"vicious Doberman Pinscher In Cgc Class

[Carrie]

Last night was Lyric's first class in the Canine Good Citizen program. I was very tremulous about this first class, as Lyric has been displaying awful, aggression toward other dogs when on a leash or without, lunging, barking, snarling....totally embarrassing. Needless to say, I imagined him lunging at all the other dogs and wondering if this was a big mistake to throw him into the midst of a class without desensatizing him, but the trainer assured me that it would "all work out." Hmmmm had my doubts.

But I decided to go check it out and leave him in the car for a moment, as I arrived quite early. There were some dogs in fenced off areas outside. I took him out and walked him around this farm on his leash and up to the fence of these two dogs. There were a couple of dogs in kennels in the barn where the class was held, up in a loft. They were all barking. Lyric went next to the fence and started wagging his tail and sticking his rear up in the air. We walked around some more and he checked out some horses and was non-chalante.

Then it was time to go upstairs for the class and there were only 3 others in the class, as one didn't show up. It was a small area to work and we'll be doing it outside when the weather is nicer. We all chose a spot to stand while the trainer got things started with introductions and so forth. One dog was barking non stop, but friendly. Lyric just sat next to me and was as calm as could be. I thought someone must have slipped him a Vailium or something.

There was heeling around the room, all of us following each other. Then there was an exercise where two people stand facing each other at opposite sides of the room with dogs on our left. Then we walk toward and past each other, dogs heeling. We practically touch shoulders....that close. We get our dogs to watch us and keep going. Lyric was the perfect gentleman and paid no attention what so ever to the other dog. Then we'd switch partners so the dogs get used to different dogs. He was the same with the next dogs.

We did other exercises where the trainer and a couple of kids walked all over the place, right past our dogs, bouncing a tennis ball while we tried to maintain our dogs' attention and eye to eye contact. Lyric was better than ever at this. In fact, when we were all standing there while the trainer was talking to us.....at ease, dogs doing whatever, Lyric was lying next to me, looking up at me almost the whole time, even though I never asked him to. LOL.

And, as usual, he was wonderful with people, going up to the trainer and one other lady and asking if they had a cookie for him and nudging the trainer for a pat. LOL.

Boy, I was suprised at his behavior with the other dogs. There is something about the class situation vs. just being out in the world, I guess that puts him into this down to business, working mode. He isn't about to mess around when there's a job at hand. LOL. Now, if he can make this a habit, maybe he'll transfer it over into real life, non class situations. I gotta find some dogs to practice with around here, somehow.

So, while I thought there was a good chance that I'd have to leave and not partake in this class at this time, due to his protection device or aggression, or whatever it is, I was, needless to say, elated at his behavior last night...that he somehow knew this was not the time or place to be that way, that is was not necessary, that no threat was present and this was a normal, acceptable practice.....just like he probably remembers from his puppy days at kindergarten and puppy agility. (?)

[clraymond]

Congrats to your dog for doing so well! Glad things worked out for the best!

[IceyBlueSibes]

Congrats Carrie! And what a good boy Lyric! Give him a nice treat from me! Way to go!

[Ritz459]

Good boy Lyric!! I know how that feels to have a dog that is normally dog aggresive completly ignore other dogs. lol It is one of the best feelings in the world. (Ok, so maybe not the best, but it is a good feeling, just the same. )

[elegy]

that's awesome! good boy, lyric. i had quite a time with my very reactive dog-aggressive wild child, but she did end up passing her test on the first try, which i was absolutely thrilled with. i didn't expect her to ever be able to be close enough to a strange dog for the meet the stranger with the dog bit but she did just fine. go figure.

[WingedFoal]

Wow!! Congratulations to you and Lyric!! I'm glad it went so well!!!

[flyndog]

Yay Lyric...future CGC dog!

[Carrie]

Thanks you guys. This dog never ceases to suprise me. LOL. Today we met a dog on the trail way the heck out there in the middle of Grizzly territory. It was one long freakin hike. I'm tuckered. I mean way out. And who would have thunk it? Of course, irresponsible me had my dogs off their leash. Why on earth would I need a leash? Well, here comes this mountain man with a full beard and two walking sticks and a Chesapeak (sp) Bay Retriever coming along, of course, off leash too. Lyric ran up (no time for me to do much as we had come around a blind corner) and he and the dog sniffed for a second and I called Lyric to come, which he did. (again suprise, suprise) No incident. Whew!!!! That was a close one. Maybe his being off leash was less worry to him, plus not on his own territory (which isn't always the cause in Lyric's case) but I don't know. Plus that dog was not reactive at all. Maybe Lyric's not all that aggressive after all. Good heavens! That is a mighty rare occurance....never met a dog on a trail that far out since I've lived here.

[dollface]

Thats wonderful news Carrie you both deserve a pat on the back, wow I mean you and Lyric deserves a big juicy steak lol

Glad to hear that all went well

[IceyBlueSibes]

I've met a dog who has the same problem on leash too. I talked with the lady, but she still insists to have her dog offleash when she KNOWS he's dog aggressive (mind you, this is in a neighborhood with kids walking dogs etc.). He's gotten into a fight with Sheiba and Denali numerous times, and is making Sheiba become more dog aggressive each time. But one time, I was walking Lilly in the rain, and she had him outside of the leash. He ran over to Lilly, and Lilly stood her ground. He sniffed and didn't seem to mind her, but she said when he's on a leash, you can forget about him being friendly. But for some reason, he just does NOT like Sheiba and Denali. I think a lot of it is because he see's me take the girls on the skates, and they run past his house.

But so glad to hear Lyric is making your proud. He was just pushing your limits Mommy

[gaddylovesdogs]

Yay Lyric!

I know how that feels to have a dog that is normally dog aggresive completly ignore other dogs.

Me too . When Tippy behaves well around other dogs, I just feel like getting down, giving a huge hug and a big yummy treat.