Shiloh

Good to see I am not alone! Well, turned the dremel on today- Shiloh stayed as far away as possible! I will just be really gradual- get him used to the noise, give him something extra special when the noise happens so to help him change the association... baby steps.

Thank you for your solid, practical advice. We will take it slow and steady! I'll update with our results in a week or so...

Let me preface this with.... I screwed up. To continue.... I have a bouncy, healthy Vizsla who, at 11 months old, has not really had his nails clipped. Firstly, I was advised by my vet that his nails did not need to be trimmed, that they would wear down naturally. Well, they didn't. He spends a lot of his time on grass, not pavement. The next bit of advice was to walk him on pavement for about an hour a day, but not to cut into his play time (which is two hours a day). I have not been able to fit in the extra hour, unfortunately, AND... I did try to do his nails once. He bled like a stuck pig and now panics any time I have attempted it since. I have a Dremel (thinking I could grind them lightly), which I attempted to use today, that sent him into a pretty panicked state. Has anyone else screwed up like this and been able to eventually convince your dog they need a trim?

A quick update- met with a fantastic dog trainer who reassured me that I had a happy, confident, ACTIVE boy- in other words, a typical male Vizsla puppy! She introduced me to a few ideas which have worked beautifully so far. For example, I am making him work for his food all day long- there is no food bowl down, I reward the behaviour I like and ignore what I don't like. He has quickly caught on - I am suddenly far more interesting, and he is showing lovely behaviour. We are also walking him early in the morning and then again late afternoon- he had daily exercise before, but not as routine... I think he is calmer during the day because of this exercise, but also because he is constantly "working" on some level all day for his food and is stimulated by that. Thanks for all advice and guidance!

Sidoney, Just got it and replied. Thank you.

Sidoney, This is going to sound silly, but it's after he's been aggressive with me. It's like he is saying "I don't like you and don't want anything from you". The aggression hadn't started til after the vet visit. Just have to insert here that I just fed him and made him sit and stay- he stayed for the five seconds until I released him! He really is a clever boy. Ginger, I met the mum at a show, but not the dad. The breeder breeds for temperment and were recommened to us for that fact. I actually have not spoken to the breeder, I feel like I've goofed up raising the gorgeous pup they gave us and am too embarrassed.

Sidoney, I am in the inner west. I have taken him to Balmain Veterinary Hospital where the vet looked him over before his 2nd shot- he has an umbilical hernia but the vet said it should be fine until we give him the snip at 6 months and then he would fix it, but that if it enlarged to give him a call. It looks the same size and if we touch it, for example pop it gently back in, he has no sensitivity about it. His stools are good, he drinks a decent amount and eats pretty well, and is full of life and generally happy. He has never shown aggression to anyone but me, gets on well with other dogs, loves people, etc. So the problem is me.

Poodlefan, I must be stupid- I bought the perfect puppy over the weekend and devoured it. Twice. I have been using those techniques.... I really need someone to see what I am doing and tell me where I am going wrong, because I am trying everything that I can. The only thing I can think of is that my lack of confidence has shaken him as much as me. As for rewarding... can you reward too much, so that it loses it's appeal? He will sometimes do something good and refuse the reward, even if he hasn't eaten recently.

Poodlefan, Thank you. When he gets mouthy I redirect him with a toy or say "Off" now. I pick him up for a variety of reasons, but he obviously has made a negative connection to me picking him up; from this afternoon I will not pick him up. I'll try to call him, but if that doesn't work (as he doesn't listen as well when he acts aggressive) I put a lead on him to get him to follow. Don't know if that's right, but I need him to move either into his crate for bed, into/out of the car. If calling him doesn't work, or trying to motivate him with rewards doesn't work, do I have any other options but putting a lead on? I am not pulling hard on the lead, he just starts doing "the right thing" after I put it on. I thought leaving him on the couch after he's gotten on it and it's against the rules indicates to him that he's in charge?? Can I say how confusing this all is?? I am desperate for the behaviourist to get back to me!

I have been referred to someone by the Vizsla club who is supposed to be fantastic with Vizslas, but I have have to cross my fingers that she has time for us as she is excellent so therefore in demand. I am sad, but he really is a good dog in all other ways- he just needs me to get help in understanding what is going wrong. ;)

Well, I spoke too soon. He is growling low and baring teeth again when I try to pick him up. I don't think it is a pain reaction. Certainly need professional help with this. I have just sin binned him, only because I don't know what else to do when he acts aggro with me. This is the first time I have done so since the initial incident.

Just an update.... our pup seems to be warming back up to me- I am using positive reinforcement and a bit of puppy massage or "calm" hands. I took him to the park and he consistently came to me when I called in spite of other more interesting things going on. I took that to be a good sign, as he had a "smile" and his tail was wagging when he got to me! We are still avoiding sin binning him for now- he hasn't really done anything worthy of it, and I am shy of initiating that punishment again. The NILIF idea seems to engage him as well- making him sit to come in from doing his business, a sit-stay for food, sit for a cuddle, etc has been working out too. They are things we did before, but now applying it more consistently and consciously. I will still have a chat to a Vizsla friendly trainer to ensure I am training myself properly just for my own peace of mind, but the many positive suggestions from this board already seem to be having a good effect. Gratefully yours!

You guys are great- SO glad I found this board! In answer to the submissive position, it sounds like it was an alpha roll.... we haven't used it on him, or the sin bin technique, for a few days. I've contacted the Vizsla club and received a great email full of information- it is such a relief to know that we are getting on the right track.

Oh isaviz, boy do I feel stupid. He has an umbilical hernia....I could be straining that, although I usually pick him up supported front and back. By now he probably senses my own fear that I am not training him right and that makes HIM afraid of my lack of clear leadership.... The sinbinning was advised for persistently harrassing my son until my son inevitably got hurt from a nip on the ear, scratched face, etc. Perhaps this was normal puppy behaviour and my son was too sensitive. We as a family are incredibly inexperienced dog people, but we all want to live up to our gorgeous pup- I am sending out feelers for a different trainer and may get someone to come to the house to educate the family and also to let us know what we are doing wrong, right, etc. Thank you for the responses.

PGM, He would submit after being put into a submissive position, but he never growled or went for my hand until after we adopted this and the sinbin technique. He only does it to me, and it is not an every day kind of thing- only if he does not want to be moved. He is generally a beautifully behaved dog, but full of energy and kinda "picks" on my son. We all make sure to go through doors first, make him stay for his food... Sidoney, I will got to the vizsla site- thanks for posting that.