Overexcited Oreo

[M.F.]

I am no expert in this area, so I have nothing I can add. But just to say how wonderful it is that you felt safe enough to come here and describe your ordeal. A testament to this supportive forum.

 

[Selina27]

A testament to this supportive forum.

Yes, I absolutely agree. It's a very difficult thing to do, share something like that about your precious dog. So well done @Sophiedoodle for doing just that, and to all the wonderful people who have given such helpful and kind advice.

 

[Rosie]

Just reading this all from the beginning and everyone’s replies. Some great advice. Sorry you have been hurt and upsetting that Oreo hurt another dog. You are already going to avoid that situation for a few weeks - you need some recovery time and a chance to put some training in place. It must have been very frightening

This.

 

[Sophiedoodle]

So I think that Ruby might be the trigger for Oreo.
Ruby started barking 6/8 weeks ago when she is excited, and as Oreo shares a kennel with her when she’s at work with me, she has picked up on Ruby’s behaviours. When Oreo is out on her own, there is absolutely no barking or barging through the gate, but as soon as I bring Ruby out too, she turns into a little devil dog.
Ruby actually had a little go at Oreo today and I had to separate them - this has never happened between them before.
I always fear that I become nervous and the dogs will sense this, but I am not a nervous trainer. I am calm and know exactly what I want the dog to do and will keep working at it until they do it, so I don’t think my energy is an issue here I’m just very confused as to why Ruby decided to go for Oreo today.... (Oreo didn’t really react too much which I was pleased at).

 

[Jen]

This sounds like it’s been an absolute nightmare! How awful for you!

Would it not be better to keep Oreo at home with Lilly for now and give her a little break?

 

[Sophiedoodle]

Would it not be better to keep Oreo at home with Lilly for now and give her a little break?

I would but I would be away from home for 10 hours and I can’t leave Oreo that long. She would be fine for up to 4 hours but I wouldn’t want to leave her any longer. Lilly has grown up used to being left alone all day but I can’t do that to Oreo

 

[Sophiedoodle]

Also, I feel like if i kept her away for a long time, she would get even more excited when she comes back and cause more issues rather than me continuing to work on it

 

[Aitch]

I agree that you can't leave Oreo that long.
Perhaps Ruby should be trained and walked separately from Oreo for a while. If they can both both be trained to be patient then it should be an end to the problem, even if they are actually winding each other up at times.

 

[snowbunny]

I’m just very confused as to why Ruby decided to go for Oreo today.... (Oreo didn’t really react too much which I was pleased at).

Really, you’re probably unlikely to see it in the moment when there is so much going on you’re trying to focus on; our brains just aren’t wired to see everything at once. Video will help you enormously to work it out. Get a GoPro set up (they have a very wide angle which is perfect for this sort of thing) and position it ahead of time to capture the action.

 

[Sophiedoodle]

Thought I’d give you all an update on oreo’s Behavior at work:

Wow, I have seen a HUGE improvement. She will rarely bark unless she is with Ruby (who is a barker) which I’m very pleased at. I have been using the treat “scatter” technique to keep the dogs busy while I open the gate to the field and go ahead through. The dogs will then follow me once they’ve found enough biscuits, and they never bark/have a go at each other by doing it this way. This works very well for Oreo as she is food oriented, some of the dogs aren’t and will just follow me through the gate straight away.
She is also very good at sitting and waiting while I open the gate and let the other dogs go through before her - she will not go until I release her.
I am super pleased that Oreo has come on well with this as it makes it much less stressful for me to have her at work! Proud of my little pumpkin

 

[Aitch]

Well done! She is lucky to have you as her mum!

 

[Charlie]

Great progress Sophie. Well done girlies! xx

 

[Sophiedoodle]

Here is her yesterday having zoomies and interacting well with Harris and Tia. Tia actually joined in with her after this and then were having a ball made me so happy to see Oreo play with her (especially as Tia can be a little grumpy at times!) x

 

[edzbird]

Oreo is bonkers! That's so sweet

 

[Jacqui-S]

Oreo is bonkers!

Indeed

 

[Lisa]

Aww...so cute

 

[MrChew]

Yay for all that progress! Also those cute zoomies!

 

[Granca]

Looks as if there’s lots of Labrador in Oreo! She’s gorgeous!

 

[Sophiedoodle]

Looks as if there’s lots of Labrador in Oreo! She’s gorgeous!

She certainly tries to be a Labrador with her good eating!! (Doodles are known to be picky! We got lucky with Oreo eating her food with no issues)

 

[Boogie]

She certainly tries to be a Labrador with her good eating!! (Doodles are known to be picky! We got lucky with Oreo eating her food with no issues)

Echo is the same - he’s a Labrador for eating!