Firstly silverpawz, I'd like to discuss the idea of it not being fear based a bit more, because it's been discussed before, this situation and the consensus was fear, BUT as you've said, and I've mentioned but can't fit it into the concept of fear based aggression is: IT'S ON HER OWN TERMS.
LOL@ backyard 200's, in my mind we've gotten easy 30 points in what can be some of the hardest events, but haven't we all! LOL
Roxy LOVES to work. She, with our short break and some help from Colleen, now enjoys heeling work. She has always loved retrieving, jumping, her ultimate favourite is go outs. And her downs, sits, stands etc are more than solid.
She is off leash frequently. Everyday actually. We've come into contact with quite a few hefty distractions, people on bikes (Which she HATES with a passion), people and other dogs and she has NEVER gotten close enough for anything to happen. I either called her to come, or stay, where I walked up and put her on leash. I have walked her off leash in our small town, with a dumbell or her basket in her mouth because with a task to do she is much less likely to act out. She is focused on her job. Because ROxy is NOT interested in people, off leash work is not a problem. She is not outwardly aggressive, as in she doesn't rush at people for no reason and bite them. It's if her space is invaded. So walking off leash through a crowd of people that aren't paying attention to her is no problem.
I've thought about this problem, long before even considering the e-collar. Is it worth it? WOuld she enjoy it?
And I believe she would. In the right environment, Roxy becomes a completely different dog. As I said she loves to work, for example, if we've done a great figure eight, she enjoys the praise. She'll jump up all over the place.
Swings are so exciting for her, because she knows soon, if she's done a good job she's getting a rough pat and some treats. She's the dog in the ring, that does the 180 degree jump into heel. You know the acrobatic dog, flying into heel position from front.
The only downside in our lesson today was the stand for exam. Which wasn't even a downside because after a few zolts we were all in awe. Feeding her hot dogs, praising etc.
Your comment about obedience controlling the aggression. That is exactly what we've done and are trying to do with this problem now. Obedience has been the best thing for our relationship.
We have awhile, plenty of hours of training to do before I would consider a show to enter her in. (assuming this works and we fix this problem) But this issue, is the one that's been holding us back. Every other event in trial is "solid". Once they were ALL down, I'd work in a high distraction setting. Again, again and then again.
There would still be plenty of more work to do, but at least she would have all of the events down pat, so we could work on it as a whole. Not a piece here, oops can't do that a piece here etc.
You've raised some great questions I'll have to think about silverpawz. I greatly appreciate your input.
What do you call a dog that picks and chooses when they want to be patted? LOL And I'm not asking if you agree with the e-collar method, but from what I understand you agree that training, working on obedience skills like downs, sits or watch me's is a good way, that worked for you, in controlling your aggressive dog.