Dog behaviour help

[fillymum]

Dog school is a good idea. It gets him out of his own environment which is when he appears to be the most uncertain and teach him to socialise with the other handlers as well as their dogs.
It all sounds like insecurity to me. I am sure that if you go down the right route, do it all the right way, and have the patience he needs, you will end up with a lovely, obedient, happy dog.

Collies are notoriously difficult as pets. They were bred to work and have a working dogs mentality and instincts. We had them as working dogs when I lived on a farm in the U.K. That working instinct is so strong that even as 6 or 8 week old pups they were rounding up the outside cats.

Once trained they are the most obedient, intelligent and wonderful breed.

Good luck with him..............both you and Hugo deserve a happy ending.

 

[Tinytootz]

Well, he is going to obedience class tomorrow with mum, as she sprung it on me tonight and I cannot get the time off work at such short notice. I've calmed down about it a bit now, OH has talked to me about it and thinks it might do him good. I get a bit narked when I suggest something, it is poo-pooed, then something similar is suggested and its like the best thing since sliced bread. A bit of a "your idea was rubbish, ours is much better", which narks me as its a similar concept. But anyway, he is going tomorrow morning, and Monday I think, then we will take it from there.

I know Collies are a nightmare, I've had experience with them before. But he had such a lovely face, and as my main experience with dogs was a collie, I thought "why not!" And I guess all breeds have their good and bad points

 

[fillymum]

Well, he is going to obedience class tomorrow with mum, as she sprung it on me tonight and I cannot get the time off work at such short notice. I've calmed down about it a bit now, OH has talked to me about it and thinks it might do him good. I get a bit narked when I suggest something, it is poo-pooed, then something similar is suggested and its like the best thing since sliced bread. A bit of a "your idea was rubbish, ours is much better", which narks me as its a similar concept. But anyway, he is going tomorrow morning, and Monday I think, then we will take it from there.

Great stuff.
It looks like you will all work together now for the good of Hugo. Long term obedience classes are just what he needs. You will be amazed at how quickly he will change. You will not be able to tell from 2 sessions.

Don't let anyone get you down or bug you . You only want the best for him and that is a kind, loving home and to know all the boundaries.

My closest girlfriend has a collie who showed similar traits to Hugo. One of the things she did, because she is able to financially and time wise , was to spend 5 days with one of the One Man and His Dog winners. It made an enormous difference to him. She followed this up with ongoing obedience classes. He was so naughty he even bit her but she did not give up on him.

I am not suggesting you do this just trying to point out that professional help with discipline is the way forward.

 

[Tinytootz]

I managed to get time off work, so I went along too!

Not overly keen on the man running it, but he seems to know what he is talking about.

Hugo is a nervous aggressive, which is apparently the worst kind, as he gives no warning before *attacking*, he just does it. I need to learn to lower my voice more, and give more definition between good and bad. He says he needs to stay on the lead when in the park, but when at the playing fields, as long as there is nobody nearby, then he is allowed ball play, as he will benefit from it. As usual, an older lady has adopted me (I have this effect on people), her dog was apparently worse than Hugo, and is now a model student. Much smaller dog, but it gives me hope. Considering, he was very well behaved. Yes he barked at people and dogs, but he was in a new room, a new environment, so it was to be expected. He also prefers women to men. He thinks a muzzle is not needed, as long as he is kept on the lead and close by, as he is an obedient dog, and is willing to learn. If he was not listening to me at all, then a muzzle would be required. Thankfully, the playing fields are close by, are HUGE, and there are rarely people there during the week, so he can still have a run around every so often. I also need to talk to him more, and stop feeling such a ninny. Mum and dad both came, and are going to come every week as they found it so entertaining! Not quite the point, but there were three Italian Spinone there, and they were quite amusing to watch, flopping all over the joint. One of them was scared of the flooring, so pretty much skidded everywhere, bless it.

It did drive me a little mad that I had to keep saying "HIS name is Hugo", as everyone thinks he is a girl as he is quite small and pretty, just like him mum

So I'm off to wash myself as I stink of smoked sausages, and learn how to lower my voice!

 

[JackieN]

Well done for going and some positives came out of it.

One comment only is not to overwhelm him with scarey things. ie abit like my spider senerio story, I may cope with one spider at a time but if you put me in a room with 30 big ones I may just lose the plot! So basically little steps

I won't bore you with stories of Carla but they really are so alike.

Carla only needs a muzzle for the vets. Her recall is 100%. That way we walk at quiet times and shes let off for a run when nobody about and back on the lead when anyone gets too close. We also immediately put some distance between us to avoid her getting stressed.

Fear/Nervous aggression is difficult but you learn your dogs body language you get to know what he/she can and can't cope with and management is then fairly easy. Yep you still get the odd off day but as they are managed they are no harm to anyone. I found once I totally accepted Carla was doing this due to fear I could cope better. I remember the times I would dread walking her etc but now we love it. Some walks are long when the park is clear and some are shorter if too many people about but shes lives a happy life.

