Reactivity?

[MichiH]

All true! Classes helped me tons, and it was the "social" hour for Asha to be around people & dogs, but not play with them, have to pay attention to me. I would have given anything if I'd had a different type of teacher. And yes, I was embarrassed to death. I'd never had a puppy like this. Also, I'll add that once Asha got use to her class, all the people, all the dogs, if someone new showed up or walked in to ask a question she totally lost it. "You aren't part of this group! OUT you sorry invader, get out!!!" I swear I had both hands wrapped around her muzzle and the barking, growling and spittle was still flying. My teacher was agast (her method was to let her bark until she stopped, then give her treats for being quiet. So yeah, a nightmare, but it was better than nothing to get the exposure maybe.

Do we have the same Doberman?! Haha oh my this made me laugh with you!
I also had a visual of her reprimanding the invader and you holding onto her muzzle oh these rambunctious Doberman ladies we have

I shall push forward and tame the beast. I can do it!

 

[Ravenbird]

I also had a visual of her reprimanding the invader and you holding onto her muzzle

I laugh now, but boy oh boy it was so hard on me then. Talk about embarrassing... I was embarrassed at my puppy's behavior, I was embarrassed to go against the wishes of my teacher, I was embarrassed for the person walking by our class and I was embarrassed as a representative for the Doberman breed. But by golly we went every week and Asha got her Star Puppy.

 

[MichiH]

I laugh now, but boy oh boy it was so hard on me then. Talk about embarrassing... I was embarrassed at my puppy's behavior, I was embarrassed to go against the wishes of my teacher, I was embarrassed for the person walking by our class and I was embarrassed as a representative for the Doberman breed. But by golly we went every week and Asha got her Star Puppy.

Oh my no, I didn’t mean to come off wrong. I mean it in I am right there in that same spot it is stressful and it is embarrassing.
I said laugh, because I look back and try to laugh myself because I will dwell and stress otherwise. One of my many negative traits. My husband doesn’t get it says I’m being crazy and too hard on her and myself. But who has her out and about me and it’s stressful because I don’t know how she’ll react. Then when she reacts poorly I’m like man do I suck.
So sorry if I came off wrong with my previous post, I didn’t mean to.

And now I stress because Saturday is fast approaching and I’ll lose sleep. I’ll lose sleep because I am not so sure how she’ll react. The unknown and probably will be her losing her mind in class.

I thank you for your feedback and experience

 

[Katyusharocket]

I explained to her Pepper may be reactive she said it’s ok we will work through it.

@MichiH . You already got this and you got the trainer's help ahead of time. It's going to work out great! You are putting wonderful effort into your Pepper and are finding qualified guidance. You two will be a great pair and great ambassadors for Dobermans and their owners.

 

[Katyusharocket]

My biggest failure

I had been considering today, about posting the things I wish now that I would have done differently with Katyusha. Not to be hard on myself or Katyusha, but just so that 3 years on, I could share with both the more and less experienced. Simply to stir up good/ better advice.

Edit to say that she came home with me 3 years ago today at 6 weeks old.
The floor board her paw was covering is 2 and 3/8 inches wide.

 

[Ravenbird]

Oh my no, I didn’t mean to come off wrong. I mean it in I am right there in that same spot it is stressful and it is embarrassing.

Oh no, I didn't mean to make you feel like you said it wrong. I meant that all your worry and frustration and your crazy puppy WILL be laughable in the future! I promise!!! HUGS.

I’ll lose sleep because I am not so sure how she’ll react.

Remember this: It doesn't matter how she acts! It might be embarrassing and it might made you proud. I can tell you right now that except for her outbursts, Asha was by far the best puppy in her class. Seriously, worry less, make it a goal to have fun with your pup. And many many dogs do just fine at Petsmart classes, so don't think it won't work, just let it sink in when it's all done if you think it was a helpful experience.

 

[Ravenbird]

For tax, I looked up when Asha got her Star Puppy and it was on Feb 22, 2020. Just under 6 months. No pics of the class, but this was later that night. Note that at that age she is STILL dragging a leash in the house. That's how much of a pill she could be. And like everyone who ever saw her as a puppy said: "look at those feet!" LOL.

 

[MichiH]

Oh no, I didn't mean to make you feel like you said it wrong. I meant that all your worry and frustration and your crazy puppy WILL be laughable in the future! I promise!!! HUGS.


