dog listener

[TYS0NSM0MMA]

Dominance

Some of this stuff really reminds me of a "trainer" (in quotes because I don't think she knows squat in hind sight) I took Tyson to. Tyson has severe separation anxiety and abandonment issues (he has had atleast 3 homes that I know of and possibly more, he is only 5!). Well I was having one heck of a time with figuring out what to do with him.. I couldn't go anywhere without him or he would ruin the house, or hurt himself. He would claw and bark at the walls and pull the drywall off, scratch the doors and chew door knobs, if he was in his crate he would chew the wires, hurt his paws and I was almost ready to give up on him. I took my last $150 and took him to a local trainer who said that she could help or I would get my money back.

After talking to her and her asking me questions she said to come to her facility to go to a seminar on aggression. So I thought oh, ok well maybe she just wants me to see how she works.. So Tyson and I went to her seminar (which was a 1 day seminar). She insisted that I pay for the services to be rendered ahead of time (which I understood) so I paid. She asked me a bunch of questions regarding Tysons behaviour and said things like "See how he is trying to sit on your lap? Thats dominant. See how he is trying to box those other dogs? Thats dominant. See how when he sits in front of her he puts a paw on her knee? Thats dominant." well this went on and on and on and finally I spoke out, I said boxers box! They all do it! she didn't agree.. fine. Well she began to stress Tyson out by making all kinds of strange dogs come up and sniff his bum without letting him move and he began to shake.. I told her to leave him alone that he was getting nervous, she persisted and Tyson gave a little growl and the fur was standing up all the way along his back. She looked at everyone there and said "See this is a really dominant boy! He shouldn't be allowed to be around other dogs" I got so mad I stood up got Tyson and told her she had no idea what she was talking about.. I told her (and everyone there) that he and I came in for help on his Separation Anxiety and he was being accused of being aggressive because he was being surrounded by other dogs and not being allowed to move.

Well I'll cut this short I never got my money back, she tried to get me to let her take Tyson during the day to "train" him and I refused. I told her to go to a very hot place generally refered to as being below the ground.. and told her that if she ever came near me or Tyson, or used him as advertising, or told stories about my "really dominant boy" I would sue her for slander and left.

So that I don't get sued I am not going to post her name, but will advise anyone in southern ontario (KW area) thinking of using a trainer to contact me) Hope no one else has had this kind of problem.

 

[ehope]

i just got the dog listener, mostly because of our problems with cassius not eating- and miraculously eating a cracker in front of him before giving his bowl of food has 100%worked- he has eaten 3 whole meals with nothing left over in the past couple days- that hasnt happened since we first got him!!!!

but, i think it is important to also remember that every dog and family that he/she is a part of is different and examining lots of resources is the best- that's why i was so happy to find boxerworld because there are great posts about so many issues, etc that i wouldnt even know to think about.

 

[Gruntsmom]

ehope, glad to hear that someone else used the cracker thing in front of their baby before feeding, and that it worked!! I did this too, with our boy, and after about 2 months, he is now sitting and waiting patiently while I prepare his meal, and comes when it's ready. He was very curious about the cracker ritual though. At first, he whined and whimpered softly, like he wanted cracker, too, and/or like he wondered what the heck I was doing. When I put his bowl down, he was still looking to me for a cracker, and after he saw he wasn't going to get one, he went to his bowl and ate. This gradually tapered off over about a 2 month period, and I don't see a need to eat the cracker anymore. I don't know if there is a coincidence, but he also stopped whining at our dining table when we were eating a meal. He now crawls under my chair after I sit down to the table, and stays there throughout our meal. Anyway, I have worked with a number of Grunt's issues using concepts from The Dog Listener, and they have all brought good results. Like you say, every dog, family and situation is different, and using a variety of resources is the best way to go. Also, Boxerworld has been a tremendous help. I go to the Forums for anything and everything!! Thanks everyone

 

