How long will it last?

TREATS!
lol
Lots of it, and start looking up clicker training... I taught Toffee to be less reactive, as I also had bad experiences when he wa little, and it was my fault for NOT protecting him :mad:
ANyhow, it doesn't have to be a LOT of work... just part of your routine, don't look at it as taking too much of your time, when you do it while you're on a walk, etc.. if you don't put it the effort now it becomes harder and harder.

I REALLY like this video,it breaks it down a lot...
I finally worked it out with Toffee... he does agility and there are a LOT of reactive dogs there... he can now handle it, and looks at me for what his reactions should be. He still reacts when the other dog gets too close to his crate or something... or if they are excited... cuz he hates rude/intense dogs, LOL, but it is SO much more manageable!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFiZkAG_1JE&playnext=1&list=PL4F80A41557D14953
 
Toffee's Mom Thank you for the video link I will have to try it. Henry is actually scared of the clicker, but when reading through other threads on the forum I remember seeing someone say you can try a pen and he seems to not mind so maybe I can try that. I don't want to leave him home b/c we take our Westie out a lot and Henry is actually better when we take him out of the neighborhood (he had been attacked by off leash dogs a few times while walking in our neighborhood). We are moving soon and we will have 1.25 acres hopefully things will get better. I know it will be a lot of work and I don't mind seeing a behaviorist, but we don't have much longer until we move so I would like to be settled in and then focus on it.
 
jesshall said:
Toffee's Mom Thank you for the video link I will have to try it. Henry is actually scared of the clicker, but when reading through other threads on the forum I remember seeing someone say you can try a pen and he seems to not mind so maybe I can try that. I don't want to leave him home b/c we take our Westie out a lot and Henry is actually better when we take him out of the neighborhood (he had been attacked by off leash dogs a few times while walking in our neighborhood). We are moving soon and we will have 1.25 acres hopefully things will get better. I know it will be a lot of work and I don't mind seeing a behaviorist, but we don't have much longer until we move so I would like to be settled in and then focus on it.
Click to expand...

You could also train this by saying YES (as your marker)... a lot of positive trainers do think that it's easier with clicker because it is the same consistent noise, without inflection of emotions. I always say, do wht works for your dog :) (as long as it is positive training, lol.. I kinda HATE the other kind!)
 
I agree I also think dogs respond better to postive reenforcment training better than the other kind. A lot of ppl say Westies are really hard to train, but most of the time it's that they are too harsh and then the dog will just shut down and refuse to listen. I have never had a problem training my Westie (Alex) he actually loves when I work with him, you can see it in his face (he smiles).
 
jesshall said:
I agree I also think dogs respond better to postive reenforcment training better than the other kind. A lot of ppl say Westies are really hard to train, but most of the time it's that they are too harsh and then the dog will just shut down and refuse to listen. I have never had a problem training my Westie (Alex) he actually loves when I work with him, you can see it in his face (he smiles).
Click to expand...

That's very true! A lot of people do that with pitbulls or GSD's as well and think it's more okay as it is a 'tough' breed!
Friends who came over from the 'other side' report MUCH better results after wasting a year on compulsion training.. she has a Boston Terrier... the times she used to be told, oh she is just being stubborn, have to show her who the leader is, use the choke chain, use the touch (kick) had her dog so confused and the dog would shrink into herself, etc etc etc... So glad she made the transition to positive and is now finally able to run her little terror, errr Terrier in agility :biggrin2:
 
It sounds as though your dog is afraid of other dogs, which is probably why he lunges while he's on leash. He's not able to escape so he lashes out to defend himself.

A training class at Petsmart will help, but I'd recommend taking him to a really good trainer and doing a few classes so that he can get used to being around other dogs and the trainer can help you with handling him.

A behaviorist is also a really good idea.

He's still young so if you nip this issue in the bud you might be able to get control of it.

I also recommend using a GL on him, using the techniques that SheltieChe recommended for getting him used to it. It will give you MUCH better control over him.

My sheltie is very reactive and this blog has given me a lot of insight as to why he acts the way he does.


Here is the link, the first post is at the bottom of the page.

http://reactivechampion.blogspot.co...d-max=2010-01-01T00:00:00-06:00&max-results=8
 
Well today I spoke with a behaviorist and we are gonig to start to work on Henry's issues and she said hopefully we will be good and ready by the time we move. I am looking forward to next Monday and keeping my fingers crossed. I'm acutally not going to take him to anymore of the Petsmart classes the new trainer avidsed not to so I will just get my money back for the remaining classes we will not be attending. Thank you everyone for your advice and support. Wish me luck, I'll let you know how he does!!!
 
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