7 Month old puppy guarding me and aggressive toward other dogs..advice please!!

[Toffee's Mom]

I will admit that I am having a bit of a problem following the advice here. I guess I can follow the overall concept, but I'm having trouble with a few of the specifics.



This is the part that I have the most trouble with. Since you can't really be sure when she will react (or not react), by treating before, aren't you then just tossing treats at her to keep her distracted? I'm not sure how that translates to teaching her appropriate (as apposed to inappropriate) behavior.

I hear ya, it's a huge shift, it's not easy at all.
I have a reactive Sheltie who I did things wrong with when he was young and made it worse... I worked hard at changing my whole outlook to get to where I am now... It's not easy because it changes the whole paradigm and outlook!
It's an exciting journey tho, and leaves you a lot of great discovery and a new, amazing bond with your pup.

First thing is observe, you CAN learn when she is going to do it, it's about body language, before she lunges she should have a sec of stillness, or before that some hard eye contact with the other dog, or if nervous lip licking, yawning, stiff body language...
IF you catch these moments and interrupt with a treat for NOT lunging (yet) before she can escalate you're golden! This is the change, it's not about 'correcting' it's about rewarding her for NOT lunging, it changes her association with the other dog, you're not encouraging the behaviour you don't want, you're catching and rewarding the behaviour you do want, which is when she's still not lunging lol. Think of saying, thanks for showing me you're uncomfortable and being proactive instead of waiting until she does it wrong and reacting with punishment

 

[JLSOhio51]

Toffee's Mom:

Thanks. This is beginning to make more sense.

...
First thing is observe, you CAN learn when she is going to do it, it's about body language, before she lunges she should have a sec of stillness, or before that some hard eye contact with the other dog, or if nervous lip licking, yawning, stiff body language...

This point makes a bit more sense to me. However fleeting (possibly) the cues are, there are generally clues that signal the unwanted behavior.

IF you catch these moments and interrupt with a treat for NOT lunging (yet) before she can escalate you're golden!

I (now) realize that we may be talking semantics here, but if I am following the point correctly now, the treat is not truly for NOT lunging, but the treat is actually because the handler caught the cues and treated BEFORE the negative behavior. Clearly, without the treat, the pup is likely to carry out the negative behavior so you are not really rewarding good behavior (just pre-empting bad behavior). The reason that this seemingly minor distinction (nit-picking, I know) on my part is not because I question the training method (it not only seems like a reasonable approach, but is one I will employ if need be). But, I am one who believes in the "Law of Unintended Consequences". As such, doing even the correct thing without considering all of the potential ramifications could create additional issues. Either way, your explanation cleared up several of the questions I had. Thanks.

 

[Toffee's Mom]

EXACTLY!!!
No, I totally agree with you, it is so very important to break it down and be clear, you're absolutely correct in questioning the sequences, clarity and intent of every action!!

Also this is a good video talking and showing body signals, sorta at the beginning of the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap7nrNMmEZ8

 

[Cheermom2003]

Thanks so much for the replies! I have been staying firm and expecting her to follow my commands when I say them. I have stayed strong and am following through. I do not want to go through what I did last week...it was too upsetting!
If the weather cooperates I will have open training again on Thursday. (I live in the northeast so the weather is hateful this week)!!
My trainers response during this last week was if she doesn't do the behavior you cant correct it...I understand that but I would be much more comfortable in working towards the behavior not happening! I did see the signs so I know what to look for. I would like to just go to training and have her have a good experience working around other dogs then having to have them greet and correct her..lol...
we also do switch off so our dogs are comfortable with others...
I would like to take her out more right now but this week is major snows every other day so I have just been working at home...EVERYTHING she does she has to work for. Sit for treats..sit to play....hand fed her breakfast yesterday and worked on sit..down ..stay .
Hoping if I just stay firm we will come out on the other end just fine!! LOL

Thanks Everyone!!
Christine

 

[Cheermom2003]

Thanks all so much for your advice and words of wisdom. I am following through with her training and staying diligent. I will just keep on training and making her work for everything and now feel confident we will come out the other end a bonded better team. I have learned she is a little more sensitive and will adjust her training so its all positive outcomes
You guys have been great!! You gave me the encouragement and support I needed so much!!
Thanks so much!

Christine