Thinking outside the box to help a shy dog

[EAO76]

Rosco recently completed a “fun nose work” class. It’s taught by an ex-canine officer who trains police dogs, bomb detection dogs, and narcotics dogs. It’s just a fun class that teaches dog to search and find things (in the level one class Rosco searched for his favorite toys). Anyway Rosco is a very, very shy dog and this class did wonders for his self confidence. All the work they do is off leash and by the end of the 6 weeks he was playing with men (amazing!) and greeting strangers. If anyone has a shy dog I recommend taking some fun classes like this (or agility, fly ball, etc). It’s a totally different atmosphere than an obedience class and since he was associating strangers with all the fun he was having it really helped him come out of his shell. I saw way more results from taking this class than all the work we did with our behaviorist. He enjoyed it so much we are signed up for the second session.

 

[BXRBESTFRIND]

Whooo way to go Rosco!!

sounds like great fun, do they offer it for chihuahuas? My brothers 4 pound Chi is the most scared anxious little thing you could meet

 

[Chiefsmom]

Sounds like a lot of fun!!!!!!! :D Way to be a good baby, Roscoe! appicon

 

[simmons]

YAYYY Rosco appicon Crash is also very shy and timid so I plan on taking him to agility classes right after his obiedence classes are over. Hoping it helps out a little, thanks!!!

Were there many other dogs in his class? Or is it a one-on-one thing?

 

[sfbrock]

This was a very ingenious idea to help him. How did you come up with it? Do you know of other success stories with this type of class? I think it is wonderful that you can think so far beyond the normal training. Are you working towards a career for Roscoe in this field, or was it just for fun? So glad it helped him. Congrats!!!

 

[Gruntsmom]

Congratulations, Rosco!! appicon And kudos to Mom for always looking out for new fun ways to help you along!

 

[wiggle butt]

YAY for Rosco!! My girl Ilsa definitely isn't shy but loves to search for things. I have run out of places around the house to hide things. I might have to try this class.

 

[EAO76]

Whooo way to go Rosco!!

sounds like great fun, do they offer it for chihuahuas? My brothers 4 pound Chi is the most scared anxious little thing you could meet

Yeah, any dog can take it. There was a toy poodle in our class.

YAYYY Rosco appicon Crash is also very shy and timid so I plan on taking him to agility classes right after his obiedence classes are over. Hoping it helps out a little, thanks!!!

Were there many other dogs in his class? Or is it a one-on-one thing?

I bet Crash will enjoy agility. Yeah there are other students in the class but each dog works one at a time so the dogs don’t really see each other. It fun for the owners though because you sit and watch all the other dogs and compare all the different dogs & their personalities.

This was a very ingenious idea to help him. How did you come up with it? Do you know of other success stories with this type of class? I think it is wonderful that you can think so far beyond the normal training. Are you working towards a career for Roscoe in this field, or was it just for fun? So glad it helped him. Congrats!!!

I actually took another class with my female (a come when called class) and saw this class advertised there so I signed Rosco up on a whim. It’s offered by our local SPCA. I really didn’t have any pre conceived expectations so I think that’s why I am so pleased.

YAY for Rosco!! My girl Ilsa definitely isn't shy but loves to search for things. I have run out of places around the house to hide things. I might have to try this class.

Hi Michele, How are you? The class is at the SPCA in LB but I think the instructors teach it at other locations. I just thought it was silly fun thing to do but didn’t take it too seriously. Other owners were really getting into it. I bet Ilsa would be great at it!