Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 20 of 20
  1. #11
    House Broken black_paws's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    on the farm in NY
    Posts
    154
    Thanked: 89
    Thank you all for your support. I guess I just need to remind myself that there are gonna be A LOT of ups and downs in the process. She's never gone towards people aggressively, so when I witnessed that yesterday it threw me for a loop.

    @ ZRabbits - I'm sorry you had experienced a worse scenario than me. Its unfortunate that they can't tell us what's going through their minds, and let us know their history.

    We have two other labs in the house (11 and 9) which we never had any issues with except being spoiled rotten!!!
    Its just so baffling when she is SO affectionate to me and DH, but not to others. And some people she reacts more strongly to then others.
    Its also frustrating because we are accustomed to RV camping as our vacations and hiking for recreation, but I can't seem to trust myself to trust her any time soon to do these activities.
    I don't want to have to make her have a "sheltered" or "secluded" life because of this issue.
    We have a 22 acre hobby farm, which is great in some ways but awful in others as far as her exposures. We are about a 20 minute drive to any shopping centers. Not the end of the world, but very time consuming when adding in training time.

    @ Polly Pipkin - my husband feels that I had such an issue with Keene's behavior and I signed up for the training, that he has pretty much told me that it's my deal. He has gone with us to the first two sessions (after spousal guilt trip), but I don't think he'll be returning. It also doesn't help that we work opposite shifts, so our time together is VERY limited. But to answer your question, it doesn't appear he will not being doing any training or "homework".

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to black_paws For This Useful Post:

    MikeLynn (06-01-2014)

  3. #12
    Senior Dog
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    1,502
    Thanked: 357
    Thanks so much for your kind words. Reading your recent post, truly don't believe your pup is anything like our Lilly, and that in time, can be helped. What we could never seem to get was the trust and love that your pup gives you. Her aggression is towards others, as a protection. She's watching over you. Seems like everything I've read, you would need to redirect her way of thinking that she should watch you first for a reaction to strangers?

    Understand where you are at. Go with your gut when trusting her on vacation. And don't feel you would be isolating her from keeping her home, as maybe she will do better just in her little corner of the world?

    My thoughts are with you. Hoping things can be resolved and you find a way to bring Keene truly into the family team.

    KAZ

  4. #13
    Best Friend Retriever Polly Pipkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    BC
    Posts
    605
    Thanked: 190
    Have you taught her the "Look at me" cue? This is a really good one, especially for fearful dogs. Take a high value treat, hold it in your hand (I started this sitting down and have her in a sit) and when she gives you eye contact a "Yes Good girl!" and treat is the way to start. Keene will soon catch on and then when she starts to look at you expecting a treat, you can pair in the words "Look at me" and treat.

    Make sure you use high value treats, like hot dog, chicken, beef - whichever she prefers and don't forget to take it into account so you don't overfeed her at dinner time. Keene probably wouldn't mind, though!

    This helps them to focus on you so if you are out and you see a potential problem (her triggers) you can immediately give the "Look at me" and treat a lot - give her a jackpot of treats as it were! You have distracted her and moved away from the trigger. It also really strengthens your bond because she is looking to you for guidance.

    You can do this when you feed her dinner (we always do) and this is something your husband can help with too. You can work on this throughout the day at home where there are no distractions and gradually move up to outside. Lots of short sessions, lots of praise and treats and keep everything positive and fun.

    Keene will see/learn that she doesn't have to protect you, you are there to protect her from her fearful things.
    Hidden Content Katy & Polly

    Hidden Content

    Duchess Jan. 31, 2000 - Dec. 18, 2011, Always in our hearts

  5. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Polly Pipkin For This Useful Post:

    black_paws (06-01-2014), MightyThor (06-02-2014), ZRabbits (06-01-2014)

  6. #14
    House Broken black_paws's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    on the farm in NY
    Posts
    154
    Thanked: 89
    Good advice and that's kind of what we have been working on. Redirecting her attention, or having her focus on me. I haven't taught her a specific command to do so, just try to get her in a sit or down position and hold her eye contact.
    Keene is a very smart dog and knows basic commands, so it gives me hope that we very well might have good results in the end.
    We did some training on Saturday and the only time Keene reacted negatively was when someone approached her directly and loudly.
    She seems to be very "spatial". So the best way I can equate the situation is like me walking into a crowd and having some stranger come up and hug me, my response would be like "HELL NO!!" "Get Away!"
    We have tried the local pet store twice during quiet hours and she doesn't like the confinement of aisles and shelves (gets all shaky and quivering), compared to the local garden centers where she's done okay with proximity to people. Which is odd to me since she does fine with the noise from cars and shopping carts in those places.
    Sudden movements and people that come from blind spots definitely stress her also.

  7. #15
    Senior Dog
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    1,502
    Thanked: 357
    Good for you. Really starting to observe her reactions, will help you. Plus know those basic commands is a big plus. And that she really focuses on you. One thing I just couldn't get Lilly to fully do.

    Glad you updated. My thoughts are with you and Keene.

    KAZ

  8. #16
    Puppy
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Moon
    Posts
    33
    Thanked: 16
    Quote Originally Posted by black_paws View Post
    We did some training on Saturday and the only time Keene reacted negatively was when someone approached her directly and loudly.
    She seems to be very "spatial". So the best way I can equate the situation is like me walking into a crowd and having some stranger come up and hug me, my response would be like "HELL NO!!" "Get Away!"
    What did you do in either of these cases? What did the dog do? Like when someone approached? Did she run behind you? Do you establish that 'spatial' space for the dog? There is a particular reason I ask and it is based on the posts.

