Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Just wanted to give a little up date on class and what I've been doing at home, if anyone cares.  It may be of help for those with reactive dogs.

I'm still keeping a daily reactive dog diary which in the long term may come in handy seeing patterns I'm missing.

The hand feeding during walks has been fantastic.  He gets fed when he looks at me and when he's right beside me.  I alternate between handfuls of kibble and just giving him one piece at a time.  Feeding while walking has many benefits.  It keeps me calm having something to do,  I get a much better heel and a lot of eye contact,  it helps keep Bosco's arousal level low.  When he's aroused he takes treats/kibble with too much teeth contact and too hard so a loud "ouch" helps him to lower his arousal so he can take the kibble gently.  I love it.

Yesterday I found out that when it's not me holding onto the leash he doesn't react in the slightest towards other dogs.  That is a huge revelation!  Just goes to prove that I am the problem.

We saw a dog approaching on leash so I used the opportunity to try an experiment.  I very securely tied the leash to a bench out of the other dog's way because I didn't want to disturb the dog or the owner and I walked away.  The dog was about 6 metres to the right of Bosco and I was about that same distance to the left.  No reaction, no lunging, no barking, no hard stares, no tail up.  The focus was on me and when he looked at the other dog I asked for a "watch me" and got it no problem.  He got lots of praise and treats for that.

I don't know all the things this could mean but it could be that removing myself meant that he couldn't resource guard me or that I am giving him some sort of cue to react with my behaviour.  I don't know I'll have to discuss this with my trainer when I see her.

If I get the okay from her, I will be doing this from now on.  When I see a dog approaching and granted the situation is safe ie:  no pedestrians in the way, the other dog is under physical control,  ON LEASH and at a safe distance.  As long as I get no reaction I'll throw treats to him for being good but if I get any sort of reaction I'll turn my back and walk further away.  And only when he's quiet will I come closer.  Over time and many walks I"ll slowly decrease the distance I'm away from him until I'm standing right beside him getting him to watch me.

Then we'll work from there and move onto more challenging situations.

This week we're practicing leave it or off with balls being kicked around, toys being squeaked and all that.  Class next week will be practicing with fake squirrels running around-oh boy!

 

Some things you can try:

No food or water before the trip
Crack the windows for fresh air
Let him see out the front window
Ginger root pills

You should start with very, very short trips and work up from there. Sometimes just being in a stationary vehicle is enough to trigger stress.  If he's a pup he will most likely out grow it.

Just thinking about motion sickness makes me feel ill.

Very hard to tell at this age what your pup is.

Were his rear dewclaws removed or was he born without them?  I believe wolves do not have rear dewclaws.  But since you say he only has one front dewclaw maybe he has a "birth defect" and since that one is missing that could explain why the rear are missing.

If you're positive he has webbed toes then he might be a mix of one of the following: Akita, Newfoundland, Leonberger.  I can't see him being a mix of any of the other web footed breeds.  Wolves also have webbed toes.

As he matures you'll be able to see his personality and make a better guess at what he might be if you research breed temperaments.  I don't think he has any wolf in him.  I've seen pyr mixes that look like your guy.  Keep Leonberger in the back of your mind cuz you never know and you're not gonna know at this age.  Leonberger puppies look MUCH different than adults.

Does he have a black spot on his tail?

Some other pictures would be helpful.

I have a dog with "issues".  He eats Solid Gold's Barking at the Moon which has ocean fish, beef and potatoes with no eggs, chicken, duck, turkey OR grains which he can't eat either.

It is expensive though.  A 33lbs bag costs about $75 CAD.  My guy is getting older and pretty inactive so a bag lasts me about a month and a half.

This time of year he starts getting very uncomfortable with seasonal allergies and itches/licks himself.

If you don't want glowing eyes, don't use the flash.  You will need lots of light from a different source though and is hard to achieve in the house.  Photos with natural light taken outside are always the best.  I find flash photos are never flattering, for people or dogs.  The fur looks too shiny, the eyes glow, the camera picks up micro dust floating in the air and there is too much contrast.  You did get some good photos though and those are the ones that have the natural lighting.

Like others said, you can do some work in Photoshop if you have that program.

Enjoy your pup!

I recommend this article for you to read.  While it may not have direct relation to dealing with aggression, it has helpful info that I really think could be useful in your situation.

http://rowdyrover.blogspot.com/2006/12/hand-feeding.html

I ordered some DAP from my vet and am going to try that out with my guys when it comes this week.  If you want to find out more just goggle dog appeasing pheromones.

Also, anything that can keep him occupied chewing should help calm him down.

Is he getting plenty of exercise from/with you?

Amazing colour!  Will he stay that colour or darken?