Dog Training Question....

[Sigarms]

I think we'd both be happy if we could find him a new forever home. Issue there is probably nobody less than the Pope himself to be worthy...(she's very particular)

I can assure you, I know that exact feeling.

Work with local rescue groups and see if they can offer help. At the end of the day, people doing that kind of work only want good homes ALL the unwanted pets out there.

Technically you're already fostering but don't even know it LOL (unless your mind is already made up to keep him).

Keep notes on his behavior and come up with what kind of home would be a good fit (I know, no one can be better than your own home, because I've felt the same way). Our one crazy dog would be best with a no pet home as he likes to chase cats (he may not find a home if he ever got ahold of our two upstairs LOL) and some room to run. If the future home had another dog, for whatever reason dogs that are larger than him would probably be a no go. Thing is you have invaluable insight to the dogs behavior living with you as a family that a local shelter just can give potential families (ironically enough, shelters tend to bring out a dogs worst behavior, not it's best from what I've experienced).

More importantly -

1 - Find a basic contract for the adoptee to sign that covers all requirements added that if the dog is ever to be transfered to a new home, the dog comes back to you first (I actually had a good friend who gave a dog to someone and ended up regretting it)
2 - Do a home visit
3 - Get vet references
4 - Get personal references

I understand that to some, this paperowrk and questions are intrusive just for a dog, but the reality is there are a lot of "intersting people" out there looking for animals that have no clue what they are getting themselves in for, and I had no clue until I started dealing with some people.

Ironically enough, two dogs (both sisters from a litter of 11 that were born in our garage from a stray) we found a home for 10 years ago are now living with us. That "family" was my wife parents, but sincer her father died a little while ago, her mother can't cope with the dogs emotionally (they were her husband's "babies" and she's not having a good run at is due to her loss). All 11 of those puppies found homes over time, and we've actually built some good friendships with the families we have found in the past with those animals we "adopted out".

 

[Sigarms]

Our trainer mentioned on incident when he first started using a shock collar for training purposes.

They train personal protection dogs and were working on calling off an attack.

His partner was in the bite suit and he sent the dog in. Called the dog off and hit the button to shock it.

Dog finished off the attack. His partner said that the dog actually increased the intensity of the attack. Said he thought he got hit by a truck.

Believe it has to to pertain to the dogs brain and dogs adrenaline. There seems to be something different between acting/being agressive vs being in a full fledge "fight". This is at the point where you need a breakstick, and not a training collar.

 

[PILOON]

OK, my Airedale!
Smart!
Toddler son just started walking, going from chair to chair and barely standing.
He grabbed the Airedale by the ears to steady himself and as he fell backwards the Airedale pulled him back.

Same dog wanted out !
I said NO, stay!
He went to the door, mouthed the door knob, twisted it open and pulled on it.
Door opened, dog turned with a WOOF and left for a run.

Another time his leash was tangled around a small bush, he barked a 'HELP' but I ignored him.
Shortly later he marched back and forth across the window with that small bush proudly displayed in his mouth.
Kind of showing off, like so there!

Yep some smart dogs out there.

 

[Dftodd]

That reminds me of an event that happened to me many years ago when I worked as a mechanic. I repaired a ladys' car and then delivered it to her house. As I walked up the pathway her dog came flying out to meet me with her hot on its' heels panicking. I bent down and gave the dog a hug and pat. She was astonished. She said nobody had ever been able to do that before. Maybe the dog knew I was bringing her car back. She was a single mum so the dog was very protective.

Richard, great news. As you say, the dog may have known what the collar was. Glad it was a success.

My wife warned me about her jack Russell terrier when we started dating. He was very protective if her and I was meeting him for the first time.

We walked in the house and sat down at the kitchen table. Jack jumped up in her lap, got a couple scratches the proceeded to step over onto my lap. Where he sat for the rest of the afternoon.

He was my dog after that He was still protective of my wife, step daughter, and the grandkids. But if I was home, he was hanging with Dad

I've had similar experiences with customers dogs. Lady had a personal protection dog (GSD). When I walked into her house, that dog would go nuts bouncing around. Lady would say "You know where they are kept".

I would go to the cupboard, get her dogs a cookie, and then they would assume the position for belly scratches

 

[drssg]

Bit of an update:

Went to town yesterday. Bought one of those pincher/training collars. Came home, fitted it to him and while putting it on him, just tugged a bit on it to make sure it seemed to fit ok but also let him know it was there.

Now.... is this the fruits of my prior working with him or is it because of the new collar??? When I went out with him he was (almost literally) at my side. If he wanted to walk ahead, I could just flick my wrist to "jostle" the collar and he came right back. I'm wondering if he's been exposed to one of these before because again, either what I've been doing has finally come clear to him OR, this collar is an immediate help.