Remember this: It doesn't matter how she acts! It might be embarrassing and it might made you proud. I can tell you right now that except for her outbursts, Asha was by far the best puppy in her class. Seriously, worry less, make it a goal to have fun with your pup. And many many dogs do just fine at Petsmart classes, so don't think it won't work, just let it sink in when it's all done if you think it was a helpful experience.

I hate how things can come across on the computer/ texting! We’re on the same page about this that’s good Hugs

You’re right thank you for saying that I do need to worry less. I’m sure she was the best as she is incredibly smart and that’s how I feel about Pepper. She is smart, but has her outbursts. Like yesterday in our yard as she lost it towards the heeler. I was like darn this is embarrassing as the heeler paid her no mind

Thank you for your kind words and support. I think I’m walking in your shoes with a similar it pup

 

[MichiH]

For tax, I looked up when Asha got her Star Puppy and it was on Feb 22, 2020. Just under 6 months. No pics of the class, but this was later that night. Note that at that age she is STILL dragging a leash in the house. That's how much of a pill she could be. And like everyone who ever saw her as a puppy said: "look at those feet!" LOL.

View attachment 143713

Thats wonderful under 6 months too! So there is hope haha for us.

Currently Pepper is on her leash as well sitting in the kitchen as she tried to drag the table it’s connected to

She looks so big! Pretty girl! How big is she now?

 

[MichiH]

I had been considering today, about posting the things I wish now that I would have done differently with Katyusha. Not to be hard on myself or Katyusha, but just so that 3 years on, I could share with both the more and less experienced. Simply to stir up good/ better advice.

Edit to say that she came home with me 3 years ago today at 6 weeks old.View attachment 143714
The floor board her paw was covering is 2 and 3/8 inches wide.

Omg so tiny love her

 

[MichiH]

@MichiH . You already got this and you got the trainer's help ahead of time. It's going to work out great! You are putting wonderful effort into your Pepper and are finding qualified guidance. You two will be a great pair and great ambassadors for Dobermans and their owners.

Appreciate the kind words

 

[Ravenbird]

I had been considering today, about posting the things I wish now that I would have done differently with Katyusha. Not to be hard on myself or Katyusha, but just so that 3 years on, I could share with both the more and less experienced. Simply to stir up good/ better advice.

Hindsight is always 20/20! So much my dog taught me in such a short time and things I know now that I'd do different.

OMGeee, LOOK at that puppy of yours!!!!

 

[Ravenbird]

She looks so big! Pretty girl! How big is she now?

She was a big puppy, but she is a totally perfect size: 25.5 inches, stays between 65 - 69 lbs.

 

[Ddski5]

Hmmm…
Reactivity….

Both of mine had it, Ragnar much worse. His senses would heighten, ears up hard, hackles rise, a weird deep breathing followed with growl/bark- if not shut down, then all out pulling and lunging would commence.

1st and foremost, he had to learn that I was in charge and am the one who handles all situations. I am a firm believer that they can feel emotion up the leash. When I started with Ragnar, I was prob more reactive and emotional than he was…haha. Everything had to be right and I was not going to be known as having a crazy uncontrollable Doberman. So he definitely felt tension and anxiety up leash. That right there took time and experience on my part. Some professional instruction from DChat, YouTube, etc… helped us out but spending time and working with Ragnar is what really helped both him and me. He grew up learning my ways, expectations and movements and I gained confidence in both myself and him. Spending a shit load of time with him, I was able to learn his signs and signals and knew what he was going to do before he did it.

So puppy class, obedience class, rally, etc…are all good. They give you instruction on how YOU train/teach your Doberman. But time with him, time learning each other, experience on hand is the big game changer in my opinion.

So don’t get all caught up with being embarrassed, or he didn’t do this right or that, we had a bad day….the time and work spent is and will have an effect. He will get it and so will you, just keep working at it. It’s a step by step maturation process. You just about have to put you foot on each step and NOT skip flights of stairs to get to the prize.

 

[Ddski5]

My daughters take Freyja out some- walks, park, Lowe’s, etc…There is always an active conversation afterwards of how reactive she is towards other dogs and her guarded response to strangers. They do not hold Freyja’s confidence like I do so she feels the need to step forward and be their protector.

