It's not the dog... it's ME.

[Labradorks]

From your posts, you seem like a worrier and like you have some anxiety yourself when around other dogs. Dogs pick up on that. If YOU think there is something to worry about or go "weird" the dog then thinks there is something to worry about, etc. and it's like a vicious cycle.

Years ago I had a friend with a Lab mix who was dog aggressive -- unless her owner wasn't around (she was a helicopter dog parent). My sister's dog, a boxer, was also dog aggressive -- when my sister and her family were around (my sister is high-anxiety, generally speaking).

This is super common. And yes, probably hard to deal with than a dog problem.

[TuMicks]

Yes, yes, and yes. Oh my. Learned so much. I think we got to practice with like 5 different dogs and several employees at K9 Games Reno, each one playing the role of "stranger". All the dogs were there for being reactive. (So, in the process of teaching Rocket Dog and me, we were helping these dogs.)

We went further than the CGC standards... we didn't want Rocket Dog to break her position at all. It was the "friendly stranger" that made her break, not the dogs. So we isolated that behavior and gradually increased the energy that the stranger used (increased "oogling" pressure, if you will.) The behaviorist showed me how to use my leash more effectively. (It was in part the angle I was holding the leash, and she told me to keep it shorter, while still loose.) Also, my style of correction was wrong. I was stepping back when she broke, pulling her away from the site of the infraction. The behaviorist told me to just give the correction, and then relax... don't keep my negative energy on high. (Keep in mind, this endeavor is not about ring obedience but being a good citizen on the street.)

She growled at one of the dogs who was getting in her grill... encroaching. So we both heeled the dogs away, and redid the encounter. That dog and Rocket Dog were more relaxed the second time around.

Also found out there are a lot of places around Reno that are ideal for socializing dogs. One of the biggest hotel/resort/casinos in town is dog-friendly. Can you find a better place to proof your dog with distractions? Wowsers.

[POPTOP]

So glad you two had a positive experience. Now you know RD can do it and so can you.

Something I learned long ago and have kind of do automatically now is to visualize the situation as I want it to happen and then expect it to happen. Of course, the dog, whichever one, had been taught beforehand. It's when I anticipate a problem that there seems to be a problem. This has played out more so with Archie because, 1) being younger and 2) because I am more unsure about training him. We are both a work in progress. Did not even think about this until you mentioned setting your shoulders. Of course, you have to also be aware of what is happening on the other end of the leash.

Practice, practice, practice and be sure to treat both of you after a good session.

[TuMicks]

Success!!! Rocket Dog now has her CGC. I think when it comes to street obedience, she is a work in progress. The examiner at K9 Games Reno said that RD is not ready for their "intermediate" class because her STAY is not solid. Uh huh. I agree. But that is so weird. We worked her on line manners SOOOoooo much last year. And I can almost guarantee that she will stay at my side when a live flier is blown away 35 yards from her.

Here's the difference... she WANTS the flier so bad, she's willing to suppress her urge to break because she knows she will NOT get it if she moves forward even an inch. When a stranger is oogling her, well... yes she wants to break from her sit and get up in their face. But, if she is heeled away before she gets the love, well... hey, maybe next time. It's completely counter-intuitive. That which she wants the most, she's willing to wait for. That which she would really sorta kinda want, she just goes for it.

I will continue to work with the behaviorist and Michelle, the AKC examiner/obedience instructor. We are now doing daily field work and that is going really well. So that is our first priority for now. But it's all good. We'll just do what we can do.

[POPTOP]

Congratulations Team Rocket Dog!