As we were walking and I was mesmerized with how well behaved he was, I kind of laughed at myself thinking "Nah.... there's really no test until we go outside and get confronted with deer" (at which point he goes ballistic wanting to chase them).

As luck would have it, as we topped the hill.....there were about 5 deer a couple hundred feet ahead of us grazing. You could see him get excited but again, I twitched (didn't pull so the amount of NON-pressure this took was amazing) anyway, he came back and sat down. Now, he was whining and doing his short chirpy barking but NORMALLY He's reared on his hind legs letting the pressure of the leash on his neck hold him back as he's leaning forward at a 45 degree angle trying to pull me to them. It was quite the difference.


Later, went on walk with sister in law with her three dogs, one being a male that Rufas once attacked. Rufas was on leash the entire time and they got to run around (we're trying to show him how normal dogs might act) He stayed by my side the entire time, never lunged at her male dog, never barked at him....actually, showed near indifference to him/them as we traipsed through the woods.

I've seen Rufas hide his thoughts though....and (before) act nice, then if he gets off the leash he's off like a rocket to attack his target. So I was suspicious of him this entire time however from the first step out of the house until we returned, he was under composure.

Even sister in law was making comment that she can't believe how well behaved he was. Now, I want my wife to walk him with the new collar so she can see how to maybe control him but to also let him know that she's the Queen Bee who must be obeyed. He's strong enough to pull me over IF he catches me off guard (or wraps leash around legs and then bolts in other direction) but I'm usually watching out for that. He can pull her over much easier. I don't think she walks him with the apprehension (I really want to say focus/attention to his shennannigans) that I do.

Right now I'm putting this training collar up there with one of the best 'dog purchases' I've ever made.

That is surprisingly positive update. Based on your previous posts, I wouldn't have expected your wife to permit the training collar, and I wouldn't have expected it to have such a dramatic impact. I hope the progress continues well.

 

[drssg]

The first time I used a zap collar was on a Husky mix that we got from the pound. He was very intelligent and he generally listened very well. The problem was that he had a very strong drive to pursue prey. If he saw a rabbit or a deer, he was in his own world. The first time I used it, I was surprised by how much power it took to break him from the pursuit. I had to use the collar at max power for about four of his strides. He never even yiped, but he stumbled and fell down. It seemed like the electricity didn't even consciously register to him, but it interfered with his coordination. It's no wonder that my voice wouldn't register with him in that condition.

Even so, on that same walk, a deer ran out into the field. He started to go after it, but he immediately stopped and looked at me instead. The change in behavior was immediate.

 

[Bocephous]

Bit of an update:

Went to town yesterday. Bought one of those pincher/training collars. Came home, fitted it to him and while putting it on him, just tugged a bit on it to make sure it seemed to fit ok but also let him know it was there.

Now.... is this the fruits of my prior working with him or is it because of the new collar??? When I went out with him he was (almost literally) at my side. If he wanted to walk ahead, I could just flick my wrist to "jostle" the collar and he came right back. I'm wondering if he's been exposed to one of these before because again, either what I've been doing has finally come clear to him OR, this collar is an immediate help.

As we were walking and I was mesmerized with how well behaved he was, I kind of laughed at myself thinking "Nah.... there's really no test until we go outside and get confronted with deer" (at which point he goes ballistic wanting to chase them).

As luck would have it, as we topped the hill.....there were about 5 deer a couple hundred feet ahead of us grazing. You could see him get excited but again, I twitched (didn't pull so the amount of NON-pressure this took was amazing) anyway, he came back and sat down. Now, he was whining and doing his short chirpy barking but NORMALLY He's reared on his hind legs letting the pressure of the leash on his neck hold him back as he's leaning forward at a 45 degree angle trying to pull me to them. It was quite the difference.


Later, went on walk with sister in law with her three dogs, one being a male that Rufas once attacked. Rufas was on leash the entire time and they got to run around (we're trying to show him how normal dogs might act) He stayed by my side the entire time, never lunged at her male dog, never barked at him....actually, showed near indifference to him/them as we traipsed through the woods.

I've seen Rufas hide his thoughts though....and (before) act nice, then if he gets off the leash he's off like a rocket to attack his target. So I was suspicious of him this entire time however from the first step out of the house until we returned, he was under composure.

Even sister in law was making comment that she can't believe how well behaved he was. Now, I want my wife to walk him with the new collar so she can see how to maybe control him but to also let him know that she's the Queen Bee who must be obeyed. He's strong enough to pull me over IF he catches me off guard (or wraps leash around legs and then bolts in other direction) but I'm usually watching out for that. He can pull her over much easier. I don't think she walks him with the apprehension (I really want to say focus/attention to his shennannigans) that I do.

Right now I'm putting this training collar up there with one of the best 'dog purchases' I've ever made.

Well done. A prong collar can work wonders, and an e-collar can do the same from a distance.