New different behavior from Jasper

J

Jasper's Mom

Forums Regular
Jasper has been with me for a month now. He is now 7 months old. He came from a rescue that got him from an empty foreclosed home with a rope around it's neck. When i first got Jasper, he was a typical puppy i guess--biting at the heels, herding me, and learning the basic commands. we are in a class and today the instructor made a real loud sharp noise and pulled his leash and Jasper has not been the same since. At class he would lose some urine when the instructor came close to him. Jasper would go under my legs when the instructor came over to work with us. Jasper was shaking. This is our 4th class and we were learning the sit or down stay command. The first time she had him sit and stay--Jasper sat and then laid down.. that is when the instructor gave the high pitch noise and yanked the leash. Jasper released some urine and then looked real scared like he was going to get beat. The instructor next tried to put him in a down position and they told him to stay.
Well, Jasper did the opposite he laid down and then when she said stay he got up and sat. She did the real sharp noise again. He released more urine and was acting like he was scared and afraid he was going to get hit. I walked over to the trainer and told her i would work with him. I let him relax by my chair for a while. Then after 5 minutes of just talking with him i tried the sit and stay and he did it for a count of 10 and then i treated him for his success. The trainer walked over and Jasper went behind me and then released more urine. The trainer was working with another dog and she made the loud noise again and guess what Jasper released more urine and went under the chair.

When i left class i told the instructor that the loud noise makes him scared and that he works better with positive rewards.

I went home ...Jasper laid down and slept for an hour and then woke up scared of me. He didn't want me to touch him. I let him outside and then he would not come back inside when i was standing at the door. I had to be 20 foot from the door and he then came in. He did have trouble coming in the door when i first got him but not that bad. He had not shown that behavior for a couple weeks.

Jasper started nipping at my heels and wanting to bite me in a playful way.
I played with him with a tug toy and he finally started acting okay towards me.

It feels like Jasper is a different dog. Behavior i have never seen and his old behaviors that had disappeared are back.

This is the first class that the instructor didn't use the positive reward system in training.

How do i get him back to being okay. Is he releasing the urine because he is scared? He only has had 1 accident in the house since i have had. That was a day it was raining and he wasn't put out as often.. so that was more my fault. I hope the releasing the urine is not something he is going to do at home.
thanks
Julie:mad:
 
First off, drop out of that class and never go back to that trainer again. Anyone that will yank on the leash of a puppy, and then do it again even after he shows intense fear, is not worth their weight in salt and definitely does not deserve your money. It will do him more harm than good by putting him in that situation again.

It makes me nauseous that people are still allowed to use those training techniques. Physical corrections are used by people that don't know how to train properly and rely on brute force rather than intelligence.

Shelties are prone to being very soft and skittish, and coming from the situation that Jasper did, he needs extra attention and effort towards positive training. Look around for a new trainer that is familiar with working with fearful dogs and utilizes positive training techniques. Clicker work would be great for him to build some self-confidence!

I'm sorry that you wound up with a horrible trainer. Unfortunately, this will likely mean going back to square one with Jasper. Enrolling in an ONLY positive methods puppy class for socialization and bonding will really help. Take it one step at a time, reintroduce him to the "scary" things in life by showing him that there is nothing to fear through confidence and play and games.

Hugs to you and Jasper!
 
Time and Patience!

Julie...I could not agree more with GeeRome. RUN, do not walk, away from that class and instructor! :mad: She has set you back weeks with Jasper. Reading about your "lesson" made me sick as well. Any trainer worth their salt knows you do not frighten any dog, much less one who has been abused and abandoned. You will need extra patience with poor Jasper; he is releasing urine because he is scared and once he regains confidence, which he will with time and love, it will stop. Be very gentle and slow with him and don't be surprised if he's tentative with you and regresses. I would work on regaining his trust before starting him again with any trainer. He needs to have confidence in you first now. Please be patient, he will come around but it will take time, and keep us posted.
 
That makes me sick, poor little Jasper! As a trainer she should have realized the fear she was causing him and stopped immediately, not continued. I would go back to the training centre (by myself) and demand for my money back. I would just LOVE to go to that training centre and make a rather large scene while there are clients around!

Be patient with Jasper and only use positive reinforcement for his training, unfortunately Ann and GeeRome are probably right, you'll pretty much have to start over with him. Take baby steps with him, give him LOTS of praise for even the smallest things and find a new trainer.

Good luck and keep us posted!
 
OntarioSheltie said:
That makes me sick, poor little Jasper! As a trainer she should have realized the fear she was causing him and stopped immediately, not continued. I would go back to the training centre (by myself) and demand for my money back. I would just LOVE to go to that training centre and make a rather large scene while there are clients around!

Be patient with Jasper and only use positive reinforcement for his training, unfortunately Ann and GeeRome are probably right, you'll pretty much have to start over with him. Take baby steps with him, give him LOTS of praise for even the smallest things and find a new trainer.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. I would love to make a scene and let other know how bad of a trainer that person is.

Everyone has said the same things I was thinking. It will take time but Jasper will come around again. Give your baby a big hug from me and my girls!!
 
Jasper

Oh My God poor Jasper.I agree Walk Dont run from that Brute.I would love to have a little chat with that trainer.Keep us posted on how he is doing.
 
RUN RUN as fast as you can away from that "idiot" of a trainer.
and start from the beginning with "Jasper" just like he just arrived at your home again. He will regain his confidence in you and your family with this kind of re-inforcement of kindness , love, and patience
Sylvia and our 4 shelties.
 
I am so sorry for what happened to you. Please don't beat yourself up. You're a wonder Sheltie Mom, and jasper loves you. One incident like this won't ruin his life, and your love and positive attention will heal this small setback. He's so lucky to have you! I admire your good sense yo take Jasper away and to listen to him. He spoke so clearly to you, and he's blessed to nave a Mom who truly understands him. :yes:
 
Ditto regarding the trainer's behavior and insensitivity ! This is indeed sickening. I was fortunate enough to get some suggestions from my breeder regarding trainers. I also remember her saying that in her opinion one was too heavy-handed for shelties and that I should consider steering clear of this person. Take your time to investigate and perhaps ask a trainer who comes recommended if you might take a sneak peak at a class in progress.

All the best,

Katherine
 
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