scared/hiding six month old male, sheltin

Glad to hear that Sheltin is responding well. Keep yourself upbeat and positive with him and take plenty of high value treats on your outings.

I disagree somewhat with the trainer regarding "barring the door" completely of the crate all day.... You might chose to allow him to go in the crate at a time of your choosing, for example after a long walk when he is mentally and physically tired. This might be a place where he can re-charge his batteries, as opposed to hiding.
 
I disagree with that trainer because most sounds like old teachings to me.. dog trainers for thirty years often have VERY antiquated training methods... but you talk to the trainer and decide whether he's trustworthy, etc, etc and whether that way of training is suited to you guys and Sheltin, it's your call. A lot of times these type of trainers are not used to soft Shelties, either!

I am VERY concerned dog trainer thinking and telling you "this is the dogs way of winning the battle!"
This is NOT the way (in my opinion) how dogs think!!!! This is the OUTDATED Caesar Milan version, and worse...
Look up Victoria Stillwell, and not Ceasar Milan type dog trainers
/end rant, Sorry
Again, just my opinion, I'll support you guys whatever you need and whatever you decide, of course! You get ten dog trainers and ten different opinions with similar results.. so I just wanted to throw out some caution... just because somebody has been doing it for 30years doesn't mean they have been doing it humane for 30 years...
 
Last edited:
I support you too, but I am very worried about the advice of the dog trainer.

Ellie was very afraid when we first went for a walk, even though she was really well socialized. Being on the sidewalk, in a new place, with a new person, with new sounds, sights, enviornment is REALLY scary to a dog and imagine how scared your dog is! What I did with Ellie was want to make her go forward. When she balked on the leash but twisting and whining I just let her do it and then I squated down and called her and made a BIG deal if she even made one step towards me. We made it a happy, happy, happy fun thing to go forward! I had treats and called her in that high-pitched nutty voice and was over-board happy and excited. She absolutely thrived on that. She then got the idea that doing forward was fun! Being on a leash was FUN!

I think the crate should be open. Forcing a dog to do anything in the state of mind yours is in, in MY opinion, is counter-productive to what you want.

I agree with Toffee's mom in that certainly people can have been dog trainer's for 30 years and get results, but maybe not through humane or kindness or positive re-enforcement. It's something to think about. But Kudos for you trying to help your baby!
 
wow!

well, antiquated or not, because of my lack of knowledge in certain areas, I'm open to all suggestions.

I have had him on another walk today, he has his leash on 24/7 right now and he's walking around the house and not cowering anywhere near as much when he sees me now. He's moving from room to room to explore, AND eat so I see a lot of improvements.
What I am having issues with is his being scared while walking.
He's still scared of other people and anything that moves or makes noise when I'm walking him. BUT he keeps right on walking forward. He may pull away from the noise, but he doesn't pull back or try to bolt. He doesn't really want to be on the leash around other people or dogs when I'm walking him, it seems. I'm guessing (assuming, hoping...) that this too will pass.
Are there any further suggestions other than keep him moving forward and keep bringing him where there's people and puppies. I mean that in addition to the continued praise, petting/stroking, thumping, lovins he's getting?


:confused2: in regard to the caeser milan comment... from watching his show, I got the impression he 'had a grip' on how to train dogs.

but again, everyone has what works for them too, I guess.

So far what I'm doing, at the advice of everyone when possible, is showing progress and steps backward, so unless something isn't working I don't think I want to abandon too much...

as for his crate, because he'd messed in it the other day, I took it to clean it and forgot to put it back in his corner. He looked for it but didn't cower in the corner. he went by the wall where it was. went from room to room throughout the morning, but isn't trying to push himself in every nook or cranny anymore.
I know his crate is intended to be a safe haven for him, but I think (maybe incorrectly) that he's warming up enough to find comfort anywhere in the house now. He even entered our bedroom and slept at the foot of the bed, on the floor for part of the evening. when I looked at him he perked hi head up then when back to sleep instead of trying to go somewhere else.

I don't know the EXACT methods or PERFECT training methods or preferred methods, but I'm not falling backwards with Sheltin and I don't think I'm damaging him mentally/emotionally by how I'm handling things with him either.

and he sure is NOT the super frightened cowering sheltin that entered our home almost three weeks ago.
I am amazed and pleased with the progress in only a week :biggrin2:

and I'm certainly not going to ignore any constructive criticism.

thanks again for all the support and advice. It's helping myself and barbi immensely with sheltin!!
 
Don't worry, I don't think anyone anywhere in the world knows the EXACT training methods or the PERFECT training methods. :smile2: I am a firm believer that not all methods work on all dogs or else I would have a perfectly trained Sheltie now instead of one that was so out of control I had to send her to a board and train!

You are certainly doing a wonderful job! So much progress in so short a time! I am for anything that works as long as it is humane--i.e. does not physically or psychologically hurt the dog. Sometimes it is a trial and error and asking for advice. You will get as many opinions on how to train a dog as there are trainers and as there are dog owners. You have to go with your gut, your heart and your head. There is nothing more satisfying than to see a plan come together. Sheltin sounds like he is doing wonderfully, so you KNOW you are on the right track!
 
I'm confused by this trainer's advice. Your pup should be ENCOURAGED to go to his crate. Going to the crate is not a bad thing. I can understand if he's skulking there, but that's a different concern. That speaks to issues around subservience.

Your dog should be encouraged to go it his crate, enjoy it, and sleep there at night. That's the most effective way of house training. Bring the crate into your room so he can hear you. And you can here him.
 
I agree with everyone here, Steve. Positive reinforcement, encouragement and kindness are what will help your pup out of his shell, and his crate SHOULD be his safe haven ... there is nothing wrong with that. I am generally not one to criticize trainers, because heaven knows I'm no expert, but I pretty much disagree with everything you've been told by yours. Not to say her methods don't work -- they may, but at what cost? The end result should be, as Toffee's Mom and Lahree have said, a happy, friendly, confident pet...not one who performs for you out of fear.

It might be worth your while to search out some books on positive reinforcement. You will find mixed feelings here about Cesar Milan and his methods too. Some people really like him; some don't at all. The Whole Dog Journal lists a number of training resources using positive methods and you can find the link online. It's important to remember that what works for one breed doesn't always work for Shelties, which are much more sensitive than most, so if you're using a trainer, he or she should have a strong background and experience in Shelties. I'm so glad to hear you're making progress.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top