adellelauren
Forums Regular
That's funny. My brest friend just told me at work today that she is in the terrible twos.
I Feel Like I have Failed
- Thread starter adellelauren
- Start date
That's funny. My brest friend just told me at work today that she is in the terrible twos.
Caro
Moderator
I think you should seriously consider consulting a behaviourist. Just be wary of any behaviourist that heads first for dominance approachés as they can do a lot of damage to a young dog. Find someone who has experience with high drive working breeds.
You do have a high drive sheepdog on your hands, and for many who compete with dogs that is really desirable. But it can be a poor fit for a pet home. So you do need to ask yourself if she is the right fit for you and if you are the best person for her. There is no shame in rehoming if that is the case.
If you don't want to rehome then it sounds like you need professional help and lots of support. Talk to the breeder and your trainers about their ideas as well. She still hasn't hit adolescence yet so there is a potential for things to get worse before they get better. And it may be a year before she settles into adulthood. But remember she also isn't your previous dog so forget about the past, she is a young sheepdog with lots of energy and drive.
You do have a high drive sheepdog on your hands, and for many who compete with dogs that is really desirable. But it can be a poor fit for a pet home. So you do need to ask yourself if she is the right fit for you and if you are the best person for her. There is no shame in rehoming if that is the case.
If you don't want to rehome then it sounds like you need professional help and lots of support. Talk to the breeder and your trainers about their ideas as well. She still hasn't hit adolescence yet so there is a potential for things to get worse before they get better. And it may be a year before she settles into adulthood. But remember she also isn't your previous dog so forget about the past, she is a young sheepdog with lots of energy and drive.
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
Diva's brain started coming in the mail around 2 yrs and but 3 yrs she had it all.
Seriously at 2yr it was like a switch flipped and focus became so much easier. Ember was about the same. 2.5yrs right around the time I spayed her.
Caro
Moderator
It's really variable. In females in particular I would say about 18mths, males probably 2yrs. In agility and flyball you often see the young high drive kelpies and BCs, barking, running off course, crossing lanes but they begin to 'grow a brain' around 18mths and get much better focus over the next 6mths. Shelties are the same, and being a smaller dog may even mature a little earlier. I know Tully matured greatly around 14mths. It really helps their development if you learn yourself how to channel their drive.
I can't tell you how many frustrated owners of year old BCs I get in classes who can't understand why their 'brilliant' dog doesn't get it and won't focus. Really though, if you take away the herding dog from the herd you have to be ready for a challenge. I will say those that last the distance end up with fantastic dogs and are often the one's we recruit into the trainer program.
labgirl
Forums Sage
She sounds a very normal 'teen'. Bear in mind those hormones racing around her too!
I think Merlin was around 6 months when we had a few snapping issues with other dogs, nothing serious but he told them off for very little. I told him off when he did this and praised him when he ignored the dog.
As for telling off the cat, well that is a big no-no and the same applies to grumbling at your cocker over food. I would react in the same way both times, firmly tell off the dog and remove her from the room and place her somewhere else (I have a kitchen with a stairgate) so she is separated from everyone. After half an hour she can come back. That way she learns being grumpy removes her from you and is therefore not a good idea.
I had to do this with Merlin because he snapped at Cadbury over a treat. I only had to do it twice and he got the idea. Also I praised him when he was eating something and ignored Cadbury's presence and in fact he got extra treats.
In short praise the good, punish the bad.
And now my confession - Merlin can be a dreadful puller on the lead, but is generally calming down as he grows up.
I think Merlin was around 6 months when we had a few snapping issues with other dogs, nothing serious but he told them off for very little. I told him off when he did this and praised him when he ignored the dog.
As for telling off the cat, well that is a big no-no and the same applies to grumbling at your cocker over food. I would react in the same way both times, firmly tell off the dog and remove her from the room and place her somewhere else (I have a kitchen with a stairgate) so she is separated from everyone. After half an hour she can come back. That way she learns being grumpy removes her from you and is therefore not a good idea.
I had to do this with Merlin because he snapped at Cadbury over a treat. I only had to do it twice and he got the idea. Also I praised him when he was eating something and ignored Cadbury's presence and in fact he got extra treats.
In short praise the good, punish the bad.
