Buster

[rach125]

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Well buster seems to be getting worse with other dogs, apart from dragging towards the other dogs on the lead he now barks and growls. We are taking him to be neutered on monday so maybe this will calm him. I have tried distracting him when another dog approaches but this doesn't seem to work he just keeps his eye on the other dogs. Its really annoying aswell as other dog owners seem to think its funny and just carry on walking past with a stupid grin on their faces! :rant: I thought perhaps if i used a choke chain on him and made him walk tight to my leg when other dogs came that might help? but mam says no dont be cruel! I know i can boss this dog but its just with my family they think everything is cruel! sorry for the rant but its 20 past 10 and already im having a bad day! :angry:

 

[hely]

im sorry your having a bit of a bad time with buster, it sounds as though he's really trying it on!

maybe you could try a harness, then you might have better control over him while your out walking.

im sure there is someone here that can offer you some good advice about him barking and growling at other dogs :thumbsup:

good luck, im sure with some hard work and paitence he will get better in time

:luck: :luck: :luck: :luck:

 

[Rebecca Claire]

Sorry to hear about Buster - it must be taking the fun out of walking him??? or maybe not!!!! :- " I found with Rocky on the lead made it worse (hair stood on end and he barked liked anything (w00t) ), but when I let him off he use to run over to the other dogs barking then once he met them, he was fine and ran back. I did find when I walked with other dogs initially, and there were other dogs around, he wasn't as interested as he had his mates (they didn't run over to other dogs which kinda stopped him doing it!). Now I have bailey its like he is more content and isn't as keen to run upto other dogs (loads easier to distract and waits when I ask), although is protective over bailey :thumbsup:

But like people, all dogs have their own personalities, and I am sure you will find out what works best for Buster

Wish you all the best with Buster - sure he will improve for you :luck: :luck:

 

[FeeFee]

I don't know the background to this (sorry if you've posted before). What sort of dog is Buster, and is he barking because he is aggressive, afraid or excited?

Personally I think a choke chain would be guaranteed to make things worse (horrible things anyway). If he already doesn't like other dogs or is afraid of them then being half strangled every time he sees one isn't going to help him.

A headcollar can help, as it makes it easier to control him and gently direct his attention back to you if he starts kicking off.

Have you tried socialising him (eg at training classes) or training a really solid 'watch me' command that you can use to get him past other dogs? Or holding a really high-value treat (chicken, liver etc) on his nose to get his attention away from other dogs then rewarding good, quiet behaviour?

 

[foxway]

there was a rottie on dog borstal the other nite they cured doing the same thing of this perhapps u could try and catch the repeat on bbc3 and try there training techniques. :thumbsup:

 

[hely]

there was a rottie on dog borstal the other nite they cured doing the same thing of this perhapps u could try and catch the repeat on bbc3 and try there training techniques. :thumbsup:

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oohh thanks for the reminder, i forgot to put the tape in to record it............will watch it tonight :thumbsup:

 

[rach125]

Thanks what time is it on? Fee fee, we got buster last monday from a rescue center. He is a staffie x Jack Russel so we had an inclin that he wouldn't be good with other dogs. At the moment i think it is excitement though one of the dogs who did get near he did have a little snap at. Has anybody used these halter collars or harnesses, and had a good result, as i have never seen the result of either of them and am unsure which would be more suitable? i have been unsuccessful at finding obedience training in my local area as of yet, but i am still looking. ONly thing that worries me about this is the other dogs there. Thanks for everyones help and please keep it coming :thumbsup:

 

[hely]

BBC 3........................................8.00pm :thumbsup:

 

[FeeFee]

I saw that episode with the rottie, and have to admit I didn't think much of it. It seemed to concentrate on suppressing her behaviour rather than dealing with whatever was behind it. She was still kicking off with other dogs, just her owners had learned to hang on for dear life and keep walking :unsure:

There was something very odd about the follow up which showed her happily mixing with other dogs. It looked to me as though it was in their garden and possibly their own other dogs (although it hadn't been mentioned they had other dogs). If anyone watches it tonight can you see what you think - maybe it was just me :wacko: I know the programme is very heavily edited and very selective in what they show, though.

 

[Jessr123]

I wouldn't like to use a choke chain as they are so easy to misuse. When we had an unfiendly dog I used a headcollar, which was great for both of us - he felt more secure and he was a lot easier to control. They can also be used to pull the jaws together if ever you think the dog is going to bite.

 

[OEH]

There was something very odd about the follow up which showed her happily mixing with other dogs.  It looked to me as though it was in their garden and possibly their own other dogs (although it hadn't been mentioned they had other dogs).  If anyone watches it tonight can you see what you think - maybe it was just me  :wacko:   I know the programme is very heavily edited and very selective in what they show, though.

