ACD mix is super hard to train, please help

[blackaria919]

Recently my boyfriend and I decided to adopt a dog. The dog we adopted is an Australian Cattle Dog Mix she is mixed with border collie and pit bull terrier. The problems we are having with her is; one she has separation anxiety. One of the trainers we hired helped with that somewhat. We have had her for one month and 1/2 now and she is 8 months old.

Two she has no dog socialization skills what so ever. She only has one dog friend.(the dog she gets along with; that dog's owner seems to be very annoyed with my dog. Yes my dog can be very obnoxious.) Everyone she meets human or animal she tries to dominate or control. Every time my boyfriend and I get up or walk around our apartment she is up and following us.

Three she is a high energy dog. We try to exercise her 40 mins walks 5 times a day. Every time he or I take her on a walk she pulls really really hard. He uses the gentle leader when he walks the dog. I use the dog back pack with two pound weights in it. During the walks if she see another dog she goes nuts and tries to get at the dog. So we will try to introduce her to the other dog with the owners permission and most of the time her body becomes stiff, the hackles on her neck raise and she will constantly hop on their face or back. Even when the other dog gives her a warning to back off. It's become a chore to walk her now because there are so many dogs in our area and every walk we encounter them. My boyfriend will grab her by the neck like the mother dog does. (one of our trainers recommended it.) I will pick her up.
(she doesn't like being picked up and it works on keeping her from barking or lunging at the other dog.) Since most of our walks are used to correct the dog she doesn't get a lot of exercise. We tried running with her and she thought it was a game and would not concentrate on the run.

Everything I have found on ACD's says they need 120-200 mins a day of exercising to be healthy and happy. Also less destructive.

Problem four; she is a very friendly dog and loves people that isn't the problem the problem is that she jumps all over them. Most people do not like dogs that jump on them. I don't and she is my dog. The dog trainers said that was a sign of dominance and so did Caesar Milan on one of his shows. When we try to correct her she does this strange growl. She will not listen to us.

Problem five she is very easily distracted by anything and will not listen to us at all during walks or anytime she is outside.

We have spent over 1000 dollars on training with no real results. One of the trainers said by the of the training sessions we could have her off leash and that hasn't happened. Any recommendations, ideas, or assistance of any kind would be very helpful.

[squashynose]

I'm not even gonna attempt to answer this one :rolleyes: Just wanted to let you know I wasn't ignoring you :p

We have quite a few people experienced with such behaviours, and I'm sure some will be along soon, who can give you some sound advice. :)

[blackaria919]

I'm not even gonna attempt to answer this one :rolleyes: Just wanted to let you know I wasn't ignoring you :p

We have quite a few people experienced with such behaviours, and I'm sure some will be along soon, who can give you some sound advice. :)

:D No problem! I just hope for some help soon she is driving us nuts!

[Wiztherewoz]

I think you're fantastic for being so dedicated to your dog!! Good on you! She is so lucky to have found you guys.

Have you considered getting a treadmill for her? Maybe if you could get her running on that for a half an hour before you try to do some training with her, she may be more responsive and less hyper?

[blackaria919]

Thank you so much for the input Wiztherewoz,

I've considered the treadmill option unfortunately we haven't found an affordable one yet. The average price I've seen is 4000 dollars and my boyfriend doesn't want to spend that much money on an object if we are not 100% sure it will work in correcting her behavior or training her. If I can locate a second hand it I will try it!

[Wiztherewoz]

I'm in the same boat, I want one for my psycho dog too. If I get one before you, I'll let you know how it goes. ;)

[Macawpower58]

All the breeds making up your dog are working dogs. They are also high drive, very active dog. You've got a challenge on your hands. She also seems (by your description) to be fairly dominant, resilient, and sharp (or nervy).

For now I'd stop taking her places where you can not control her. I'd also start on a daily training regimen, and introduce her to NILF. I'm going to hazard she has a very good toy and/or ball drive. Use this for training. Dogs work best for rewards. Use a toy/tug/ball for her reward. Keep this one item away from her except during training.

