Miss Ellie in Rehab!
 Geez, this sounds like a Jerry Springer episode.
I'll start at the beginning. Ellie was a second child when she came to us as a pup. Oliver was king of the house at that time. Ollie was a great guy, but very bossy when it came to Ellie. When we went to the dog park he would "herd" Ellie away from other dogs ( I had to put him on leash many times just so Ellie wouldn't spend the entire time pressed against a fence). If we met people or dogs on a walk, Ollie would move in front of Ellie. Long story short, Ellie never learned who she was. Ollie went to the bridge late last summer. Miss Ellie was devastated. We still took our daily walks, but she would lag behind and not play when she had a chance. She would glare at other dogs that passed by. In November we adopted our happy go lucky boy Buffett. Ellie was/is very happy with Buff. During the following few months, Ellie became more and more aggressive toward dogs. Mostly large dogs at first and as the months went by, she added small dogs and puppies. Very strange as her best friend was a Yorkie. I tried everything I knew. used all the advice I'd gathered from this site and other sources to work with her, but sadly, she only became more of a bully. Last month she seriously scared a puppy (didn't hurt it, she never bites or causes an injury). That was when I knew it was time to call an expert. I didn't have the expertise to help Ellie. First, I took her to the vet for a complete check up with blood panel. Doc say's she is healthy as the proverbial horse. Second, I found one of the best trainers in the valley. I told the trainer that Ellie is great with people/children but she is completely dog aggressive. I made arrangements to begin private training the next weekend. We arrived at the appointed time to find the trainer waiting with two dogs for Ellie to meet, a Rottie and Lab. Within 10 minutes the trainer told me Ellie was not dog aggressive, she had other protection "issues".  The trainer and I discussed her history and how she was raised by Ollie, how protective he was.
We are three weeks into Ellies training and she is getting better but can't identify exactly what she is trying to protect. Next step, she was sent to live for 4 days as a dog, among dogs with the trainer watching her reactions. She will be purposely put in situations that trigger her, hoping to identify the problem. 24 hours into the bootcamp session, Ellie has been a princess. She has been rushed by off leash dogs on a street and high energy Labs and Goldens and she stayed at heel or sniffed a bush. She has two more days to go, I'll pick her up Friday night. Once boot camp is over, she will move on to another exercise where I walk her in the park, past many other dogs, while the trainer looks for reaction. We will repeat with Buffet walking with her. Hopefully we can figure out what/who she is trying to protect and work her through it. Meanwhile at home, friends and family have nicknamed her "Paris". She's a terrible driver and out of control when on leash, a repeat offender, forcing her into rehab. Buffet misses her, but is loving the extra play time and the chance to scratch and sniff with all the dogs on the daily walk. Summer is really busy for me and adding Ellie's training to the mix has put me over the top. I missed a lot of what's happened this past month with all the great folks on the site. My best to all the new members, puppies that have arrived, and beloved's that have gone on to the bridge. My best wishes to those who care for them enough to share them with everyone on this site.  |
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| Great story. I almost hope she acts up in the next day or so, in order that some issues surface.
I seem to find that there is a beginning of a personality change after 3 days in a strange environment, once they relax a bit. |
| Merlin has the same 'issues' as Ellie.....its ME that he is protecting....
now that we have him sleeping upstairs with one of the kids and the other dogs downstairs..he is less protective.... who knows what is in these guys heads  |
| That's funny what you said about her nickname being "Paris"..Tee Hee. Sounds like Ellie is getting some great help at "Bad Girl Boot Camp"....and it sounds like she has improved alot. My sheepie girl Roxy used to herd my other 2 cockers around the house....but mostly, she HATED it when my husband would give me a kiss. She would get right in between us and push his face away from mine.  She was very protective of me. She too would bark her ever lovin head off at other dogs if they would walk in front of our house or even when we were out for our nightly walk she just could not except the fact that other dogs could take walks in the neighborhood too. I'm sure she thought she owned our neighborhood.  I should have taken her to boot camp too. Let us know how she is doing once you bring her home ok? Good Luck!! |
| Walter went to bootcamp when he was a puppy too.
