I Feel Like I have Failed

She's 6 months! Continue on track with all your training. My only suggestion would be to check out another trainer. I don't think a 6 month old sheltie benefits from a gentle leader. Think of all the REALLY rambunctious breeds, and then you see them competing in obedience. A gentle leader was not part of the learning.
I have raised many, many 6 month old sheltie puppies in my 20+ years of breeding and showing, and they all get it.
Consistant training is the key. Next year at this time, you will be laughing at how bad she was as a youngster. It will all turn out great.:winkgrin:
 
Oh no you have not failed like others have said she is only 6 months old. Just keep up the training, be consistant and you will see results.

My Ember was the puppy from hell. She had me banging my head against the wall many a time. She even tried to bite me on a couple occasions and I consider myself a very good trainer.

Ember is now 7 yrs old and is a great dog(though she still believes the world should bow down to her in a good way). Many obedience titles and agility titles. I have many people try to dognap her away from me at the sheltie gathering. Others here will tell you I am not lying but when she was a baby I would have given her to the first person with a dollar.

Chin up, happy training.:smile2:
 
missjenneygirl said:
She's 6 months! Continue on track with all your training. My only suggestion would be to check out another trainer. I don't think a 6 month old sheltie benefits from a gentle leader. Think of all the REALLY rambunctious breeds, and then you see them competing in obedience. A gentle leader was not part of the learning.
I have raised many, many 6 month old sheltie puppies in my 20+ years of breeding and showing, and they all get it.
Consistant training is the key. Next year at this time, you will be laughing at how bad she was as a youngster. It will all turn out great.:winkgrin:
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Thank you. I am 100% into keeping her up with training.
 
I think you're going to be just fine! Shelties take a while to settle in, so stay the course!!! :smile2:
 
I think you may have found the problem too. Reduced activity and change of routine for a young sheepdog is bound to have repercussions.

With the dog park, if that is where she is lunging and barking at other dogs then it isn't such a big issue. Dog parks can be scary places and it is probably just too overwhelming. If you can't do as much physical activity atm try teaching her tricks and commands and keep her mentally stimulated instead. Get her to work for her meals with a treat bottle or kibble dispenser or stuffed kongs.
 
*Caro said:
I think you may have found the problem too. Reduced activity and change of routine for a young sheepdog is bound to have repercussions.

With the dog park, if that is where she is lunging and barking at other dogs then it isn't such a big issue. Dog parks can be scary places and it is probably just too overwhelming. If you can't do as much physical activity atm try teaching her tricks and commands and keep her mentally stimulated instead. Get her to work for her meals with a treat bottle or kibble dispenser or stuffed kongs.
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That was her first visit to a dog park and there were no other dogs there besides my friends beagle. No issues there. Got along fine. She gets along fine with people and other dogs. Just starts pulling and barking when on walks and she sees them. She meets them perfectly fine. She is very mentally stimulated. We are always doing her commands and tricks. I even make her wait before she can eat her food. She has to sit, wait, and then eat when I say ok.
 
You haven't failed until you quit trying. Some dogs present more challenges than others and there are many ways to appoach this type of behaviour. Ask yourself, what am I not seeing? Study her body language and try to get to were you can predict her reactions to situations. If she isn't spayed, consider getting it done. Hormones can cause difficult behaviours in some bitches. I've always found that the girls rule the roost.
 
Well she just got into it with my 11 yr old cat. But surprisingly my 11 yr old cat isn't under the dresser where she likes to be. After they got into it Mia has been pacing around and whining uncontrollably. Then June walked by and she started barking and whining at her. As of right now the only cat she gets along with is my 11 month old. They actually play with each other. I have no idea where any of this is coming from. God I hope it isn't an aggression sign and that this will all pass. My main concern is her recent change towards the 2 cats and working on her pulling towards people and coming. But there are other times where all is good. I've woken up to Britney, my 11 yr old on one side of me and Mia on the other. Mia even sniffed her tail and they were fine. I feel like screaming.
 
Anyone....

Do you think training Crate Games or Control Unleashed tactics would be beneficial?

Koji wasn't reactive until he was much older, so I'm not sure if these training aids would give Mia a good foundation.

To the OP, don't beat yourself up. Granted, I do the same thing. My dog is 5 years old and getting worse. I'm trying to work on so many thing (training) that I'm going crazy. Walking has become the worst thing of the day. And yet, he's so awesome in the agility ring.

I also wouldn't beat yourself up about the cocker. I always think that if 2 or more dogs are reacting the same way to the dog, then it's probably the other dog. Meaning, maybe the cocker is doing something to set off the dogs. Especially if Mia doesn't act that way with every animal.

Good luck and keep up the training. At 6 months, lack of daily routine exercise, I'm sure she's got some pent up energy. Keep working those mental games.
 
Tagg said:
You haven't failed until you quit trying. Some dogs present more challenges than others and there are many ways to appoach this type of behaviour. Ask yourself, what am I not seeing? Study her body language and try to get to were you can predict her reactions to situations. If she isn't spayed, consider getting it done. Hormones can cause difficult behaviours in some bitches. I've always found that the girls rule the roost.
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Ditto to what everyone said! 6 months is still very young and you should lower your expectations to accomodate your pup. Heck, I got a second dog simply because I couldn't stand Bacca nipping at my heels anymore at 9 months! Now they herd each other.

You are not failing. It's too early for you to make that assessment. Your dog is now going through the human equivalent of the terrible twos. Keep doing what you are doing.
 
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