Emma is learning how to walk on a leash better- she pulls for the first block an for exciting smells, but is getting the idea of 'heel.' Emma seems to be 90mph or asleep! When we get home, or are giong for a walk she is SO excited! She runs around, snorting with joy and wagging her tail. She wags so hard her feet come off the ground! Emma will wag in pure excitement if someone just looks at her on walks, no one is a stranger to this little girl.
Emma lacks some 'doggie social skills.' She prefers to ignore my alpha female (and my female prefers to ignore her too!). She isn't sure how to play yet- with other dogs (she sees it as an attack) or with people. We threw a ball and she ducked. Emma is slowing learning to pick up toys and how to have fun, but mostly she just wants belly rubs. On leash, she is very nervous about meeting dogs. Its a scary thing to be on a leash, and to be afraid that your going to be attacked! Emma needs a home that can teach her that she can approach other dogs and that all will be ok. She certianly isn't a lost cause! Emma is a very smart girl and already getting the idea.
Any time we approach a dog, we feed her lots and lots of yummy smelly treats. The idea is to have her associate approaching dogs with good things. We want to avoid her becoming fixated with another dog and that escalating to a reaction.
Some good sites that talk about how to help train a dog like Emma are - http://www.boxer-rescue-la.com/trainer/leashagression.htm
http://www.4pawsu.com/onleashaggression.htm
http://www.canineculture.net/leashReact.html
Emma is smart- when she sees another dog she is learning to look at us when we say 'watch' because she knows its time for a treat! We also will make her sit an stay as another dog passes. If she is pulling towards another dog, we do not let her continue -as that would be positive reinforcement for overexcitement at another dog. So- the goal is for her to learn to wait to approach another dog, and to become comfortable in the presence of other dogs on leash.
My dog was a basketcase when it came to meeting dogs on leash- she would lunge, growl, bark and spin in circles non stop! With lots of work (and exercise!) like above- we're now in obedience classes- on leash- with many other on leash dogs around. She no longer will bark at dogs and will sit/stay when I ask her to wait for dogs to pass.
Emma should be fed separately from other dogs- and we keep special treats like bones to the dog's crates as well. Emma will want to guard her food from dogs (we have had n oproblems with her waiting to guard anything from us. She readily gives up a treat/toy to us).
After a walk, Emma runs to her dog bed or crate, and just takes a nap! She likes to get on the couch - but we try to not let her (bad habit!)- she has fallen asleep, with her chin resting on the couch, just waiting for a pet. Emma is a big sweetie, a ball of love really. She will make someone really happy I think, she is a wonderful size at only 30 lbs, not too big at allif shew as allowedon the couch. She is a quick learner and just wants to please her people.
