Starting with a behaviorist.

[Beanwood]

I would stick with who you know, and work back over the exercises. When you next meet up in March, ask if she could set some homework and email to you, get some commitment around a follow-up phone call and or email.

Agree with the others, I get twitchy about terms like "leadership" .....

 

[Shamas mom]

I'm not going with Bark Busters. Terms like Pack Leader throw up red flags for me. As well, I can't find anything about them that isn't in their favour, and no one can have a 99.9% success rate. There will always be animals for whom your techniques don't work......

I might go with red Rover, if Shamas continues to have issues betweeen now and March 29th.....with warmer weather coming, it's important to get working with him on his issues. I don't want another summer of him lashing out at other dogs walking. And Red Rover is only a few dollars more per session than Melissa. Add that they can offer the ability to move out onto sidewalks as he improves, something that Melissa can't, having her studio off of a highway. And we are familiar with the area where they work.

On a current note, and showng some improvement: Last night we walked Shamas and on the way home another dog was oncoming on the other side of the street. Shamas puled towards but didn't lunge. In the communication I read a "who are you? are you friendly? want to meet?" fromt he other dog followed by shamas' "nah, I'm gonna take my timmies home" from Shamas. He was forward leaning, but wagged his tail tentatively, and made no move towards aggression. Simple had his interaction and moved off on his own. The only guidance I gave him was a "don't pull" reminder. and praise as he chose to move on on his own

 

[Shamas mom]

Today we had an oncoming rottie on the other side of the road. She's a good girl, who is often off-leash. Shamas got a little unsettled, but was able to listen. I had him sit, took up a place between him and the dog, and just petted his chin, while talking to him about ow we would stay here. Next thing he knew the dog was past and he was a little confused. He kept looking back at the dog as it walked away...as though he couldn't figure out how it had passed him. No lunging, barking or other behavior.

we saw the yellow Lab on the way home. Gave him plenty of space. Shamas sat and watched him go around the corner at 50feet, and then followed him down the street keeping a distance of 100-150feet at all times. (our walks coencide for about two blocks)

 

[Shamas mom]

Ugh yesterday was as though Shamas left the house intent on looking for trouble. I ended up handing the leash to PA, because he wouldn't heed any instruction. He settled down after about 4 blocks and I was able to handle him..but still didn't listen. I ended up doubling the leash back on itself and clipping the handle around as a second collar higher on his neck, to give myself more leverage. That helped, he settled down with two collars on him. Throwback to when I used to use a dual lead on front and back, I guess...

Wish I knew what people have done with his Perfect Fit...could have used it.

I might replace his Martingale...I suspect it's slipped to the point of ineffectiveness again. It's a 15-20" fit, and he's 17" I have been eyeing a 17" leather one that wont change size on me.

 

[Shamas mom]

It's been awhile since I posted because Shamas hasn't seen his trainer since Feb22-she got another movie

However, he's made marked improvement that's worth bringing up

Regarding dogs: I'm no longer having to use his harness when we go out, as he pays attention to me, walking generally on a loose leash. When we see another dog I give a little "tug" (more of a twitch usually)and say "This way" as I turn around. He drops his tail flag, and follows me.
This is going amazingly well, as the guy across the street from me just adopted an old lady dog and likes to sit out front with her. They're (sort of) between us and Shamas' favorite place- the train tracks, so he must walk past the quiet dog on her leash as he goes over to his sniffy place. Sometimes it takes a couple of attempts before he gets past her, but he can do it. The main thing that takes time is coming home- that takes about 45 minutes, and LOTS of times around the Legion parking lot before he walks past her. It's not a matter of him barking/lunging though...I simply turn him the moment he perks his ears, raises his tail-flag or pulls towards her.
Today we just about got past her, but Tiko was leaving his house and Shamas got up on his hind legs. Didn't bark or growl, but was tense, so I turned him around and we started over as he was chuffing and blowing. Took another 1/2 hour to come home. We live 2 houses from the legion lol!

I'd have walked him around the block to get home, but today is a "no walk day" and Shamas refuses to walk around the block. He says it's scary. He does this every time it's garbage day.

The next session with Melissa is on Friday