My advice: You have a fresh start, take advantage of it! Be absolutely 100% sure to emulate the conditions in bootcamp to ensure that Ellie understands that everything she learned transfers to home. That most likely encompasses a NILF approach. Also don't be discouraged when she reverts to old habits, just utilize the training tools (down stay is the best!) to work toward your goal. GOOD LUCK ELLIE! |
| Paris........love it!!
Sounds like you are doing all you can for her. Please listen to the trainer, it may be you doing something you are not aware of that triggers this. If you watch Cesar Milan on TV, almost every time it's the owner that needs more training. It may be something simple to change. Wishing the girl a new and happy life....... s. |
Our little girl is home  I picked her up last night and had a long chat with the trainer. She was a good girl, other than a couple little snippy incidents. Bad part, she wouldn't play with the other dogs. Overall, a solid B-. Not bad for a gal that was lunging at puppies just a few weeks ago.
The trainer firmly believes she has taken over the protective roll that Ollie maintained for so long. Apparently he was a very good teacher. Only difference is, Ellie puts a bit*h spin on it that Ollie never had. As the trainer said, sometimes they have real problems, and other times they are just a Bit*h Now we start to refine and identify the points of protection, and of course, reinforce the basics. Ellie has one more private lesson, then the princess has to lower her standards and join group lessons. She still barks at dogs that pass the house, but she doesn't body slam the window. She still wants to put a stop to any dogs playing or displaying any kind of high energy. She will start to tug on her leash when she see's a dog coming down the street. But, she knows it's wrong and she will listen as I correct her (begrudgingly of course). I don't expect she will ever give up the protective attitude completely, but I do feel we will be able to redirect her energy enough to keep her out of trouble and a productive K-9 citizen. We have a lot of work ahead of us. I'm looking forward to the walk in the park exercise.
Boot camp did good things for our girl. You never know what kind of influences your kids will encounter in that kind of program. I was relieved she came home without a tattoo or piercing (  ), but I did notice she had the cat cornered and was trying to shake him down for kibble. |
Sheeps over Aces wrote: You never know what kind of influences your kids will encounter in that kind of program. I was relieved she came home without a tattoo or piercing (
), Better double check, it could be below the bikini line or someplace not overly visible. Knowing you would disapprove and all.
Sounds like Ellie did very well at bootcamp! |
Ron wrote: I almost hope she acts up in the next day or so, in order that some issues surface.
Well, just when you think you’re headed down the right path, BOOM, a low hanging tree branch to the forehead. Ellie has been a good girl, staying true to her rehab. About 8 days ago, we went to the park with the trainer to walk and test her ability to stay on course and not lash out at other dogs. The trainer threw a twist in the plot and brought one of her Golden's (top of the list for breeds that just piss Ellie off). We started on our first spin around the park, trainer, Golden, Ellie, and me. Ellie ignored the Golden mostly and enjoyed the walk. Next twist, the trainer added a Rottie, Buffett (our male OES), and my husband. We walked the park again. All went well as can be expected. No dogs harmed or maimed. Things changed a bit when the trainer started playing with the golden and rottie. Ellie just couldn't stand to see someone have unbridled fun without her permission. However, with a slight correction, she sat and watched, begrudgingly. At the end of the session, the trainer said it was time to start obedience classes with Ellie, she was ready to be in a group. Ellie had obedience training as a pup, but the trainer thought a refresher was absolutely necessary. So I walked away from the session feeling like our Miss Ellie was well on the road to recovery. Silly me.
My husband and I were out of town last week at the same time. I made arrangements with the trainer for Ellie and Buffett to stay with her so that she could see the day to day dynamics between them, and possibly make additional suggestions for the ongoing rehab. It was an interesting conversation when I picked up my little furries this morning. Buffett has been charged with DWI (dog with wicked intent) and will be sentenced to rehab. His erratic, whiney behavior has been a trigger to some of Ellies acting out. Miss Ellie was a princess and enjoyed many days playing with all the other dogs. I knew he still had lingering issues, but Ellie's were a little more immediate. So, Buffett is now the first in line to attend obedience class. He no longer owns a retractable leash, and he has a back pack which will carry everyone’s water. Trainer says he's a herder, so give him a job (he REALLY has to work for his cookies now).
