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Post by adoptapitbull on Jan 20, 2010 17:12:47 GMT -5
And, hey, just call the vet! Maybe they've forgotten to call. I always call on the day they say results are coming back!
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Post by AmyJo27 on Jan 20, 2010 17:18:19 GMT -5
Boomer usually relaxes when I massage him. He would relax with massage even when I had another male in the home (Which says a lot because he really doesn’t like other males).
Now, depending on his mood he will calm down. I know how to perfectly the way Boomer acts; he totally seems to say F#@$ Off. He just seems like he no longer cares for us...At least not the way he used to anyway.
I know there is something wrong with him, I just have a feeling. The tough part is trying to figure out what that something might be.
I just called the vet. Results wont be in until tomorrow due to an ice storm we are experiencing.
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Post by adoptapitbull on Jan 20, 2010 17:23:34 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure there is something wrong. This sounds like something that popped up suddenly instead of building over time. Give him some space right now; maybe something is really bothering him. Poor guy!
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Post by loverocksalot on Jan 20, 2010 21:33:39 GMT -5
therealpitbull.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=moldmanagethepitbullmind&action=display&thread=3750I The food thing and stiffening is resource guarding. Rocky was a guarder as a pup from the shelter. To this day continue to work on that because when left alone it can re surface. I wonder if this has developed over time with his maturity and you are noticing it more and more. Growling at you as opposed to strangers can still be resource guarding. If he thinks the baby is his property he will growl at you. Hopefully the strict NILIF and keeping him from the baby will show him you own the baby and not him. And I still think his discomfort has something to do with how he has been acting as of lately which made his resource guarding on top of that makes it all look worse.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Jan 20, 2010 22:18:05 GMT -5
Avery wasn’t even around any of the times he growled at us though. So I really don’t think he is resource guarding Avery. He has acted like he is guarding her in the past but with strong NILIF he quit.
When he snapped at me, Avery wasn’t even home. He sometimes tries to act protective of her around strangers (If we allow it, which we do not) but he has never acted protective of her against me.
I just dont think he is resource guarding her since she wasn’t even there. Maybe he is, I have NO idea at this point! LOL! Anyways, Im starting to think he is just being an *ss and needs some sort of serious job that wont hurt his back end.
Maybe when the results come there will be some underlying health issue. Im just clueless!
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Post by loverocksalot on Jan 20, 2010 22:38:00 GMT -5
Well he can be guarding more than just her. His food, his toys, his bed etc. Just try to take note to what is around when he acts the ass. He has been known to show some resource guar ding and it can worsen for some dogs if not constantly reminded. I know I posted a helpful link on the old thread maybe reading it could shed some light on things. I know you dont want Boomer to have any medical issues but it sure w ould be bitter isweet if he did and it explained his problem. And a job is always good. I have not yet put Rocky to formal work but just training him to put away his toys and the best is playing the box game oh lord is that brain work. I can no longer find a link to it cause I think the info was mailed to me. I would be more than happy to share it with you or anyone interested if you PM me your mailing address. It is lots of fun. Also teaching touch and training rocky to pick things up off the floor for me has been great as he helps me when my back hurts. Its all good!
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Post by AmyJo27 on Jan 20, 2010 22:42:04 GMT -5
Loverocksalot, what is the box game?
Im definetly going to have to go back to the other thread and look at the link to refresh my memory. Thanks!
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Post by loverocksalot on Jan 20, 2010 22:50:19 GMT -5
PM me and I will send by us mail all about the box game. Its a clicker training thing to shape behaviors. Rocky loves shaping games. Lots of brain work for a tired happy dog.
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Post by loverocksalot on Jan 20, 2010 22:52:26 GMT -5
Here is a place you can find out about box game just have to make an account. Different than article I orginally got the idea from but same idea. I can still mail you copy of what I have if you want. www.clickertraining.com/node/167
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Post by AmyJo27 on Jan 21, 2010 14:35:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the link and the help Carol Ann!!!
Well, everything was fine with Boomers blood work. Nothing was out of the ordinary. The vet said to monitor his behavior and write down any situations (What exactly happened, where Boomer was, what was happening before, etc.). At this point my vet doubts that it’s a serious health issue. He believes Boomer may have been sore that day but the other times he has growled at us are unexplainable. I personally wonder if he has just been being an ass.
Im going to start playing mind stimulating games with him and try to find a job for him and HOPEFULLY begin to see improvements!
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Post by AmyJo27 on Jan 21, 2010 17:07:13 GMT -5
If I begin to see progress do you think its safe to test him for the CGC and Therapy Certificates?
