Introducing Myself & Behavior Problem

[Caro]

A coincidence - Its me or the dog is on and they are dealing with a dog that gets in between its owners whenever they are hugging! Also the dog on the show is aggressive (fear aggressive) and they have found a low thyroid level is increasing its anxiety - has chloe had her thyroid checked?

Basically whenever the dog got between them or jumped or did anything when they got close they just stood up, still. They started sitting together on the couch and everytime the dog tried to get between they stood up, said nothing, didnt look at the dog and just crossed their arms. They sat back down when the dog stood back and when eventually the dog just stood there and didnt try to climb on them they praised him.

Also this dog was scared of visitors so they kept him on the lead and whenever he showed signs of aggression one of the owners distracted him and gave him a treat. When eventually the dog stopped growling the visitor put a kong on the floor near the dog and sat back down and the dog was allowed to walk over to the kong. And amazingly the dog actually chose to sit in front of the visitor with the kong. lovely.

 

[RonandJan]

First of all a big round of applause for you! What great patience you have! Keep at it. You can teach an old dog new tricks (and Chloe is by no means old!). Just remember they are what you make them (to a point). They are so smart and yes have EXTREMELY long memories, so they don't forget the good, the bad and the ugly. Aztec, you give great advice.

So anyway, Welcome! We are glad you are here!

 

[Baileysmom]

My pup is obsessed with the opening and closing of the patio door, one of the things you mentioned yours gets upset/excited over. He cries, and barks, and fixates on it. I have been working with him on that, and this has been really helping a lot:

When I go to the door to open it, if he's really excited and whining, I make him sit and won't open it until he's calm and quiet. If I reach for the door and he goes ballistic again, he has to sit again and wait. The door does not open until he's sitting and quiet. You don't always need treats for this, since the opening of the door is his "treat" for finally being good.

This type of training works on all the OCD behaviours Shelties have. Some I've heard go nuts when the vaccuum is going, or when kids run up and down stairs, etc. Just stop whatever is making them nuts and make them sit. Treats can be given too when they are being good if you feel you need that extra positive reinforcement. Then continue what you were doing, and stop and make sit again if they go crazy. It does work, but it does take a lot of patience and work. Don't do this when you are in a hurry to get something done!