halfthewords Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 (edited) Hey guys. Just wondering if anyone has a good trainer recommendation in the Sydney are? (I'm on the Northern Beaches. Willing to travel if needed.) I have an approx 5yo staffy/terrier who has been fear aggressive since the day I adopted him. I've had him for three years in May, and while I've done extensive rehabilitation with him (he can now be touched by people other than me, no longer bites, etc) that has taken up most of my spare time...but he has still come probably 70% good I would say. He has developed a wind phobia and he is terrified of doors slamming, shutters on windows. He is fairly good with people now, so long as they kneel down and introduce themselves to him veeeery slowly. He likes my family, best friend and girlfriend but not enough to take food off them, or be walked/picked up by them. I have used my other dog, a really confident Min Pin, to get his confidence up in dealing with people. That so far has worked, but I feel I'm out of my depth now. He has been abused very badly and unfortunately his fear is a product of that. I have tried all I can think of. I would like to be able to walk at normal hours during the day (he is frightened of joggers, bike riders, kids, etc) and take him to agility and obedience - heck, even just down to the local cafe without having to worry he will bite someone! He is totally normal with me, has a great, loyal, loving personality, but he is just awful with everyone else. Ideally I'd like a trainer experienced in rehabilitating abused/fearful dogs because he has had enough damage done to him without someone who uses forceful methods. He is very submissive, not dominant at all, respects me as the pack leader and all of that, so he definitely understands his place in the world - it's just his past that's holding him back. Any ideas? EDIT: He also had a major storm phobia that has thankfully gone away with the Thundershirt and a bit of training to help him cope. The Thundershirt isn't working for the wind fear, it's a totally different ballgame to the thunderstorm phobia. Edited April 17, 2011 by halfthewords Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Steve Courtney without a doubt. He is k9pro on here. http://www.k9pro.com.au/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Dr Joanne Righetti from Pet Problem Solved is in the Northern Beaches, I think. I like her. She's held in high regard by anyone I know that has had anything to do with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 (edited) Another vote for Steve Courtney from K9 Pro. He's very good. Edited April 18, 2011 by Diva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Dr Joanne Righetti from Pet Problem Solved is in the Northern Beaches, I think. I like her. She's held in high regard by anyone I know that has had anything to do with her. Is she a veterinary behaviourist? k9pro is highly recommended here on DOL and has extensive experience with aggressive dogs. I know a few other behaviourists on the lower north shore and northern beaches but I am not really sure if they regularly deal with severe fear aggression. PM me if you want details though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfthewords Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 Thanks guys. I called around to a few places today, including Dog Tech. Will write an email to K9 Pro ASAP. Steve sounds like the best option at this point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Dr Joanne Righetti from Pet Problem Solved is in the Northern Beaches, I think. I like her. :D She's held in high regard by anyone I know that has had anything to do with her. Is she a veterinary behaviourist? Nope. She has a zoology degree and a PhD in dog behaviour, I think. And some kind of qualification in counselling, which seems eminently sensible to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winterpaws Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Steve Courtney from K9 Pro :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 No dog tech!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfthewords Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 No dog tech!! Just finished reading some old threads around here about them - don't worry, I won't be doing it!!! I was recommended to euth by one of the trainers I used a few years ago. :D Yeah right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Another vote for K9pro. He will give you lots of backup after the consult too, so not as expensive as you initially think considering the help you actually get. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Another vote for K9-Pro. He has saved so many dogs that had problems similar to yours - really can't recommend him highly enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Another vote for Steve :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainy Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Steve Deffinatly !!!!!!! His Results are truely amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickasyoucan Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 Steve at K9Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 Please let us know how you get on - will be reading with interest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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