After 3 Weeks Of House-Bound Training....

[Sadie]

I took Jacques out today for his first short walk, after our 3 weeks enforced house/garden exercise. He has been super in learning obedience, doing, sit, paw, lie-down, wait, and now speak but out of the garden he seems no better.

He didn't pull as much as before, but did bark at some children coming home from school. Passing them, he strained to greet them, so it still seems he barks out of nerves.

I met an old friend (we had lost touch) with her two beautiful, blue whippet dogs, and she seemed shocked at Jacques behaviour. He didn't seem to recognise his "cousins" and just kept pulling to get home. I got cross and could have smacked him, my hands hurt so much! :sweating:

So, we don't seem any further forward. I'm tempted to ask my friend if we could do short walks together with one of her dogs. That way Jacques may improve in confidence and friendliness....it seems keeping him away from other canines could be making things worse!!

Sadie x

 

[Biker John]

I dont know what you have tried before but I would strongly suggest joining a good training class. The instructor should be able to guide you in changing your dogs behaviour.

 

[Sadie]

Thank you Biker John. Yes, we have thought of this. The problem I currently face is; I can't drive after dark and have quite bad arthritis in my joints. Hands in particular. I would need a lift to a reputable training class; and Jacques hates the car! Also, too many dogs in one place might overwhelm him - and me. My nerves are more on edge than ever since Sam's passing which is not a helpful place to be when retraining!!

My hope is to find a gentle, "school teacher" dog who we could walk with every day. I feel once Jacques gains confidence alongside another dog, we will make better progress.

Thank you for taking time to reply. :thumbsup:

Sadie x

 

[banana]

We recently took Ripples to a one on one training class after we were having issues with her bring posessive over food.

It was a 2/3 hour session and we booked in at a mutually agreeable time, i wonder if somewhere near you does something like that?

We went to http://www.newburylodgekennels.co.uk/ and it was great, she is a different dog already, although still a menace with food, but slowly slowly catchy monkey!

 

[TTT]

Did you ever get round to trying the 'Gentle Leader' I had previously suggested?

 

[Sadie]

No TTT we didn't. Hubby thinks they are dangerous! Not sure if they resemble the Canny Collar, but Jacques simply refused to walk with that on, and wouldn't stop jumping up at me, no matter what I did.

Today was a nightmare, I had Jacques wearing his new (Sam's old!) fleecy lined coat for a short walk. He seemed so much more secure with it on, and we enjoyed quite a gentle stroll along a couple of alley ways and down a quiet tree-lined, leaf strewn road.

Coming back, we were faced with a Belgiun Shepherd type dog on a lead with his middle aged owner. Jacques barked a low key bark, and the guy waved us past. As we did so, Jacques let out another bark but this time attempted to lunge towards the dog/owner/ The BS darted forward and the lead snapped in two before we knew it. The BS was on top if Jacques in a second.

I let the lead go, as i was terrified Jacques would get bitten. He ran hell for leather towards home, crossing two main (but quiet) roads. Can you imagine how bad I felt??? The guy eventually got his dog back, and couldn't apologise enough, but in fairness, it was Jacques who started the whole "niggle".

I was home within 5 mins, and thank God Jacques had made it home safely. Hubby was raging at me, and told me I was never to take the dog out on my own again. Needless to say we were all very emotional, but thankfully Jacques was in one piece.

I feel like writing to my MP and asking his thoughts on bringing a bill to the House about dogs of all breeds wearing muzzles when out in public. I know there would be an anti-muzzle brigade to contend with, but so many children, adults and dogs have got hurt or killed through out of control dogs, that a muzzle is the only answer. We were so lucky not to be scraping Jacques off the road today... (w00t)

Sadie x

 

[Hula]

Have to say I am one of the anti muzzle brigade . Why should my dogs be muzzled just because some dogs are out of control .Many more children , adults and dogs are injured by people than by dogs . Do you also have a plan for them ?

 

[TTT]

You seem to be having problems coping with that dog. In what way does your husband feel that a Gentle Leader is dangerous? Have you considered re-homing it?

 

[banana]

Which dog do you think needed muzzling in the situation?

Yours or the Belgian Shepherd?

 

[Sadie]

TTT the problems we are having with Jacques would be multiplied a 1000 times if we betrayed his love and trust, and passed him onto someone else! I am surprised that you think this could be an option??? At times I struggled with my teenage children but I didn't rehome them!!! LOL!

,

Jacques has always been a nervous dog, but since Sam's passing his lack of confidence has increased. But some days are better than others and overall we are making good progress. Perhaps a less committed couple would have thrown the towel in but not us!

BANANA I think if both dogs had been muzzled, whatever the BS intention, it would have come to nothing! I wouldn't have let the lead go in panic, and the BS owner would have regained control of his dog, much sooner.

We have seen good dogs become fighters due to being attacked whilst out walking. What price safety and peace of mind??? Anyway, the letter has gone off to my MP so we will see....

Thanks for your input.

Sadie

 

[Tigernidster]

I simply cannot believe you want all dogs to be muzzled because of one small spat. It does sound to me as though you are passing your anxieties on to your dog. You would do better to relax and enjoy him - loosen his lead when you see another dog, make eye contact and chat happily to him. That way he might learn to chill and enjoy your company too.

 

[Sadie]

It has been a matter of general discussion for many years, that dogs ought to be muzzled when out in public places. Mainly for the sake of children and the elderly, but more and more because of fighting dogs. Have you not read the newspapers????

