.....with a dog trainer. Our four yr old coonhound, Max, is a good boy. We got him from the SPCA a bit over a year ago and he has done very well. When he first came home, he would snap at you if you touched his back end, pull your arm off when on leash and was a bit nervous of people. He is now a huge suck, loves to be petted anywhere, any time, by anyone (his tummy is always available!), doesn't snap and has come very far with walking on a loose leash (though a good smell is sometimes just too much for his hound-dog nose to resist).
Max knows basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, lay down, come and quiet. He doesn't always DO it on the first try, because he is stubborn, but he knows what we're asking and if you insist, he'll oblige. He is good with the cats, though there is sometimes a bit of chasing (which the cats goad him into)....but if he catches up, he just grins at the cat in question as if to ask "well, we're here....what were we runnin' for?". He loves his kitties and the kittens, especially Addie, love him back. He is not a licker AT ALL, but we've seen him lick her
One of his only big issues is he's not socialized with other dogs. He jumps around, barks and generally gets over excited most times he sees another dog. His tail wags like crazy and I think it's just excitment and not knowing how to behave......I don't think it's aggression, but I don't want to risk another dog without someone there to help me, at least a first. He's had good interaction a few times, but they're the exception.
So, we've made an appointment for sunday with a trainer to assess Max and either help him privately for a while or (fingers crossed) be able to accomodate us in a small obedience class.
I want him to be able to come with us when we go to places where there is a dog, especially since my mom just got her first dog. I want him to have doggy friends. So, can I get some "be cool and friendly" vibes for sunday?
Max knows basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, lay down, come and quiet. He doesn't always DO it on the first try, because he is stubborn, but he knows what we're asking and if you insist, he'll oblige. He is good with the cats, though there is sometimes a bit of chasing (which the cats goad him into)....but if he catches up, he just grins at the cat in question as if to ask "well, we're here....what were we runnin' for?". He loves his kitties and the kittens, especially Addie, love him back. He is not a licker AT ALL, but we've seen him lick her
One of his only big issues is he's not socialized with other dogs. He jumps around, barks and generally gets over excited most times he sees another dog. His tail wags like crazy and I think it's just excitment and not knowing how to behave......I don't think it's aggression, but I don't want to risk another dog without someone there to help me, at least a first. He's had good interaction a few times, but they're the exception.
So, we've made an appointment for sunday with a trainer to assess Max and either help him privately for a while or (fingers crossed) be able to accomodate us in a small obedience class.
I want him to be able to come with us when we go to places where there is a dog, especially since my mom just got her first dog. I want him to have doggy friends. So, can I get some "be cool and friendly" vibes for sunday?