    Sudden movements and people that come from blind spots definitely stress her also.
    The quote above is an example of a post that I refer to. When you have a dog like this, YOU have to do something in the majority of cases and it is a simple body movement on your part.


    ps - This thread reminded me of a particular liveleak video that had me chuckling...

    The linked video is NSFW due to language, but while some folks may be offended by the language and the delivery, the guy makes some very good points and I've felt his frustration many times.

    Video Link

    If you have time, check out some of the comments. Many of the posters feel that he has no right to take the dog out in public and I've personally been told that when working with aggression. Even then, stupid people will still approach. Sometimes the dog will launch and just like he says in the video, the stupid ones are getting the dog in trouble. The expression on the people's face when the dog launches is always amusing as heck, but instead of taking responsibility for ignoring my simple request, they blame me? If you have more time, look up his videos. He does a pretty darn good job with the watch me and young pups. They pretty much chase him around the room for the treat, but they don't get it until he releases the treat. Majority of times, they are sitting directly in front of him.

  9. #17
    Senior Dog WhoopsaDaisy's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    1,312
    Thanked: 841
    Quote Originally Posted by battmain View Post
    What did you do in either of these cases? What did the dog do? Like when someone approached? Did she run behind you? Do you establish that 'spatial' space for the dog? There is a particular reason I ask and it is based on the posts.

    The quote above is an example of a post that I refer to. When you have a dog like this, YOU have to do something in the majority of cases and it is a simple body movement on your part.


    ps - This thread reminded me of a particular liveleak video that had me chuckling...

    The linked video is NSFW due to language, but while some folks may be offended by the language and the delivery, the guy makes some very good points and I've felt his frustration many times.

    Video Link

    If you have time, check out some of the comments. Many of the posters feel that he has no right to take the dog out in public and I've personally been told that when working with aggression. Even then, stupid people will still approach. Sometimes the dog will launch and just like he says in the video, the stupid ones are getting the dog in trouble. The expression on the people's face when the dog launches is always amusing as heck, but instead of taking responsibility for ignoring my simple request, they blame me? If you have more time, look up his videos. He does a pretty darn good job with the watch me and young pups. They pretty much chase him around the room for the treat, but they don't get it until he releases the treat. Majority of times, they are sitting directly in front of him.
    Wow, that video was hilarious! Thanks for sharing. I completely agree with him that people are STUPID if they approach a dog without asking the owner first. That is a problem with having a lab though, is that people think they can pet it without asking. I just get scared when little kids run up to my dog to pet her because I think she is going to knock them down in her excitement.
    But if an owner thinks his dog is a bite risk, he should not take it around crowded places or tie it up outside a store...like he did in the video. Do your dog a service and keep it safe.
    Katie and Aric (7/1/17) Hidden Content
    Whoops-a-Daisy B. 1-26-13 Gotcha 8-25-13
    Jett B 8-17-17, Gotcha 10-7-17




    “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.”
    —Hidden Content (author,Hidden Content )

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to WhoopsaDaisy For This Useful Post:

    ZRabbits (06-03-2014)

  11. #18
    Real Retriever blacklabs's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    275
    Thanked: 186
    Quote Originally Posted by battmain View Post
    What did you do in either of these cases? What did the dog do? Like when someone approached? Did she run behind you? Do you establish that 'spatial' space for the dog? There is a particular reason I ask and it is based on the posts.

    The quote above is an example of a post that I refer to. When you have a dog like this, YOU have to do something in the majority of cases and it is a simple body movement on your part.


    ps - This thread reminded me of a particular liveleak video that had me chuckling...

    The linked video is NSFW due to language, but while some folks may be offended by the language and the delivery, the guy makes some very good points and I've felt his frustration many times.

    Video Link

    If you have time, check out some of the comments. Many of the posters feel that he has no right to take the dog out in public and I've personally been told that when working with aggression. Even then, stupid people will still approach. Sometimes the dog will launch and just like he says in the video, the stupid ones are getting the dog in trouble. The expression on the people's face when the dog launches is always amusing as heck, but instead of taking responsibility for ignoring my simple request, they blame me? If you have more time, look up his videos. He does a pretty darn good job with the watch me and young pups. They pretty much chase him around the room for the treat, but they don't get it until he releases the treat. Majority of times, they are sitting directly in front of him.
    OMG that video, how could you take that guy seriously. The funniest thing is the 1966 comments on the video, I am up to page 3 of don't know how many pages and I haven't had such a good laugh for a long time, tears streaming down my face, some of those comments are seriously funny . Off back to read some more of the comments .

  12. #19
    Senior Dog
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    1,502
    Thanked: 357
    Any bite risk dog here is a liability. We live in a "sue" state, you know her, sue, and sue takes everything from you. Don't like sue, don't want to meet sue. It's called RESPONSIBILITY to the people around you because they are stupid. And stupid people are in love with sue. Plus then your dog is hauled and euthanized. That's after they make sure he doesn't have distemperment, rabies, or some mind altering infection. All because of stupid people, and stupid people run your life. See, they don't run mine. I know what Responsibility is.

    Go ahead, work with those biters. I truly wish you luck. But not all can be remediated. No matter how much you spend on a trainer. Or work with the dog 24/7.

    KAZ

  13. #20
    Puppy Benelli_my_Lab's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    28
    Thanked: 27
    Back to the ORIGINAL POSTER...
    You sound like you're doing the right things... patience, training, patience, seeking professional help, patience. I'm sorry your DH isn't on board with you, that's almost like a "1 step forward, 2 steps back".
    Keep plugging away... I bet there's a beautiful lab on the other side of this journey! Never give up...

  14. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Benelli_my_Lab For This Useful Post:

    black_paws (06-03-2014), stargazing1113 (06-03-2014)

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •