Barking and Snapping

[Luna]

We've had Luna for three years now so I think it's about time we've asked for help. Luna has two really nasty habits. First, when we go on walks, she tends to pull and bark at almost anyone (or any dog) passing by. She also has a fixation with folks on the basketball and tennis courts. I know Shelties bark, but this is beyond a normal bark. She almost enters a frenzy trying to go after those folks. We know Luna's friendly and would never bite, but when folks see us coming, especially with a gentle leader (which they mistake for a muzzle), it's embarrassing to say the least.

Luna frequents the local dog park every weekend. She has her playmates which she gets along fairly well with. However, with dogs that are either new to her or somewhat bigger than her (labs in particular), she has a nasty habit of raising her upper lips and snapping at the air in front of them as if to scare them off or put them in their place. Normally, none of the other dogs tend to challenge that, but this morning she repeated the same behavior to a border collie which promptly rolled Luna on her side and started biting down on her near her neck. While no one was hurt, once again it was rather embarrassing and potentially dangerous.

Methods of corrective behavior that we've tried so far include:

The Dog Whisperer on NGC
Water Bottle
Water Bottle with Lemon Juice
Water Bottle with Vinegar
Ultrasonic Anti Bark Collar
Gentle Leader Collar
Underarm Harness

We've heard of (and tried on occasion) the alpha roll training method to which she promptly laughs at once we're said and done with it. I think that's the part that frustrates us. After any corrective attempt, Luna normally begins to laugh (I know, she's probably panting a bit, but it looks as if she's laughing).

We've started treating her less like a child and more like a dog. She's been forced to stay in a corner while we're having dinner and bedtime now consists of her sleeping in her Sheltie corner (equipped with blankets, a bed, and a sign that says A Sheltie Lives Here). But when it comes to more social behaviors outside the home, we've tried everything that we can think of that we're aware of. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks!

 

[graydawntreader]

I might be able to help

I use mostly positive methods myself. I'm currently working on my dogs with leash-pulling. I'm doing Cookie first. When I have a success with her, I'm going to do Treader. I'm starting in the house, which is usually a low-distraction environment, and giving her a treat for staying by my side (which Cookie usually does in the house. Eventually, I will gradually move her to a higher and higher distraction environments until she doesn't pull at all, rewarding the good behavior all the way.
Cookie and Treader bark at skateboards, because they have never been exposed to skateboards. What I'm going to do to correct that, is walk them past people who are using skateboards, but at a distance. I will gradually go closer and closer, getting them used to it gradually. I'm going to work with them separately on this though, because when they're both together they egg each other on and make it harder to deal with it.
Hope that helps.
P.S. For the skateboard barking issue, I'll reward the good behavior as well.
In positive training, the wrong behavior is regarded with a simple "no!", while the right behavior is richly rewarded. Different dogs require different rewards, so you have to find out what your dog likes best with this method. My dogs are satisfied on treats and just pleasing me.
Don't get me wrong, negative training has it's place, but in most cases positive training works best.

 

[tim15856]

Which methods from The Dog Whisperer have you tried? It seems like every time he corrects a dog, he pulls up on the leash while the dog is wearing a choker chain. They also always say to seek a pro before trying his methods. It sounds like you aren't using a choker. I suppose you could try using one and then try his methods. After a couple days if it doesn't seem to help, perhaps obedience training is in order. It does sound like Luna has dominance issues.

 

[Cheje-Lyn]

I prefer to use the Gentle Leader when it comes to leash pulling and frantic behavior. I don't like the Halti Head Collar, but the GL is fabulous! I have trained numerous dogs with it. It's only a training tool, so you can wean the dogs off of it once the behavior is broken. It gives you full control of the head, so it's easier to distract them. We had a rescue GSD once that we were fostering and she would spend more time on her rear legs than all 4 when she'd see someone new or a new dog. I used it on her and after consistently working her on it, I got her to where I could put her on a normal collar and lead, take her into Petsmart on a busy Saturday (when all of the shelters were there), and she would behave nicely. This dog had spent the first year of her life chained to a tree, so she was horrible on a leash, but with a lot of patience, the GL, lots of praise, and consistency, she became a model companion when in public. Rain had no socialization when we first took her in, so she would get overly excited at seeing new people and dogs as well. Once again, the GL was a fantastic tool. Most dogs hate it at first, but they do get used to it and it does work. Check it out...
http://www.gentleleader.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/gentleleader/description
Good luck!

 

[Chris]

Listen to Cheje-Lyn

I've been thinking about your problem for a couple of days now because I really thought this problem especially deserved thoughtful consideration.

Cheje-Lyn is giving you fabulous advice, Luna-Mom/Dad. The whole process will take time and great patience, but it will be so worth it. Consistency is the key -- you want to avoid switching methods. Use calm voice tones to say, "No. Leave it" when she lunges, and when the GL brings her down, praise her immediately. I would also recommend that until Luna's behavior is more predictable, that you consider keeping her on lead in the park. That way, when she becomes aggressive, you can immediately say, "No. Leave it." Then do an immediate about face and remove her from the situation. Praise her when she starts to move with you away from the threat. It's sort of a doggie time out.

I know it seems as if she's laughing AT you, but she really isn't. We dog-moms and dads need to remember that a dogs reactions are just that: dog. Yes, a lolling tongue can be part of a joyful expression, but you have to consider context with your Sheltie. In the situation you describe, Luna is most likely exhibiting extreme anxiety. She knows you aren't happy, she knows she's in a threatening situation, she knows no one is pleased, least of all herself, and she can't figure out what to do. She's counting on you to get the situation under calm control and help her know what to do to succeed. What you don't want to do is give her the pity or don't-be-scared voice; that will only convince her that there really IS something to worry about. The more matter of fact you are with her in these situations, the better she will respond.

There is a great book called I and Dog. When I read it, I finally understood what I was missing about building an authentic relationship with my dog. It literally changed my life in so many ways. I highly recommend it. Also The Divine Canine is a collection of vignettes of how the Monks of New Skete help dogs learn to correct problem behavior. I learned a lot from this one, too.

 

[Chris]

Listen to Cheje-Lyn

I've been thinking about your problem for a couple of days now because I really thought this problem especially deserved thoughtful consideration.

Cheje-Lyn is giving you fabulous advice, Luna-Mom/Dad. The whole process will take time and great patience, but it will be so worth it. Consistency is the key -- you want to avoid switching methods. Use calm voice tones to say, "No. Leave it" when she lunges, and when the GL brings her down, praise her immediately.

I know it seems as if she's laughing AT you, but she really isn't. We dog-moms and dads need to remember that a dog's reactions are just that: dog, not human. Yes, a lolling tongue can be part of a joyful expression, but you have to consider context with your Sheltie. In the situation you describe, Luna is most likely exhibiting extreme anxiety. She knows you aren't happy, she knows she's in a threatening situation, she knows no one is pleased, least of all herself, and she can't figure out what to do. She's counting on you to get the situation under calm control and help her know what to do to succeed. What you don't want to do is give her the pity or don't-be-scared voice; that will only convince her that there really IS something to worry about. The more matter of fact you are with her in these situations, the better she will respond.

There is a great book called I and Dog. When I read it, I finally understood what I was missing about building an authentic relationship with my dog. It literally changed my life in so many ways. I highly recommend it. Also The Divine Canine is a collection of vignettes of how the Monks of New Skete help dogs learn to correct problem behavior. I learned a lot from this one, too.