Positively | Victoria Stilwell | Forum

Hi Ocelot, I just wanted to say I really like the "park-it" plan. Dogs sometimes react when they are excited, stressed, frightened or otherwise overly aroused. This can manifest as 'handler aggression' or 're-directed aggression' (or whatever other name we invent for it). The absolute wors...

It could just be on-leash excitability. Many dogs react when on leash and are fine when off-leash, but if he is inadequately socialised and you're not sure then take it slow. Arrange for him to meet normal, stable, friendly dogs one at a time. See how he goes with that. He definitely needs to learn ...

Just use the canned food. 99% of my training is done with normal food.

You have two dogs of breeds who are likely to fight, which means you need to be an expert trainer and use management extensively. Either that or you almost certainly will have to rehome one of the dogs given the frequency and increasing severity of this problem. Matt has already given you some great...

Hi Drac, which state are you in?

I'm in Tassie, but I can put you in touch with others around the country.

Hi Lauren, sounds pretty reasonable! I strongly recommend this article:
http://www.flyingdogpress.com/sayhi.html

>>I think the best point I pick up on is the rewarding the growling with treats - that makes sense. She is doing a good job and letting us know so she should be rewarded and esp when she's quiet after DOING her job! << Have you heard of "shaping"? That's where you reinforce responses that ...

Hi Tasha, a couple of extra resources for you: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/727 - how to teach "give" using the game of tug, especially good for dogs who are difficult to train "give" using other methods. http://www.ezinearticles.com/?id=251555 - Do Dogs and Puppies Know W...

Em's advice is "world's best practice" as usual, but I disagree with "best practice" on one point - which I have found to be critical: -- if he starts to lunge and scream at them just ignore him, stay calm and quietly remove him from the scene. -- If a dog is lunging and screamin...

I found this excellent article by Dee Ganley which might help:
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/546
"How the Upper Valley Humane Society Uses Targetting to Help Shy Dogs Blossom"

Yes, it can be a bit confusing! Don't worry too much about the different theories. People like a lot of different ways to explain the same thing, so I just stick to what is tested and verified over and over again, namely Classical and Operant Conditioning. I have a reactive dog, and I can't tell you...

If a behaviour is being maintained or increased it has been reinforced. My guess is that letting them out is reinforcing the barking. The good news is that by not letting them out, the barking will eventually stop. The bad news is that it will get worse before it gets better. But be strong, if they ...

Having your children drop a treat works at the level of associations (aka Classical Conditioning), it builds a 'good' association and sets her at ease. Each time they approach, they 'give' and not 'take away'. --I am still uncertain as to why she takes this strategy with them - I do feel that their ...

P.S When you drag a dog away on a long-line in this situation you are stopping them from using "what works", hence, the escalation in aggressive behaviours. The same applies for yelling at your dog. Effective punishment means the behaviour reduces - if it increases you are not using effect...

Hmmm, this sort of thing worries me. On the positive side, resource guarding issues have a very good prognosis. OK, stealing things to get a treat is EXCELLENT. When we reinforce a behaviour we get MORE OF IT (sorry to shout, it's a happy shout though). That is how it works. Never mind that it's onl...