Behaviourists are worth their weight in gold!

[TYS0NSM0MMA]

Hello all,
just wanted to send an update on Tyson and Sully. Initially when we got Sully him and Tyson did the dominance thing and clearly Tyson is the dominant dog then a few fights broke out where Tyson would "restrain" Sully. They stopped almost as fast as they started, then a few weeks ago they started again, after a few small tiff's (usually because Sully would just lie there) he figured out that he wasn't scared of Tyson anymore and basically said nuts to this and fought back... he ended up with punctures all over his head and legs from Tyson "defending himself" and Tyson ended up with scratches and a few punctures from "defending himself". I was so upset I instantly called a behaviourist that was recomended by the vets at work. He made an appointment immediately for us. Although he charged us a fair bit for the appointment he spent over 4 1/2 hours with us!

The really interesting thing was that what appeared to be Tyson not knowing that Sullivan had been submitting to him and it seeming to be dominance aggression was NOT AT ALL WHAT IT WAS! Nathan took our entire history including the events that occured with Sable and pieced together a history that I had never thought of in a way that Tyson would process it. It all came down to "Eye contact"

Tyson had been attacked by another dog who most likely used this eye contact to initiate the fight, then he was encircled by strange dogs by a total wacko trainer (I stopped the "trainer" before it got any further, thankfully and will not recommend her to ANYONE!!) to show that he was a "dominant" dog, then Sable would look at him and he would think it meant the same thing, so he would attack to prevent her from attacking..

So we have figured out that it is a specific eye contact, apparently it is difficult to fix but it is fixable. We ordered 2 spray collars (non scented) they release a burst of air and it brings both dogs out of the fight or the barking that leads up to the fight. We also have to install some plexi glass doors so they can see and smell each other but so they cannot hurt each other and when they are out they must be leashed and not allowed to come into contact with each other. We are to do 2-3 training sessions a day. Eventually we will be able to let them interact (with basket muzzles) still leashed but leashes dragging, so they cannot puncture each other, and eventually so they can be around each other knowing that behaviour is not tolerated.

His help comes with unlimited phone and email follow ups and help, he also agreed to buy the collars back should they become ineffective and we also purchased a follow up appointment in a few months to have him in to see the difference in how they are moving along.

Bottom line is that if we didnt have Nathan in, we would have ended up with not only Tyson having fear aggression, but Sullivan would have ended up with dog aggression. So I am sooooooo glad we had him in! Definately worth his weight in gold!

When in doubt get professional assistance.

Colly

[Indy B's Mom]

I agree with you. When we had signed Ty up for puppy school, we paid more to take him to a trainer who is also a behaviorist, just in case issues arise in the future. She cost double the other trainers, but I figured it would be good to keep using her for obedience classes and if we ever need her for specific behaviors, she will already know Ty. I wish you lots of luck getting your babies turned around and I'm sure that you will have them playing together soon.

[TexasTini]

I'm having the same issues with Abby and Sugar Pie. After reading your post, it just confirms that I "need to call in the troops" before things get out of hand!

The lady I talked to today said that sometimes dogs just don't get along and there is nothing you can do about it. It's kind of like people who, no matter how hard you try, just can't get along!

Glad things are working out for you.

[tesster]

The one we've been working with is an absolute gem. I don't know what we'd do without her! Our problems came down to eye contact as well and Conner not understanding body language and giving Tess her space.

It is taking time, but we're making a lot of progress. The method is a bit different in our case, but the goal is the same. We're using distraction and lots of positive reinforcement when the other dog is around to create a more happy emotional association between the dogs.

Wow! Isn't it amazing to learn how much communication is going on between them right under our noses that we didn't even recognize before???

Good for you! Good luck and just know that it's not going to change overnight, but slow progress is still progress!!!

Best of luck!