Dog Behaviorist

clarkiek · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:35 pm Post subject: Dog Behaviorist

Has Anyone Hired a Dog Behaviorist? I'm considering giving one a call.

Linkin is an amazing dog and I absolutely LOVE him! However, he seems to have a problem with other dogs when he is on a leash (here's a link to a previous post on this: http://www.weimaraneraddict.com/discussion/leash-aggression-vt10271.html?highlight=leash+aggression).

Yesterday we were out on a walk and a couple with a nice Golden Retriever came up from behind us - also across the street. They commented on how beautiful Linkin was and asked if he was a Weimaraner. Linkin was fine until they started to cross the street so the dogs could greet one another. He turned into a psychotic dog! I pulled him back and apologized to the couple and tried to explain that he's great with other dogs when not on a leash. They of course were freaked out thinking I had a killer at the end of my leash. I don't think they thought he was beautiful anymore. Embarassed

As they walked away I put Linkin in a sit/stay until they were out of site. Then I proceeded to take him home.

I am soooo upset about this. Linkin is such a great dog and has only displayed this kind of behavior while on leash. He has never bitten another dog, but they way he acted yesterday he looked like he would have killed the other dog. He plays with other dogs in our neighborhood just fine, but they're not on leash. I don't know what to do. I want to be able to take him for walks and not have to worry about what he would do if approached by another dog.

He turned one at the end of July so I guess he's still kind of a puppy. Has anyone's dog acted like this? What did you do?

If you have worked with a dog behaviorist I would love to hear about it. Was it helpful? It's pretty pricey, but if it would be helpful I would probably do it. I even went to Cesar Millan's website to see if he was taking submissions. He is, but only in CA. I'm in MN. Confused

One more thing. How do I go about finding a good behaviorist in my area? Preferably one who understand Weims. If I'm going to spend the money I want to make sure I'm working with someone with a proven track record. This whole issue started at obedience class at Petsmart and the instructor had no idea how to handle it.

Wow, this was a long post with a hundred questions. Thanks to everyone who took the time to read it.

LunaBrown · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:09 pm Post subject:

Hey - sorry to hear you're having trouble with Link! Confused

I haven't experienced anything like that with Luna... You could try contacting the Northstar Weimaraner Club (www.northstarweim.com) to see if they had any suggestions? I contacted them last summer when we got Luna looking for vet reccomendations.

I'm slowly getting to know the club members from my helping out with the rescue. I'm not positive, but I'm thinking if you contacted Sonya or Jill they just might be able to give you some reccomendations?

Good luck - I hope you're able to find someone who can help you!

Mindy & Luna

versatilek9s · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject:

The american assoc of pet dog trainers has a website and there is a search feature on it to find certified trainers: [/url]http://www.apdt.com/[url] I think a good trainer (like on TV) is hard to find. Most people just have owned dogs, do formal obedience, and don't know what to do when a dog shuts down, acts aggressively, or needs another training method. Most of these people own labs, goldens, border collies, and shelties. WAY different that a weim. I would suggest finding someone in your area that does Schutzhund (by searching for "working dobermans" or "working GSDs" etc.) since they tend to understand the temperaments of weims a bit better.

Remember the warning about weims needed extensive socialization to not be aggressive with other dogs? Males especially have this trait, and I imagine at a year old he's seeing how much he can get away with. But this doesn't mean it's not scary and it doesn't mean to ignore it!

All dogs are more aggressive on leashes b/c it creates a territory for them and this makes them feel like they should protect you. You can't let him act this way. If it were my dog, I would make him pay attention by a pop on the leash, and make him sit. He is not exhibiting "true" aggression, I don't think, especially if he's sociable off-leash.

Without knowing details and seeing it firsthand, I can't give you much more advice than that. Get his attention in some way. I usually jerk the leash, then distract them by making them heel in the other direction, sit close, or down. Tugging and saying their name won't work when they really get fixated. You being "dominant" and asking them for another behavior wil work.

meredith[/url]

JacksMommy · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:57 am Post subject:

I was just about to post a topic on an animal behaviorist!

We think we may need one for Jack. I love him to death and he really is a sweet dog... but lately he's driving me nuts!

He just recently decided to develop a fetish for my kitchen utensils. He's eaten all my wooden spoons, a few of my spatulas... oh and my aloe plant, that too has been devoured (lesson learned: Weim that eats aloe plant is VERY STINKY!!!)

This is so out of character for Jack Sad

But lately he just has this rebellious streak to him ... that seems to crave kitchen utensils Confused

versatilek9s · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject:

clarkiek · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:43 pm Post subject:

Thank you so much for your replies. After talking to my husband we have decided to try working through this with him on our own - for now. Link is a great dog and the only time he displays this behavior is when he's approached by another dog on a leash. Otherwise he is pretty submissive when playing with other dogs.

We have purchased a prong collar and are working on keeping his focus during walks - especially when he's distracted.

I'm hoping that I just overreacted to the situation.