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Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,036,872 times
Reputation: 28903
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So, you all know my experiences with Artie:
He turned six years old this past October.
Abused as a puppy.
Got rescued by a great girl, but she crated him all day while at work. She had him for about two years.
We adopted him from her almost three years ago. No crating whatsoever. Behaved perfectly in regards to that. However... read the rest of the list...
Not socialized at all with other people or dogs. He's fine with people in our house, but when he's outside, all people and dogs (except for his friends, the two Lab puppies) are enemies in his mind.
He's not food aggressive or toy aggressive, although there is a bit of "I want that toy!" with his friends, but they give it up to him.
Major leash puller. Barks and lunges at people on the street.
A behaviorist described him as a "classic bully" due to his childhood abuse.
Currently in prison (quarantine) until next Monday for biting someone in a "comedy" (not so much) of errors when my friend's door was opened and Artie went out to "greet" someone walking by.
It's hard to imagine this face has so many issues, isn't it?
I've been his "buddy" instead of the pack leader. He knows that I'm the weak link. He's pretty good when my husband takes him for a walk, and he's even better when my neighbor friend takes his leash from me (Artie can tell who's at the other end of it).
I have/read the book "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell. I just ordered the book "The Power of Postive Dog Training" by Pat Miller. I have a great guide to dog training from FiveHorses. I bought a Sense-ation harness.
I plan on being Alpha to Artie. I want him to walk well on a loose leash. I want him to listen to my commands. I still want him to be my cuddlebug, but I want him to know that I'm in charge from here on out.
Is six too old to learn new tricks? Is the fact that it's been "THIS way" for almost three years too much time for him to learn that we're going to do it "THAT way" now?
I'm adamant about changing my own behavior with him, but will he "get it"? Will he understand? Will he change too?
Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
8,309 posts, read 38,782,175 times
Reputation: 7185
Quote:
Originally Posted by DandJ
So, you all know my experiences with Artie:
He turned six years old this past October.
Abused as a puppy.
Got rescued by a great girl, but she crated him all day while at work. She had him for about two years.
We adopted him from her almost three years ago. No crating whatsoever. Behaved perfectly in regards to that. However... read the rest of the list...
Not socialized at all with other people or dogs. He's fine with people in our house, but when he's outside, all people and dogs (except for his friends, the two Lab puppies) are enemies in his mind.
He's not food aggressive or toy aggressive, although there is a bit of "I want that toy!" with his friends, but they give it up to him.
Major leash puller. Barks and lunges at people on the street.
A behaviorist described him as a "classic bully" due to his childhood abuse.
Currently in prison (quarantine) until next Monday for biting someone in a "comedy" (not so much) of errors when my friend's door was opened and Artie went out to "greet" someone walking by.
I've been his "buddy" instead of the pack leader. He knows that I'm the weak link. He's pretty good when my husband takes him for a walk, and he's even better when my neighbor friend takes his leash from me (Artie can tell who's at the other end of it).
I have/read the book "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell. I just ordered the book "The Power of Postive Dog Training" by Pat Miller. I have a great guide to dog training from FiveHorses. I bought a Sense-ation harness.
I plan on being Alpha to Artie. I want him to walk well on a loose leash. I want him to listen to my commands. I still want him to be my cuddlebug, but I want him to know that I'm in charge from here on out.
Is six too old to learn new tricks? Is the fact that it's been "THIS way" for almost three years too much time for him to learn that we're going to do it "THAT way" now?
I'm adamant about changing my own behavior with him, but will he "get it"? Will he understand? Will he change too?
I'd appreciate your input...
Thanks,
Dawn
A retriever trainer that I have had a long association with adopted a labrador about Artie's age because, as he put it, "I just saw somethin' in him." The dog had been placed in rescue because he had never been formally trained, never been adequately exercised and was simply too much dog for his previous owner to handle. He hasn't hunt tested the dog, but he hunts over him when he is guiding. To be the first selection when this guy has paying clients is a pretty huge compliment.
I don't think it's ever too late to learn new tricks. I think a lot might have to do with you changing your ways and keeping consistent. If only I could follow my own words...
Hope Artie is doing well in prison!
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,036,872 times
Reputation: 28903
World Citizen: Thanks! I couldn't find it on eBay and the lone Amazon seller was priced rather high. I'm going to order it direct from the website. I'm hoping that Artie and I will have great fun doing this.
flkingfan: Thank you for the vote of confidence. Yup, I think you're right, that a lot of it will be on me. I hope you're right that he's not too "stuck in his ways" -- he really is quite the creature of habit. The prison guards (HA!) have told me that he's doing great... he's even eating well, according to them. Geez, he might actually be LIKING it there.
World Citizen: Thanks! I couldn't find it on eBay and the lone Amazon seller was priced rather high. I'm going to order it direct from the website. I'm hoping that Artie and I will have great fun doing this.
It's a good DVD. Buying from her, it's half price!
I noticed that there is a free video on her website about leash pulling, too.
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