HUGE fight between Har & Zoe & I got bit!!! (looong)

[harley'smama]

Well, what's a good link or way to find a behaviorist? I tried to check out those links Krikkit posted but most of them didn't work. Just wondering if there's a specific one. I wonder how far they will travel...I've faced the fact that I'm going to have to pay big $$ & am willing to do so! I did a search on behaviorists & the closest one to me is in Indianapolis which is 4 + hrs away!!

 

[douma]

Maybe this helps you
http://www.apdt.com/trainers-and-owners/trainer-search/choosing-a-trainer.htm

 

[vasha]

Is there a vet school nearby? I took Kaiser to Texas A&M to have a session with a Canine Behaviorist/Vet there. She's awesome. That may be something to look into.

Also there is a very good group on Yahoo.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/agbeh - they are ONLY positive reinforcement. I lurk there a LOT and have picked up some very good tips for managing Kaiser.

Good luck!

vasha

 

[Scorpio]

Sorry to hear this, sounds likeyou have loads of good info above and I hope this all works out. I have to agree with the Alpha thing though.

 

[Kim Y]

As Vasha said, see if you can find a teaching hospital and they should able to help you find a behaviorist. Also, call your vet and ask but don't stop there. If your vet doesn't know, ask them if they have any contacts to guide you in finding a behaviorist. Also, try different vets in the area. I found our behaviorist through our new vet....the last vet said "no, there isn't any around here." :rolleyes: Look through the yellow pages, etc. Our behaviorist traveled over an hour each way to our home for lessons. Of course, it depends on the behaviorist but there should be one somewhere within reach for you.

PS--The reason I mentioned in an earlier reply getting into obedience training is that you need to gain control better over the dogs. When you tell them to stop/come, etc, it'll help tremendously. The only "negative" (if you can call it that) reinforcement our behaviorist taught us with Oscar is a deep sharp "NO!" When we do this, he immediately stops whatever it is he's doing and we're able to call him back, etc. Doesn't matter how focused on something he is either. I know this doesn't work for everyone. Just wanted to give you an example.

 

[Krikkit]

Originally posted by harley'smama
I tried to check out those links Krikkit posted but most of them didn't work.

Sorry about that. I've just gone in and fixed them all - they should work now

All the best with this, will be thinking of you.

Sharon

 

[jray]

I don't have any advise but I just wanted to tell you I hope things work out. It's got to be very scary. How are you doing? jenny & oskar

 

[Adelle]

It could be now that Zoey is maturing she has decided she wants to be alpha. You have been given some great advise by others. A behaviorist would be a great idea, I am currently working with a behaviorist for some issues I have been having with my 2 and its been a great help.

In the meantime I would take away all the toys etc and feed them seperately, just less things for them to fight over till you can sort things out. Also when they are fighting that bad and you are on your own throw water at them or you can purchase a cintronella spray called "direct stop" which is great for interupting a fight long enough for you to get one of them into a crate or out of the room. I bring it with me on walks in case we encounter a agressive stray dog. Its harmless to the dogs and safter than getting in the middle.

I know how upsetting it is when something like this happens. :(

 

[binky]

I 2nd the idea of having a citronella spray around. While I would NEVER encourage any type of harmful discipline, etc., since there is only 1 of you and 2 of them, breaking up fights such as you describe can be almost impossible. I know, because we have some fighting issues in our household. Another thought is keeping one of those air horns around (like some fans bring to sporting events). Will certainly be loud enough to distract them temporarily.

Another thing to try when this happens is shout "who wants to go for a ride"..... "who's here".... "go for a walk"....."who wants some ice cream" or some other phrase they recognize/really like. While I haven't tried it yet, the thought has crossed my mind. Of course, I don't know if they'll hear you or even pay attention to what you are saying in the heat of the battle. But if it stops the fight when you are alone, so much for the better.

Also, I would suggest another book by Jean Donaldson, "Mine - A Guide to Resource Guarding". It may be of some help.

Above all, as also suggested, read The Dog Listener and practice the theories to the maximum. Establishing yourself at Alpha does work wonders!

Good luck!

 

[Trish727]

I'm sorry to hear you got bit too! But here's an idea next time they start fighting get a loud whistle and blowwwwwwwwww! It gets Domino's attention when he is playing too ruff with the neighbors dog. Good luck!