Right, I have made an appointment for us (George and me) to meet with a Pet Behaviour Counsellor in January. This last week or so he's become just too much, and reading Cesar's book, Be the Pack Leader, I can see that what we've been thinking of as his little quirks are actually signs of instability and unhappiness because he doesn't know his place in the pack.
So I've phoned this lady, called Claire, and after talking to her for a few minutes I feel much more positive and reassured.
The last time I went to training classes, with Harvey, they were run by a fierce German lady. I came away from each class with a thumping headache and I dreaded going. Claire sounds much nicer - and isn't a trainer as such. In the meantime we'll try walking George more. And ask the vet if it's possible that his operation didn't work as he's showing far too much interest in bitches ...
17 comments:
oh! at last bit!
hope the classes work out.
That's interesting about George not knowing his place in the pack. Claire sounds good. I hope that the meetings go well.
Oh dear! Maybe George is feeling the need to sow his wild oats, then!
What a lovely Christmas present for George ;-) Ooops! I think a mean the results with be a lovely Christmas present for you :-)
George sounds like a giant version of "Baby" Itchy...(!)
I'm sure your doggie behavioural specialists shall be able to sort him out. The only ones I've heard they can sometimes never "crack" are the ultra-alpha-males that sometimes will simply not relent and Georgie boy does not sound like that...
I'm sure George will do well with the training. I am catching up here and had to laugh at the earlier post with the picture of George with the remnants of the teddy he ripped up! We gave a fuzzy toy to Diva last night and the pieces are still all over the entire living room!
Yes, I think this second lady sounds much nicer than the camp commandant you went to before.
Maybe George is showing an interest in the opposite sex because he doesn't realise he's not supposed to? Or maybe there's still a bit of testosterone left in his system...
It took me a very long time to get to be number one but Cleo was much smaller and at least I could physically control her because she was so small.
I know what you say about dog obedience class. I always felt like a total klutz there.
I seem to remember that you should never let your dog go through a door before yourself - always make him wait - it will help him learn he is not the leader.
I hope it all works out well for you. Maybe the new experience will help him, too.
Good idea to check with the vet, as well.
My very big neighbor dog (a bernese mountain dog) is neutred too, but still very interested in girls, lol ! And for our female dog we had years ago who was neutred too, all male dogs in the neighborhood lined up !
Sadly, neutering doesn't always stop them being interested! LOL! Worth checking with the vet though, because occasionally a bit of epididymis or something gets left behind - or, rarely, a whole testicle. Tut, tut ...
Not a great fan of Cesar Milan, but it's true that dogs don't mind where in the pack they are, as long as they know for sure where they fit, and they do like a strong leader - it makes them feel safe.
Have you read Stanley Coren's How To Speak Dog? It's a great book!
Good luck with the classes!
Poor old mixed up George! I hope you can sort him out with Claire :)
You two are not getting a divorce, are you?
I'm a big fan of Cesar, too, Liz! I know I've never been the pack leader with any of my dogs, which may account for some of their mischief. I think you're doing the right thing with George. Of course, he is still young, and perhaps it's just puppy rambunctiousness.
These pet behaviourists amaze me
Although I don't have a dog and have never worked with one personally, one of my neighbours was having awful problems with her Alsation and a short course with one has soon put her dog's behaviour straight.
Just stop playing him the Urban rap music that'll stop his interest in bitches. :-)
THank you for all your comments and encouragement. Last week I felt really down but I'm much more positive this week. George has his problems but he's basically a nice dog. A bit like a spoiled child, we've let him get away with too much. It's us who need training!
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