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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2012 6:36:15 GMT -5
The dog training school is called Wit's End and Sarah is a writer, broadcaster and lecturer on dog behavior but I have also heard people say her classes are good which holds more weight with me. I went to classes at Wits End with Duncan & she didn't teach my classes but I must admit I wasn't fully confident with the instructor we had when it came to greyhounds. We did OK in the first tier of classes but when we moved up a class I stopped going because there was off lead time at the end which to me looked like it was always on the verge of a mass brawl with dogs going mental. There was a little shitzu in the midst of this big dog mentalness that Duncan took an unhealthy interest in & in that environment was an accident waiting to happen I felt but the instructor didn't seem to think it was an issue. So just that you are aware it was a bit geared towards *normal* dogs and good luck  Just to add if you can I would go to a Jim Greenwood workshop as totally geared towards greys/lurchers & their characteristics  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2012 12:50:06 GMT -5
To be fair Wanda, Sarah has told Linda that Barkely isn't right for group classes and is offering individual attention, so hopefully she won't have the problems you encountered.
Must admit though, it just goes to show that not all instructors are the same even at the same training school.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2012 13:26:02 GMT -5
To be fair Wanda, Sarah has told Linda that Barkely isn't right for group classes and is offering individual attention, so hopefully she won't have the problems you encountered. Yes sorry should say that the first lot of classes we did were 2 dogs to 1 instructor & that was fine, it was when we went up to the next level of classes I got a bit worried. It was very difficult trying to tell an instructor that you know more about a dogs behaviour than they do, certainly not sighthound savvy. Puffing some compressed air at a greyhound with a Shitzu in it's gob is going to be too little too late  |
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Post by loopylou on Jul 2, 2012 16:40:06 GMT -5
Thanks Kay and Wanda, Sarah did say she wouldn't be happy for him to go into a ''proper'' class for a fair good while yet, although she did sound a little hesitant when I said he was a Lurcher anyway. The thing is once able to meet other dogs he is fine with all sizes and at the Jubilee show a lovely couple with two rescue Grey's and three small Jack Russel types were very happy to let him meet their little ones and he was as good as gold. I think the fact two Grey's were with them boosted his confidence. I have just realised while typing this he is better without the rest of the pack he still barks a lot but has been fine with little fluffy dogs once he's said ''hello'' I wonder if he feels braver i.e. ''I'm still very scared and will shout and create but I have my pack around me so I look well 'ard." ;D ;D . Lisa suggested I take him out alone later in the morning after they've all had their off lead to get him used to seeing other dogs and for me to build my confidence with him. I will probably give Wits end a go for this session as it is behavioral rather than training classes and all on lead , and take it from there. It will be about six to eight weeks before I can get him in so in the meantime I will follow Lisa and Kay's advice with him. He is already doing not only a ''sit'' before meals, treats, going into the lounge etc but after two attempts a wait and sit so is quick to learn and eager to please which gives me some hope, plus he's a massive foodie and would sell his soul for a treat.  |
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Post by julies on Jul 4, 2012 7:30:40 GMT -5
The other thing we find in TTouch is that a harness with a double ended lead can really help reduce reactivity .. maybe because you take the pressure from the neck or maybe because the dog can see but you can control the dog body but well worth a try. We use the Mekuti or TTouch harnesses (from Tilley Farm  ) and if you need extra control then loop the lead around the dogs chest as well as having the 2 points of contact and you hold it in 2 hands ... we call it a balance lead cos everything comes into balance mentally and physically I'd also not rush to have him meet other dogs unless he was very relaxed and they could approach to each others shoulder not eyeball to eyeball Have high value treats with you and personally I think it's a big ask for him to sit or even lie down ... very submissive places to be  tho find the space he needs .. basically the point at which he can watch but not react and let him stand there and watch quietly so you can praise and reward him then over time as his confidence builds you can get closer to other dogs but I'd be giving him things to think about too ... maybe a bit of heelwork to occupy his brain and I wouldn't let him stay too long if he's worried but move him on and away to his 'coping distance' then again you can priase and reward him Teaching a 'Leave it' command is brill but be quick to reward him even if only an ear flickers in response to your command then he gets the idea One to ones with good teaching dogs is great as long as the teacher really understands where our dogs come from and takes it at their pace and doesn't try to rush things - in my experience that makes things very much worse Good luck with him oh and try to breathe and relax when he's kicking off so you don't feed his worry (dead easy eeeekkk LOL) Julie x |
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Post by loopylou on Jul 4, 2012 16:01:47 GMT -5
Thanks Julie, I don't intend to make him ''sit'' outside when he sees other dogs I'm just teaching him to ''wait'' and then the ''leave'' command. He tries to barge past me through the stair gate when for example someone comes to the door so I'm basically trying to teach him some manners. The ''leave'' will eventually be for on walks when he sees other dogs.I'm following Kay's and Lisa's advice for that re-the treats (see above) sorry to confuse you. Reading my posts it makes him sound a hooligan, he's actually a very nice dogs with a couple of issues one being he has a lot of Collie traits in him ( we had rescue Collies for 25 years) ;D ;D ;D mixed with some Beddie and Sighthound. Plus our other 4 have been so easy for the last few years I forget what other dogs can be like. |
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Post by julies on Jul 5, 2012 2:20:27 GMT -5
Charlie's supposed to be greyhound/deerhound/collie .... you have my deepest sympathy LOL
J xx
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