Adopted Sheltie/May be biter

It sounds like he is starting to come around. Thanks for being patient with him, and for trying to work through his issues.
 
If you haven't already read the thread, Tinsel's journey. Tinsel is a rescue and tinsel's Mom goes into detail how she is working with Tinsel. I think this thread will be a great help to you explaining how to go slowly, patiently and give him space.
 
Thanks for the thread, helpful. I'd like to use the clicker training...seems good. Been thinking about name & today when he was 'humping the air' again, a song ran through my head. Elvis Presley's, 'Hunk O' Burning Love.' I laughed out loud, realizing this little dog has gorgeous black hair & the name 'Elvis' may suit him perfectly. He's so swoony looking! Plus,the name means, "Noble Friend."
RE:behavior...he's getting better each day. Now he runs to door w/Maltese to greet whoever is coming in. Friendly, not fearful. Still taking our time. Follows everyone to some degree wanting attention. Went downstairs in son's room, got in bed (after being invited) w/him & allowed petting.
 
Haha, cute idea for a name. :smile2:

Its wonderful to hear that he's coming around and making excellent progress. :smile2:

Clicker training and all forms of positive training are great for fearful, unsure dogs. It can really help to build their trust in you and all things in the world and to also build their confidence.
 
Hi all. This forum is so multi-facited. Really enjoying.
Another update on little guy. He's now greeting whoever comes in the door w/friendliness. Does bark if he hears/sees something outside. I have collies, so we're used to that.
I do want info re:clicker training. He's so alert, can learn anything.
Still thinking of names & was unsure about Elvis...though I think it's funny. The dog's so stunning with all his black/white blaze, etc.
Think I'll call him, 'Diego'. It means, replacing one thing with another. Since my family's in process of making many good changes, it seems to fit. Plus he needs a name besides,'Come here.'
Again, thanks for help. Will post pics soon.
 
happy to hear things are taking a turn for the better. I really think he was afraid and still traumatized from the shelter. It seems he is starting to settle in now.
I am really happy for him and your family.
 
kathyl said:
Thanks for the thread, helpful. I'd like to use the clicker training...seems good. Been thinking about name & today when he was 'humping the air' again, a song ran through my head. Elvis Presley's, 'Hunk O' Burning Love.' I laughed out loud, realizing this little dog has gorgeous black hair & the name 'Elvis' may suit him perfectly. He's so swoony looking! Plus,the name means, "Noble Friend."
RE:behavior...he's getting better each day. Now he runs to door w/Maltese to greet whoever is coming in. Friendly, not fearful. Still taking our time. Follows everyone to some degree wanting attention. Went downstairs in son's room, got in bed (after being invited) w/him & allowed petting.
Click to expand...

ohhhhh how lovely!!!
See, giving him time and room to make choices, excellent outcome...
Continue to look for signs of stress/warning signs and let him back off at that point.
LOVE hunk of burning love, you know that's his name in my head now... lolllll
Clicker training is amaaaayyyyzzzzingggggg...
I think I have a link here somewhere... of some of my first few attempts..

http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/?action=view&current=January102.mp4

That was how I started to teach him to go to his mat... I didn't lure, just waited til he had all paws on it and clicked... after they learn what a click is which takes for a Sheltie about 5 seconds, lol You use this as a tool when they do something to click that very moment they do what you like, then they get a treat for it, this will make them think, oh what did I just do that got that click, let me try something again!

Here I use the word YES, instead of a clicker, which really is the same idea... cuz I couldn't find a clicker at that time anywhere, (don't even get me started on how many crappy prong collars they were selling but not a clicker in sight.. but I digress)... I lured him with treat into position and had lousy timing :D Beauty is you can't mess up too bad, and clicker and positive training have NO negative effects if u do get it wrong, really!! I 'labelled' it before he knew what to do here, and my timing again sucks...
Normally you want to wait til the behaviour is SOLID before you add the queue... But hey, I was learning, so no edits here LOL
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/?action=view&current=MOV01081.mp4
then
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/?action=view&current=MOV01082.mp4
then
an OOOPS, but no correction, just no treat and lots of laughter :D
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/?action=view&current=MOV01083.mp4
then done for a day...
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/?action=view&current=MOV01084.mp4

Three tries, that was all I did and I had a happy dog who was eager to learn new things.

Here I was trying to teach him watch ME instead of the ball, which he is obsessed with, lol... This helps in agility or when I try and get him to pay attention to me... all kinds of uses... It's not perfect but I used me kicking the Ball as a reward instead of treats
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/Toffee/?action=view&current=March011.mp4
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/Toffee/?action=view&current=watch.mp4

Anyhow a few ideas of how I started to dabble with it, never looked back since. lol
Also got better at it, hahaha

But no harm done trying!!
 
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My instructor in clicker training has suggested some reading for me. They are:

Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt
Mine by Jane Donaldson
Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
Reaching the Animal Mind by Karen Pryor

You can get all of these at Dogwise.com

The first two are exercises to help with fearful dogs or aggressive behaviours. The second two are ones I have read and really help you to understand the process.

Good luck with your little guy and thanks for giving him a chance.

Tinsel and Joanne
 
Hey all...guess who picked up a doll rattle yesterday & carried through house? It's like no one ever taught him how to play. This Maltese is so helping him. He won't hardly go out (or back in) w/o his 'buddy.' He just about always comes/lays in lap now if I'm in floor. (after circling me in a few times)

I also think God was behind this little guy coming to us. We're considering foster care/adoption & this is how many are @ first. Plus I'm learning about trust myself. God speaks our language...whatever it may be.

So many things animals teach us if we're willing to listen.

Definitely decided name is Diego. Suits him.
 
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