Having some issues

[Holly Paterniti]

So I have started to use the Thundershirt with Bear and it seems to be helping quite a bit. 

 

Today, for the first time we had taken Bear up with us to the ice cream place we usually go and he did quite well with the gentle leader and Thundershirt on.  Although my husband is not all for the Thundershirt being on him outside the house. 

 

He was doing really well without growling at people who came close to us and right away took to kids (as usual).  We got him his Dogster to eat and he finished it quietly even though people walked past him.  I had thought we were safe and totally out of him growling the mean growl at people.

 

Well as we were finishing up with our ice creams, this cute little older man came up and said, "what a cute puppy" and Bear went into his attack mode.  I got him to stop, but I felt so bad and we apologize to him, which he was saying it was ok........but to have all those people look at us like Bear is a menance really bothered me.

 

I know we need to take him to training and I really want to, but at this time the money is not there.  He only does this when men approach and not women.

 

Can anyone please tell me (besides saying to take him to a training at this point) how I can get him to stop.  He is such a sweet boy, but with himbeing big and all.....he does scare the crap out of people who are not use to bigger dogs or use to him :(

 

THANKS!!!  I really appreciate it :)

 

 

 

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Just realized we haven't "seen" you much. Hope all's well.

[Holly Paterniti]

All is going well :)   We have moved into a new home and really happy.  Things have been looking up for us and I am hoping it stays that way :)  How have you been?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This sounds great.  I'm so glad you found a trainer that you like.  Please keep us posted on how things progress, and good luck!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Sounds like a thorough evaluation!  Good for you!

[Holly Paterniti]

I was not sure about the Har-Vest at first, but it really does work like the Thundershirt.  The main reason why I like it is because it looks like something a working dog wears.......Rebecca said when she goes out alot of people mistaken it for a working dog and will ask if the dog is working and then ask if they can pet them.

 

It really is not that expensive and she said we can still use the Thundershirt, but at home.  The handle on the back is really handy too :)  Got to go and buy the Clicker today since I can not find my other one :(  Going to start working today :)  I think I am going to try the hotdogs with him and there is a dry food one Rebecca told me to use (it is in a log form).

 

Thank you everyone for the well wishes and I really think the trainer coming to my home is going to work out well :)

[Holly Paterniti]

Ok, so I forgot to tell you all about Rebecca's recommendation to change Bear's food.  Currently, he is eating Origen (Chicken) with the Crude Protein at 33%........she is saying there has been research that has found the higher the Crude Protein the more hyper and that the Crude Protein should only be at 25%.  I am so confused..........

 

I called the place where I purchase Bear's food.........it is a privately owned stored called the "Hudson Hydrant"......I LOVE it :)  so if anyone lives around the Hudson, Ohio area........you have got to go there.....the owner is Melissa Lorenzo :)

 

So anyways, I called her about Bear's food and asked her what she thinks because I have trusted her for the past 2 years of Bear's life when it came to his food.  She had said when talking to other trainer's they have never said anything about how Crude Protein is related to hyper activity.  She said that when the Crude Protein is low then it food would have grains, which I know dogs really do not need.  Origen does not have grain at all in it.

 

What do you all think I should do?  Rebecca suggested Blue Buffalo, but Melissa made a good point by saying that Blue Buffalo a big company so the quality control would not be as good as Origens (because they are smaller).  I am confused because I really do not want Bear to have grains when it is not necessary and I really would rather not change his food to a company that does not have more control over the quality of food, you know what I mean?

 

I look forward to hearing from you all :)  THANKS!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I have no idea about crude protein and hyperactivity, but the same company that makes Orijen makes Acana that has lower protein. Sounds a little goofy to me but if you post this in the food group, Karen will give you some good advice. (She has a very sick kitty right now so she may not answer today.)

[Adina P]

I would ask to see this research.  I don't buy it.  And Bear isn't hyper is he--or that's not the issue is it?  I thought he was having fear issues and reacting to men inappropriately.  How exactly do they even define hyper in a dog, I think most dogs are some level of hyper if compared to humans.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I agree with Adina.  I'd want to know where she gets this.  I have read (somewhere) that protein gives them more "energy"; maybe that's what she means by "hyper?"  Is he "hyper" normally?  Like Adina said, I thought he was just having problems relating to strange men.

[Adina P]

There's 'energy' as in useable calories -- and there's energy as in behavior.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I don't buy it either.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yup, sounds like hokum to me.