I got a German Shepherd about a year ago from a rescue society. She's a really sweet dog, but began…read moreto be aggressive to other dogs on our walks. I sought help from the rescue society and they were able to give me some tips, but nothing really to help the main problem.
They recommended that I find a trainer that could help with the aggression, which is how I found out about Cayce. I explained the problem to Cayce and we agreed to start off with a private lesson.
The private lesson was enlightening. She gave me some information on the breed that I had not heard and that gave me some insight on some subtle behaviors. Cayce also emphasized how I should interact with the dog and that definitely made a huge impact in how we have bonded. We worked on some leash behavior and of course, my dog in a new situation and without any other dogs around, was the perfect angel.
We agreed to just kind of boot camp her and get her into the next group class so we could work on her behavior around other dogs.
A few days later, we walked up to the group class where there was a good 12-15 other people with their dogs. My dog again was totally chill and I was feeling kind of optimistic. We walked past other dogs and she didn't react at all. So far so good.
We started out with basic commands which my dog has limited proficiency. She does sit when she is sufficiently bribed, but not much beyond that. The class was working on stay and I'm just kind of going along with it and thinking when is she going to lose it and lunge after another dog, so I'm saying, "stay, staaaay, stay" and watching her like a hawk. I'm sure I was pretty funny to watch.
Cayce's assistant then comes up to me and says, "Okay, let's try that again, but not so creepy, kay?"
Everybody in my little group is looking at me like, "what did you do?" Hey, this is my first class too. I don't know what I'm doing, so give me a break okay.
He then tells me I need only say stay once and if she doesn't, then correct. I'm like okay, that's all you needed to say.
So, we move on and about 45 minutes into the class, my girl has just about had it. Out of the blue, she decides she doesn't like the lab mix sitting a few yards away. She lets out a huge bark and does a little lunge at the pup. Super.
I figure this isn't good, but it kind of is because Cayce can see her bad behavior first hand. Cayce doesn't really say anything and continues on and I figure this is something we can discuss later.
So about fifteen minutes later, we happen to be next to Cayce as she is explaining dog behavior and her dog is performing trick after trick to everyone's amazement. Well, not quite everyone. At some point, my dog just had enough and jumped straight up and let out this menacing bark and lunged at Cayce's dog. I pulled her back and tried to contain her while also shrinking in utter embarrassment.
Cayce didn't acknowledgement the outburst and continued her talk. At the end, she asked if there were any questions and after waiting my turn, I said, "Um yeah, how do I get her to stop doing that?"
Cayce looks at me and says, "tell her don't do that."
She then turns back to the class and says farewell and walks away. Don't do that? Wow, why didn't I think of that? (I did...quite a bit. Maybe I was doing it creepily or something).
Never went back.
Look, she educated me on my dog and there were some definite benefits to that. Cayce's dog is obviously very well trained and does some amazing tricks. That would be pretty cool if my dog could do that someday, but for right now I want to take my dog with me and not ever worry that she is going to attack some other dog.
I've found another trainer and will start in again. There were some benefits from our time with Cayce and I'm sure other people in different situations will find benefit as well.