Both evaluations have been moved back to Feb. 24th. Should I do it or wait? I want to SO bad! LOL! It’s hard to let it go!
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Post by loverocksalot on Jan 21, 2010 17:10:54 GMT -5
Which one are you doing cause are you doing TDI I still have my question sheet I think they asked about any recent issues. I will Go take a look
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Post by AmyJo27 on Jan 21, 2010 17:16:04 GMT -5
I am doing CGC and TDI at once. I can do just the CGC, they are testing both on the same day.
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Post by loverocksalot on Jan 21, 2010 17:19:29 GMT -5
OK This is form I had to fill out for Therapy dog International on the day of the test then I was to bring it home and mail it. 1 Has your dog ever bitten a human 2 Is your dog shy or nervous around crowds of people 3 Is your dog hand Shy 4 Has your dog ever been involved in a dog fight 5 Have you ever been convicted of a crime 6 Do you belong to antoher therapy dog organization 7 Is your dog a registered service dog If you answer yes to any of these you are asked to attach explanation 8 Does your dog get along well with children 9 Does your dog get along well with other dogs 10 Is your dog friendly with other animals If you answer no to any of those you are to attach explanation
On the back there is Rules for Members After a visit I agree to inform TDI immediately in writing if my dog shows any form of aggresive behavior toward another dogs persons or any change of temperament and to stop visiting with my dog in therapy dog capacity Until the matter has been resolved.
So I guess use your judgement on weather you feel he has shown agression issues and once the issue is resolved you can give it a go.
I just thought if he is showing some issues with possible pain you would not want to set your self up with him growling at someone at the test. You are being evaluated as soon as you enter the test area. If he acts the ass and there could be children present for the test so just did not want you to put yourself in that position especially if you are the only one with a pit bull as I was at my test all eyes are on you trust me. By the other people taking test. Hope this helps
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Post by loverocksalot on Jan 21, 2010 17:23:37 GMT -5
This is off TDI website.
Before getting started, you should know what we are looking for in a TDI Dog:
A Therapy Dog is born, not made. Yes, one can teach a dog mannerly behavior, but one cannot change a dog's inherent temperament. When a dog is put under stress, poor or marginal temperament will surface. Therefore: What are we looking for?
A Therapy Dog must have an oustanding temperament. This means that the dog should be outgoing and friendly to all people; men, women, and children. The dog should be tolerant of other dogs (of both genders) and non-aggressive toward other pets. Before you consider having your dog evaluated, you should ask yourself if your dog has these qualities.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Jan 21, 2010 17:24:48 GMT -5
Alright! Thanks Carol Ann. I am just going to monitor him. If I see little or no improvement the answer is NO. I only have a month so at this point Im thinking no.
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Post by loverocksalot on Jan 21, 2010 17:30:33 GMT -5
How about continue doing the brain work with him and the NILIF maybe do the American Temperment test when you think he is back to normal and you have figured things out. He is still quite young. I was not ready to have Rocky tested at boomers age. He was too goofy. I did not feel he was quite therapy dog material at the time.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Jan 21, 2010 21:58:36 GMT -5
Good idea Loverocksalot. Who do I contact for the American Temperment test?
Do you think its ok to have him do the CGC evaluation (If and ONLY if he starts acting like a gentle man)?
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Post by loverocksalot on Jan 21, 2010 22:16:24 GMT -5
Yeah I think so CGC is different from Therapy. THe added part of therapy is you are being evaluated when entering test site, His reaction to people in wheel chair and walkers. and leaving a piece of food on the floor while walking by. But remember there are still going to be people, children and dogs there. But ask yourself how do you think he will do with you greeting a person with a dog. walking through a crowd. Being groomed by a stranger. And for the American temperment test read the test requirements and be pretty confident he will pass as that does affect the breed stats. I actually was concern Rocky almost failed for being to care free not breed specific. and did not care to investigate the umbrella. Little trick you can not talk to the dog but I was told by evaluator I had 5 seconds left and I talk to the umbrella. So I said oh hey umbrella you got treats back there and I looked behind the umbrella. rOCKY RAN behind the umbrella passing that within seconds. You may very likely need to travel but I felt it was our biggest acomplishment.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Jan 21, 2010 22:35:29 GMT -5
Alright, sounds like I have lots to think about! At this point Im really not sure. I’m about to say to hell with it and wait. I DONT want to set Boomer up for failure. I think I would be a nervous wreck having a stranger grooming Boomer. If Im having doubts now it would be downright ignorant for me to put him in that situation! All the test are going to have to wait! I guess Ive just been so excited to have him tested that I was really only thinking about myself!
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