Dog Community

help i need advice for jacob!

Posted : 6/12/2006 3:57:18 PM

so we went to woofstock this weekend and had the privilege of meeting with world famous trainer gillian ridgeway.... she saw jacob and spoke with me. saying i should get him to a behaviourist asap to get over his 'fear'... and his 'past' because he seems so uncomfortable. she also said that it must be hard to be him.. and that he must be giving off a weird vibe to other dogs.. -> thats why he gets attacked... ummm anyway its $90/hr to see this behaviourist.. do u think i should meet with her.. (the session is 2 hours) and she will come up with a course of action for me to help him get over his fears? do u think i should do this.. (so expensive!!!!) or am i a bad mom for thinking i can just help him ... or avoid his scary situations?? ummm let me know!!

loveukaykay

Posted : 6/12/2006 4:32:47 PM

Awww hes so sweet!!! Im sorry I dont have any experience with that sort of thing, hopefully someone else can dirct you on what to do here...

Carol Olah

Posted : 6/12/2006 5:02:23 PM

I havfe heard that behaviorists can charge up to $500/hr. In that case, $90 would be a bargain. I would check into a guarantee.

Debbie R

Posted : 6/12/2006 5:25:37 PM

I think for your happiness and his, you need to see this behaviorist. The first thing that came to my mind was that Jacob wasn't being polite and that's why the dogs bit him, how old was he when you got him? and has he been socialized before you got him. Yvonne you don't have a little poodle there. You need to get this in check for both of you now. He can't be happy like this he wants to play w/ other dogs and doesn't know how. You need to read some books also, The culture Clash is one and hopefully Anne S will be along and give you some great puppy ones. I think you should do it though, it will save you so much grief later on.

By the way I just want to kiss him all over his face!

Lexi

Posted : 6/12/2006 5:58:01 PM

If it's an expense that you can afford then I would consider doing it. The point was made that maybe he's sending some odd signals during play that the dogs are sensing at threatening. A behavoirist could help with this. However, if it's something that you CAN'T afford don't beat yourself up over it. Just read as much as you can about the subject and be very observant.
If it continues then you may not want to take him to the dog

ark anymore, but only set up one on one playdates with him and doggy friends that you know he can play safely without him getting hurt.

I think Jacob is a DOLL! Good luck!!

inne

Posted : 6/12/2006 6:52:09 PM

I was at Woofstock too! So many beautiful dogs everywhere.
If it was me, I would see the behaviourist because it could lead to such an improvement in Jacob's quality of life. But if you can't afford it, I'm sure there must be books that must be able to help you guys.

yvonne kai

Posted : 6/12/2006 7:51:50 PM

i got jacob at 6 months.. he is almost a year now. and he was not socialized at all before that. hes always wagging tail but also nervous whimpering when he sees other dogs depends on the dog. i think older dogs he is great with, its dogs that are younger, tails docked.. its different triggers. i think u guys are right. i should go and talk to the behavourist he is really a good dog and it must be hard for him to live in fear!!

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 6/12/2006 9:26:45 PM

I agree, if you can afford it, go to the behaviorist. If he's happier, you'll be happier, I think. BTW, I'm a charter member of the Jacob fan club. He's a living doll & that smile is to die for.