[SOBE]

good books

I am always interested in good books about dog behavior, and I especially appreciate the ones that recognize that our buddies are domesticated, and are not always following the "rules of the pack", per se. I am currently reading "The Other End of the Leash", and I have "Bones Would Rain from the Sky" on deck. I would also add to the list of pretty good books to check out, "The Dog Who Loved Too Much", Dr. Nicholas Dodman. It presents real cases of animal behavioral problems and the tried techniques and outcomes.
If we really think about it, human society changes so much and our way of living changes so much, that we should not be ignorant to realize that canine behavior changes as well. If our environment changes and our standards of living and acceptance changes, then it changes everything about the beasts environment and living. The rules change at some point, and the leader of the pack may not be the first one out the door.
Anyway,
I'm glad I have my seperation anxiey dog still here with me, she's a good protector.... always first out the door , and last when I tell her to be.
I love the dog books, any other good ones out there??

 

[buffym]

I have just finished reading the Dog Listener and have found some things quite useful. I also have tried the cracker before feeding and now my dogs wait paitently and gobble up their food (they never did this before). I am now working on getting them to stop jump on people and at my bay window, just cant afford to replace it again after on goes through it!! I have found The Dog Listener to be very helpful in my training efforts.

I have also started reading Culture clash and my first thought was that the two books really contradict each other. Since I have not finished this book I really dont have much to say about it yet.

 

[Kaylee's Dad]

more on the DL

My wife and I have also been reading the Dog Listener. I enjoyed reading it, but it is much more difficult to put into practice than I had expected. We've been have a bit of a rough time with it though, mainly, I think, because Kaylee is so young. She's only 11 weeks. During the first reunite/ignore, she went nutso for over an hour, barking, eating the corner of our coffee table, etc. The next time lasted about the same length, but she didn't put nearly as much heart into it. She tends to fall asleep on the couch. We don't actually want her getting on the couch w/out permission, but we figure we can train her on that once she sees us as dominant.

Also, I've been using bitter spray on the furniture when she chews, so during ignore time I often have to get up, spray it w/out talking or looking at her, then go sit back down. Do you think that is a good idea? Or does that qualify as attention?

thanks,
K'sD

 

[mancin]

I've read both "The Dog Listener" and "Culture Clash". I actually liked The Dog Listener better because it had a better "tone" to it. I also enjoyed that she incorporated real life stories. I think both books have the same idea, but explain them in different ways. Personally, I think a lot more clicked for me when I read The Dog Listener... especially when she mentioned that dogs tend to go crazy when you leave them because they are thinking "where is my baby?!?!?" rather than "where is my owner?". That was a big light bulb for me. Once I get my furbaby next week I'm going to use these books as a guide for my training.
The hubby is still reading Culture Clash and hasn't read The Dog Listener yet, so it'll be interesting to see which one he likes better.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

My wife and I have also been reading the Dog Listener. I enjoyed reading it, but it is much more difficult to put into practice than I had expected. We've been have a bit of a rough time with it though, mainly, I think, because Kaylee is so young. She's only 11 weeks. During the first reunite/ignore, she went nutso for over an hour, barking, eating the corner of our coffee table, etc. The next time lasted about the same length, but she didn't put nearly as much heart into it. She tends to fall asleep on the couch. We don't actually want her getting on the couch w/out permission, but we figure we can train her on that once she sees us as dominant.

Also, I've been using bitter spray on the furniture when she chews, so during ignore time I often have to get up, spray it w/out talking or looking at her, then go sit back down. Do you think that is a good idea? Or does that qualify as attention?

thanks,
K'sD

If you crate the dog during your absence, letting her out of the crate is NOT ignoring. You must act as tho the dog doesn't exist until the dog is quiet and calm, then the waiting for 3-5 minutes, thenn reunite with lots of love and attention. The love and attention is the REWARD for being calm and quiet.

One thing I have found is that in the first few days, the dog will pull out every trick in the book that has EVER worked for her in the past. This is at times maddening, but you must be diligent and perservere and be consistent.

Eye contact is, of course, a form of attention. Don't do it. Leave the dog in the crate or wherever she is during your absence until she settles down.

Hopefully this will help you.

Dan