Emiliano had his first training session and he did fairly well. The trainer said he was a very smart dog and that his behavior (barking, growling, and sometimes acting as if he's going to bite) is caused by being stressed by his guard duties and his fear. I was shown how to answer the door (with Emiliano on leash going to the door with me and being kept on leash, next to me, during the entire visit by the "stranger" or "disliked" person. He feels strongly that eventually he will relax when people come into the house and will no longer hide, in the area from which he feels secure in carrying out his bad behavior - barking and growling, or lunging towards people (only does it if they try to pick him up). The trainer was surprised that he wouldn't take a treat (I had told him he wouldn't) but sat on the floor and while shortening the length on the leash, brought Emiliano closer and closer to him until finally he reached out and touched him, without a negative reaction. I had to buy a stress reducing pheromone collar and diffuser. The trainer said it calms about 90% (I hope Emiliano falls in that category) of the dogs he has used it on (I am not going to use them until Wednesday, when I will be home all day to watch how Emiliano reacts to wearing the collar. Well, that's where we stand. Because he was able to touch and even stroke Emiliano, the trainer feels confident that we can teach him to be more social and have "better manners".
<<inline: emiljuly2011anisigma30222258-0002.jpg>>
