My new foster is going to be a "project dog" for me He is a gorgeous 2yr old black cocker named Buckeye, is supposed to be "show quality" from a shelter - owner turn in because they "didn't have enough time for him." I have been clicker training him, which he has been amazing with.
My suspicion is that he's been teased, he is still very mouthy/playful like a puppy. He resource guards with bones and food, and per his former foster doesn't let you take anything from his mouth (ex. toilet paper, tissues). He is also a major jumper, food stealer (will steal right out of your mouth I've heard), and appears scared of some men. We are making progress on all of these.
Now, *I* have been able to get things from his mouth without so much as a dirty look. But, I also played the "trade" game with him several times before the time arose where I needed to do this (he took off with a whole bar of soap LOL). It has only been two days but he has improved LOADS. He is extremely extremly smart, and is a quick learner. He does not like repitition at all - he gets annoyed and will bark at you. I taught him how to shake in like 5mins... the only other dog I've been able to teach that is Maddie...
Now... my BIG concern is his collar issue. He reacts very aggressivly if you touch or pull on his collar, try to lead him anywhere by his collar, etc or if you push on his chest (for example someone may push his chest to make him get down if he jumps on them). My first solution was simple. Don't do it! but its not that simple, as its everyones first reaction (for example I almost got nailed because he was trying to dart out the door and I grabbed his leash a little too close to the collar for his comfort) and even if you tell them not to touch his collar they do it on accident. So I am trying to manage, and get others to managae, until I can teach him that collar handling = something positive. I have sort of an idea of how to do this, but I was hoping for other opinions on this situation, because I've never had this specific problem before
heres his pic from petfinder. His coat is much longer now... and I have to say that I LOVE his coat - I wish Maddie's was more like it, very straight and non-cottony. I actually don't have to brush it that much.
My suspicion is that he's been teased, he is still very mouthy/playful like a puppy. He resource guards with bones and food, and per his former foster doesn't let you take anything from his mouth (ex. toilet paper, tissues). He is also a major jumper, food stealer (will steal right out of your mouth I've heard), and appears scared of some men. We are making progress on all of these.
Now, *I* have been able to get things from his mouth without so much as a dirty look. But, I also played the "trade" game with him several times before the time arose where I needed to do this (he took off with a whole bar of soap LOL). It has only been two days but he has improved LOADS. He is extremely extremly smart, and is a quick learner. He does not like repitition at all - he gets annoyed and will bark at you. I taught him how to shake in like 5mins... the only other dog I've been able to teach that is Maddie...
Now... my BIG concern is his collar issue. He reacts very aggressivly if you touch or pull on his collar, try to lead him anywhere by his collar, etc or if you push on his chest (for example someone may push his chest to make him get down if he jumps on them). My first solution was simple. Don't do it! but its not that simple, as its everyones first reaction (for example I almost got nailed because he was trying to dart out the door and I grabbed his leash a little too close to the collar for his comfort) and even if you tell them not to touch his collar they do it on accident. So I am trying to manage, and get others to managae, until I can teach him that collar handling = something positive. I have sort of an idea of how to do this, but I was hoping for other opinions on this situation, because I've never had this specific problem before
heres his pic from petfinder. His coat is much longer now... and I have to say that I LOVE his coat - I wish Maddie's was more like it, very straight and non-cottony. I actually don't have to brush it that much.