OK, I think it is time to admit that I have bitten off more than I could chew. As long as I have been a positive dog trainer, I finally have gotten a dog I am struggling with. I want to think it is because I am not as young anymore and that my health has depleted over the last several years. With that said, here is my dilemma: I adopted a 3-yr-old St Bernard/Lab Mix (though she looks more like a Saint), thinking I was going to get a fairly laid back dog (because of the St Bernard). However, that was far from the truth. She has proven to be VERY, VERY hyper, i.e., she goes absolutely wild whenever I return home, and whenever someone she knows comes to visit. By this I mean she runs around in circles, runs wildly through the house, is pushy (this is really bad because I have three grand-daughters ages 5, 4, and 3). She is so bad she knocks them over and pushes them. I also have to watch her closely because when they run and scream or are just playing, she seems to get very stressed, i.e., the excessive panting, ears back, see the whites of her eyes, and I have to remind her where her place is (I also have taught my grand-daughters to respect her and how to treat her). I cannot tell you how many bruises I have gotten from her nails on my feet when she tears around the place. I have tried using treats to motivate her into learning a calm mood but that has not been successful because she is not very food motivated (she is picky), and I cant use toys because she is OBSESSED with them. She has learned that she must sit before the toy is thrown. Cant use the toys because when they are used she can do nothing but FOCUS on the toy instead of me and what I am trying to convey to her. Walking on a leash is practically impossible for me--I am disabled (cant stand for to long or walk to far without my walker) so she can easily pull me over. Dont know what I was thinking I could handle this--maybe if I was younger and healthier, it wouldnt be so bad. I am not one to give up on any dog, so rehoming her is out of the question--only as a last resort. Can ANYONE give me ideas on different methods I can try to calm her and help with the loose leash walking? I have been involved with therapy dog work for 18+ years and really wanted to train her well enough that she could be my therapy dog--but at this rate, it doesnt look like I will be seeing that happen. Thanks to anyone who can advise me.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 14:36:37 +0000
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