Help, Bella attacked Amber

cakana

akyramoto82

 I have been contacting trainers, but there are not many in this area, and the ones I contact either do not respond or have moved from the area.

http://www.therightsteps.com/contactinfo.htm

This is the place we used and Cindy (the owner) is who we met with. We went to her training site in Orangevale, so it's not too far for you. She had us bring both of our dogs and she observed them together and then interacted/played with them separately. I think we were there for about an hour and she shared her thoughts with us but then followed up with a long letter outlining her thoughts and recommendations. It was very worthwhile.

I'd never heard the term "predatory shift" until recently but I'm curious what exactly it is. Maybe I can google it and get more information but if anyone has any links they can share, I'd appreciate it.

thanks, I've looked at that site before - but it was for Zoey.( def going to consider sr. puppy class for Zoey) I'm going to pass this on to my BF. Sounds like I'd just have to email her and ask her what she recommends - I would assume a group environment would not be correct.

akyramoto82

I know that we can't 'train' this out of her

I dont expect my dog to like every dog he sees on the street (specially if they are aggressive towards him, then he just ignore them). But if i decide to bring another dog into MY house then he must accept the new dog. Of course i can either make it hard for myself or easier with the proper introductions, socialization and a dog that matches my dog

In my house my dog has to follow my rules and i dont even need to be aggressive towards him to make him understand, in my house there are no fights, in my house whatever i bring will be accepted. My dog cant choose in situations like this, just like he cant choose if he will pee inside or outside the house, just like he cant choose to chew my shoes or not.

This is no predatory behavior whatsoever, no the way she reacts towards Amber, Bella is clearly angry and predatory behavior does not include anger. Anger clouds the mind and reduces the chances of success catching the prey, a predator cant be angry at the moment of hunting

I've seen obedience champions that are awful at home so not because the dog knows all the commands on the book that means is a balanced dog

akyramoto82

cakana

akyramoto82

 I have been contacting trainers, but there are not many in this area, and the ones I contact either do not respond or have moved from the area.

http://www.therightsteps.com/contactinfo.htm

This is the place we used and Cindy (the owner) is who we met with. We went to her training site in Orangevale, so it's not too far for you. She had us bring both of our dogs and she observed them together and then interacted/played with them separately. I think we were there for about an hour and she shared her thoughts with us but then followed up with a long letter outlining her thoughts and recommendations. It was very worthwhile.

I'd never heard the term "predatory shift" until recently but I'm curious what exactly it is. Maybe I can google it and get more information but if anyone has any links they can share, I'd appreciate it.

 

thanks, I've looked at that site before - but it was for Zoey.( def going to consider sr. puppy class for Zoey) I'm going to pass this on to my BF. Sounds like I'd just have to email her and ask her what she recommends - I would assume a group environment would not be correct.

Usually, trainers do not include dogs in group classes that have damaged another dog with a bite.  Obviously, there's a liability issue there in terms of their knowledge of the incident should the dog commit a similar act against a classmate's dog.  But, in some cases, such dogs can attend "Rowdy Rover" classes (they may ask for muzzling).  You just have to ask, or seek out such a class.

As to predatory drift, here's a brief article describing one aspect: http://blogs.dogtime.com/go-dog-training/2009/02/what-is-predatory-drift

For a better understanding, you could order Jean's DVD: http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=dtb888

 I talked to my puppy class trainer last night & got a referral. I emailed the trainer she referred, so we'll see if we can get a consultation. I'll let you all know what happens.

Thanks.

 Still watching the thread and got everything crossed for you and Bella and Amber... I hope it all works out!

Chuffy

Still watching the thread and got everything crossed for you and Bella and Amber... I hope it all works out!

Ditto.

Chuffy

Still watching the thread and got everything crossed for you and Bella and Amber... I hope it all works out!

Me too!

 Hey everyone, just a quick update. I found a trainer who will come out and evaluate Bella, gave all the info to my BF. nothing has happened yet. I'm starting to realize *I* have to do this, or else Bella is going to live out her days in the back yard alone ( except when Zoey is with her). I even suggested to my BF 'how bout you put Amber in the crate for awhile & bring Bella in', Nothing happened. She hasn't gone on a walk ( either has Amber, this is another issue I've had in the past with my BF), hasn't really had any quality time with either of us. I do spend a little time with her outside, but right now I'm pretty much concentrating on Zoey.

I'm kinda frustrated that I'm learning about how to help Bella ( reading 'click to calm' right now) and researching trainers etc, and he's not doing anything :(

So I think tonight, I'll put Amber in a crate, and bring Bella in to be with us in the house. She does sleep inside ( the house) in the crate, but the max of 'indoor' run around time she gets is 10 min, if at all. Then its all outside.

I'd be frustrated too, very.  Poor dog is suffering being isolated but I understand how you are feeling.   I do hope you start bringing Bella inside for a few hours.   

 Um, crate and rotate doesn't mean one dog stays isolated all the time... To be honest, it would probably be kinder to find her a new home as a solitary dog than to reject her like that.  Maybe you could have a chat with your boyfriend about what's really best for all the dogs, and try to give each one of them some quality time with both of you. 

 It must be very frustrating, but don't be too hard on him.  There are mixed feelings after an attack like that, and whereas you can come here and work through them, I doubt he has talked it through with anybody.  Guys aren't normally good at that kind of stuff..... expressing their feelings and all that jazz.  Sometimes I think maybe they aren't even so adept at identifying those feelings as most women, because they just recognise they feel cr@ppy and don't probe the wound any deeper than that.... but sometimes it ends up in them lashing out or distancing themselves or what have you.

I agree that she would be far better off carefully rehomed than just rejected, but I would talk to him first....  Just to see if he sees this as a long term solution for her (spending so much time outside), and/or if he stills feels kinda bad towards her for what she did.

Good luck, whatever happens.

spiritdogs

 Um, crate and rotate doesn't mean one dog stays isolated all the time... To be honest, it would probably be kinder to find her a new home as a solitary dog than to reject her like that.  Maybe you could have a chat with your boyfriend about what's really best for all the dogs, and try to give each one of them some quality time with both of you. 

 I agree too. I let her hang out in the house this morning ( put Amber outside), Bella had a blast. her favorite thing to do is drag herself on her belly across the carpet with her legs sticking out straight behind her. She'll do a good 10-12' doing that. 

Ya I need to talk to him. We've been having some issues between us lately, so I feel like he doesn't want to *deal* with anything right now. But its not fair. He either needs to make time for both of them, or one needs to be rehomed.

akyramoto82

But its not fair. He either needs to make time for both of them, or one needs to be rehomed.

Yes...a agree 100%.   Its just not fair to Bella...and she certainly doesn't understand why she is by herself...not to mention I kind of would think that might even make her worse if she feels she is being abused.

 Surprisingly the BF took Bella for a walk yesterday after work, maybe he's reading this thread LOL