A week since my last post and I’m back. My 4mo GSD freaks out when leaving our appt. She scratches the floor like she’s about to start a race, barking, wining— just chaos.
Background:
Everything else has been pretty easy to train but this. I’ve tried a slip leash but she doesn’t respond to pressure, just doesn’t care at all so we use a harness (doesn’t care about it either but it’s less stimulating).
She can walk on a leash fine indoors and outdoors. It’s this small breezeway that is a nightmare. She’s not reactive to other people or dogs, just chills unless we’re at the damn door.
I’ve done the “don’t open the door till she’s calm, close it when she’s chaos, reward calm” routine 2-3x a day for 3 weeks and there’s zero improvement. She won’t listen and is just blinded by this hallway horror ghost. I’m desperate and don’t know what to do, I don’t understand why this small space is our issue. It’s a problem when leaving and coming. I’ve played with her to wear her out before leaving, no change. I bring kibble treats, high-reward treats and water with us so there’s nothing she’s really trying to get to upon return…
I have appt pressure for her to be quiet and it’s making me resent her. I tried an open mesh muzzle just for that space and it’s alright. She can still yap so I really want to correct the root issue. My neighbors are dicks and complained about the 2-4 yaps over 10 sec when I would take her out and management sided against us. I think keeping her indoors is wrong and I’m tired of pee pads, I need help… the only other thing I can think of is to finish the “bed” command and try to keep her in a place while the door is open during the day. I live in the desert and don’t really wanna do this but don’t know how else to normalize this space.
submitted by /u/hot-summer77
[link] [comments]