update on barkbusters

the lady came out today from barkbusters, really good, i have my dog and cat in the same room now, they really do know there stuff, really happy with my Bruno, he such a fast learner

That's excellent. Glad to hear you received good help from them

Great stuff what kind of advice did they give ?

Yay, so what have they taught you? Could help other members

to use a water spray and growl at them when there do something bad ie, chasing the cat, jumping on the sofa, jumping up at the side in the kitchen, Bruno stopped doing it right away, he seems more relaxed, you have to praze them too when they are good, it works, now i have a happy house, i'm sitting down on sofa without Bruno trying to jump all over me and the cat is sitting on the other chair, iv spent 3 weeks keeping them apart, i'm still on high alert just in case, but so far so good

Long may it continue Xx

thank you he is a really lovely dog, just glad someone has pointed out my flaws too, she showed me how easy it is to spoil them and showed me how to be the leader of the pack.

dvise is always great especially when they can see a situation Xx

I suppose the growling works the same way as a no would? I prefer the 'no,' personally, because growling when you're not a dog can be misinterpreted by the dog. But I'm still glad it's gone well and that the trainer pointed out your flaws too, because a lot of it is down to the owner (we all need a bit of help)

Tara wrote:I suppose the growling works the same way as a no would? I prefer the 'no,' personally, because growling when you're not a dog can be misinterpreted by the dog.

Same here. Also, the 'pack leader' thing is outdated and based on flawed research, so i wouldn't worry too much about that.

But it's good to see you're making progress!

I wonder if the water spray thing will work with agression to postmen and parcel deliveries. Densil can see them coming before we do (can turn up anytime of the day) and he goes absolutely berserk jumping up at the door. I have to shut him in the lounge if I need to open the door for a parcel and he is still jumping up at the lounge door. May try this one out, although when I thought about using this method because he was having panick attacks at the traffic on his walks, I was told not to do it as it was a form of punishment and I needed to give him treats instead.

not going to use the water spray too much just because he is scared of it, i'l only use it if he goes after the cat, i only have to show the bottle now and he backs down, bless him

Glad to hear your making progress, keep up the good work

Glad it's going well

densil wrote: May try this one out, although when I thought about using this method because he was having panick attacks at the traffic on his walks, I was told not to do it as it was a form of punishment and I needed to give him treats instead.

Never use aversive techniques on fear based behavioural problems - it's likely to make it much worse!

Caryll wrote:

densil wrote: May try this one out, although when I thought about using this method because he was having panick attacks at the traffic on his walks, I was told not to do it as it was a form of punishment and I needed to give him treats instead.

Never use aversive techniques on fear based behavioural problems - it's likely to make it much worse!

Absolutely. I wouldn't use aversive training methods at all. I know you had success here but do you really want your dog complying because he fears you using the water bottle on him?

Aversive training methods are unnecessary and ruin your relationship with your dog. As Caryll says, "Leader of the Pack" stuff is so outdated and flawed. Modern, science based methods are the way forward.

I do not reccomend them at all - so many people have used them, followed their 'advice' and then had to return dogs to the rescue they got them from or try and rehome them.

NEVER growl at your dog if they are doing something wrong.

thank you for that, think i'l find a different training method instead, and take him to classes, last thing i want is this dog turning on us or getting rid of him, coz he is a lovely dog and really sweet and loving, i wouldn't want to change that.

Consistency and patience is the key.

Whenever the cat's around, watch them like a hawk & step in before anything happens. Work on other commands such as the "watch" or "leave" commands & make sure they're 100%.

I checked out barkbusters also for training, saw so much negativity about them on forums. basically about their methods, growling, using water balloons etc. Plus they are not on the APDT register.
We are going with The Tailwagger Club and are starting with one to one training as we are not sure how good she would be with other dogs around. She is now 11 months old. We have had her 5 months now, but her behaviour is getting worse.
The lady who does the 1 to 1 will use her own dogs to help with socialisation to begin with, then hopefully we can move on to group sessions.

he don't care about the water bottle no more, so it didn't work for long, now he thinks the water bottle is great fun and catches the water in his mouth lol bruno has gone backwards and started chasing the cat again, but i think he just wants to play with him, but my cat ani't having any of it, its like a mad house some days

Fingers crossed peace remains

We have experience with Bark Busters with our last dog and they taught us to growl (well its actually like a gruff sounding BAH!) Are you guys saying that this is the wrong approach and that we should be using NO? We've had Bella for two weeks and out of habit myself and OH are doing the BAH whenever she does the wrong this - jumping up at us/the couch, coming into the kitchen, going into areas of the house she's not allowed.

Are we better off saying NO! Its very hard to get out of the habit. I would prefer not to make that noise. We had heard that Staffords need a firm and so thought this was the way to go but would like to know if we are wrong at this early stage?

Lisa

Hi Lisa, it doesn't matter what noise or sound you use. It is only to break the dogs concentration and get it to focus on you. I use a 'Shhh' noise. Its more the way in which you use the sound. In this case the noise is used as a precursor to a punishment. Instead you should use a sound when they are misbehaving and then give them a more positive/alternative task to do to which will stop them doing the negative behaviour. I use the 'Shh' as a concentration breaker then call the dog and get it to watch me, then give it a little task like fetching a toy or sitting and staying and reward it for the task with a treat or praise. They will soon learn that when they hear that sound an opportunity to earn a reward is coming!

Nosipho wrote:Hi Lisa, it doesn't matter what noise or sound you use. It is only to break the dogs concentration and get it to focus on you. I use a 'Shhh' noise. Its more the way in which you use the sound. In this case the noise is used as a precursor to a punishment. Instead you should use a sound when they are misbehaving and then give them a more positive/alternative task to do to which will stop them doing the negative behaviour. I use the 'Shh' as a concentration breaker then call the dog and get it to watch me, then give it a little task like fetching a toy or sitting and staying and reward it for the task with a treat or praise. They will soon learn that when they hear that sound an opportunity to earn a reward is coming!

This sounds great...we will try this. Thanks
I honestly hate doing it, sometimes I feel like I'm doing it for an hour straight but to get her attention and than get her to do another activity sounds great!

L