Rip's Girl

[Carrie]

Grace,

How is it going lately with Ripley? Are there any improvements or is there any sign that things might work out? I am thinking about you lately and the difficult turmoil you've been going through. Let us know how you're doing.

[Lil'Paws]

Yes, Grace please let us know.
I've been think about you today and wondering how you are.

[sheltiepups]

I've been wondering too.

[Rip's Girl]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your thoughts.

Ripley and I are sticking things out. I've been having some family issues and because of that Ripley has not been neutered yet. I NEED to get him in this month, it's been put off too long.. I'm broke but I'll find a way to pay for it if necessary.

Since I last wrote about it, Ripley has gotten better regarding his shrieking problem. He's still screaming at the top of his lungs on a daily basis, but now it is slightly less frequent. (I'm tryin' really hard to look for any bright sides to this.) I don't know if he's just getting tired of making everyone's blood curdle or if something I'm doing is actually working.

His aggression is still as strong as ever, he's gone after me a few times when I've asked him to do something that he doesn't want to. This is almost always "come".

He is doing a good job ignoring Dakota, now it's DAKOTA that is going after HIM! Dakota and Ripley are constantly separated now, because Dakota pounces on Ripley and bites at him far too often. And if I have something that interests Dakota in my hand, Dakota circles me, doesn't watch where he's going, and trips on/hurts Ripley. If Ripley walks by, Dakota nips at him. I'm sure a lot of this is in play, but it is frustrating for me. I'm trying to schedule more play dates with his BC friends but until I can drive I can't meet with people more than twice a week because they're about an hour away. (We meet halfway, usually, or whenever they are in my area)

Ripley is learning some new tricks indoors.. I'm using his meals as treats (he won't eat them any other way) and we're starting back up in basic at-home agility, just because it's something he loves, and it not only gives him a 'job' but it wears him out. A sleeping dog isn't an obnoxious dog.

I'll let you guys know when he goes in to get neutered. Thanks again for the thoughts.

[Carrie]

I don't know if he's just getting tired of making everyone's blood curdle or if something I'm doing is actually working.

LOL. Sorry...I have to chuckle. That's pretty cute. I bet it is something you're doing.

I'm sorry to hear that you have to keep them seperated. That has to be a big hassle.

That being aggressive toward you is not a good thing, is it. Have you implemented more than working for his food....more of the NILIF suggestions? Like....every single, solitary, little itsy bitsy thing that he likes he has to earn? No toys lying around for his use whenever he pleases....no pats on the head just because he looks like he'd like that, his own bed on the floor, no furniture...... instead he needs to perform a trick or a sit? In other words, if he wants to live, he has to obey a command from you? If you haven't, you might try turning up the speed on that concept BIG TIME.

It would hurt a little bit to have to think this way about every interaction with your dog, but it must hurt more (your feelings) when he comes at you aggressively.

Thinking of you....

(((hugs)))

[feinwerkbau]

SIGHZZZ...I know how difficult and troubling it can be emotionally.

If you're read some of my posts, I've had the utmost displeasure of knowing and dealing with some people who abandoned dogs in the middle of the nigh just because they didn;t have the patience, detarmination nor the inclination to identify and address the problem. Aggressiveness can be so complex, and sometimes, can be an ironical mixture of several causes.

Hang in there Grace; all our hearts are with you and let us know if there's anything you wanna talk about (I know I'm new here, but I guess it doesn't hurt to try helping...).

Keep yer head up girl!