I just got back from a private session with an elderly lady (very nice) and her little JRT/Chi mix. She called me to help with an excessive barking problem....at things outside...people walking by or dogs, knocking on the door, etc. He gets started and doesn't stop. So, I said I'd come over and go through it step by step. She said otherwise he has wonderful behavior and is a really sweet dog, which I found to be true....that is...until..............................he bit me. LOL. Ummm....I thought you said...
I did notice although he was friendly and licked my hand, was, for the most part pretty comfortable and interested, he did look a tad unsure about things, somewhat timid. She was holding him on her lap at the kitchen table and when I slid my hand-out across the table with the written instructions/homework closer to her, he latched onto my forearm and clamped down, but not with full pressure, so it was inhibited. It hurt a wee bit, but didn't break the skin.
'Okay, so I see we have a little resource guarding issue." "Oh yes, he has done that a few times, (he's protecting me) and...even to me when I try to take something away from him that he isn't suppose to have. But he doesn't resource guard toys or food....well....unless......" "Okie dokie....lets work on that and we'll get to the barking in a minute." LOL. So, never a dull moment.
So it turns out that this will likely be broken into several sessions. Come to find out, he also doesn't come when called, doesn't know how to sit on cue, pulls on the leash something awful, gets free fed, gets free everything. But he is a nice dog.
But I think someone has hit him. She admitted to doing that once and scolding him for various things, but not harshly. She got him at a shelter about a year ago. I can't imagine her being very harsh. She's quite old and seems so mild mannered. But he is definitely a little hand shy and wasn't 100% sure of me. But he did like the chicken tid bits I had for him and came around a little.
One of her daughters, probably around my age is a CM fan, so....? What has gone on? And the other daughter was there too and is going to help her Mom. Mom is a little forgetful, being quite elderly. This one was ALL about the positive reinforcement and very receptive and bright)
So, never believe anything anyone tells you. They may not be lying, but they sure want to give their dog the benefit of the doubt. And often down play the potential seriousness of certain things. I told her that this resource guarding, while not consistent or not as severe as I've seen it, can very easily escalate.
So, there's going to be more training basics to assist with the processes to get at the more serious behavior "issues." I tried to explain that other training helps in a global way and helps the dog learn to defer to her for his needs all around.
I did notice although he was friendly and licked my hand, was, for the most part pretty comfortable and interested, he did look a tad unsure about things, somewhat timid. She was holding him on her lap at the kitchen table and when I slid my hand-out across the table with the written instructions/homework closer to her, he latched onto my forearm and clamped down, but not with full pressure, so it was inhibited. It hurt a wee bit, but didn't break the skin.
'Okay, so I see we have a little resource guarding issue." "Oh yes, he has done that a few times, (he's protecting me) and...even to me when I try to take something away from him that he isn't suppose to have. But he doesn't resource guard toys or food....well....unless......" "Okie dokie....lets work on that and we'll get to the barking in a minute." LOL. So, never a dull moment.
So it turns out that this will likely be broken into several sessions. Come to find out, he also doesn't come when called, doesn't know how to sit on cue, pulls on the leash something awful, gets free fed, gets free everything. But he is a nice dog.
But I think someone has hit him. She admitted to doing that once and scolding him for various things, but not harshly. She got him at a shelter about a year ago. I can't imagine her being very harsh. She's quite old and seems so mild mannered. But he is definitely a little hand shy and wasn't 100% sure of me. But he did like the chicken tid bits I had for him and came around a little.
One of her daughters, probably around my age is a CM fan, so....? What has gone on? And the other daughter was there too and is going to help her Mom. Mom is a little forgetful, being quite elderly. This one was ALL about the positive reinforcement and very receptive and bright)
So, never believe anything anyone tells you. They may not be lying, but they sure want to give their dog the benefit of the doubt. And often down play the potential seriousness of certain things. I told her that this resource guarding, while not consistent or not as severe as I've seen it, can very easily escalate.
So, there's going to be more training basics to assist with the processes to get at the more serious behavior "issues." I tried to explain that other training helps in a global way and helps the dog learn to defer to her for his needs all around.