New here - need some advice on socialisation classes

[barkyhound]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here so I hope it's ok to post asking for advice straight away.

My husband and I adopted Gunner (now 4) last year. He'd always been a pet but his previous owners had to re home him because they didn't have time for him - he wasn't getting walked and was being left on his own for long periods. They also hadn't done much training or socialisation when he was a puppy so he can be reactive to other dogs when we're out, lunging and barking etc. 

We've been working hard on his training but the reactivity was still a problem, so we booked a session with a behaviourist who said Gunner wasn't aggressive, he just had no social skills, which is what we suspected as he's not reactive when he's inside with friends'/family members' dogs, and he was fine with the behaviourist's dogs. He showed us some training methods which are working well - I'd say Gunner is 75% improved and he even let us stop and chat to someone with a puppy the other night which would have been unheard of before! It's still a bit hit and miss though (especially if the other dog is being narky) and I think he would benefit from some sort of socialisation class so he's regularly exposed to other dogs in a controlled environment, and we feel more confident around him and other dogs.

Unfortunately the behaviourist we saw isn't local and we can't get to one of his classes until June at the earliest, and a local trainer I contacted won't take reactive dogs. Does anyone know of any socialisation classes in Derbyshire that we might be able to take him to?

thank you!

[ritab]

I haven't taken mine to socialisation classes as I walk them in the park. Lena wasn't very good around other dogs for a while, but now she doesn't bother as long as they don't jump all over her. I think she's accepted that most dogs aren't a threat. Doing it my way (habit) does take longer, but we've more or less got there. You don't say what breed your dog is - that would have a bearing on how long it might take to get there - is he neutered? He sounds to be doing quite well. If he is a greyhound you may be interested in local greyhound walks. Nottingham RGT do one every month, and there used to be a group of greyhound/lurcher walkers in Belper. Also someone on here does walks at Chatsworth sometimes. I think they'll probably post a reply for you anyway.

[kamkay]

Welcome to Gap. Can't offer any advice unfortunately, just wanted to say it sounds as if Gunner is doing well. My lad Jet used to be very reactive to small dogs, but time, patience and constant 'Leave it" have paid off and he is now so much better. He still has the occasional rumble, but is good enough to walk without a muzzle. Keep up the good work and let us know how you get on.

[barkyhound]

Oh dear, I can't believe I forgot to say what breed he is, sorry! And it's only Monday… 

We were told he's a full greyhound, and he looks like one, but we suspect he might be a lurcher, because he's much livelier than our previous greyhound (ex racer). He loves water, loves mud, and is excellent at retrieving! I know they're all different though so he might just be a very high energy greyhound. 

Thank you for the advice! It's good to hear other people have managed to solve this problem. I know we will with time, I just want to make sure we're doing it right. I will definitely look into those walks, they sound great.

Here is a photo of the little monkey!

[kamkay]

He's lovely-very much resembles Jet. Where in Derbyshire are you? There are quite a few Gappers there and in S Yorks.

[barkyhound]

Thank you, kamkay! We're near Chesterfield.

[nikki1984]

Oh he's a beauty and very similar to Brandy too! Good luck with everything, we had issues with brandy but she now walks well with a JRT regularly keep going with it! Xx

[barkyhound]

Hi Nikki, thank you and that's really encouraging to hear! It's only been a couple of weeks since the behaviourist visited us so I know he's got a long way to go. Hopefully with lots of time and patience we will crack this!

[hanban1991]

Hey, I got my greyhound two months ago, he's very reactive on the lead despite living with another dog! Persistence I found with mine is the key, we have our good days and bad days! But can slowly start to see an improvement! Have you tried clicker training to keep his attention when dogs are near by?

[barkyhound]

Hi HanBan, sorry you're having the same problem, but glad it's improving! Distraction doesn't work with Gunner, unfortunately - he glances round then goes straight back to barking! And if we use treats it makes him worse (I think he thinks he's being rewarded for being gobby!). But he's doing OK, and I know we'll get there.

[futuramafan]

Hi, we have the same with our greyhound. We are now going along the BAT route with a behaviourist as it is rubbing off on our other dog. Very similar situation to you but I found socialisation in a group did little to help her- she appeared fine but I know now that she was actually quite stressed by it. She would just turn and basically show her backside to all of the other dogs in a very haughty manner! She doesn't react to all dogs but if she doesn't like a dog then she barks at it which can be quite embarrassing. You are not alone!!

[barkyhound]

Thank you, Futuramafan! Is that her in your avatar? She's beautiful!

[dylansdad]

Hi Barkyhound

If you're in Chesterfield then you're on the doorstep of Jim Greenwood

www.jandjgreenwood.co.uk/

Give him a shout

Cheers

Allan

[julies]

Hi Barkyhound

Jim is brill. You could also ask around other dog owners for a good training class .... I'd speak to the trainers if/when you find one and explain he needs careful introductions and see if you can just take him to one of the advanced classes (where the dogs are calm, under control and will ignore him) and just sit in the class tho at the distance he can just watch and not feel he has to react- don't join in until he can happily watch and is very relaxed. Take a huge amount of chopped up high value treats like sausage etc and let him watch the class but every so often and especially if he begins to stare then say him name and if he looks at you, tweaks and ear etc then prase him and give him a reward.

Take everything at his pace and if he begins to react go back a step and reinforce the good bits, don't elt any trainer push him to join in - leave the class if you feel he's not ready cos if he's not - you won't be and both of you need to be confident.

If you can find some nice, quiet dog friends to walk with (and no off lead dogs will come up to him) he will improve Keep at it

Julie

[barkyhound]

Hi DylansDad and Julie, thank you for the info about Jim. We will definitely look into him – his classes sound great. We're planning to do some walks with Sheffield sighthounds and some Gappers in June, too (couldn't do it this month because G hurt his back – all better now though – and we've been too busy with my husband's work).

I have to say I am VERY proud of Gunner today. We met a lady and a dog he's always barked/lunged at. He did bark initially but then calmed right down and let me stand and talk to her for ages without making a sound. A huge improvement! He's also stopped reacting to dogs barking from inside houses and trying to chase cars. So we're getting there slowly!