Having a rotten time at the moment. Echo has fantastic recall, gets back to me and under control meeting other dogs at large. We go to Agility and to KCGC training classes but it is very stressful. I have ended up at such distance from the group that I miss some instructions and he is too stressed to be distracted - its like a big setback. His dog walker has been putting him in the car   (no cages)with a grumpy terrier, there was an incident and now she is " fitting him in " as and when instead of his original time slot. When I asked about this her attitude was take it or leave it and an invitation to make other arrangements - originally the deal was an individual walk at top rates at 12md then she asked to intorduce him to a select group for socialising. I feel hes being pushed out as her business has expanded and her attitude to him is changed. Weve made so much progress but Im feeling a bit shaky the now.

Hang on in there, love - and in whilst you are hanging on, try and find another walker for Echo, who can walk him at the same time each day, so he can have some continuity in his routine, even if he has to have a change in dog-walker.   

Alternatively, give him a break, by NOT walking him every day - alternate it - give him a day off - it might take his stress levels down a bit.

And now your stress levels:   stop beating yourself for EVERY thing - you are doing really well with Echo, take things at YOUR pace, don't allow yourself (and Echo) to be pigeon-holed into someone else's schedule - after all, YOU are the customr (client) and its YOUR (and Echo's) needs that should be met - not you meeting somebody elses needs!

Now go & have a nice cuppa (it's just too early in the day for the Ribena :D)

Lotsaluv
Margot

Hi Lorelei

Do you feel the problems go back to the incident with the grumpy terrier?
Is that why Agility and KCGC is stressful, because Echo is upset about the other dogs? :)

I would be careful taking him to classes if he is getting worse, as the worst scenario is that you could end up with a dog who gets very upset with other dogs and then starts to generalise it to out on walks etc. In my view, if I've understood your post correctly, you may need to take a deep breath and concentrate on helping him cope better with other dogs. This may mean not going to classes I'm afraid :( as if they are stressing him, he will in all probablility get worse not better.

Are you sure the dog walker is trustworthy in that she keeps her dog away from Echo? It wouldn't help if the terrier kept having a go at him and you weren't aware of it. It may be better that she does fit him in, rather than takes him out with the terrier...

Lindsay
X

Hello Lorelei

Sorry that you are having such a rotten time at the moment!  I think you might be banging your head against a brick wall to go to classes when your dog gets so stressed and neither of you can enjoy it - after all, that's the whole point of these things isn't it?  "Busy" agility classes aren't the best place for a stressed dog - what about some private lessons or lessons with a friend for a few weeks, so you can still train him but he won't get wound up?  Some trainers offer this.

And in the meantime, perhaps you could have some nice times "at large" with him - when you are able to walk him, go out with dogs he gets on well with etc, to restore his confidence and calm around other dogs?
It must also be very stressful (for you!) relying on a dog walker - are there any others in your area?

Hang in there :) Poor old Echo sounds although he is in a bit of a state, and you as well :(

Parhaps try and give him a break from the things that seem to trigger his stresses and then introduce them back gradually and see how he goes :) Try and use Bachs remedy or Serene-UM which I have used on Min to stop her stressing when I last tried to clip her claws and it worked extremely well :)

I would suggest try and find another dog walker as you seem to have reservations which I think may well be valid. I would rather have somebody who didn't see the dogs as commodities which she seems to be by expanding her business :rolleyes:

Keep your chin up

Lucy
xx

Oh Lorelei, it sounds as if you're both really stressed at the moment :( perhaps you both need a break from training and to go back a few steps just until he's more comfortable.
If I've understood your post correctly then there was an incident with the grumpy terrier?  the problem is that unless you were there you don't know how bad it was and how the dog walker dealt with it :(  as you know yourself often its not the incident that becomes the problem but the reaction of the humans and treatment afterwards :rolleyes:  I have to say that anyone carrying dog/s in their car that don't belong to them should be using separate cages to ensure no mishaps.  It sounds to me as if this dog walker really doesn't have what it takes to walk Echo or they wouldn't be suggesting walking him with a dog who is hostile to him, but you would have to be the best judge of that.  Does Echo really need the dog walker?  Perhaps he'd be better just going out with his family until he gains in confidence, even if he doesn't get as much excercise.

Don't beat yourself up about this, we all know you have his best interests at heart and love him dearly, and remember, what it takes longer to learn is usually learned better in the end ;) I'm sure you'll get him back on track.  Don't forget Bachs flower remedy is effective for human stress as well as dogs :)

Hang in there

Dill

I feel really sorry for you as I know what it is like.  I went through so similar with my BC last year and had to make the decision not to take him training classes anymore as he is just seemed to blame the place for him getting attacked and got so stressed out.  Ever since making that decision he has calmed down again and is back to his usual self.  He now just doesnt like dogs getting into his face and will growl which is enough to get them to back off, otherwise he is an absolute sweetie again. 

Claire

Thanks for the support. I am definitely getting that Rescue stuff - is it special vet grade for dogs or just the same as people's? Dog walker sacked us without warning on Thursday so that's good. Gothboy will walk him during exam leave and well revisit things after this. My pal can come through to visit and let him in the garden etc so that will do. Im finished with professional dog walkers. The panic is me being stressed by negativity. Ive coped when he was so scared it was Hell Hound every time we went out and now hes more relaxed, I can manage this. At bottom hes a good steady lad, weve only had him 4 months and hes done so well this was bound to happen. Will keep class under review though.

hi lorelei, please don't think all professional dog walkers are like the one you have just experienced.  I have one in a million who has never let me down, works outwith her hours if necessary, will take the dogs to the vet, gives her dogs xmas and birthday presents and is absolutely lovely.  I think the difference is that mine does it for the love of dogs and the money is a bonus rather than just being in it for an easy life and the money.  good luck with echo, i've been following his progress and congrats on how well you have done so far.