I have a 6yo collie x bitch whose behaviour has always been a bit unpredictable; she's fine with dogs she knows and likes, but is very reactive with strange dogs, particularly on the lead. She fixates on dogs in the distance, and will just freeze and stare. She's not food motivated in the slightest, so not distractable, and she's very, very dominant with other dogs; wanting to herd them and make them do what she wants all the time! Away from dogs, she's 100%, has great recall and walks to heel all the time. I've tried everything but I cannot pass a dog in the street without her lunging and growling, and it's impossible to avoid dogs, as out of 65 houses on my street, 12 don't have at least one dog!
I also took on a pup a few months ago; a JRT boy who is now 25 weeks. He's a lovely little chap, housetraining is cracked, he's great in the house, but he's as nervous as hell with traffic, noises and other dogs. He barks ND growls at everything, and this sets big dog off. It's a bloody nightmare, and, in hindsight, I probably shouldn't have got the pup, but it's done now and I need to deal with it!
Sent an email to a behaviourist and she's just responded saying it'll be £50 per dog for initial consultation at home, but she feels the pup would benefit from her group classes, whereas big dog will need some work before integrating into classes. It's going to cost me a fortune :(
After a lifetime of owning well behaved, well balanced dogs, I seem to have ended up with two delinquents! What am I doing wrong??? Hopefully this will be a step towards sorting it though!
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The doghouse
I've admitted defeat and contacted a behaviourist... Just need to find the money now!
11 replies
JulietBravoJuliet · 01/10/2014 08:06
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