NILF (nothing in life is free) is a way of life. No longer does the dog have free rein. Now she must work for everything. Sit for dinner, down for going outside, a command for every and anything she wants. She wants pet? She must first earn your attention, no more demanding it. You are no longer her servant, her built in ball thrower, or automatic tummy scratcher. She now must learn to wait in a sit while you go through doors and up and down stairs first. She in no longer allowed to bash her way past you.

First build her desire to get this toy. Tease her with it, make her dive at it as you swing it about in a circle. Make her miss it. Suddenly ask for a sit. Did she sit? If so tell her 'good!' and make the toy active again. This time allow her to 'catch' it. Play a short game of tug. If she did'nt sit, no 'catching' the toy, return to teasing her. Ask again for a sit. Even a little movement towards a sit will work for now. Her reward for the sit is 'catching' the toy. Playing tug was icing on her cake. Beware of nipped fingers while teaching this new game. Buy bandaids.

This game teaches her to focus. Focus is the foundation of all training. She wants that toy, and time will have her doing anything to get it. Use this toy drive to teach her simple commands. Reward instantly and you'll see quick results. You'll teach her out a little later if she doesn't know it now. You can also use food the same way, but for very active drivey dogs, toys and the tug game work much better.

I've only given you the very beginning steps to training. This is the method many police, tracking dogs, search and rescue, drug dogs trainers, dancing dogs, agility dog trainers use. It works.

You'll eventually (with toy along) ask for her attention during distractions, other dogs or people. The toy will help you teach her a happy and attentive heel. She will give you focus and compliance, and you'll pull her toy from your pocket and reward her. The toy will change her, and your life.

This is the easiest way to train your type of dog. Let me know if she has no play/toy desire. Then you'd have to go with another method.

[Kkye]

Brilliant. Honestly, I really learn alot from you.

:)

[blackaria919]

Thank you so much I will try this first thing tomorrow! Thanks again for the help. :D
All the breeds making up your dog are working dogs. They are also high drive, very active dog. You've got a challenge on your hands. She also seems (by your description) to be fairly dominant, resilient, and sharp (or nervy).

For now I'd stop taking her places where you can not control her. I'd also start on a daily training regimen, and introduce her to NILF. I'm going to hazard she has a very good toy and/or ball drive. Use this for training. Dogs work best for rewards. Use a toy/tug/ball for her reward. Keep this one item away from her except during training.

NILF (nothing in life is free) is a way of life. No longer does the dog have free rein. Now she must work for everything. Sit for dinner, down for going outside, a command for every and anything she wants. She wants pet? She must first earn your attention, no more demanding it. You are no longer her servant, her built in ball thrower, or automatic tummy scratcher. She now must learn to wait in a sit while you go through doors and up and down stairs first. She in no longer allowed to bash her way past you.

First build her desire to get this toy. Tease her with it, make her dive at it as you swing it about in a circle. Make her miss it. Suddenly ask for a sit. Did she sit? If so tell her 'good!' and make the toy active again. This time allow her to 'catch' it. Play a short game of tug. If she did'nt sit, no 'catching' the toy, return to teasing her. Ask again for a sit. Even a little movement towards a sit will work for now. Her reward for the sit is 'catching' the toy. Playing tug was icing on her cake. Beware of nipped fingers while teaching this new game. Buy bandaids.

This game teaches her to focus. Focus is the foundation of all training. She wants that toy, and time will have her doing anything to get it. Use this toy drive to teach her simple commands. Reward instantly and you'll see quick results. You'll teach her out a little later if she doesn't know it now. You can also use food the same way, but for very active drivey dogs, toys and the tug game work much better.

I've only given you the very beginning steps to training. This is the method many police, tracking dogs, search and rescue, drug dogs trainers, dancing dogs, agility dog trainers use. It works.

You'll eventually (with toy along) ask for her attention during distractions, other dogs or people. The toy will help you teach her a happy and attentive heel. She will give you focus and compliance, and you'll pull her toy from your pocket and reward her. The toy will change her, and your life.

This is the easiest way to train your type of dog. Let me know if she has no play/toy desire. Then you'd have to go with another method.

