Update on Scarlett/Fear Agression

[Olive600]

I have good news! On Thursday, Scarlett's second trip to doggie daycare and her second training session, Scarlett accepted two other small dogs! The trainer says she isn't aggressive, but when she's had enough, she barks to set her boundaries. Olive was with her and knows the other dogs, so I'm sure that made it easier for Scarlett. One of the little dogs is Scooby, Olive's BFF at doggy day care. I posted a picture of the two of them when I joined the forum. I'd love to get a picture of Olive, Scarlett, and Scooby together.

On Monday Scarlett will be with Olive and other little dogs, again. We'll keep that up until she can tolerate being with a group of dogs. More good news: when she barks at people on our walks, I tell her "no barking" in my stern but not loud voice and give her a piece of kibble. She stops barking and looks at me as if to say, "is that what you want?" She responds to firm but gentle and consistent tones. She does not respond to a loud voice. She just digs in her heals and goes all chihuahua on me. So that's my good news. I'm so happy to be able to share it.

Thanks for all the encouragement.

Nikki

[rvgrammy1953]

Good girl, Scarlett.... Spinner says that "Doggy Day Care" is one of his favorite places...He hopes you are having lots of fun while you are there, too....

[mitch5252]

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That's great news, Nikki!!!
Good job, Scarlett.
You're gonna be just fine.

..

[grammynmaggie]

Wonderful cant wait to meet you and the family..
donna

[SoCalGalcas]

Hey Nikki, So pleased to hear of the progress you and Scarlet are making. I love the fact of the soft voice for corrections. I once traveled with a woman who yelled at her dog when he barked and of course he barked all the louder and she yelled all the louder!!! It was not a pleasant experience. lyn

[retiredhappy]

Good girl, Scarlett! And good job to her mommy, too.

[Olive600]

Thanks, ladies. I think she'll be a good dog. She just needs love and a consistent schedule. I'll keep you posted on her progress.

Nikki

[Bethers]

Oh, Nikki, all great news.

As for yelling - no dog likes that (nor do most people). What they need is you to have a DIFFERENT voice - usually deeper - that they understand means business. But deeper isn't even the most important, as long as it's consistent and different and they can immediately recognize it (which gets their attn). Sounds like you've got it down!

[Olive600]

Thanks, Beth. I think I discovered what you're saying last week. It's in the tone and patience. This is one stubborn dog. I guess Chiweenies are. It's the chihuahua, maybe, who knows. I've also learned that doggy daycare where she is getting her training and housebreaking are not the best matched activities. She piddles wherever she's standing at daycare: big concrete bays that get hosed down and disinfected. I haven't resorted to the hose here at home, but who knows what's next. Actually, she's doing pretty well. I just don't give her a chance to have an accident. That seems to be the answer. She is a lot calmer, now.

I had the carpet cleaned and enzymed and the dogs boarded for one day and night. Scarlett did real well in with all the other small dogs. Progress is being made!

[Nasoosie]

Congrats to Scarlett and to Nikki, too! I suspect we will see a diploma one of these days!

[Olive600]

I'm not so sure about the diploma. If there is one, it should go to me.
Scarlett has a mild concussion. She did one of her double back flip twisting jumps on the tile, lost her footing, and came down on her head. I hope I never hear that sound again in my life. Pretty horrible experience, so I'll save you the details. She seems to be OK other than the pain meds making her a bit incontinent. Right now, she can piddle all she wants. I'll just carry around a bottle of bleach and a rag. I just want her to be OK.

[Bethers]

Oh, poor Scarlett. Hope she comes through with no lasting effects. And poor you. I can't imagine hearing that. Hugs to you both.

[retiredhappy]

Oh, poor baby. With my wood floors there's a lot of skidding around my house. Sophie comes running and skids right past me. Same with Baxter. I keep two throw rugs by my bed so the dogs won't slip getting up on the bed. Its all about the furbabies, isn't it?

[mitch5252]

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Oh, poor Scarlett!! That's awful. But she'll be okay - she has a good Mommy-Nurse.
Abby sends licks.
..

[Olive600]

Thanks everyone. I'd never seen a dog jump like this one does. It seems the only way to break her of it, or at least moderate it, is to ignore her. It makes me a little sick to do that, but I've tried calming and cooing and cuddling and commanding. Nada, zip, nothing. Once she gets hysterical, not much gets through. And it doesn't take much for her to get all worked up. Food and doors seem to be the big triggers. If she goes in or comes out through a door, it's time to jump. If anybody or anything else comes in or goes out, it's time to jump. If there's food within nose range, it's time to jump. Meals are a circus, but I finally have a routine that minimizes the craziness. I had rugs down. Nice rugs. She peed on them. I've had them cleaned and they aren't going back down until I don't know when. It seems to me that I do a lot of whining on this forum. Until a few months ago, I wouldn't have thought of myself as a whiner. Now? Yep. I am now a whiner. Sheesh! This has got to end.