phantomreptiles

So it's been six weeks...I have learnt ALOT in that time! She is still with me... The older dog was instigating fights due to jealously, I completely misread the situation! Mistake No One The cats she is fine with, she just didn't realise she is bigger than them Mistake no two - she wasn't taught any better, is now. We have gone back to the K9 bridle, which she is accepting well. Mistake three - trying to overpower her The shock collar she wears, when walking, just for vibrate to get her attention back to me. We do clicker trainer, and vibrate is a last resort:) She is walking well, we have completed the last three walks with no lunging, (me using the term NO). Mistake four - not praising when she was good. (I just expected it) We have done a lot of work and spoken to a lot of people, who all have varying opinions, I took what I needed from those opinions and combined them into something that works for us. The mailman is because of hypersensitivity to the motorbike, unlikely to change that quickly. But we have placed the rubbish bins around the mail box, to ensure the safety of the postie. The lawn mower man, she tried to nip again, but he is giving off the wrong vibes and is a stranger, (despite him being a vet, I don't like my lawn mower uneducated;)) It's been a lot of hard work, time and effort, but we are both getting there. And yes she IS/WAS worth the effort.

Hopefully this turns out, as my first time uploading a picture..

Yes I can, and I will do so! She is with me 24/7, I have unfortunately made a decision to use a shock collar on her, purely to make sure my pets are safe. I have not and will not use it for anything else! But piece of mind, knowing I can break up a fight is invaluable

Yes I realise that, but I wish to exhaust every avenue before I make a decision. Of course if she injures one of my pets, the decision is easy. But we haven't come to that yet...

Thanks everyone, I'm awaiting an appointment with a dog behaviouralist, as dog trainer was not the way for this girl. Unfortunately her behaviour has escalated and she has attacked my 11yr old staffy x twice for no reason. She is starting to stalk my cats as well... I will not have her hurting my pets, and time is limited for her now. Unfortunately euthanasia is in the table

Hi, most of you provided some great tips and advices on my leash reactive pitbull. Thank you:) But since then I have seen a dog trainer, (who was great) unfortunately my dog behaved like an angel there, so I think the trainer thought I was balmy:(. I did however employ all her tips and advice, but my dog is no better, I appreciate things take time, so have left it for a few weeks. We do varying routes, I have tried on her own and with a non reactive dog walking with her. Currently she is walked with a pinch collar, (we used a martingale at the trainers, trainer aware I use a pinch) as this is the only way I can hang on to her (and yeah I'm not small). When she becomes focused it doesn't matter what I do. My poor dogs neck is becoming very red and sore:( I'm doing what the trainer suggested, I'm watching my body language, I'm trying very hard...I just want to have a walk without having blisters.... Helpful advice only, no comments on pinch collars (they are legal where I am) and used appropriately Thanks in advance, from a very frustrated & fed up dog owner

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions:). I have booked an appointment with Craig Murray training school and we will be going out there on Monday

Diva, what would you call it? I wasn't sure how else to describe it? I am located in Brisbane, I contacted Justin Jordan and never got a response. I have contacted a couple others tonight so hopefully get some responses tomorrow:). The thing is she can be so sweet, and is currently lying on my bed with a cat licking her face! I'm being very careful with her and appreciate the ramifications if she did bite someone. I also understand the illegalities of having this breed. She wasn't sort after for her breed, but rather an adoption through a private facility that could not put her through the normal adoption channels due to her breed. She was signed over as she escaped all the time. I work in the veterinary industry and have done so for 16 years, so not a complete fool, but obviously dog behaviour is a very complex subject that many of us, myself included, don't have a thorough understanding of, beyond the basics..

Hi, first time poster, been an observer for three years. I own an 11month old, female de sexed, pitbull, had her for five months. She lives with a 11yr old staffy x and two cats. She is with me pretty much 24/7, both dogs come to work with me. I'm at my wits end...She is VERY leash reactive, which unfortunately is escalating daily. I've tried varying the route, ignoring the behaviour, positive reinforcement, waiting until she is calm, refocusing etc today was the worst - hence my post, it was all I could do to hang onto her, absolutely could not refocus, or get through to her today. I'm talking salivating, shaking, high pitched barks an absolute prey drive response. Trialled a halti, check chain, martingale and currently using a prong collar. I'm aware of my body language and ensure its not an issue. In general as she is getting older she is becoming more reactive, I no longer get junk mail as she will leap at the fence trying to bite. She has nipped my lawn mower man once, I keep her in the house when he is due now. She can also be cage aggressive when at work, this can be a problem as it's an environment with a lot animals coming and going, though some days she will be ok at work. We do plenty of mental stimulation which she enjoys and does well. Walked daily, has a large yard and plenty of rotated toys. Perhaps it's my fault as I don't correct her barking or growling when strangers come near the house, I'm just concerned that her behaviour is getting worse each day, despite boundaries and routine. She is ok with familiar dogs as long as she is off leash, so I get its the fight/flight response. My fear is, if she gets off leash whilst in that frame of mind, what will happen... Sorry for the long, fragmented post but am writing things as they come to me.