[pipsie71]

Hello. We have had a bad separation anxiety problem with our puppy Tilly. We spent a lot of money on a behaviourist and the night time training is coming on very well, but the daytime training progress is somewhat slower. May I ask what methods you are using for the separation anxiety. We also would like a treadmill but like you cannot afford one and my husband also says that we have spent so much money already, so we are trying to give Tilly as much exercise as possible ( about 2 hours per day). Maybe we can exchange tips? All the best to you, I understand what you are going through. Pip

[blackaria919]

The trainer we worked with worked for woofs (a dog training center in Virgina). We used the create for the training. Since she followed us all over the house we brought the crate into the living room and put a comfortable mat in the bottom and every time she walked into it we gave her a treat and pet her. Once she was comfortable with the crate, we moved it into the bedroom. Then we would leave her in the room with the fan on(for white noise) for 20 mins at a time. The dog will bark but you cannot rush into the room to calm them. They will learn that if they bark you will come. (Similar to babies.) Once she stopped barking (I remind you this took one week before she got used to it.) We put pickles in the create for 30min intervals. But before the create we took her on a 40 min. walk. When we left her we said we will be back. We came come we took her on a walk immediately.
We also worked on having her not follow us all over the house.
We tried leaving her home outside of the crate and she destroyed the house.
I attached some pdf's for you.7889

7890

7891

QUOTE=pipsie71;337573]Hello. We have had a bad separation anxiety problem with our puppy Tilly. We spent a lot of money on a behaviourist and the night time training is coming on very well, but the daytime training progress is somewhat slower. May I ask what methods you are using for the separation anxiety. We also would like a treadmill but like you cannot afford one and my husband also says that we have spent so much money already, so we are trying to give Tilly as much exercise as possible ( about 2 hours per day). Maybe we can exchange tips? All the best to you, I understand what you are going through. Pip[/QUOTE]

[FredsMom]

I have to say it is FANTASTIC that you recognize your dogs high energy needs and are doing what you know to help with that.

Becky gave you NILF. It really is the smartest thing.

I basically skimmed everything so sorry if this has been repeated, but like NILF, everything the dog does has to have a purpose. So While walking her as often as you do is absolutely fantastic, you need to add mental stimulation in there.

You have a dog with AMAZING gifts. Can I suggest introducing her to discs (frisbees). This helps with both exercise AND mental stimulation. If Keeper (purepred BC) doesn't go out for her disc training at least once a day she is psychotic.

As for the whole she barks at dogs when you're walking her and goes nuts. The best advice I can giev toward that is just training techniques. Do you have any friends with dogs that will be willuing to lend you ahand?

Go to a large park or a large open space. Start with just your dog. While you walk her, keep her favorite treats (some cooked chicken off bone works wonders) and work on getting her to pay attention to you on command. Hold the chicken at your eye level and use a command word such as "Watch!" Basically get her to sit and then look at your eyes. As SOON as she does this treat and praise her. The idea is for you to take her attention from whatever she's fixed on and get it on you asap. You can also use a whistle for this. If you want to use a whistle start in the house. Whistle and treat her immediately. When she puts the whistle and treat together start using it in different areas of the house. Whistle and as soon as she comes to you (and sits, looking at you) treat her. Remember to always treat the dog as SOON as they do the behaviour you want.

When she has learned to focus on you at command, bring the other dog in. Keep BOTH dogs on leash and walk them parallel to each other but keep a nice distance between the two o fyou. Whenever she starts going for the other dog (pulling, barking, etc) give your "WATCH" command (blow the whistle with the treat where you want her to look and give it to her as soon as you have her attention). Keep doing this at a distance until she can walk calmly with the other dog there. Then slowly start wakling them closer and closer to each other repeating the same steps (Whistle or command and treat). BTW I would chose either the whistle OR the command, not both at the same time. It is less confusing for the dog. And I suggest an actual whistle, not just whisteling yourself since the prior is louder and more direct and constant.

Eventually you shouold be able to walk her around the other dog. This would help withs ocialization as well. Now, you can start walking her out in public. bring the whistle and treats with you and use the "WATCH" command whenever she starts acting up. Try and catch it BEFORE it happens. Like do it beore she has a chance to react. If you see another dog coming before she does, get her to WATCH you before she can react to the dog.

Hope that helps!