And now my confession - Merlin can be a dreadful puller on the lead, but is generally calming down as he grows up.
adellelauren
Forums Regular
I understand she is a high drive dog. When I decided to get a new dog I knew I wanted to do obedience and possibly agility. I have no question if she is the right fit for me. Rehoming has not even crossed my mind. Her issues don't warrant that thought to me. I took over a year and researched breeds, tempermants, trainability. You name it I researched it. I also do have professional help. Had a session with our trainer tonight after class. She pulls and so forth because she gets excited. Been working on that everyday. For the cats she is already doing better. I want to think of the best. Not the worse. For the past I am fine. But my bond with Holly will always be in my heart.
adellelauren
Forums Regular
I realize she is in the pre teen stage. As far as her and my older cat when watching her it almost looks like she wanted to herd her or play to rough and Britney wasn't having it. So she got poped her that first time when Mia went yelping and flying over the love seat to behind me on the couch. After that her beaviour towards Britney started. But it was hit and miss. I believe it was the other night but she got to close and pushy with Brit and they got into it. But Britney, who I am assuming hasn't used her nails because Mia was unhurt both times, knocked her good. Now Mia won't even look at her. She takes big circles to go past her. As of right now Britney is laying in the cat bed a few feet from me while on the computer and Mia is laying at my feet. Mia's even walked past her without a care. No other issues with June either. I think because our 11 month old Persian plays with her she expected it from the older cats who were not interested. So in turn she got to rough. She hasn't had any treat issues either. We went to class tonight and did a run through of the CGC Test. But her jumping on people we have to work with. But we are going to take it on the 17th still.
2GoodDogs
Forums Enthusiast
I think you are doing fine. You are in an ebb and flow period with her, and if you keep working on it she's going to get it and do just fine.
Stay consistent. If you ask for a sit, she sits, even if you help her. Tell her she's a good girl when she's sitting and if you are consistent - she will learn that you mean it (say it only once, then make it happen) and won't test you so much. Your timing will get better and you can ask for that sit before she lunges at another dog. (Reaction to another dog - meet and greet, also Friendly stranger test)
Coming when called needs a lot of work. Start indoors, toss a treat a few feet away from you and she will go eat it - as soon as she is reaching for the treat, call her come (show her you have another cookie!) and when she gets to you, give her that cookie. Repeat a couple times and end on a good note. (yes, you want her to eat the cookie you've tossed, but not to linger over it while she chews 30 times and blows off your come command) I think this also introduces what will later be a part of the retrieve (come back quickly) so I start saying "get it" when I throw the treat... just thought of another tip, use a light colored treat that will really stand out against the flooring ie, one that she can see. I use bright orange cheese balls, or white cheese/chicken chunks.
You might leave a light line attached to her so you can reinforce the come command if she wants to leave... another tip, do this before her meal when she is hungry. Also, put your other pets in another room so they can't interrupt. Play the game in the driveway (on leash please) and in the safety of your fenced yard. Call her to come whenever something good will happen. Do yourself a favor and always touch her collar too - when giving the other cookie. So many shelties I see want to play "keep away from my collar"
I wish you much success with your dog, you are doing so well and you two are going to pass and succeed with the CGC and beyond. I am an evaluator and if you are not quite ready, keep training and take the test again when you feel you are ready!
If you need some specific hints or helps, I'll be happy to help in any way I can.
We didn't talk about stays, how is she with that?
Stay consistent. If you ask for a sit, she sits, even if you help her. Tell her she's a good girl when she's sitting and if you are consistent - she will learn that you mean it (say it only once, then make it happen) and won't test you so much. Your timing will get better and you can ask for that sit before she lunges at another dog. (Reaction to another dog - meet and greet, also Friendly stranger test)
Coming when called needs a lot of work. Start indoors, toss a treat a few feet away from you and she will go eat it - as soon as she is reaching for the treat, call her come (show her you have another cookie!) and when she gets to you, give her that cookie. Repeat a couple times and end on a good note. (yes, you want her to eat the cookie you've tossed, but not to linger over it while she chews 30 times and blows off your come command) I think this also introduces what will later be a part of the retrieve (come back quickly) so I start saying "get it" when I throw the treat... just thought of another tip, use a light colored treat that will really stand out against the flooring ie, one that she can see. I use bright orange cheese balls, or white cheese/chicken chunks.
You might leave a light line attached to her so you can reinforce the come command if she wants to leave... another tip, do this before her meal when she is hungry. Also, put your other pets in another room so they can't interrupt. Play the game in the driveway (on leash please) and in the safety of your fenced yard. Call her to come whenever something good will happen. Do yourself a favor and always touch her collar too - when giving the other cookie. So many shelties I see want to play "keep away from my collar"
I wish you much success with your dog, you are doing so well and you two are going to pass and succeed with the CGC and beyond. I am an evaluator and if you are not quite ready, keep training and take the test again when you feel you are ready!
If you need some specific hints or helps, I'll be happy to help in any way I can.
We didn't talk about stays, how is she with that?
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adellelauren
Forums Regular
Stay consistent. If you ask for a sit, she sits, even if you help her. Tell her she's a good girl when she's sitting and if you are consistent - she will learn that you mean it (say it only once, then make it happen) and won't test you so much. Your timing will get better and you can ask for that sit before she lunges at another dog. (Reaction to another dog - meet and greet, also Friendly stranger test)
Her sits, downs, and stays are wonderful. She is doing alot better ever since we got the Gentle Leader.
Her sits, downs, and stays are wonderful. She is doing alot better ever since we got the Gentle Leader.