!!! MIKA & FLETCHER D.O.B. 03/17/08 |
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