The behaviourist will show you management techniques and ways to gradually help Hugo. Hes a lucky lad to find you and I am so so proud of you for not giving up on him as he deserves a chance hes just a scaredy cat. bless him. But you know you will build up the most wonderful bond with him. I love collies, yep they have their issues but they are so beautiful and loving.

We use 2 babygates now to manage Carla and visitors. I didnt want to use them initially but now I am so glad we did. That way a) Carla can see who is at the door but cannot get to them, gets her used to people and shes not so concerned when can see. b) the other is on the lounge door. Visitors sit down ( a person sitting down not looking at the dog is less scarey that a person towering over them, moving around etc) once Carla has calmed down as she can see through the gate, she used to be bought in on a house line to sit with me. I'd feed her treats but keep her with me. As she got to know the visitor after several visits they were allowed to throw treats, then you move onto holding hand out with treats in . After about 30 vistits like this lol Carla will befriend them and then they get snogged to death. proof shes just a wuss and such a sweetie really.

If you need any advise or a shoulder I am always here for you. The behaviourist will really help you to understand Hugo. There are many dogs like them bless

love
Jackie
xx

 

[JackieN]

ps there are also products on the market that can help Hugo. Zylkene is one. I am just trying Carla on these so will keep you posted. They are herbal. I am only on day 3 so can't comment.

IF these have no effect I plan a short term dose of KalmAid. I emailed the manufacturer who said they had huge success with fear agression and KalmAid as the idea is you gently introduce them to each scarey thing while on it and when gradually take them off it they still cope as they have already learnt that thing isn't scarey. KalmAid is more medical I believe than Zylkene hence me trying that one first. I will shut up now

 

[cherry-pie]

I'm so glad that your family are being more supportive and that the first class went well. It all sounds like sensible advice!

(I understand how you feel re my idea was rubbish but mums is great but try to put that aside and be happy that Hugo is getting some help)

We have three dogs, 2 fairly well balanced, one very nervous but thankfully nervous passive - he'd rather hide under the table than confront anyone bless him!! They bring so much love and fun (and hard work and heartache) and I hope you can get to this stage with Hugo xxx

 

[Tinytootz]

We've put Hugo back on the calming pills he was on (and we totally forgot about!), but they should take a week to kick in. He's still very territorial in the yards, possibly even more so, but I guess that isn't a major issue, as any time he is in the yard I am about.

OH thinks he might be helped if we get a dominant dog too. It's not beyond me to get another dog, but I really am not convinced it is a great plan, I could end up with two dogs which are a handful. And TBH, he is at work all day till 7pm, so it's me who has to cope. We're going away in July, so I've said anything like that is being put on hold till we return, and he is still going to classes on a Thursday. Parents have been good so far, but I have to keep reminding them about their tone, gently telling him to get down won't work. And Hugo has been on the pills since Friday, and dads like "well, they don't seem to be working".

*Sigh*

I ended up asking mum to remove dad from the house

He's asleep on the sofa at the min, awaiting me finishing work at 6, then I can take him for a run about down the fields. Hugo, not dad

 

[Raven1066]

Maybe he could still be feeling a little tender from the op or hormones could still be a little haywire?


I'm having dog probs aswell. Mine is a rescue greyhound with separation anxiety. I have to take here anywhere I go or she howls and destroys the house, even ate through the bottom of the back door!

Dogs are funny little friends

 

[Tinytootz]

Yeah. Apparently the testosterone will still be in him for up to 6 months, so fingers crossed he will slowly chill out. And the op may have reinstated an original fear of people, as we don't know his history.

Sorry to hear about your furry friend. Dogs are strange things. If they could talk, it would be so much easier! Perhaps some calming tablets would help him out? The ones we have are for aggression, fireworks, and separation anxiety.

 

[JackieN]

Maybe he could still be feeling a little tender from the op or hormones could still be a little haywire?


I'm having dog probs aswell. Mine is a rescue greyhound with separation anxiety. I have to take here anywhere I go or she howls and destroys the house, even ate through the bottom of the back door!

Dogs are funny little friends

Have you read

I'll Be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety: Amazon.co.uk: Patricia Mcconnell: Books

If not its a good little book. Carla had separation anxiety and it is possible to train them out of it. It does take time but does seem to work. Good luck, they all come with their quirky ways but my favourite thing about dogs is there unconditional love

 

[Raven1066]

Great thank you will have a look at at that x

 

[JackieN]

How did the behaviourist visit go?

 

[Tinytootz]

Hey. The behaviourist was cancelled in the end, as I wanted a quiet life. Hugo now goes to doggy school on a Thursday. I have been twice with him, and am yet to see the point in it, but I will continue it for a bit yet. I still have the behaviourists number, and if need be, will reschedule. He is still a bit of a nightmare and unpredictable. But I'm getting better at checking him when he does wrong, and have a sore throat from having to deepen my voice when commanding. He still barks at the postman, infact he is getting more 'barkey' when we go to bed in my opinion, but we're working on it. He still lunges at random people when on the lead, but he is on a short lead and close to me, so no drama. And he isn't allowed off the lead unless there is nobody about, which he is slowly getting used to.