[pawzaddict]

Ok I have spent some time around here and see many people dont criticize but actually try to help, so let me introduce my second dog, the big boy, lab/border collie mix, 70lb Harvick. Harvick has done puppy class, intermediate class, and advanced class, so he is very well trained. The issues..let me begin.

Harvick started growling and showing off his mohawk at children who started toward him. He is very frightened of strollers. When children hollar he freaks out. Our trainer said some dogs stay fearful of children (he has been ok with older children who remain calm and dont rush at him). When this happens we just tell him "quit" and make him sit stay and ask the kids to stay away.

He barks/growls at people walking by the house, down the street, at the door, etc. BUT when we take him out to pet stores and to my parents he is still somewhat fearful but not aggressive. When this happens we tell him "quit" and again put him in a sit stay or even a down stay, but he does continue to growl.

He can be leash aggressive at times, especially with males so we stopped letting him meet dogs on the leash (offleash works very very well).He is protective over toys but getting better with that except sometimes at the dog park. If this happens I take the toy tell him share and give it to the other dog to play with for a little bit then give it back to him. This has worked fine with no issues and was suggested by our trainer.

The BIGGEST ISSUE is unfortunately our dog was "violated" by a husky with an irresponsible owner...the husky mounted Harvick and he started to scream....the dog would not get off of him and my 6' 200lb Boyfriend tried so hard to pry the dog off himself, finally shoving the dog off and grabbing Harvick rushing him off to a corner. Since then everytime he gets spooked he circles around and licks his rear...he also frequently releases his anal glands when he gets spooked.

Sorry so long... any advice would be amazing. Thank you.

Michaele

 

[pawzaddict]

Wow thank you so much for the response! I am a bit upset that my dog has been doing normal things (such as toy possession) and I felt it was his toy so back off but the trainer said its not good.

The training was just simple learning the basics, and then putting distance to it and more focusing (which he is not very good at LOL) so pretty much praise/reward.

I feel bad because he was like this when we got him, so its not like I was being a bad owner but sometimes people make me feel that way.

We took him to the dog park to swim because it had a lake... He loves to swim, not sure what else to do other than put a little kid pool in the backyard.

And dont get me wrong we dont let him meet people in settings that arent comfortable and I do NOT let children near him at all other than the older ones that were in the training room. My niece and nephew do not get to see Harvick and I am ok with that for their safety.

So lets use a senario that we will be in frequently... I am walking Harvick around the neighborhood and a man with his dog are coming down the street. Do I take Harvick to the other side of the street? In the grassy area closeby (there are MANY in my neighborhood and I love it!). Do I simply take him a completely different direction to avoid it? Do I try and get his attention away from it by trying to play with him?

As for treats he loves them and his system is not super sensitive to them so I will carry treats with me broken up in little chunks.

Again thanks for the advice! Glad to know I dont need to be "punishing" my dog all the time for being a dog.

 

[pawzaddict]

Good thank you! I will try that. When you say ask for other behaviors what exactly do you mean? We cross the street and then I ask him to do things such as sit? maybe his favorite (shake)? "tricks" for example?

BTW my brother came out of the room and into the kitchen (we are in the livingroom) and he began his growling and getting overwhelmed so I simply said "Harvick come" in a happy voice and he came right over and sat and focused on me! Normally it is "Harvick quit...come...lay down...quit...quit..." lol which i know repetition is not good as far as constantly repeating the same command.

 

[pawzaddict]

Sorry...yes I meant sit and such by "other behaviors" tricks work too (they are all tricks to the dog) pick som'thing he really likes..

Glad your seeing a difference already...keep it up!

I really appreciate your advice and knowledge. It worked again when my brother came out Harvick did he normal thing and I got happy and called him over and he stopped. Will work on the distraction next time we run into anybody on the street.

Today, however, I had our alarm guy come out and even tho Harvick was in his crate, I said "quiet" in a very calm voice and made him lay down in his crate and he barked maybe two or three more times then was silent!!! again this never happens. Must really be the difference between getting stern and asking politely or staying calm as silly as that may sound... I am so excited to see such a sudden change