I have had 12 dogs without problems of aggression/nerves/anxiety/or being on the receiving end of aggression. At number 13, Sam was badly bitten on his face by a Shepherd as Sam sniffed under the gate. That made him very wary of dogs in general for most of his life, although he wasn't aggressive himself. Jacques has obviously learned some bad habits from Sam, but he is a very nervous boy anyway, and being out on his own obviously still feels strange. The fact that on three occasions he has worn his coat and seems more comfortable, shows me how sensitive he is to his surroundings. And today there was three of us (human) on our walk, which again seemed to calm him down.

We have put 40 years of "enjoying" our whippets into practise with Jacques but he can be hard work. Which is not to say we won't continue the regime we have, as it is working, albeit slowly.

One swallow doesn't make a summer though! We have witnessed many spats in our locality, with dogs getting loose and attacking more gentle canines. It seems more and more the rule than the exeption with some breeds...in our area anyway.

It will be interesting to hear what my MP thinks of my suggestion, won't it?

Sadie.

 

[TanyaM]

Have you had a chance to speak again with the trainer who helped you a few weeks ago? Jacques does seemed to have moved forward after her suggestions (and all your hard work). Maybe seeing her again might help you move on some more with him. Glad he got home alright and I hope you aren't feeling too shaken still. At least the BS's owner was apologetic or it could have been far more unpleasant for you.

Tanya

 

[Sadie]

Thank you Tanya. :huggles: I was beginning to think people thought we had lost the plot when it came to caring for our hound!! Yes, we have agreed to contact Rachel again, to let her know how things are improving.

I know this sounds pathetic, but one would have to see Jacques to understand what he goes through when his nerves take over. Just like people who suffer agoraphobia or etc. he needs to be understood and helped towards healing - not ignored and told to "pull himself together!"

I am going to try a little Lavender oil on his coat too. Something I saw Cesar Milan do last week. Worth a try! :thumbsup:

On a lighter note, I am in the process of raising funds and awareness of the JR Whippet Rescue by making laminated children's book marks, and my book Sam Goes to Tea with Lily and Alfie will soon be available for Lynn to sell on the Rescue stall. Putting a little back for all the help we received with Sammy.... :thumbsup:

Sadie x

 

[eingana]

Sounds like you're having a long term struggle with a Jacques- I assume that this is due to previous experiences in his life?

If he was calmer while wearing a coat, have you tried getting him a Thundershirt? There is lots of evidence that dogs get a feeling of security when they have something hugging their torso tightly, which can help nervous dogs enormously. Thundershirts are basically really tight and elastic t-shirts which give the dog the positive feedback around their torso and engage their natural feelings of security.

 

[Sadie]

I've not heard of this item before Eingana, but it's def worth looking into.

Jacques has always been a nervous boy, even as a puppy. Our Sam took on the role as "big brother" which really replaced Jacques Mum, Aunties and Sisters. Since Sam's passing, we have one sad, lost boy to comfort and encourage but it's hard work and very painful for him. He literally shakes with nerves when I put his lead on and within minutes of being out he pulls to come back home. I've never experienced this in whippets before - or any breed for that matter! But I know how it feels to "panic" as I suffered from mild agoraphobia many years ago. Very painful!! And Jacques has already been "jumped at" by other dogs three times in his short life!

I think hubby would consider a companion for Jacques but not until he is in a more stable place - (Jacques not hubby!) LOL! (w00t)

. Thanks for the info! :thumbsup:

Sadie x

 

[eingana]

Oh poor boy!

A calm and assertive companion may make a huge difference for him actually. I do a lot with GSDs in rescue and when we get a dog that's definitely a follower rather than a leader then getting them another dog to follow is one of the things that we recommend. In some cases working on the issues first is recommended, but often the issues are those which are solved by having a companion and by nothing else. In this sort of instance we encourage people to think about getting an adult dog rather than a puppy, since you already know the adult's temperament and can choose them based upon that.

Are there any organised group walks for sighthounds near you? It may be worth seeing if there are any local sighthound rescues that have walking clubs where he can walk in a big group of other dogs, as walking in groups is seriously good for dogs emotionally, once they're over the anxiety of meeting the other dogs of course. The GSDR walking groups regularly get 20 or 30 GSDs in the same place, which is great for the nervous dogs and there are basic rules about how owners allow mixing, when and if they get let off a lead etc so that everybody and every dog is protected.

It won't necessarily be easy to get him out into the group initially, but you'd be amazed what it can do for them once they are over the angst of seeing other dogs.

 

[Sadie]

I have a friend who belongs to a local "Dog group" that go pack walking on a Friday. Now this is something to consider, but it would be a huge step both for Jacques and me!

Co-incidentally, `Scruples` have a lovely three year old bitch in just now (Tilly, a cream whippet) who I would love to give a good home to, but Hubby says "now is not the right time". :rant:

I recognise that Jacques needs socialising in small doses. We are surrounded by dogs of all breeds where we live, and some are never on leads - hence our apprehension when out walking!

When my 10 yr old twin grandchildren visit, Jacques plays with them as if they are puppies....which is fun and endearing to see! He really is a `follower` and has become our "baby" since Sam passed away. I could never go down the puppy route again!!

Thank you SO much for taking the time to share the above with me. I appreciate every token of support/advice on K9, even though some may not understand how we got where we are!! (w00t)

Sadie x