Abby's Dad
Forums Enthusiast
$90.00 per visit around here...and yes we did do that prior to pt
Abby's behavior - opinions please
- Thread starter Abby's Dad
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BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Indy is funny about the car as well.
On weekends when we head up to the cottage, he'll see me gathering up bags and putting them at the back door. He gets really excited because he knows where we are going. But then the moment comes to put him in the car and he goes and hides.
I think he just does not like the car. He doesn't get sick, but he pants for the first 20 minutes every time. I suspect that's what you might be dealing with. As for solutions: If perhaps she has a little car sickness, try ginger snaps....they are supposed to help settle the tummy
I don't know about the issue in the backyard, though.
On weekends when we head up to the cottage, he'll see me gathering up bags and putting them at the back door. He gets really excited because he knows where we are going. But then the moment comes to put him in the car and he goes and hides.
I think he just does not like the car. He doesn't get sick, but he pants for the first 20 minutes every time. I suspect that's what you might be dealing with. As for solutions: If perhaps she has a little car sickness, try ginger snaps....they are supposed to help settle the tummy
I don't know about the issue in the backyard, though.
This is not new behavior, I also worked with the clicker and treats and that got her to the door but as soon as I stopped treats she stopped coming to the door. I started treats again and got her outside...but she goes to the backyard instead of the front.
Herd4fun - Abby has had an injury since she was 16 weeks - so she has never had the run/jump/play with others. So I am not taking something away from her. In fact she has never really had fun or knows what fun is.
Strider - Like I said above I got her to come to the door and go outside....but thats the end of that. All that worked with the clicker. All other commands worked with the clicker even now after I stopped the clicker. I have to beg her to go to the carIn the last 3 months ALL trips have been positive/pleasurable. She loves the park when we get there. She loves going to the pet store. She loves going to see my mother in law.
I know these dogs are wicked smart....and I feel if I have to beg her or bribe her to go places she likes ....then she does not want to go. All other commands/tricks she does happy. Its hard to see a dog trainer now because we are going to physical therapy once a week and have rented a laser therapy device and both of those are $450 a month.
Ouch, if it were my pup, I'd probably start over and take it slower. dogs learn through repeating. Another thought here as well, maybe talk to your local dog groups. There are usually trainer experts there that may volunteer an idea to help out.
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
I noticed early this winter that Diva was afraid of the car. Not the ride,the car. I have a auto car starter and one day I walked out there with her and the car was running and she stopped. It occured to me since I live alone she had never seen the car running. I just walked her around it in a couple circles and then up to the car telling her what a good dog she was when she acted brave. The next day we when outside and the car wasn't started she did the same thing. So I did the same thing. Never happened again. My friend said both her shelties don't like going to the car when it is running, she loads them in the back and the exhaust comes out at head level and bothers them.
I always approach these things matter of fact and just go up to them calmly put on the lead and go. Praise like crazy any brave behavior ignore the rest. I don't manhandle my dogs but they don't get any positive feedback for scared behavior so they rarely practice it. If I have to I wait from them to firgure it out and then praise any relaxed body cues.
Abby at 9 months is in her 2nd fear period so something could be going on there.
I always approach these things matter of fact and just go up to them calmly put on the lead and go. Praise like crazy any brave behavior ignore the rest. I don't manhandle my dogs but they don't get any positive feedback for scared behavior so they rarely practice it. If I have to I wait from them to firgure it out and then praise any relaxed body cues.
Abby at 9 months is in her 2nd fear period so something could be going on there.
Katherine
Forums Enthusiast
Great advice in previous posts. You may not figure out (immediately or ever !) what is going on in Abby's head. However, keep your attitude and voice upbeat.
Snap will back away from me in a heartbeat if he thinks that the gentle leader, which I have just started using every so often, is coming out. Forget trying to chase or corner a sheltie. When I see reluctance, I turn the other way, walk away confidently, and announce "let's go the kitchen, bedroom, whatever"; and Snap just runs on ahead of me.
You might bring that clicker out again and play the game of going in the direction towards the front door or whatever.
Snap will back away from me in a heartbeat if he thinks that the gentle leader, which I have just started using every so often, is coming out. Forget trying to chase or corner a sheltie. When I see reluctance, I turn the other way, walk away confidently, and announce "let's go the kitchen, bedroom, whatever"; and Snap just runs on ahead of me.
You might bring that clicker out again and play the game of going in the direction towards the front door or whatever.
labgirl
Forums Sage
From reading your posts, I think there is two things going on with Abby, first there is the running away when you put your shoes/jacket on. Now when she does this, you say you chase her around and catch her? Well, that is giving Abby a great deal of attention which dogs see as a positive thing.
Do you put a lead on her when you go out? Perhaps it is the lead she doesn't like?
But clearly she wants to be with you because when you did leave her behind she cried - so that works to your advantage.
I think what I would do is put my shoes on. If Abby runs off, fine. Walk to the door, call her once. If she doesn't come 'bye Abby' and leave. She will probably be startled that you left her and come out and cry.
Don't leave for too long (few minutes), return, but ignore her. Take off your shoes, sit down. Then 20 minutes later do it again.
The trick is teaching the dog that running and hiding gets you the opposite of what you want (being with you). Eventually, (hopefully) she will come when you call her at the door. Once you get to this stage try clipping on the lead. If she runs off 'bye Abby' and follow the same procedure.
