Obedience School Recommendations? (melbourne), for a dog that suffers from social anxiety Options

[jaybeece]

Hi there, just wondering if any of you can recommend a professional dog obedience school that can offer private lessons for a dog with social anxiety problems?

That or a behaviouralist if anyone has had a good experiences with one.

[Erny]

What suburbs/location in Melbourne? Eg. South Eastern? PM me if you prefer. Would like to know more details re "social anxiety" so can recommend if behaviourist/private consult is best, or whether classes would be best. Can help with both. Perhaps a combo (ie start with private and carry through, when things begin to improve, with classes).

This post has been edited by Erny: 9th May 2006 - 05:41 PM

[Bindie]

See http://www.australiandogtraining.com.au, they have training schools all over Melbourne and have an onsite behaviouralist at each training session and offer private lessons. My dog goes to their school in Flemington and I find them great. Or you might like to try a behaviouralist that will come out to your home. That way your dog is in a place that it feels comfortable in during training.

[Erny]

See http://www.australiandogtraining.com.au ..... I find them great. Or you might like to try a behaviouralist that will come out to your home. That way your dog is in a place that it feels comfortable in during training.

This is who I was going to recommend, Bindi . I agree that, depending on the issues, a private consultation with a behaviourist might be the first best step. JB - if you have any questions, don't hesitate to PM me. Apart from being a trainer and behaviourist in my own right, I train for ADT.

[KismetKat]

I saw this post earlier with no replies, and had no time (as I was cooking dinner) to post 'hey, find Erny!"

Jaybeece, erny will steer you in the right direction. What sort of pooch do you have jay?

[Erny]

I saw this post earlier with no replies, and had no time (as I was cooking dinner) to post 'hey, find Erny!"

Jaybeece, erny will steer you in the right direction. What sort of pooch do you have jay?

KK - thank you for that. I'm flattered and honoured.

[haven]

While you are on the ADT site be sure to check out my dog Loki in the FAQ section

[SpikesPuppy]

My mum's just started at ADT at the Melbourne Showgrounds with our rescue dog (who's rather, um, not bright? She's an odd cookie...). So far they've had 3 lessons (plus the introductory session) and there's already been a change in Iko's behaviour, not a huge change but it's there

[jaybeece]

thanks for the responses guys.

I don't mean to break up the ADT party, but when I called them up earlier in the year they didn't give me a great deal of confidence about how they would deal with my dog. I'd prefer to negotiate on training methods based on the individual dog, rather than be given a "cookie cutter" solution that they seem keen on.

I'm sure that ADT is probably a great school, but surely there are others in Melbourne as well??? What about behaviour specialists?

This post has been edited by jaybeece: 10th May 2006 - 07:25 AM

[shoemonster]

I don't know about behaviour specialists but how bad is the anxiety?

We had a dog start early this year who would growl and snap aggressively at any dog, and cower away from people

Just last week I saw the same dog, come up sniff me and my staffords, and though still shy I commented to the owners, had they exchanged their dog for another one, i couldn't believe the difference, just from going to classes every week and the dog experiencing being around so many people, and they were wrapt as well (as they would be)

Have you been to any schools? How old is the dog?

Oh I go to Southern in bangholme

I love it and others here do too, I would reccommend visiting different schools when classes are on and watching the classes for yourself first

http://www.geocities.com/southern_obedience/ if you want to have a look

[yogibear]

For behaviour try Debbie calnon shes a vet behavouristup Okliegh way i believe i havent used her but have heard good things and been to talks by her as for lessons depends on where you are if the dogs anxious maybe one on one would be the best start then try a group later a goodtrainer will be able to arrange dogs to work with when the time comes Deb would be able to reccomend a trainer in your area also try www.k9 events there are a list of trainers there Where in Melbourne are you


I wouldnt do the club thing until your have things sorted and your dog is relaxed

[jaybeece]

I don't know about behaviour specialists but how bad is the anxiety?

He's very anxious in unfamiliar environments. He'll shake, lick his lips and will lunge at other dogs. He'll also lunge at people if their body language makes him uncomfortable. There is very little aggression involved, he just doesn't appear to know how else to express his anxiety.

Have you been to any schools? How old is the dog?

He's currently at an obedience school and is fine there for the most part. He's been going there for some time and has mostly positive associations with it, although he will lunge at other large dogs when he's feeling insecure. When he's focused on obedience he'll ignore them.

He's about 15 months old.

Oh I go to Southern in bangholme

I love it and others here do too, I would reccommend visiting different schools when classes are on and watching the classes for yourself first

http://www.geocities.com/southern_obedience/ if you want to have a look

I'm in the eastern suburbs so this place might prove hard to get to, I'll keep it in mind though.


Yogibear- I'll look up Debbie and see what she has to say. Thanks

[yogibear]

cool must track down her contact details so if you find them can you pm them to me so i can save them

Sounds like your doing a great job already and have the right idea hope you find what you are looking for i'll ask around today and see if i come up with someone

[petal79]

jay, if you do get to speak to Debbie, can you give an update, etc? I am interested to know how she is or how she deals with it.

I have to admit that I my dog has a similar problem and at the dog training school I dont feel like I have enough support.. and would like to look at other avenues..

Thanks!

[jaybeece]

jay, if you do get to speak to Debbie, can you give an update, etc? I am interested to know how she is or how she deals with it.

I have to admit that I my dog has a similar problem and at the dog training school I dont feel like I have enough support.. and would like to look at other avenues..

Thanks!

No worries. I'll try to make the time to call her today and find out basic info like her methods, costs, etc.