What the hell am I doing wrong!! So frustrated right now!!

[Hector]

Go back to basics. Do 1hr long obedience sessions. Get rid of the treats. If she knows basic commands, it's time to ramp up the difficulty. Up the distractions, up the duration, up her response in recall. You can never practice enough recall - you should use treats for recall though. Practice 30 min recalls on a long line. Do long down stays, long sit stays. Start using corrections and be strict about holding her positions.Do lots of on/off with her fetch and tug. When she gets amped up, tell her no and to lay down and stay and you walk away. If she can't hear you, then give her a correction to snap her out of it. The problem is she might redirect on you in that heightened state of mind.

If she is food driven, you can also make tubes out of pvc piping and drill holes in them and stuff them with kibble or food. Teach her how to retrieve and bring it to you. If she can do that, she gets lots of rewards. Then hide the tube again and tell her to find it. You're going to have to get her interested in the tube and then teach her a find it and also teach a retrieve. Lots of different behaviors to teach.

 

[Jennifree3]

I'm so glad I read this thread! It sounds like me and vadersmom are having a lot of the same problems. My Clarabelle is almost 8 mths and she gets to that leash grabbing, deaf acting zone, and I know I'm responding wrong when I get frustrated because it gets worse. I will be giving these tips a try. Thanks!


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[Jennifree3]

Where do you get a backpack for a dog?


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[musicdeb]

Where do you get a backpack for a dog?


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Check the Products and Equipment subforum with lots of info.

 

[CeeCee]

I got Lila's at PetSmart and Zeek's through Chewy.com. It's made by Outward Hound. I like the OH one better.

Where do you get a backpack for a dog?


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[vadersmom]

Thanks everyone for the replies!
I bought a couple things-backpack for walks-at almost 11 months of age, should I be adding weight to the pack? She only weighs 68 pounds right now.
I also got a rolypoly Knog that spills out food as she knocks it around(supervised) and another "puzzle" like that.
She had a great time at agility class-they had her jumping over a 4 inch obstacle-certainly lower than the couch so I think it is OK at this age. Had a hard time on the narrow boards incline so we have to practice that.
I also bought a sprinkler yesterday she can chase around while it is still above freezing
I am so glad there are good folks like you guys willing to put up with folks like me!

 

[musicdeb]

Sounds like you're on the right track! Kudos to you for hanging in there with the pup!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Start her out with it empty, or filled with empty water bottles to fill out the packs, till she's used to it, then you can slowly start adding weights (filling the water bottles works!).

 

[zardac]

Thanks all,
That is what I am trying to figure out is why she gets in the "deaf" zone. It is in times of excitement like branch pulling in the yard yesterday-she LOVES sticks so cutting back branches is great fun.And the jumping at me-just more fun??? I try to throw toys so she will let me do it to no avail. I treat with food and always keep a pocket of treats to reward good behavior which is often. I have had her on benedryl for scratching for about 10 days with a second dose of antibiotics for hot spots. Could this have anything to do with her "deafness"?
We did buy a dog whistle to get her out of the zone on walks and we also have a prong collar on during the walk but not attached to the leash, and some in the house so we have a way to "correct" a behavior she knows not to do and if she ignores commands I know she knows 100% but chooses not to listen to.
Keep the suggestions coming...I really do listen!

We've had children (foster care) who've exhibited a paradoxial response to Benedryl with aggression and excitation and generally being in a "manic" state.

I haven't heard about dogs having the same reaction, but any correlation between Benedryl and unmanageable behavior?

 

[ruthcatrin]

You know, I completely missed the info about her being on Benedryl.

SOME dogs get hyped when they're given benedryl. Like, an hour after being given a dose and they're racing in circles around everyone and everything instead of the more standard "drugged drowsy" reaction everyone expects. My Arty does that infact (and it may be typical for his breed as several other Singer owners have reported the same reaction). Our vet gave us a different antihistamine for him that doesn't do that to him. SO yes, I'd say its possible that she's having a reaction to the benedryl and it may be time for a call to the vets for a different med to try.

(Zardac, I had no idea there was an equivalent reaction in humans!)

 

[vadersmom]

Well, I am glad I pulled her off! I sure saw a bit of a correlation after a week or so. She does seem much better off it. Still, great ideas as we move through the teenage years. Glad to know it was the meds a bit causing this as there may be hope for us yet! It seems that discription of a manic state with a bit of "aggression" actually hits the nail on the head.

 

[vadersmom]

So, just an update after a week or so......much better overall. No benedryl either so I think that really caused her to ramp up. She is still a pistol We have stopped feeding her her full dinner -only 1 scoop, then I take the other scoop with me on walks and through out the evening for training. She also wears a prong collar with a short leash so if she refuses to listen, gets insane then a little yank and praise for looking at me usually works. She has only jumped at me a couple times this long weekend and was easily re-directed with a treat, toy tec.
So these meds that seem so harmelss can really be problematic or at minimum, make behavior worse!

 

[musicdeb]

Great news! Good job, mom and Vader!

 

[ruthcatrin]

yay!