Yes, I'm signing up for classes starting in January!

Awesome! I have been looking at some options and I also found Atlanta dog trainer in Roswell. It's a little farther from my house but they have good reputation too. Their price is a little lower and their classes are 7 weeks. I'm going to call Jabula and find some more out too.

Do you know of any Golden playgroups or any activities here in Atlanta? I know of Adopt a Golden and their events, but I was looking for something more on a regular basis, where the dogs can play and I can share experiences with their owners.

Thanks!

I was looking for Golden playgroups too but I haven't found any. I live in Lenox Park (near Lenox mall/Phipps) and some of us with goldens meet in a big field to let them run around. (near the AT&T buildings off Roxboro Road). The dog park is a little too small for all that energy so we kind of just make a big circle around them so they don't run off, which Fannin has done We usually are out there Saturday/Sunday mornings and evenings.

Jabula basic obedience was nice because they have them at different stores too. I took it at City Dog Market on Peachtree but I know they offer it at Doguroo (which is where Fannin goes to daycare.. it is on Northside Drive between 75 and 17th street). I think they will also do private sessions if none of the times work out for you. I really really loved Kate and can't say enough about how amazing she was to work with!

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Fannin and the ball, a love story

I agree with lots of information here - the 'Go to you matt' behavior is excellent. Start with just touching it, then sitting, laying, etc. increase duration. Lots of yummy TINY bits thrown between front legs to increase time.

Some additional thoughts:

Clicker Training - TRADE - if he has something in his mouth - (after loading the clicker so he knows what it's about) show him a toy or a treat - when he drops the toy - click and reward.

Nose Work is an excellent brain training sport you can do at home. Take a class to learn the basics. Canine Country Academy - Nosework is near you I believe. Otherwise Tail Lights Dogs in Greenville. A job of hunting with treats and smell - tires them out for rest time.

What happens before the humping - is he excited - get the level down before the behavior happens. Gabe did it for a short time when he was young on our walks or when we worked on 'heal' - my breeder figured out I was FLAGGING him - Walking just slightly ahead of him and doing quick turns - I just slowed down and when I saw him getting excited just stopped.

Breathe - inhale and exhale - be calm - transfer energy of calm. A good calming technique is to sit on your knees with your dog in front of you facing away - put your hands on his front shoulders - say - 'S E T T L E' in a low, calm, slow voice. As he settles gently loosen your hands, if he bolts, do it again till he stays.

They do love plastic bottles, put treats in them and they keep busy getting them out - watch for broken chewed off pieces though.

Any places to swim?

Back pack to make walks more effective? Light weights for young dog.

Comfort collar for walking.

Calming Collar for in house - Tellington Website

Tellinton touch massage

Rescue Remedy

Is his diet good, good food? No sugar, artificial preservatives, colors?

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Joan and Gabe

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.

My GR, who is almost 8 months old, does the same thing. He's a good boy at the off-leash dog park, but when he gets home, he does everything you mentioned in your post.

When the park is muddy, I take him on a walk. He sees the leash, and begins biting it. If we see an aggressive dog on our walk, his concentration is totally shot. It doesn't matter what I say, at that point.

At home, when he's in his crate, he will hump anything in there, usually towels. When we put him to bed at night, it is a total humpfest in his crate for 20 minutes, or so. We started calling the towels his "girlfriends". He's getting a new dog bed for Christmas, and I'm sure that will be the object of his affection. He's neutered, but that doesn't stop him.

Some more obedience training is in his future, today.

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I think some of it may be "normal" puppy behavior, but the severity of it as described in your OP isn't normal, IMO. If it was my dog, I would qualify that as an emergency, and would be using every means necessary to get it under control before I would be considering breeding.




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Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)

Gosh, thankfully Kobe doesn't hump that much! He humps on my leg and this ONE dog at the park that every dog loves, but nobody else.. The main problem is that I don't know how to redirect the humping when he's doing it on my leg. Not only it hurts my leg but I'm also afraid to hurt him by pushing him off. Most times I can't do it anyway.

Good luck to you too.. I'm so ready for classes to start, January 8th can't come fast enough!!


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Cool! I used to take him to Doguroo for puppy hour when he was little. I'm looking at one of their classes that start January 8th but the instructor is not Kate. Will still probably sign him up for it though, it's driving me insane!
I'd love to bring him over to meet a bunch of Goldens, maybe I will come by with him on the weekend. I'm in Marietta/Smyrna and we have a really good park here, but not many Goldens. I'd love to meet some and discuss the crazy golden stuff..



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My first time seeing this thread. So if I'm reading this right I didn't have to go through that whole boot Camp thing with Bentley? All I needed was wine and xanax?? I wish I had known!


Ok relax......... I'm only joking

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I will try the "go to the mat" and see if it works. We used go to your bed and worked in the beginning, but not anymore.
The humping usually happens either when I take something away from him (what he shouldn't have) or when he's loaded with energy and just doesn't get my attention. I figured that's how he knows he will get it. He will do it also sometimes when we are on walks. He jumps and try to grab the leash and if he can't he starts to hump on my leg so I pay attention to him. I have started doing what another forum member suggested and now when he bites the leash I distract him with a stick or whatever I can find around us. It usually works.
I'm working on the calming part. I am very patient, but when he starts biting and grabbing my arm that drives me nuts. The biggest issue and what irritates me the most is when he jumps on the bed or couch and doesn't want to leave. It's like he totally ignores me and I have to drag him off.
I'm going to try the treats inside the bottle. Usually a bottle lasts about 2 minutes before it's completely shredded, so I always need to be careful with those.
We have a river nearby which I take him in the summer, but can't imagine going now. I need to find a better place though.
That calming collar looks good, I actually have been having some issues with him whining when I put him in his crate or xpen when he misbehaves. He will bark nonstop until I come near him or let him out. I'm trying not to give in, but it drives me and my husband nuts, we can't find a way to stop, but maybe this collar works! Have you used it before?
His diet is good. He gets fed natural balance ultra. It's high quality ingredients and he seems to like it. Even though lately he's been having lots of gas which I don't know if it has to do with the food or treats.

Thanks for all the advice!


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