Behavior Therapy for DOGS!

My dog, Shayde, has been a central part of my life for 6 years. Through some readings of where he might have come from, its very possible that he was taken from his mother far too early. This is one of the leading causes of dominance and aggression...ontop of Lhasa Apsos being mouthy by nature.

After years of tolerating his dominance, aggression, growling and desire to just be flat out miserable with many other dogs...I have had enough. We encounter many dogs on walks and playing the park and with the growing encounters with children, and wanting to have children at some point in my life....its time for some change with this animal.

PetSmart came to Kingston. I went in with Rodney to just ask some questions about what would be the best option for Shayde. Luckily, I found a really motivated and knowledgable trainer. Even though Shayde knows:
- sit
- down
- sit pretty
- leave it
- come
- roll over
the trainer feels that beginner classes are necessary. Mainly for socialization and to learn STAY. This will also be a good option for aggression because some puppies do have aggression but its "zapped" early on. I now have 6 years of aggression for Shayde to unlearn.

Rodney seems quite willing to participate and has agreed to come to all training sessions. EIGHT WEEKS!!!

One of the techniques that the trainer suggested is the "water bottle" So now I have water bottles in every room. And we have some at Rodney's as well. I also have a bottle for in the care and walks. This trainer wants devotion...she is getting it from this PetParent. I also bought a seat belt for two reasons:
1. Safety. No dog should ride in a car on someone's lap.
2. Aggressive dogs should be in the back seat to encourage that people are the alphas.

I had to buy a new leash for the classes - retrackable leashes are not allowed. It was 10 bucks. Big deal.
I also bought a gentle leader. THIS HAS BEEN TOUGH!!!!!!!!!!
It is basically a halti and discourages pulling and freaking out at other dogs. It certainly does that! Shayde walks on my right side, usually right beside me.
Its getting it ON him that is such a hard task. He never was impressed with this new way of walking. And he would growl but accept his fate that MOMMA was putting this awful thing on his face. And he was always rewarded with a smelly gross treat after it was done up.
All parties that will be directly involved have to be on the same page. Right now, that is me, Stace and Rodney. Stace also said she would try to make the majority of the sessions.
So Stace gives it a shot...Shayde growls, she pulls away. Each time she tried, he would growl louder, start to show teeth and then he snapped at her. I tried encouraging her to just do it and ignore the growling. Of course she doesnt want him to bite her, I dont want him to bite her or anyone else. But the more this happens the harder its going to be for us to train him.
So I ended up putting the leader on and she took him out.
Later last night, I got the leader on and we took garbage and recycling down to the garbage room and at some point on the way down, Shayde got the leader off. Trying to put the leader back on, in the garbage room opened a door of frustration for me. I couldnt get it on him. Right from the first time he was snapping and loosing his mind. After about 5 tries and the super walking in....we had to leave the room. So we just came back upstairs and Shayde didnt go out.

This morning I got the leader on him, took some spraying and lots of coaxing...lots of growling and swearing on my part, but I got the leader on. As much as I didnt want to reward him after all of that, I did. He is a stubborn one.

Our first class is Thursday evening. Wish us luck.