Hi, I have a few problems with my two year old male Golden Retriever. I would like to work one on one with a behaviour specialist i am seeing the vet this afternoon and will seek their recommendations however I would welcome any suggestions from people. Issues are around picnic raiding and stealing food from people when out on walks and a new but escalating behavior of growling at certain dogs who are on the lead. Desperately need to sort these problems so we can enjoy our summer as a family, including the dog.

Many thanks :)

Obviously I don't know WHERE in Yorkshire you are, which could make a big difference to the travel distances (at least if you're in North), but otherwise I'd recommend Lincoln University where Professor Daniel Mills and a whole team of helpers works. Vet referrals only, and they are truly excellent there.
http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/dbs/abc/

But the problems don't necessarily sound as bad as needing a vet referral, in which case I'd just as strongly recommend Paddy Driscoll. She will even do a home visit if you pay petrol costs. She too is in Lincs.
http://www.teamworktraining.co.uk

I have used both myself so can speak from personal experience.

Thank you Marianne for your prompt and helpful reply. I am in the Leeds Bradford are and will look into those contacts.

I am seeing the vet this afternoon for his booster, hence I'll ask about behaviouralist. thanks again

Hi

A couple of things you might also want to consider. 

A reliable 'leave' is a godsend and if well learnt (taught and practised) should go a long way to alleviating the theft issues.  It's taught at Kennel Club Good Citizens courses so it might be worth going back to classes.  You can find good reward based training at the Association Pet Dog Trainers website.  GR's are often used to demonstrate behaviours by trainers so he'll be in good company I'm sure!

Regular attendance at a course, giving him the opportunity to work alongside other dogs (but whilst focussed on other things) might also help him with his dog concerns.  It's worth mentioning that his age might be a factor too, is he entire?  My gundog at nearly 3yrs old seems to be growing out of his testosterone anxiety phase.

I'm not saying you shouldn't use a behaviourist if you think it necessary BUT these options could be worth exploring first.  Good luck :)

Thanks that's helpful, the vet also recommended taking him to a class to get him around lots of dogs on leads. He went to training as a pup for 6 months but not since - he has been neutered and has been really well socialised, he loves to play and has a ton of doggy mates, this has started happening in the last 9 months - it may be territorial as it usually happens close to home or in the park he goes to everyday. Re the food, he doesn't pinch food from us it's usually when we are out and about and he is off lead, if he gets a sniff of a bag of chips he will be off and knocking them out of some poor unsuspecting persons hand before we know it! we are always too far away to tell him to leave it. He has really good recall accept when he sniffs a good meal when he'll run like a bat out of hell so we won't catch him :) He is so food obsessed I reckon he just thinks to hell with the consequences it's worth it. I know this is a breed trait and the vet said it may difficult to get him to stop this.  Its a big problem as I have a baby now and it is easier to push a pram around public parks than the woods so it is difficult to avoid the park all summer and I so don't want to have to keep him on the lead :(

Hi
You could try www.tailwaggerclub.com they are based Leeds/Harrogate and Otley look on their website there is something for everyone based on the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme "The club's team of instructors includes 5 APDT trainers, a Tellington TTouch Practitioner 2, 2 Level 1 SATS (Synalia Animal Training System) trainers and three Kennel Club approved examiners, one for all GCDS levels and two for Bronze".I have not tried this club myself but heard of it from a friend that recomends it

Thank you I'll look into it. I spoke to a lady yesterday called Jan Westby who is APTD has anyone heard of her or has any feedback? she was very nice and I liked the sound of her methods however I am a little worried about her understanding of the breed, she said his level of food obsession was not normal in a GR however almost every GR owner I speak to seems to report the same and next doors GR is just as bad for robbing people.

I don't suppose that really matters though if she can help me to control him better. 

the vet also recommended taking him to a class to get him around lots of dogs on leads

It may help but did the vet just leave it at that, or give you more advice about it? as sometimes, eg if the reaction is fear based which it often is, going to a training class may not be helpful as the dog may be flooded and appear to improve, but in fact end up worse in the longer run.

I would suggest a one to one first perhaps, and then see what they say :)

Good luck whatever you decide. Paddy D is very good by the way.

Lindsay
x

As Lindsay says, just going into a class may be a bit much.  What can help - what has helped a lot with Soli (who is frightened of dogs whether they are on or off lead, running, lying down, whatever) has been having a class where the trainer (who is a friend, luckily) has been aware of the problem and has been happy for me to work Soli a little bit apart from the normal class structure - so I've been focusing on her reactions to other dogs, moving her away if needed, moving her closer when she's ready, etc, etc.  We've been able to join in the normal exercises too as allowances have been made to give her some space.

This same trainer does the same thing with any difficult dogs that come in - she didn't have much work with me as I was already working through the issues with Soli and knew what I needed to do, but with other owners she will keep an eye on them and send them away from the main group for the dog to calm down before it gets too upset.

That sort of class can be very helpful - just be sure to avoid the ones that have you punish the dog for reacting, that will only end badly.