Post by zaeva06 on Nov 3, 2011 0:03:00 GMT -5
A couple of days ago I posted a message in the intro section about our new Pit Bull mix named Maxine and some of the aggressive looking signs she had been showing while out on walks. (Lunging, barking, and raised hackles). Most of the time these signs only appeared when the other dog was behind a fence or on the other side of the street.
We have been working with her on clicker/voice training and redirectment for her behavior with praise and treats, as well as trying to figure out if it was true aggression or just 'Come over here and play with me!' When she was adopted from the humane society, she was said to be good with other dogs, and in the few nose to nose encounters that she has had since we adopted her, was either calm and played nice, or else remained siting untill the other dog started to lunge and bark.
Well today we had to take Maxine to the vet's for the first time since we brought her home, nerves were on edge.
But my girl surpised me. When we got into the vet's office she started whining/barking a bit and pulling at the leash. But after about 10 min of myself and Dad redirecting/ praising when she did quiet down, Maxine was sprawled in a corner of the waiting room, calm, silent, and starting to fall asleep. There was another dog no less then 10 feet from her the entire time too.
On our way out from the vet's there were a couple of new dogs in the waiting room, Maxine looked over a couple of times but still didn't start barking or pulling towards them.
While she still has a long way to go untill I'd trust her enough off leash, it was great to she her finally relaxed around other dogs.
We have been working with her on clicker/voice training and redirectment for her behavior with praise and treats, as well as trying to figure out if it was true aggression or just 'Come over here and play with me!' When she was adopted from the humane society, she was said to be good with other dogs, and in the few nose to nose encounters that she has had since we adopted her, was either calm and played nice, or else remained siting untill the other dog started to lunge and bark.
Well today we had to take Maxine to the vet's for the first time since we brought her home, nerves were on edge.
But my girl surpised me. When we got into the vet's office she started whining/barking a bit and pulling at the leash. But after about 10 min of myself and Dad redirecting/ praising when she did quiet down, Maxine was sprawled in a corner of the waiting room, calm, silent, and starting to fall asleep. There was another dog no less then 10 feet from her the entire time too.
On our way out from the vet's there were a couple of new dogs in the waiting room, Maxine looked over a couple of times but still didn't start barking or pulling towards them.
While she still has a long way to go untill I'd trust her enough off leash, it was great to she her finally relaxed around other dogs.
I look forward to learning much here