Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi guys!
It's been awhile - I hope you're all doing well!
I was just looking for some training advice. Jaime was such a friendly puppy and I always thought he was such a people dog. However, I think the few months we spent at my parent's house with their dogs has affected his behavior. I just bought a condo and I was sure that Jaime would love my neighbors (and vice versa). However, he's been barking at every person who passes my porch and at anyone who comes to the door. Tonight, he barked and snapped at a neighbor who was petting him and who he'd been friendly with before. I've searched for tips online but most of them suggest to keep the dog in a separate room. I feel like that's avoiding the problem and Jaime would probably just bark and scratch at the door. I think it's mostly a protective thing. He's very protective of me and our space. I've wondered if he's more protective/nervous because he's a tripawd.
Any training tips or similar experiences? I just can't believe this behavior has come on so suddenly. It's important that I correct because if my neighbors don't like him or think he's aggressive, they might say something to the HOA. Oh and some recent picse of my little dude!
I have a similar problem with my girl...it's been a year and we've made some decent progress..though we are still very careful with her...there's several approaches I feel have worked with us...though if possible I'd start with a good trainer or behaviorist if you can...Some general advice though. .
1) the move could have set her off..I know changes seem to effect my girl. Rene actually gave me some good advice to look into leerberg training online, and specifically look at a video or series of videos related to creating boundaries for a dog, and introducing them to their new environment. Totally forgot the name of that video, but in general there were great ideas on being a proper leader, and that seemed to help me. Beware though, his methods are a bit intense..tThe message he gives is really the most useful info about dog behavior.
2) probably cliché, but a friend of mines rescue where she got her dog was on cesars show recently, so of course I watched it, because my friend was actually on it. .llol..aanyway, another great message came from that show and your mindset is so important when dealing with the dog. I dunno if i just calmed down "cuz Cesar said so" haha, but it has made a hugeee difference as of lately because I was always so tense.
3) BAT training ( positive reinforcement, reward based training) has also been a huge help for us. That info is free online and there are tons of videos showing how it's done
So with us, it's been all of the above and she's still a work on progress but she's made some huge leaps.. (we can walk next to ppl on bikes now! And near other dogs!) Lol
Anyway..hope some of that helps...
Lori and the family
Welcome back!
First of all, Jaime looks fantastic! It looks like his hair has grown back and he's healed well.
My hunch is that the changes in his life from moving have destabilized him a bit, and his threshold for being scared is lower than it usually might be. This happens to my Jack whenever we travel or move, so I might be projecting - let me know if this doesn't sound like what you think is going on.
As for training, I've found great success with Patricia McConnell's advice in The Cautious Canine and BAT training (see this summary). The basic idea is to first identify what's setting Jaime off, and then change his perception of those things through counter-conditioning. So, instead of seeing a neighbor's hand come toward him and him thinking, "Oh, no!", you work to reteach him that a hand coming toward him means, "Oh, goody!"
The key is to remove the things that scare him while you build up his confidence again, whether that's keeping distance from neighbors for a while or asking people not to pet him. I've seen leashes and bandanas that say that a dog is nervous- that might help with your new neighbors. But don't be afraid to speak up - he's counting on you to protect him from situations that are overwhelming.
Hopefully this helps, and hopefully he'll settle down as he gets used to his new digs. Good luck!
So darn adorable!!! Loving these pictures!!!
Ditto what everyone has said. Good advice.
I'm such a huge Cesar fan and the belief that OUR energy really does have an effect. I would think with the move, the amputation, etc., you and Jamie have both been stressed and maybe feeling a little less secure.
In addition to positive reconditioning, and visualizing the outcome you want, being a strong and confident pack leader from a place of calm may help. Jamie may be trying to protect you, it may be because he sees himself as leader of the pack, as opposed to you being leader of the pack.
One little "technique" I've seen Cesar do is "claim the door".....you go out first...you come in first. He always stresses the importance of this, especially when first introducing a dog to a new home..
Just throwing stuff out there.
Things will settle down
Thanks for the update AND cute pictures!!
Hugs,
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Ditto ditto, great advice here.
My first question, is he like this when you are out and about together or just at home?
When we adopted Wyatt Ray , he had lots of aggression/possession issues. We've worked on them through the years and some things that have helped us are:
- regular obedience lessons with experienced trainers who understand this type of behavior. Not the usual Petsmart trainer but someone who has a reputation for working with challenge dogs. Ask around your local kennels and better pet stores, they're likely to know folks.