I can only hope I'm strong enough to get Paris and Mel out of rehab without having to comitt myself. |
| Do you think maybe she is just being protective of Buffet?
Just a thought |
Pepsi's Mommy wrote: Do you think maybe she is just being protective of Buffet?
Just a thought That was one of the original thoughts and may still be a part of the overall mix. But when the trainer saw some of the interaction between Ellie and Buff, she was sure there was more to the story. It certainly won't hurt Buff to go back to the basics. I've noticed a little change in his attitude since the trainer worked with him during his stay with her. |
SheepieMommy wrote: Sheeps over Aces wrote: You never know what kind of influences your kids will encounter in that kind of program. I was relieved she came home without a tattoo or piercing ( ), Better double check, it could be below the bikini line or someplace not overly visible. Knowing you would disapprove and all. Sounds like Ellie did very well at bootcamp! Let me tell you abour MY daughter..... oh yea I already did in another post. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Dogs have always been a part of my life, Sheepies for the past 20 years. I'm not an expert or even a qualified armature when it comes to training, but overall my dogs and I have managed to be happy together.
In my ignorance, I thought I knew enough about dogs to get by. This last year has been a great lesson in how little I knew and it all started in the worst way, with the departure of my beautiful Oliver. He went to the bridge one year ago as of last week. Ellie finished her bad girl boot camp and private lessons to over come protective outbursts(Oliver the old curmudgeon left behind quit a legacy of control issues). Miss Ellie and Buffett started obedience classes three weeks ago as the next step to recovery. Each attends class on different days (it's like having children again and running them from one class or event to another). Only 3 more weeks to go! For Ellie, it wasn't a need for obedience; it was to reinforce what she already knows while happy, high-energy pups surround her. She is no longer allowed to be the "hall monitor". She cannot tell other dogs what to do or when. She will mind her own business. Buffett is in class to reinforce his obedience, but also to overcome the reactions that Ellie’s behavior ingrained. It has been a horrible K-9 catch 22. One dog taught the other to behave a certain way, in turn, she taught the new dog bad things, which fed her neurosis. I swear I was living in an episode of "As the Bone Turns". 
I was so close to throwing in the towel until this weekend. It was like a "good dog switch" was thrown in both my dogs’ heads. We took Ellie and Buff to a No more homeless pets event. The place was packed with people and dogs. Miss Ellie was a princess, no tugging, lunging, or snapping. Another dog nipping at Ellie brought on the only tiny little incident and she only snapped back once. Buffett was social and allowed numerous people to scratch his ears. He didn't wrap me up in his leash while trying to escape. Saturday we had a party at our house, with about 50 people and lots of loud music coming from the garage jam session. Buff found his spot next to the table and didn't shy away once. Sunday both dogs were Sheepie playful, Ellie dragging and flipping her blanket (so not like her), Buff just being goofy and gentle.
I have renewed faith in training the dogs and I have put so much into! We will keep going just because I had a glimpse on how it is to have my house alive with goofy Sheepies again…….. |
| Yea! Wonderful news. |
| Wonderful story! Wonderful Mommy, wonderful trainer and now wonderful sheepdogs! Don't you just love a happy ending?? |
You have my upmost awe at your inspiring story and the fact that you were willing to work hard to improve your furkids behavior. I applaud you!!! Really you are amazing! 
I wish all pet owners could be as dedicated as you and try to solve a problem behavior and not give up on their kids. Your story I hope will help many others see there is hope is one is willing to put the work in. Lots of Belly rubs to Ellie and Buffet. Had to chuckle as I have a cat named Paris. He's 7 and was named before you know who.
Marianne |
 So glad to hear the happy ending!!!!!!!!
Can I send my daughter to your boot camp??? |
| Great storytelling! I love how you turn some really frustrating experiences into a roadmap for future improvement. I am completely in awe of your commitment to your pooches. Hang in there with the training! Looking forward to more updates. . . |
| Such fabulous news!! It's so encouraging to hear how you've perservered and gotten great results. Bravo! |
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