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Yes I was puzzled by that too, very strange. :unsure:

 

[Lanakeshena]

Thanks what time is it on? Fee fee, we got buster last monday from a rescue center.  He is a staffie x Jack Russel so we had an inclin that he wouldn't be good with other dogs.  At the moment i think it is excitement though one of the dogs who did get near he did have a little snap at.  Has anybody used these halter collars or harnesses, and had a good result, as i have never seen the result of either of them and am unsure which would be more suitable? i have been unsuccessful at finding obedience training in my local area as of yet, but i am still looking.  ONly thing that worries me about this is the other dogs there.  Thanks for everyones help and please keep it coming :thumbsup:

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Ive used a Halti and found it very successful as a training aid. Maybe you would benefit from a one to one trainer, sometimes vets will have a list of local trainers and obedience classes.

Maybe the rescue centre, would be able to help you with training, they must have people assessing a dogs suitability to be rehomed, they may have someone there that can work with you. Good luck with him. :luck:

 

[FeeFee]

There's a county-by-county list of APDT trainers here: http://www.apdt.co.uk/list_trainers.asp

You might be able to find a good training class or someone in your area who works one-to-one :luck:

 

[jgear]

Well buster seems to be getting worse with other dogs, apart from dragging towards the other dogs on the lead he now barks and growls.  We are taking him to be neutered on monday so maybe this will calm him.  I have tried distracting him when another dog approaches but this doesn't seem to work he just keeps his eye on the other dogs.  Its really annoying aswell as other dog owners seem to think its funny and just carry on walking past with a stupid grin on their faces! :rant:   I thought perhaps if i used a choke chain on him and made him walk tight to my leg when other dogs came that might help? but mam says no dont be cruel! I know i can boss this dog but its just with my family they think everything is cruel! sorry for the rant but its 20 past 10 and already im having a bad day! :angry:

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I have read that when a dog is neutered it can take up to 12 weeks for the hormonal balance to calm down. I have been working with my greyhound for about 6 months now, you obviously are prepared to work through Buster's problems and I promise it does get better. The best thing we did was to get our dog socialised. I am not ashamed to say I accosted people on the street explained my problem and asked them if I could walk my dog with them. Most people were brilliant and we know have a walk once a week with between 6 and 16 dogs! My greyhound now counts a Yorkshire terrier among his friends even off the lead, and he is an extremely keen dog. It is a really slow process 3 steps forward and 2 back. If you check the rescue web sights there are some fun dog shows and events, where people are very understanding and knowledgeable. Depending where you are in the country, I have even seen organised walks to help socialise dogs.

 

[kilmousk]

I'm in one of those catch 22 positions ... i asked several background questions on the previous thread you started. These quesions would let people including me to have information to offer relavant advise. As they werent answered i can only make presumptions ... and they are generally wrong i find. On the other hand i cant seem to just sit back and read like i normally do.

It is not just me that has pointed out how vital socialisation is ... and it worries me that you say this is a low priority.

Most replies seem to suggest the use of a harness and some great links and advise were given ... but you want to use a choke chain, a piece of equipment that while it can be effective needs experienced use. Head collars and some styles of harness are much kinder and easier use and therefore in general give much better and kinder results. I find it hard to believe that there are no training classes near you. If there really isnt is there an experienced dog owner that can help.

Consistency and time do wonders. Terriers IMO (exspecially crosses) are wonderful dogs but they are tough work. They need firm and fair boundaries and rules but when they understand that these exist they are loyal, fiesty wonderful dogs. I hope you put the time in with Buster to experience this. Getting him neutered is a brilliant first step. Statements like "I know i can boss this dog" worry me ... i could have "bossed" all my dogs, i know plenty of people that do, but i want a dog that is a happy, content balanced dog that feels safe and secure within my pack.

 

[rach125]

I had been advised to use the choke chain by a trainer i spoke to. The only classes that i have seen advertised are puppy parties and i am worried that as Buster is showing tendancies to be nasty to other dogs that this would make the problem worse. I feel that if i can get the dog listening to me i.e heel, sit etc then once i have him under control i can then begin the socialising. We have had him in a secure garden off lead and he is coming back to the whistle then sitting when we have a treat. The rescue where we got buster from said they are beginning training sesions next year but i think i would rather start now instead of letting it get to the point where he has serious problems.

 

[hely]

rach.............when you are sure he is 100% good with the recall in the garden, it might be a good idea to get a long training lead and carry on doing it in a quiet park and then work up to him being in a park/field that has other dogs in it, i have been doing this with gyp's and it really worked (well for me) :luck:

 

[FeeFee]

Any trainer who advises using a choke chain is DEFINITELY to be avoided. It's very sad that there are people around still clinging to these old-fashioned methods

Whereabouts do you live? Someone might be able to recommend a trainer or training class in your area if you can't find one via the link I posted.

 

[FifeJillandIan]

I think a 'halti' would be worth a try as it's a way to gently move Buster's head towards you so he can't fixate on the approaching dog so much.

 

[rach125]

I live in cumbria, i have managed to find a training class 10 miles from my home, which is in a equestrain center, it doesn't do one to one but does aim for bronze, silver and gold. I rang up today and they just said turn up on a tuesday night and see what we can do. Buster is having his op monday so how long do u think i should leave it till i begin? If this doesn't seem to be helping the there are a couple from the link that feefee posted that i will try (thanks by the way! :cheers: )