spray vinegar in face?

[robinette]

Wow! Like I and all the others I am surprised at that one. We have a dog aggresive boxer as well. Does the same, lunging and growling, the whole bit.

We have had him through alot of training and work with him often to try and curb the problem. Anything that we have ever been told is you have to keep it very positive.

You already know when another dog approaches that your dog will more then likly do his "routine" of lunging and what not. If you spray your dog with vinegar when another dog approaches he is going to associate the negative stinging from the vinegar with the dog approaching. He will learn that every time a dog approches somthing bad happens. In my opinon and from my experience this will set you back farther in your training.

You need to deal with the situation before it happens, notice your dog's behaviour and curb it before he gets to that point of where he goes "off". That may be, crossing the street to get distance, getting his attention with a yummy treat, using a clicker to mark good behaviour and tons of praise when you get the attention or reaction you want when another dog is around.

I know this is really fustrating dealing with a dog like this but like gmac said in another thread "its baby steps" and I mean the smallest steps possible.

Good luck.

 

[ladyluck_t]

I dont think I need to reiterate that vinegar is bad. In my studies on behavior (i am the training coordinator for our rescue and an evaluation home )
I would have to say that anything that is bound to increase the arousal level of an aroused dog will not solve the problem. I do understand though the point this trainer is trying to do, she/he just isnt very good at it :(

Ok, for highly aroused dogs you have a variety of exhibited behaviors, the most common being Jumping up on people and the second most common is aggressive behaviors. This is commonly called Leash Aggression. The best way to teach a dog to behave well on a leash is to throw out everything you are doing, obviously it isnt working! And start fresh. Aroused dogs need to learn how to "turn off" the arousal. That is how you get them to stop acting the way they do. For a jumper, you turn your body, do the hip check, and/or ignore the behavior (i.e. no reward). For more serious behavioral displays you have to try something else.

Let me first state though, if you for any reason have even the slightest inkling that your dog means to harm or kill another animal or human GET A PROFESSIONAL! and a qualified one at that. www.apdt.com is a great place to start. Aggression is a serious behavioral issue not to mention the liability you will face for not correcting this behavior. It only takes once, at the right time and place for your dog to be confiscated and euthanized. Or more likely for you to lose your trust in the dog, which is just as serious.

Here are some things you can be working on while reading up on leash aggression and dog-dog aggression. And while you are researching a new BEHAVIORAL CONSULTANT not trainer. You need corrective methods that will help solve a problem, not basic obedience.

1. Practice a very strict regimen of NILF, this will get it across to your dog in the least confrontational way that YOU are the boss to be listened to at ALL times.
2. Start the training in a relatively distraction free zone. Go back to basic obedience activities, away from the things that trigger the arousal. You need to teach the dog HOW TO behave acceptably before he can be expected to perform. In your case I would say, you should not move forward with distractions until he/she can perform all basic commands at any distance, any duration about 110% of the time. You NEED this foundation in order to make it work when you start adding distractions. Always work on leash and eventually get to where you work with out food, he needs to understand that he must do this without any food reward. that is the only way you are going to be able to control him in distractions
3. By this time you should have finished the recommended books, they have very good step-by-step instructions on how to implement a behavioral modification method. Follow them, There is a very good reason why this writter is considered an expert.
4. Remember, that any dog is basically a loaded weapon. Proper handling and proper guidelines will make him relatively safe to be around. But you must understand that "Fixing" it permenantly is not going to happen, dogs are sensient(sp) beings and can think things through as well. You must always be prepared and think ahead. Again it only takes once.
5. Remember to take time for yourself, in order for anything to work you must be a Clear, Calm, Compassionate, Concise, and CONFIDENT leader. So you need to make sure you take time to "center" or calm yourself before training. The dog will pick up on your emotions, so exhibit the ones you want him to feel.

ok, here are the books:
How to be the Leader of the Pack by Patricia McConnell
Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell
Fiesty Fido by Patricia McConnell
BODY POSTURE & EMOTIONS: SHIFTING SHAPES, SHIFTING MINDS by Suzanne Clothier
UNDERSTANDING & TEACHING SELF CONTROL by Suzanne Clothier

 

[shaunamarie]

wow

you go to a trainer and expect good advise and help... I would not do this at all... Umm just the taste of vinigar makes me say its strong and is very acidy. I cant believe that any profesional would ever recomend such things. Distract her yes hurt her no... good luck
shauna