Increased aggressiveness

[Dawn]

For the past few weeks we have noticed Lucy becoming aggressive....jumping, growling, biting.  A couple of times I was trying to take a blanket from her and she didn't want to give it up.  Today we were playing catch outside and she suddenly started running wild then coming at me.  I called for her to come but she just kept running around the yard.  I finally was able to grab her by the collar and hold her until she calmed down.  It's like she gets this burst of energy and she can't stop.  I know she is getting enough exercise so that shouldn't be the problem.   She just completed the intermediate training course and has done great.  Is this a 'testing' stage?  She is almost 6 months old and we have had her since she was 11 weeks.

I'm getting  stressed about this behaviour.   I really want to do right by her but I'm not sure how to handle this.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Dawn

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

Type the word "zooming" under Doodle Kisses "search" above right at top. You will find Lucy is very normal. Many of these young dogs have bursts of energy and run it off-and they call it zooming. Some start zooming when you raise your voice, there are other triggers too. Some zoom when they get too tired. It could be any reason-maybe they want to play? The taking the blanket, I still have trouble with my year old dog not wanting to give it up-but mine is playing, he has not shown aggression-he treats it like a security blanket. Mine has never growled as you said yours has.. it it helps at all, my dogs zooming has slowed down a LOT since he has gotton older. Others will have to help with the biting,growling-mine did not do that..good luck.

[Dawn]

Zooming....never heard of it but I'll research it.  Thanks!

[Adina P]

Testing for sure. But you are also not 'done' training her so until then if you are not 100% sure she will come when called she needs to wear a long line (15-20 foot leash) under supervision so she does not have the option of NOT coming when you call her. Tell me about her intermediate training and doing well in class. What is the most impressive thing she does in obedience and where do you practice with her and what have you been taught to do when she does not obey?

[Dawn]

Definitely not done training :)  We are signed up for the next class but I'm thinking about doing a one on one session with the trainer before we move on.   The intermediate class consisted of healing, sitting/staying, waiting, drop it and leave it, come when called, go to your pillow/bed.   We need to work more on the come when called and waiting.      I will buy a long leash today and keep her on it when we're outside.  Should I keep her on the leash indoors too?

Thanks so much!

 

[Adina P]

I would expect that an intermediate class would have prepared you for what to do when she does NOT do as you instruct her.  If not, perhaps another trainer/class might be better for you and Lucy rather than individual sessions.  There's nothing in her behavior that makes me think "aggression" and by everything you've just described it sounds like a dog who is testing and finding that doing 'wrong' results in nothing disfavorable so she might as well do as she pleases.  The 'zooming' isn't a big deal...but NOT obeying when you tell her to 'heel' or 'sit' or 'come' or whatever IS a big deal.  However, it's always about OUR response. It's not what the dog does but we do in response that matters.  But I'm getting the impression that your class has not adequately prepared you. 

My other question is where do you practice/train with her?  Is it just at home and in class?  Is it just on leash?  She will only obey in the areas she's been practiced so it's time to take your practice to other places around other distractions or else she'll never obey around distractions.  As to the on leash part...I asked because if she's only been trained ON leash then you can't really expect her to obey OFF Leash. That said I am NOT advising you to whip the leash off and do things off leash...there's a protocol for moving off leash and each training style does it differently.  In the meantime keep her leash on--but supervise her so it doesn't get caught on furniture, etc. Put into practice what you've learned, use it in every day situations not just at 'training time'.  Have her sit and stay for a minute while you're loading the dishwasher...then heel her into the dining room and have her do a 5 min down stay (if she's up to that length of staying).  Then retrieve her and heel her back into the kitchen while you wrap up the dishes, praise her for good work and release her to be free again.  When you stir something on the stove, have her down stay next to you and every so often heel her a few feet and back and then make her stay some more.  Recall her across the room (while she is leashed so you can reel her in to you if she decides she'd rather NOT come).  Praise her generously when she arrives in front of you even if you had to help her.  And when she's outside either jiggle a bag of treats and say NOTHING to get her to come in - OR if you want to use your 'come' command only do it if she's got a long leash on so you can enforce the command.

If I sound scolding, I don't mean to be.  I'm just disappointed in how many people end up in higher level obedience classes without control over their dogs. I blame trainers, NOT you.

[Dawn]

I don't think you sound like your scolding.  I appreciate your honest advice.    I'll keep you updated on our progress :)

Thanks!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Six months is a great time to do some really serious obedience training.  It sounds like she's doing well in the class setting, but not so well in "real life" situations with distractions.  Taking what you learn in class and integrating it into your daily living is the biggest challenge IMO, but it's what makes training really worthwhile.  Are you using corrections in your training or is it treat focused?  If you are using corrections, I would definitely correct her for any jumping, biting or growling at this age.  She needs to understand that this is not acceptable behavior.  What are you currently doing when she growls or bites?  You mention wanting to do one private session with the trainer before moving on....will the trainer come to your home?  Perhaps if he/she sees these behaviors it will be easier to offer specific advice on exactly how to respond...and then you can reinforce that in your next training class.  Please keep us posted.