DogPaddle Posted January 11, 2003 Posted January 11, 2003 We worked hard to socialize Kavik when he was a puppy/young adolescent. He was doing pretty well, a few problems we were working out still but ok. We havn't had him out to Dr. Doolittles - the pet food store, or anywhere unique in 6 weeks or more and today we took him back to Dr. Doolittles and he was a freak, worse than pre-socializing. Wasn't heeling, jumping up, barking to scare people away etc. We had to wait till we were the only customers to do our shopping. The owner/clerk - Linda was great, ignored all his bad behaviours completely and as soon as he settled gave him a pat, told him how good he was and a treat. (I really love this store, knowledgable, helpful staff, excellent products and not a single food with any by-product or mystery meet in it) Anyway, obviously I goofed. Kavik is 13months now, any special suggestions on re-socializing or shall I just go back to the basics? Could this be related to age/maturity etc? Also Kavik is not fixed yet but appointment is this month (his breeder had originally expressed some interest in using Kavik in breeding in future we discussed the issue and decided against it) How much of a contributing factor do you think his unalteredness is? Quote
Black GSD Posted January 11, 2003 Posted January 11, 2003 I would say "go back to the basics". I would, however, correct him for acting like an idiot. He needs to learn that this kind of behaviour is NOT acceptable. While neutering him is a good idea, it may or may not make any difference. What did you do when he was jumping and barking? Quote
DogPaddle Posted January 11, 2003 Author Posted January 11, 2003 When he is barking and jumping we tell him "no", "sit" and "look". The idea here is he knows what he is doing is bad he has to sit and focus on me as opposed to whatever is working him up and eventually he will calm down. We practive "look" at home with treats and he is good about it but when he is freaking we do not treat for look because Kavik is devious and will sometimes behave poorly so we will correct him that way when he complies he gets praised or a treat. I do tell him he is "good" when he does settle. It is taking several repatitions to get him to "look" when he is freaking and there is no gaurentee when I release him that he will stay calm for long. Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted February 1, 2003 Posted February 1, 2003 Could this be related to age/maturity etc? IT COULD BE Quote
Carolk9s Posted February 1, 2003 Posted February 1, 2003 Kavik is 13months now Ah those teenagers! :lol: Hormones could be running rampant, maybe a factor but probably not the total picture. I think you are on the right track with neutering, back to basics, lots of reinforcement, you know the 3 P's, PATIENCE, PERSISTANCE & PRAISE! Good luck with reminding Kavik how you expect him to act! Quote
DogPaddle Posted February 2, 2003 Author Posted February 2, 2003 Thanks all, we were doing ok until the trip to the vets, oh well, we'll just keep on working on it. Quote
DogPaddle Posted February 3, 2003 Author Posted February 3, 2003 :lol: Just found a neat trick that might work if I can find a way to adapt it. Kavik was barking at someone outside our fence, I walked to the window, looked out, casually told him it was ok and walked away. He stared (silently) at me fore a good two minutes with his head cocked and then went and looked back out the window (silently) and then lied down. :BIG: Maybe he's thinking - I'm alpha so if I checked it out and wasn't concerned by it in the least it must not be anything to fuss over. Quote
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