Slowly, she gets the idea 'I only get to go if I come to the door and let my lead be clipped on.'
Next step is the car. I think that is a separate thing as dogs pair things in their minds very closely (so A = B). For Abby to think, he is putting his shoes on, that means I will get my lead put on and then we will go outside and I will have to get in the car, so I shall hide up - is just too abstract a connection.
That also explains why you can get her to come outside, but not go in the car. She doesn't connect outside to car. To give an example, Cadbury sometimes does not want to leave our training club. I can walk him out of the gate, through the car park, to the car, open the boot, but as soon as I tell him to get in the brakes go on. All that other stuff does not connect to getting into the car so he doesn't mind doing it. But when I give the command that connects to getting in the car and fun being over (A = B).
So, first I would just be taking Abby out for short walks without using the car, just up the road and back. Then walk her up to the car and away again (click and praise when that goes well). Then up to the car, open door, walk away and so on.
If you still have trouble, well I would just get in the car and sit there. Eat a sandwich, read a book, have Abby outside on a lead and ignore her. If she wants to be with you (which it sounds like she does) eventually she will be tempted to put her nose in the car. So you praise her, but if she withdraws again, you go back to the book. Gradually ask her to do more for praise, so she has to put a paw in (btw, I am only guessing that you have a car that is low enough for Abby to step into the foot-well, if it is higher you may have to rethink
).
And don't give up, it took me a year to teach Cadbury to jump in the back of the car and constantly lifting a labrador in and out of a car boot is not fun.
Do you put a lead on her when you go out? Perhaps it is the lead she doesn't like?
But clearly she wants to be with you because when you did leave her behind she cried - so that works to your advantage.
I think what I would do is put my shoes on. If Abby runs off, fine. Walk to the door, call her once. If she doesn't come 'bye Abby' and leave. She will probably be startled that you left her and come out and cry.
Don't leave for too long (few minutes), return, but ignore her. Take off your shoes, sit down. Then 20 minutes later do it again.
The trick is teaching the dog that running and hiding gets you the opposite of what you want (being with you). Eventually, (hopefully) she will come when you call her at the door. Once you get to this stage try clipping on the lead. If she runs off 'bye Abby' and follow the same procedure.
Slowly, she gets the idea 'I only get to go if I come to the door and let my lead be clipped on.'
Next step is the car. I think that is a separate thing as dogs pair things in their minds very closely (so A = B). For Abby to think, he is putting his shoes on, that means I will get my lead put on and then we will go outside and I will have to get in the car, so I shall hide up - is just too abstract a connection.
That also explains why you can get her to come outside, but not go in the car. She doesn't connect outside to car. To give an example, Cadbury sometimes does not want to leave our training club. I can walk him out of the gate, through the car park, to the car, open the boot, but as soon as I tell him to get in the brakes go on. All that other stuff does not connect to getting into the car so he doesn't mind doing it. But when I give the command that connects to getting in the car and fun being over (A = B).
So, first I would just be taking Abby out for short walks without using the car, just up the road and back. Then walk her up to the car and away again (click and praise when that goes well). Then up to the car, open door, walk away and so on.
If you still have trouble, well I would just get in the car and sit there. Eat a sandwich, read a book, have Abby outside on a lead and ignore her. If she wants to be with you (which it sounds like she does) eventually she will be tempted to put her nose in the car. So you praise her, but if she withdraws again, you go back to the book. Gradually ask her to do more for praise, so she has to put a paw in (btw, I am only guessing that you have a car that is low enough for Abby to step into the foot-well, if it is higher you may have to rethink
). And don't give up, it took me a year to teach Cadbury to jump in the back of the car and constantly lifting a labrador in and out of a car boot is not fun.
Chris
Premium Member
Layla didn't like car riding either. She'd run back into the house rather than go. However, as time passed, she became accustomed to it. It's still not her favorite thing, but she seems to know that it's how to be with Mom at work or therapy dog visits.
Caro
Moderator
I get this sometimes still. When I leave the house without them I say 'see ya' so they know that means I am going. If they stuff around I head for the door and say 'see ya', so they think I will leave without them, sure as anything they will head straight for the door to go out with me.
Perhaps you could also change your routine for going outside, so she doesnt get worked up. Could you put on her lead outside the door (and maybe also your shoes)? Also, maybe try a few games or obedience commands at the door, it will help her get less worried about going out the door, and also give her a bit of focus before you go out.
If she is going through a fear period dont push her too much. Give her a couple of chances to make up her mind, but if you have to chase her around the house its just going to get her worked up more (or give her attention if thats what she is after), so maybe its time for a stay at home play. Eventually she will get sick of staying at home.
Could be the cold, the car or a bad experience, - only the sheltie knows...
Perhaps you could also change your routine for going outside, so she doesnt get worked up. Could you put on her lead outside the door (and maybe also your shoes)? Also, maybe try a few games or obedience commands at the door, it will help her get less worried about going out the door, and also give her a bit of focus before you go out.
If she is going through a fear period dont push her too much. Give her a couple of chances to make up her mind, but if you have to chase her around the house its just going to get her worked up more (or give her attention if thats what she is after), so maybe its time for a stay at home play. Eventually she will get sick of staying at home.
Could be the cold, the car or a bad experience, - only the sheltie knows...