Frustration aggression.

[Lauren]

We went to our herding lesson today. We go about once every two weeks. It is pretty much the highlight of both of our weeks. BUT my little girl (7.5 months now) is getting increasingly frustrated that I won't just let her go grab a sheep.

Her LEAST favorite time is when she is waiting her turn. She barks and lunges at the ring. So I move her further away until she can stop freaking out then I ask her to sit or down and still watch. Then she will jump up at me and grab at my arm/chest. I tell her no, i give her a tug on the collar, or move into her space and give her the look and she backs down, But in a few minutes she does it again.


Today when i was in the ring with her and the sheep I asked her to down. She sat, as I put my hand in front of the line of vision to ask for a down (fist closed position). She did lie down, but also grabbed (and immediately released) my hand. It was not hard and did not even leave a red mark, but it was deliberate. I popped her muzzle. She gave, but continued to work the sheep.

She also does this with the instructor, but it is more of a so frustrated that we are not letting her grab the sheep that she jumps up and grabs her arm, like "come on!" The instructor gets in her face and yells at her and Xena immediately does the so sorry puppy thing. She assures me that this will settle down as soon as her frustration and excitement subsides, and that this happens with high drive dogs. Some even draw blood till they get themselves under control .

There is no doubt that Xena has some of the highest drive around sheep that i have seen and the instructor loves it. She said she would much rather work on harnessing this than having to constantly call the dog back or remind her why she is there.

Any ideas on how to keep this from escalating while we work on our self control????

[CaroleBoaz]

You know, as I was reading this, it seemed like you were describing every Border Collie I ever saw at herding lessons. So, if the instructor isn't worried, I don't think you should. Though, I think our dogs are more likely to get frustrated and "remind" us of it. Don't forget she's really young still and still going through those annoying puppy stages.

[wahinelf]

This sounds like the whole first 4 months of me having Ellie. My problem was (and is) that the more she acts out the more frustrated I get...which is obviously a rookie mistake.

I force Ellie to face away from whatever she is focusing on and then I go through the paces with her - obviously motivating her with treats. I think it sounds like more of a problem with her outside of the ring, if your instructor likes that high drive in the ring...
Just sounds very Dutchy puppy to me.

[leih merigian]

The instructor gets in her face and yells at her and Xena immediately does the so sorry puppy thing.

I'm sorry, Lauren, but that going into the sorry puppy thing is just too familiar and funny. My almost 20 month old still uses that when she knows she's done wrong (and, yes, it usually involves the mouth...)

I'd work on the time when you're waiting for your turn. I'd have the most high value treats you can possibly get, maybe something extra special that she only gets at this time...work on simple things far enough away from the ring that she's not activated...perhaps a little tug reward as well (altho that sure isn't calming; it will keep her more focused on you, tho )

Your instructor is so right; it's a good problem to have! (sounds like you've got a trainer who knows what she's doing, and that alone is worth gold pressed latinum...)

[Marjolein]

why not crate her untill it is her turn? She gets SO excited waiting and watching, sounds like she might be easier to work with if you just go get her and get to work immediatley. I would find her too young to be sitting there all relaxed waiting her turn... why create this excited stage? She will be much harder to reach/contact. But it's hard to judge from behind the pc ofcourse...just my

[Dutchringgirl]

I agree with Marjolein on this one. Doing Ring, we would crate them, we did want them to build up the frustration so they would have a good bite, But since Xena is young she may not be able to maintain her composer enough for the wait.

How far can you park from the work area? When I did agility, some people would be able to park close and keep the dog in a crate in the car until it was their time. I also found that the more OB work I did during the week the better Thalie was waiting her turn, she was older though than Xena at the time.

[Lauren]

I guess that I shoud be happy that my little "lanolin breath" is REALLY into her sport. Friends there keep teasing me about "good thing you got the LOW DRIVE pup of the litter..." (that is what I asked for )

During the clinics I would have time to crate her, but during our semi privates there is only time to tuck her in a crate that is ringside. At least I wouldn't be battling the bite, however. I really do see her maturing in lots of other areas so I suppose it is just a matter of time before she is able to handle this.

I will also up the ante with better treats (I have just been using dog kibble) so that we can work on changing her focus.

It is so nice to have a sounding board of people who have been through this DS stuff! Thanks!