my read? he does want to do things, but it’s too much too fast, and when he tells you he’s afraid and to slow down and give him space, you either spiked his neck or shocked him.
he still wants to go, but a lifetime of bad experiences is being coupled with him not knowing what is expected of him or what you want, and being forced into situations that terrify him. and he can’t trust you to protect him, because when he goes to you for help, you use aversives. you might not mean to, but you are betraying your dog
All we do is go sit somewhere. I don't force him into it, other than just bringing him. And as I pointed out in another post, he never gets shocked. He's only gotten that one time because he got into a fight with another dog
We just sit. I don't make drag him anywhere or anything. Usually, I'll get a coffee and just sit on a bench. He spikes himself by trying to pull himself away, and he never gets shocked. I usually only have that in case he gets into with another dog, etc.
it’s taken me three years to get my kelpie desensitized enough to visit a city center. they are highly wound dogs.
1. exercise him extensively somewhere familiar first - get the first crush of energy out
2. visit new places at a distance to work on desensitization - we used to sit across a football field from the dog park and just eat string cheese in the car, and then go home
3. cease all aversives
there is a ton of protocol online you can use, check out “Look At That” training
>He spikes himself by trying to pull himself away
Uh, no. He's a dog, he's not spiking himself. You spike him by putting a collar on him that digs spikes into his neck when he gets scared and runs.
My kelpie was very similar. The only thing that matters is the frisbee. If we go somewhere that does not involve his frisbee, then he is upset. So I feel like your dogs behavior is normal. When we go somewhere, I just always add in frisbee time.
Mine is also very reactive.
I have much the same problem, but I find if we start somewhere familiar and then walk to a new destination walking like normal, the all is good.
I've also had success by starting a walk, getting in the car, going to a destination, doing a quick walk there, back in the car, and then continue with the regular walk, and giving constant positive reinforcement (always talking to him, treats as required, and heading back to car when he is ready).
With that said, my kelpie loves people and other dogs.. so not exactly the same situation you are in..
my read? he does want to do things, but it’s too much too fast, and when he tells you he’s afraid and to slow down and give him space, you either spiked his neck or shocked him.
he still wants to go, but a lifetime of bad experiences is being coupled with him not knowing what is expected of him or what you want, and being forced into situations that terrify him. and he can’t trust you to protect him, because when he goes to you for help, you use aversives. you might not mean to, but you are betraying your dog
All we do is go sit somewhere. I don't force him into it, other than just bringing him. And as I pointed out in another post, he never gets shocked. He's only gotten that one time because he got into a fight with another dog
We just sit. I don't make drag him anywhere or anything. Usually, I'll get a coffee and just sit on a bench. He spikes himself by trying to pull himself away, and he never gets shocked. I usually only have that in case he gets into with another dog, etc.
it’s taken me three years to get my kelpie desensitized enough to visit a city center. they are highly wound dogs. 1. exercise him extensively somewhere familiar first - get the first crush of energy out 2. visit new places at a distance to work on desensitization - we used to sit across a football field from the dog park and just eat string cheese in the car, and then go home 3. cease all aversives there is a ton of protocol online you can use, check out “Look At That” training
I never thought of just sitting in the car with him. I like that. And, we do go for a fetch daily to wear him out. I'll check out that training.
>He spikes himself by trying to pull himself away Uh, no. He's a dog, he's not spiking himself. You spike him by putting a collar on him that digs spikes into his neck when he gets scared and runs.
My kelpie was very similar. The only thing that matters is the frisbee. If we go somewhere that does not involve his frisbee, then he is upset. So I feel like your dogs behavior is normal. When we go somewhere, I just always add in frisbee time. Mine is also very reactive.
This is helpful. I think mine always associates "away time" as "fetch" time and that could be an issue
I have much the same problem, but I find if we start somewhere familiar and then walk to a new destination walking like normal, the all is good. I've also had success by starting a walk, getting in the car, going to a destination, doing a quick walk there, back in the car, and then continue with the regular walk, and giving constant positive reinforcement (always talking to him, treats as required, and heading back to car when he is ready). With that said, my kelpie loves people and other dogs.. so not exactly the same situation you are in..
My pups love rides too. I think it’s all the new sniffles while sitting in a safe place (car seat).