Animal behaviorist
- Thread starter devenny99
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flashyfawn
New Member
Her number is 301-384-3900. You'll probably have to leave a message but she will get back to you quickly. The appointments are expensive but well worth it. I can't believe how much better my dog is now. I wish I had done this sooner! Good luck with your dog.
TurboK9
New Member
Does anyone know of Marsha Reich the animal behaviorist and how I may get in touch with her? If not her, are there any other animal behaviorists in our area and how may I get in touch with them?
In the past most of the behaviorists I have talked to and worked around haven't left me to impressed. However, I've read some of Marsha's writings and citations in various articles, and she takes a very common sense, observation based approach. She does not follow blindly to popular (and often incorrect) theory. Were I to need to hire a behaviorist, she'd be the first local I'd consider. I'd give her a call!
May I inquire as to what issue it is you are having to deal with?
I have a pit bull/boxer mix pup (around 10 mos now) who is becoming very aggresive about his food and about other things as well. He bit a golden retriever pup in dog training on Monday on the ear (wasn't as bad as it appeared) and the trainer and my husband could not get him off. I'm just worried that things will only get worse if we don't do something about him now. I really don't want to have to get rid of him. He was a rescue but I am beginning to suspect that this was a similar issue. We also have a lab/hound mix who barks a lot. I've tried using the bitter apple spray and a squirt gun but it doesn't make a whole lot of difference to her. I really don't want to have to get rid of her either. I really need some serious help!!
TurboK9
New Member
10 months old is old enough to start OB training. That alone can make one heck of a difference in a dogs behavior... as an example, my male Dobermann got out of the house a few weeks ago when my 5YO opened the door while a strange dog was in the front yard. He started in on it, a couple nasty bites, but recalled back into the house when I called his name, as soon as I knew what was up.
What you are describing is rampant among pet owners, primarily because people discount the importance of serious training. You have to control the dog, particularly w/ large potentially dangerous breeds. Once in the mix, it can be very difficult to seperate even highly trained dogs. Our actions make it worse, yelling and shouting and pulling at the dog will only increase stress and usually cause the dog to bite harder rather than let go
. They are simple critters, the solutions are easy more often than not, it just takes a bit of time and a counselor who knows dogs.
You'll get her fixed as long as you listen to the right people.
And no, I'd toss the bitter apple and water bottle straight into the garbage... even if it worked at home, it's not like you'll be taking them with you on walks every day for the rest of the dog's life.
Personal opinion on training here: If you consult with a trainer, I personally shy away from anyone who practices 'extremes'. IE "purely" positive, OR purely negative. Dogs need balance. They need rewards, AND consequences. 23 Trophies for OB and PP over 3 years says my opinion is valid
Just like kids, imagine raising a child and never punishing the child at a level it understood... Brat, right? Good luck!
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My husband and I have been trying very hard to raise these two pups. We have taken them to puppy training and are now taking them to the basic training class. We are working with them at home and I've been using some of Cesar Milan's ideas in order to train them in the home. I'm just having a hard time with the barking of one and the aggression in the other. That's why I need an animal behaviorist.
TurboK9
New Member
You'll get it eventually. Personally I'm not a huge fan of CM's after watching his dogs drag him down the road on a walk, LOL. What happened to heel? There are a lot of people better than he, CM just got lucky by having the opportunity to train Will Smith's dog.... He can't take a dog beyond 'pet' level training, not that there's anything wrong with that, but...
Anyway, good luck.
10 months old is old enough to start OB training. That alone can make one heck of a difference in a dogs behavior... as an example, my male Dobermann got out of the house a few weeks ago when my 5YO opened the door while a strange dog was in the front yard. He started in on it, a couple nasty bites, but recalled back into the house when I called his name, as soon as I knew what was up.
What you are describing is rampant among pet owners, primarily because people discount the importance of serious training. You have to control the dog, particularly w/ large potentially dangerous breeds. Once in the mix, it can be very difficult to seperate even highly trained dogs. Our actions make it worse, yelling and shouting and pulling at the dog will only increase stress and usually cause the dog to bite harder rather than let go
They are simple critters, the solutions are easy more often than not, it just takes a bit of time and a counselor who knows dogs.
You'll get her
fixed as long as you listen to the right people.
Good luck!
WHY?
I've never heard of a "violent" dog. What exactly are you saying?
TurboK9
New Member
Why what? That's like asking 'How long is a string'. Can you be just a wee more specific?
Long-time lurker coming out...
I am not a certified behaviorist, but have been training for over ten years, and specialize in aggression rehabilitation. I agree with Turbo K-9, aggression begets aggression. Corrections will only teach your boxer/pit that if anyone's around his food, he'll have to really guard it, because people (or dogs) coming close will make bad things happen. You will have to counter-condition him that others approaching his food will make good things happen, then work on desensitizing proximity.
Meanwhile, your lab/hound just needs basic training using vocal control. I've known some dogs to run away and bark, when they see the squirt bottle! Spray bottles are management, meaning they are managing the situation, but not solving the problem. It becomes a crutch; that's why I never use squirt bottles.
Some dogs are too sensitive to use heavy-handed techniques on, and boxers and pits are high on my list. (I have a pit myself...) However, they are people pleasers, and do what works= easy to re-train.
Feel free to check out my website, Training by Julie, or contact me privately and I can give you the names of some people who may be able to help.
Hope this helps,
Julie
I am not a certified behaviorist, but have been training for over ten years, and specialize in aggression rehabilitation. I agree with Turbo K-9, aggression begets aggression. Corrections will only teach your boxer/pit that if anyone's around his food, he'll have to really guard it, because people (or dogs) coming close will make bad things happen. You will have to counter-condition him that others approaching his food will make good things happen, then work on desensitizing proximity.
Meanwhile, your lab/hound just needs basic training using vocal control. I've known some dogs to run away and bark, when they see the squirt bottle! Spray bottles are management, meaning they are managing the situation, but not solving the problem. It becomes a crutch; that's why I never use squirt bottles.
Some dogs are too sensitive to use heavy-handed techniques on, and boxers and pits are high on my list. (I have a pit myself...) However, they are people pleasers, and do what works= easy to re-train.
Feel free to check out my website, Training by Julie, or contact me privately and I can give you the names of some people who may be able to help.
Hope this helps,
Julie
TurboK9
New Member
At last, someone who focuses on positive reinforcement for the right reasons, LOL. It is unbelievable how many 'positive only' enthusiasts have looked with disdain upon my prong collar or ecollar and stated "Why do you have THAT on your dog?"
I then have to explain that my dogs are trained to protect the family, and thus I need the assurance of a wee little extra emergency brake just in case somebody close by does something exceddingly stupid. Like, oh, say, questions my training methods, LOL. I never recommend the average shmoe use such tools because in the wrong hands it can really screw up the dog, but when you know how to use them they can work miracles.
People also don't seem to understand that the presence of a training collar does not mean an absence of positive reinforcement. They are not mutually exclusive... *sigh*
Hey Julie! You up for putting on the sleeve and working my "babies"?
S
samt2008
Guest
I can give you a personal recommendation of Julie's skills.
I had a great experience and learn something new every time I speak to her.
I had a great experience and learn something new every time I speak to her.