MollysMommy
October 23rd, 2006, 01:32 PM
Hi. Been awhile since I posted. Here's my situation. I have a very well-behaved two-year old toy poodle named Molly and a 10 month old Brussels Griffon named Nemo. My boyfriend and I got Nemo back in July as a six-month old puppy from a breeder who kept him a few months longer because of an abnormally large soft spot on his skull.
He's learned very quickly to sit, stay, and lay, but he has this crazy fear of strange people and dogs. And that fear leads to growling and snapping.
He is also afraid of sudden movements and noises, but those mostly cause him to run away, not snap. We took him to beginner obedience class and he pretty much failed in the socialization part. He snapped at any dog that came right up to him, as well as any children that came close. We just finished the class, and frankly, I don't think it did him any good. He was always tense during class and stressed (he shed like crazy). He's just as fearful as before, and the trainer felt that the only option was to see a behaviorist one-on-one. She recommended some people, and we are about to give it a try, but before I spend this crazy amount of money, does anyone have other ideas?
He's a very loving puppy when it comes to people and dogs he knows. He loves to play and give kisses. In fact, he has a hard time stopping giving kisses. He has never tried to bite me or my boyfriend or any members of my family. Nor has he been aggressive towards Molly or my boyfriend's parents' dogs. It seems to be only people and dogs he is unfamilar with that he becomes so terrified and aggressive towards. And frankly, his behavior stresses me out.
Anyone have any ideas? Can anyone tell me what exactly happens on one-on-one time with a behaviorist? This problem needs fixed and as soon as possible.
He's learned very quickly to sit, stay, and lay, but he has this crazy fear of strange people and dogs. And that fear leads to growling and snapping.
He is also afraid of sudden movements and noises, but those mostly cause him to run away, not snap. We took him to beginner obedience class and he pretty much failed in the socialization part. He snapped at any dog that came right up to him, as well as any children that came close. We just finished the class, and frankly, I don't think it did him any good. He was always tense during class and stressed (he shed like crazy). He's just as fearful as before, and the trainer felt that the only option was to see a behaviorist one-on-one. She recommended some people, and we are about to give it a try, but before I spend this crazy amount of money, does anyone have other ideas?
He's a very loving puppy when it comes to people and dogs he knows. He loves to play and give kisses. In fact, he has a hard time stopping giving kisses. He has never tried to bite me or my boyfriend or any members of my family. Nor has he been aggressive towards Molly or my boyfriend's parents' dogs. It seems to be only people and dogs he is unfamilar with that he becomes so terrified and aggressive towards. And frankly, his behavior stresses me out.
Anyone have any ideas? Can anyone tell me what exactly happens on one-on-one time with a behaviorist? This problem needs fixed and as soon as possible.