sheltie barking/growling at strangers

[trini]

Something to keep in mind - dogs go through an adolescent fear period, and one of things that may happen is suddenly reacting to people or other dogs. You need to work through this positively and not push her too far if it is a fear period thing.

Excellent point...and with Christy just coming to you and losing everything she had known and felt comfortable with this just doubles the stress/uncertainty for her.

Keep things simple and stay in her comfort zone...the park on weekends may be too crowded for her right now...try to schedule your walks for times when traditionally the park is on low key as far as other people and dogs. There will be plenty of time to push up the stimulation level once she is 100% trusting of her new life situation.

Trini

 

[Biscuit]

Thanks everybody. We will focus more on heeling and eye contact, as well as getting used to strangers. These are more important than obedience tricks right now. I think I might even start doing heeling training at home. Inside and outside. She's more comfortable and able to focus on me longer. We will still walk to the park everyday, and I will try to keep calm and relaxed.

 

[trini]

Thanks everybody. We will focus more on heeling and eye contact, as well as getting used to strangers. These are more important than obedience tricks right now. I think I might even start doing heeling training at home. Inside and outside. She's more comfortable and able to focus on me longer. We will still walk to the park everyday, and I will try to keep calm and relaxed.

I think your idea of working on heeling at home without distractions is an excellent idea. In training it is always good to start in a setting where success is more possible and then once the behavior is on the way to being established you slowly introduce more distractions.

But, remember, this is not a race to get her trained, just enjoy her company and let her have fun with you...there will be a lifetime for training once she is confident with her new family and surroundings.

Trini

 

[Biscuit]

I think today was a good day . Me and Christy didn't walk to the park. Instead we just walked down our street working on heeling, focusing, and getting used to cars. Our road is pretty quiet with some distractions. She is much more comfortable there. As soon as we got out, Christy was a bit reluctant, but I encouraged her to move forward with treats rather than pulling. As soon as she pulls on the leash I stop. She does use this time to look around at her surroundings. I would wait until she looks at me. Then I would give her a treat. 4 times cars passed us during our training session. One was a bit fast and intimidating, but She didn't bark once . I also made sure to keep a distance and give her a special treat every time. I also gave her lots of praise. near the end she was getting the idea that looking at me= treat and praise.

 

[Mom2Melli]

I think it is too soon to start a class. Give her a month or two or three to adjust and fit in routine and build trust and comfort with you and the family. You don't need an additional stress on her now.

As to heeling . . . not sure if you mean "heel" or "loose leash walking". Heeling is a very specific and very close focused trotting whereas loose leash walking is being a little less close but not pulling and such. That should be your goal really, walking along comfortably and calmly.

You can also do sits and downs and stays at home. That's pretty easy to do.

Slow is fast when dog training.

 

[Biscuit]

I think it is too soon to start a class. Give her a month or two or three to adjust and fit in routine and build trust and comfort with you and the family. You don't need an additional stress on her now.

As to heeling . . . not sure if you mean "heel" or "loose leash walking". Heeling is a very specific and very close focused trotting whereas loose leash walking is being a little less close but not pulling and such. That should be your goal really, walking along comfortably and calmly.

You can also do sits and downs and stays at home. That's pretty easy to do.

Slow is fast when dog training.

When I meant heel, I meant loose leash walking. I want to keep her calm and relaxed especially when there are distractions that I have to make her walk away from.
And thanks for the advice on the Obedience class. I will wait until we have a stronger bond, and she can depend on me for guidance. But then there's people who say to take your puppy to be socialized as soon and often as possible. That its critical to socialize or they never get used to other people. This confuses me. I hope that if we do wait, Christy will be more prepared, more bonded, and maybe starting to grow out of her fear phase.

 

[Mom2Melli]

There are a lot of ways to "socialize". Before shots there are places to carry them and sit with them that work wonders. After shots there are some really great life experiences that do just as much as being in a park or building with other dogs doing commands with cookies. I have had 4 rescues who clearly never set paw in a class and were the most confident and socialized animals ever. I have a rescue who even though he went to class is fearful as all heck. I have a non-rescue who has been in class since he was 5 months and a few days (now 13 months) and who is confident in some situations and not confident in others because I didn't continue taking him out as consistently (other than dog class) because we live an hour from a city. There's no one way or one speed to do this.

 

[trini]

I will wait until we have a stronger bond, and she can depend on me for guidance. But then there's people who say to take your puppy to be socialized as soon and often as possible. That its critical to socialize or they never get used to other people. This confuses me. I hope that if we do wait, Christy will be more prepared, more bonded, and maybe starting to grow out of her fear phase.

One of the things you will find in any forum discussions, literature or lectures on dog training (and pretty much any subject) is that there are many valid differences of opinion. I always read/listen to everyone's advice and then select what I think will work best for me and my own dogs based on their personality and comfort zone.

Christy is already telling you by her reaction behavior what she can handle at this point without feeling overwhelmed and what she can't. Listen to what she is telling you and go with what you feel she can handle comfortably.

Trini

 

[Hanne]

I think today was a good day . Me and Christy didn't walk to the park. Instead we just walked down our street working on heeling, focusing, and getting used to cars. Our road is pretty quiet with some distractions. She is much more comfortable there. -----.

I'm really, really happy that you now can see, it makes success / good experience, to go slower ahead and do not push her.

trini write it so right .:
Christy is already telling you by her reaction behavior what she can handle at this point without feeling overwhelmed and what she can't. Listen to what she is telling you and go with what you feel she can handle comfortably.

If you constantly have this in your back of the head. So wait and see and very soon it will go fine - let Christy guide you, so it can not go wrong.

And remember!!! - if one day you are in a bad mood, then Christy can feel it immediately.

 

[Biscuit]

I talked to the Sheltie Club people, and they recommend to socialize by taking her places. Like home depot, petsmart, etc. We will be taking her to the vet today for her rabies shot, and we will see how she reacts. One lady said to get strangers to feed them which has helped her dog a lot. And since Christy loves food, and loves attention, she should hopefully get over her insecurity. Me and my parents are planning to help volunteer at an agility show our club is hosting. That will be in about 3 weeks. Were thinking of taking Christy with us. Were going to get a pen and her crate, and just let observe the dogs and people. Me and my parents will take turns watching her. Maybe she will meet some other shelties. According to her breeder, she is very bold and a fast learner. So I think she is simply doesn't feel secure with us just yet.