Positively | Victoria Stilwell | Forum

As for "low stress" areas, wherever I walk Karma, I make sure I can find a "low stress" area in the event that she reacts unfavorably to other dogs or even people. The way I see "low stress" areas are areas for both dogs and humans to calm, and in my case, meditate. Ki...

being calm in your neighborhood might take a bit longer. If you have a lot of bad history there don't be surprised if you can have a calm walk with "100" dogs running around the local park with you, but soon as you re enter your neighborhood it's like walking through a war zone. you never...

Good progress indeed, and sitting down on teh grass is as good a coping strategy as any if he calms down, you calm down and he doesnt get to continue escalating his reactiveness and stress levels! Thanks Emmabeth -- I figured sitting was as good as anything else! In fact, the reason I sat down was ...

Hi All: I haven't posted in a while, but I check in regularly to keep up with everybody. Gordon is doing really well ... he learns so fast! I am *** this close *** to having him de-sensitized to the sound of the hair dryer. I also have to do the blender and vacuum, but one thing at a time! Right now...

Oh, Sarah -- you're right about walking in the rain! It sucks, but it's also great 'cause nobody else is out there! :D Lately I've been walking him later and later at night, trying to avoid the busy evening times, but I'm really uncomfortable walking him in the dark (call me a big scaredy cat), so i...

Oh yes, I'm not expecting him to return from a few days at the farm and be "cured" -- I know that IF any progress is made during his time there, it doesn't necessarily translate once he gets home. The plan is for the behaviorist to have the chance to thoroughly evaluate his behavior, motiv...

I completely understand where your concerns are coming from, no worries. I wouldn't send him with "just anybody" and he's not being sent to be trained, per se. I've worked with this behaviorist before, and I know how he works with dogs. He's very positive and I trust his work and his opini...

Hi All: Well, I couldn't take Gordon's behavior on our walks anymore (going C R A Z Y when there's another dog within a one-block radius), so I looked up a dog behaviorist that I know and trust 1,000%. He worked with me and my previous dog about 13 years ago and he does really great work. He came to...

Sorry, I wasn't actually asking for help, just expressing the frustration that comes with a large untrained dog.

Zak is beautiful! Er ... I guess "handsome" would be the word, eh?! He's a gorgeous dog -- I love shepherds. I've also been reading this thread because I'm in a similar situation -- big dog, little owner! lol Gordon is a 2 y/0, 70lb shepherd (or shepherd mix) and he's difficult to walk due...

Thanks Noobs, I should have tried some kind of distraction since he wasn't in overdrive at the time! I'll remember it next time.

His floppy ears just make the whole look, don't they?!

OK, it took me a while to figure out how to attach a photo, but I think I may have done it! Hoping this works. 'Just wanted to share photos of my Gordon so you can see who I'm talking about in my posts. Took him for a long walk early this morning, and as soon as we stepped outside, I saw his ears an...

It's taken me several days to get back online and check the responses -- thank you for the advice! It's been crazy-busy here with my husband traveling and my son now off to camp for a week. Right now it's just me and the dog! ("and" not "or") :lol: So, I continue to work with him...

Thanks Sarah and Mattie! I had also considered the possibility of using two leads -- GMTA! :-) "Gordon shouldn't be pulling to investigate a scent, that is teaching him that pulling is ok which you don't want, instead go with him if your lead isn't long enough, you must keep the lead loose.&quo...