I rescued a male black lab mix from a very abusive home back in August

he was a wreck when i got him and he's come a very long way
we've built his confidence up alot and he's very comfortable around me, my roommates, my bf, and some people he's seen a few times. however, despite taking him with us to petsmart, the lake, and for walks he's still really nervous around strangers. especially guys. he wont walk thru the room if a stranger is there.

he's okay with other dogs. (we have 5 in the house). just a little nervous around strange dogs but he's not aggressive at all. he's very submissive.

i've worked with him on some basic obedience. he's got sit down pat and working on down ad stay. he's decent on a leash. just shying away from strangers.

he's around 6-8 months old now and i'm thinking about enrolling him in an obedience class. i'm just wondering how much it could really help. he's not really food motivated. he just wants attention and praise. i want him to be comfortable around strangers.


what places would y'all recommend? pros/cons, costs, location

thanks

1/12/2006 1:42:04 PM

I know this isnt doggy obedience class but take him to a doggy day camp. That is what we did with my golden she loved the other dog she had at home but was scared around strange dogs. So we brought her to doggie day camp w/o the other dog we had at first she was nervous but now she loves all other dogs.

1/12/2006 1:45:22 PM

sounds like you just have a good dog

mine's a stupid fucker that wont stop jumping on anyone he encounters, and he randomly loc's out and runs around the house chasing the cat who he chews on

dont say its not enough exercise, I run the fucker until he drags his tongue every day


you lucked out

1/12/2006 1:52:04 PM

if you want him to be comfortable around strangers, you have to get him around strangers. obedience classes will just teach him commands.

take him to petsmart, dog parks, etc..

1/12/2006 1:57:50 PM

^ (hi Rob) we go to petsmart about once a week
and go to lake johnson once a week (weather permitting)

we have a huge fenced in yard that he runs around in

i might try the doggy day camp.
i just worry about leaving him with strangers. he balks and is petrified to follow someone he doesn't know.
maybe if i send him with one of the other dogs he'd be more willing.. having a buddy there


i had 3 other dogs, oldest being 5, and have worked with rescue orgs so i'm not clueless. i've just never had a dog that took this long to come around. and i realize he may never come around.
he did really well for the first few months but hasnt progressed much since.

i want to go to the dogpark but i've never made it there - the lake is so much closer

[Edited on January 12, 2006 at 3:55 PM. Reason : thanks]

1/12/2006 3:52:17 PM

the dogpark would be good because you can let him loose and let him socialize with the other dogs on his own.

we take ours to petsmart all the time to get him used to listening when there is a lot going on.

1/12/2006 4:58:02 PM

ohh yeah,

hey d.


talked to fins the other day. i heard a story.

1/12/2006 4:59:59 PM

what story?

1/12/2006 5:00:31 PM

I did clicker training with my german shepherd/lab mix with Teamworks Dog Training in Raleigh, and I really liked it. They are all about positive reinforcement and were very patient with us. We took a group class that had about 6 or 7 other dogs ranging from a corgi mix to an Irish wolfhound. I would definitely recommend them, but if I were you, I'd call and ask what class/type of training they would recommend for your specific problems.

1/12/2006 6:43:04 PM

i also has a chihuaha/beagle mix "Tyson" - little over a year old.
we did puppy class - he was too much of a spaz and hasnt retained anything - good for socializing though...
he's still a freak. tons of fun but sometimes a "little shit"

i'm thinking about trying to double enroll them. my bf wants to go. the lab mix "Bo" has taken to him well so he could work with him in the class and i could work with Tyson.

Bo learns quick, is just very shy. meanwhile Tyson is not shy in the least, thinks he can boss around any dog (like our 120lb Ridgeback), and has NO attention span.

I have 2 other dogs - they're fine (older). i worked with them myself. but would like to apply some stuff i learn with these guys to them (if applicable).

i'm gonna talk to someone at Petsmart and call ^ Teamworks Dog Training.

thanks for the advice.. and if anyone can recommend another place let me know

BO



Tyson

[Edited on January 12, 2006 at 6:53 PM. Reason : j]

1/12/2006 6:50:29 PM

http://www.dogtrainingraleighnc.net/

[Edited on January 12, 2006 at 10:31 PM. Reason : wtf]

1/12/2006 10:30:36 PM

i'm starting the canine good citizen class with my puppy next month at teamworks... an hour every wednesday for 7 weeks: $119...

1/12/2006 10:33:40 PM

dog disobedience classes

1/13/2006 2:16:30 AM

Team works has a "fearful fido" class that is for this kind of behavior. Taking him to petsmart once a week might help but he will not get the one on one behavior modificiation that he needs. I took a foster dog of mine to this and it changed him dramatically. It is like $110 or something like that but they give discounts to rescued dogs. I highly recommend going there or to Bon and Clyde dog training in Sanford. Doing doggie daycare might help some but it will not train you how to handle his fear. good luck

1/14/2006 7:33:15 AM