- letting Wyatt know who rules the roost here. I.e., no sleeping on the couch or bed unless we invite him up. We walk through doors first, he has to sit before he exits/enters/eats. He must make eye contact and be calm for everything he wants from us.
- understanding that every single interaction Wyatt has with the outside world is training, for him and us. It can be exhausting at times but seeing his progress has been worth it.
I too like Patricia O'Connel's books, and our friend Sarah Wilson has lots of great ones too.
It pays to get this under control now, before you dread every kind of potential bad interaction and get into the mindset that it's going to be bad before anything ever happens. Jaime will pick up on that and react accordingly.
Let us know what works for you. Jaime does look great! It's so nice to hear from you again. Congrats on the condo!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you guys for all the advice!
My number 1 step - I'm going to start looking at trainers today! I'm a little worried about the cost, but I can at least pay for one or two sessions and see if it's worth the money.
Jaime is definitely more aggressive within the condo. When we go out on walks though, he is perhaps TOO friendly. He will pull at the leash and try to jump on people we pass. I think you are absolutely right Rene! Jaime does rule the roost. I've always let him get up on the bed and the couch as he pleases. I used to make him sit at the door, but I've been more slack about that recently. Well starting today, I'll be "claiming the door!"
Another question, do any of you have problems with a tripawd that pulls on walks? Jaime can be terrible with it. I used to think it was because being a tripawd was like riding a bicycle - the faster you go, the better your balance. But now...I've noticed he is perfectly capable of slowing down when he's tiring.
My Happy Hannah was a rear leg tri. While she needed momentum to maintain balance a d move fluidly, my rescue Frankie, who is a fro t leg tri, pulls s d lungrs like crazy! Everything he does, he does like a lower walk with no 1st gear!
Others can chime I , but my unrofessional thought iis he goes fast more for mobility and balance issues that just being "fiesty". And when he's tired, he just doesn't have the enrgy for speed. I know this sou ds like a broken record...just make sure he gets plenty of rest stops and doesn't overdo.
A d k e more Cesar tidbit....when we are "claiming" the door, or bed or whatever, it's with a calm assertive energy, not necessarily words. We don't want to make anything sound harsh or in a punishing. I've fou d /for the most lart anyway), that my body language and calm assertkve energy do the trick.
Can't wait to hear about Jamie's progress. Don't forget the c
CUTENESS A@ERT when posting his piictures
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Chops has a lot of fear aggression issues as well. Barks at everyone that comes into the house. If it is someone he knows well, it turns into happy sounds. New people, the barking will continue. Usually if our visitors just ignore him, he'll come around and want their attention. But not always. If they are fearful, so is Chops. And it usually doesn't end well.
This won't work for people coming by your place, but when people come into your home practice something called settle. Do this regularly at home with your pup and then do it when people come over. Sit behind your dog and slowly stroke and pet him. Slow your breath down. Say "settle." Slowly your pup will calm down. We do this with Chops and it helps. As does his thunder shirt.
For people when we are out and about, we approach slowly. I decide when we meet people. If I feel it'll make him anxious and bark, we just leave. Plain and simple. I keep my dog safe and strangers safe as well. Everyone is happy. That is just the way it is if Chops decides he is in that kind of mood. They are so reactive to our energy and other people. You can't anticipate their behaviour, or what a strange is going to do. All you can do is set your dog up to be successful.
These are just a few tips. But a good training program with a trainer experienced in fear will help. Also anything that builds up your relationship with your dog. Better training. Eye contact. Positive reinforcement. etc.
Couldn't agree more about:
Others can chime I , but my unrofessional thought iis he goes fast more for mobility and balance issues that just being "fiesty". And when he's tired, he just doesn't have the enrgy for speed. I know this sou ds like a broken record...just make sure he gets plenty of rest stops and doesn't overdo.
If he's so tired he slows down, chances are good that the walk is too long. Shorter but more frequent walks are the key to a hoppy Tripawd.
Leslie, Chops and Wyatt Ray are so much alike! We can't put him into a situation and expect good behavior if we know what will probably happen. Finally took the definition of "insanity" seriously (doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results), and don't take him into situations we know he doesn't do well with.
I would highly recommend my friend Sarah's book, My Smart Puppy, it helped us tremendously.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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