Whitehall and Montague
Dog training an adopted dog
Wow, it's quiet around here. For anyone who still checks, I could use some advice.
I just picked up a 6 year old English Setter from the Pet Resource Network in Allegan. She knows zero commands, is terrified of going on walks and startles easily. I also think she's been kicked before, because she does not like it when I put my feet up.
So - training suggestions? Basically I'm treating her like a puppy right now. Working on heel, sit, recognizing her own name, coming when called. She's coming along, especially for not coming out of her cage two days ago. She sits before we go out, lets me go through the doorway first. But once outside, she does NOT want to move. especially not toward the street (I don't think she's lived in town before).
Also, she jumps on counters - not for food, just because that's where I'm washing dishes or whatever. And she does not like treats, at least none that i've found so far.
Any and all suggestions are extremely appreciated.
I just picked up a 6 year old English Setter from the Pet Resource Network in Allegan. She knows zero commands, is terrified of going on walks and startles easily. I also think she's been kicked before, because she does not like it when I put my feet up.
So - training suggestions? Basically I'm treating her like a puppy right now. Working on heel, sit, recognizing her own name, coming when called. She's coming along, especially for not coming out of her cage two days ago. She sits before we go out, lets me go through the doorway first. But once outside, she does NOT want to move. especially not toward the street (I don't think she's lived in town before).
Also, she jumps on counters - not for food, just because that's where I'm washing dishes or whatever. And she does not like treats, at least none that i've found so far.
Any and all suggestions are extremely appreciated.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Liz on -
I was going to ask you how the pup's doing and congratulations!!!. Kids took a cellphone pic when you brought her to Manda's yesterday, she sure is cute, although she looks more like a Maggie than an Aggie.
She's probably just real confused and likely a bit scared--wouldn't you be? She'll settle down in time.
If you can find a treat she can't resist, you can maybe use that for baby steps on the walking exercises. Sandy loved bagels and cheese :D, ham and Dollar General Jerky Treats.
Sandy tore out the door for walks (she broke all the Dog Whisperer rules) so I'm not too much help there. But if I remember right, Cesar Milan allowed timid dogs to go in front when it came to walks to build their confidence. Sandy did get startled by loud vehicles. Maybe you could start by getting her used to the traffic by just sitting outside (make sure she's on a leash or tether!) Once she starts to explore a bit, let her, but don't say anything, just let her curiosity go.
Sandy was also afraid of feet. Aron would come in the door, stomping his size 11s and she'd pee. She eventually got to the point where I could pet her with my feet. Just not getting kicked did it, I think....and me being persistant getting her to accept my footpets. :)
Feel free to bring her over anytime. We could maybe try walking in the alley.
Liz
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Permalink Reply by Jonah on -
She's actually gone on two walks! Once we get across my yard and the next street, she does a pretty good job. Heels ok for only a few days working on it, and loves to sniff around in the grass once I give the ok. The trucks up on Cook St. scare her a little bit, and a lawnmower sent her in to a panic today. But she's improving. And this morning she even wanted to play in the house a little bit.
I'm going to try doing 20 minutes or so of just being outside in my yard each day. Hopefully she'll get the idea that it's not scary.
I've thought about getting Cesar's book. If I had DVR, I'd just save all his shows...
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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Hooray for Aggiedog! Good Girl!
Sandy never would learn a proper heel....she insisted on being on the right side and only stuck by me when I was in "momma means business, baby" mode (like when there was another dog approaching) But with Aggie's hunting background, sounds like she's smart and going to be easily taught.
Lawnmowers are very scary! Outdoor vacuum cleaners :D
We got Sandy before Cesar was on TV (or at least before we discovered his show) But surprisingly, I already did most of his techniques (but not the foot touch)--the walking really helped.
Now, where are the photos, young man?????????
Liz
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Permalink Reply by Amanda Flynn on -
Charlie was really scared of walking in town at first. She'd hide behind me whenever she heard a car. I think walking with Sandy helped her a lot. She showed her not to be scared of the cars and how to sniff everything vertical. Walking and hanging out with another dog might help her to see how to 'act". Good thing is she is not naughty, just shy.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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LOL, Manda, remembering Sandy and Charlie walks....
"Ooooooh, I smell something, must bolt quickly so I yank my walker's arm out of the socket and once I find that scent, make myself weigh as much as a mastiff so they can't budge me"
"Ohhhh boy, you smell something? I must also yank my walker's arm out of the socket and voice my opinion on that scent!! After all, we are a team."
"I think I'm going to cross to the left and smell something over here, it might just tangle the leashes nicely."
"Oh yeahhhh, I'm game!! I will wait till you cross and then I'll join in to tangle the leashes really, really well. We are a great team, aren't we?"
....Jonah, maybe taking Aggie with a walk with a NON hunting breed miiiiight be a little bit better :D
Liz
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Permalink Reply by Jonah on
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ha! i thought about that. thinking of friends with dogs, i have access to a highly untrained husky, a beagle mix, a bearded collie puppy, and an english bulldog. somehow none of those sound like a good idea.
i did try something last weekend that worked pretty well. i just let her outside and dropped the leash and did some weeding while she went back and forth between me and the door. eventually, she stood in the front of the yard and waited until i got her leash and then walked fine pretty much the whole time.
she still won't go to the bathroom in my yard, for some reason. but oh well. at this point she's improved quite a bit. not that she's perfect, but she's getting better slowly. now if only i could find a treat that she was actually interested in. although she did show some interest in the bbq chicken on my plate last night...
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Permalink Reply by Jonah on
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of course, i could also try walking her with charlie. but it sounds like that leads to some bad habits. plus, i don't think i could restrain charlie. it's like trying to hold a bus in place.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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I just thought of something......we have a good half dozen "pinkballs" (Hertz Doggie balls that you see in the grocery store occasionally-they had a jingle bell inside but we took them out. They're hard rubber) Have been looking for the right sized dog to hand them down to as we said goodbye to Sandy a few weeks ago. They're smaller than tennis balls~about 2 1/2" diameter~ and we decided that Charlie isn't a good candidate for them as she is big enough to maybe swallow them. Aggie is probably just the right size. Does Aggie play ball? You can have them. Let me know!
Did you try the Dollar General treats? (I forgot, they're called "Wavy Bacon"/$1.50) Sandy also loved sausage. Any sausage, pizza sausage, smoky links, smoked sausage (which was perfect for hiding pills in. I bought a link, chopped it up and put it in a bag in the freezer-took a few out as needed)
Liz
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Permalink Reply by Jonah on
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sure! i'm not sure if she plays ball. doesn't quite have the retriever instinct, but she did chase flies on the beach the other day, which is a start. if you know of another retriever, they'd probably get more use, but i won't turn them down.
i do have some kind of bacon treat, which she doesn't seem too interested in. i also tried chicken jerky, which she takes in her mouth and then hides it in her crate. i assume she eats them eventually, because i can't find them after a day or so. sausage i bet works great. i'll pick some up tonight and see.
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