Freyja is hardly ever reactive with me anymore. Last time was 6months ago in Tractor Supply when a black guy with face tats and thick dreaded hair brought me some chicken feed from another isle. He turned the corner on us and she went insane. I’ve never seen Freyja go off on somebody in public. I was truly surprised and embarrassed. I apologized to the guy and he said no sir…not her or your fault, she was only doing her job- protecting you from an oncoming stranger. I was surprised that this young man had this point of view.

Problem was that my guard was down and didn’t expect this to happen with Freyja. I didn’t see it happen before it happened. This was a new strange look for Freyja. She knows black people but not the thick ‘Joker’ dreads like this guy had and he also had tattoos on his face.

Lesson learned- Always be aware and don’t let your guard down, even with Freyja.

 

[BG1]

+1 on DDski's suggestion on continuing training and socialization, learning to read the dog in front of you. We are always training- my teaching her, she teaching me who she is and that changes as she is only 1 yr old RN.

Bonnie has erupted in hackles up barking a couple times at strange people too. I put it down to being a puppy still learning- my job to help her interpret whats ok and whats not. I find keeping her in a heel or in a sit on heeling side, close enough to touch knee to her shoulder is how to reinforce I'm her first line of defence... and no need, not straining on leash.

Use the "introduction" in AKC CHC to teach how to say hello to anyone whilo wants to pet your dog:

Step-By-Step CGC Training in Your Home & Backyard

Even if you're taking CGC classes, It's important to work on training with your dog at home. Here are step-by-step instructions to prepare for the CGC test.

www.akc.org

"You are always training" is what I read and we practice, and keep it fun, not anxiety based.

Again, I am not a trainer, just some guy on teh innertubes, another dobie noob tryna stay one step ahead of my eager to please and smart pup, sharing whats working for us.

Pups go thru fear stages and sometimes its one step forward, two steps back...be calm and patient, go back a step to what your pup knows, reward for it, end on a win.

Take an online class, or buy dvds, if unable in person. Mike Ellis and Denise Fenzi are two names I have read are good. See the use of "play" in training, it turned the light bulb on for me.

 

[MichiH]

If I’m correct your dog is around 5-6 months? If so, and your dog is anything like mine. The train hasn’t even left the station. Buckle up haha

Yes almost 20 weeks

 

[MichiH]

Yes are you applying +punishment? I’m not saying you should be. That’s not something I would recommend to you with a dog this age, at least over the internet without seeing in person his obedience and your relationship.

Another question I have is how big are her reactions? Is it big booming explosive barking? Are there growls in there? Or is just regular dog barks and yipping?

When she barks I just aim to get her attention back to me.

Her reaction to other dogs is a big explosion, she tried to run at the one we saw yesterday. She’ll attenpt lunge and if we are far away enough she’s fine I can keep her attention on me and she won’t even look at the dog much.

I do think distance is a factor for her and size.

 

[MichiH]

So much good advice already said. I want to put big capitol letters on It's a Marathon. You are a long ways from home base, so just keep steady with it all. You'll be doing that 2 steps back 1 step forward for quite a while yet. It sounds like you may have an OK trainer at PetsMart, but if they cross over into any 100% PP FF stuff where they want to see you "let your dog make decisions", I'd have to say it's not worth it. Just hear them out, see how it goes and take it from there. If the instructor doesn't ask the clients with outrageous behaved puppies to get control of them, then the whole lesson will be out of control. My biggest failure was not walking out on training that wasn't helpful to my dog or me. My dog needed a leader and a strong hand and I kept being told that "she would come around and make the right choices". "Let her pull on the leash, just stand your ground and she will come back to you, let her make the choice". She didn't give a flying burrito if she choked or not and nobody but me could see that. Just sayin'.

I think you're doing great with her - way ahead of where I was with mine at 5 months. You will see better behavior as she matures, but between now and then, you will have triumphs and pit falls. Enjoy the ride and trust yourself and all these great comments.

Just seeing this now, I seem to miss a lot of comments.
Really appreciate this advice.

 

[Rits]

I do think distance is a factor for her and size.

Yes, this is called under threshold. When you are far enough away from the trigger that she can work with you and listen to commands. You ideally train there with the goal of being able to work closer and closer as you progress (over many sessions).