Hi

[Obsidian]

Hi everybody I'm Ashley. I have 8 dogs in my home at any given time even though only 3 live permanently with me. We all live in southern New Jersey though I did use to live up in Vermont.

I actually found NDT a couple of months ago when I was searching for any answer to human aggression in dogs. I tried the pushing exercise with one of my Boxer only to have her panic when I touched her chest (This problems has since been fixed) and I stopped thinking maybe it just wasn't to be. I decided to try again though with my Mastiff for right now.

Kratos is my English Mastiff that I'm going to try NDT with again. He's big, like 145lbs big. His main problems I would say is leash reactive, horse reactive and can't be trusted off leash. He has an amazing recall but just cause he can come back from a million miles away doesn't mean I want him running that far. He has been clicker trained since we got him at 8 weeks and he is very enthusiastic at figuring anything out.

Isis is one of my Boxer that I was looking at NDT for. She is also the one that had such a panicked reaction to me touching her chest. She is rather tiny compared to Kratos, only 50lbs. She has both people and animal aggression (not to anybody in the family) . Anything she sees that doesn't live in this house is thought to be prey and must die in her mind. She isn't food motivated at all (she sometimes skips meals) and is only motivated by her ball and a game of fetch. She is also rather odd, she won't eat food from my hand.

Jinx is my other Boxer. She is also people and animal aggressive. She is bigger than her sister and has no troubles throwing her weight around at 60lbs. She seems to have the more "serious" reaction compared to Isis, much more like a competitive sports dog than anything. She is slightly food motivated and will chase a tug rope but will let go if you pull on it. She has a strange obsession with constantly wanting to carry a stuffed monkey.

I figure if all goes well with Kratos I could then start with one of the Boxer and then the other. I'm not asking for miracles just some peace and quiet in this mad house.

This is a picture of all 3. Isis is the one staring at the camera, Jinx is sleeping and Kratos is looking to the left.

[Sang]

Welcome Ashley! Wow, that's a lot of dogs! Since you used to live in Vermont, and since New Jersey isn't THAT far away, have you considered taking Isis, or possibly all 3 to Kevin's place for a weekend? I know you'll figure this out, but spending a weekend there would be a huge jump start to getting you going in the right direction. And just so you know, I drove from Seattle with 3 dogs all the way there, so it is doable. Anyway, it's just a thought.

Welcome aboard.

[TandOka]

Hi Ashley

Your dogs are beautiful! Wow pushing with Kratos!! I thought Oka was difficult!

You kind know Oka from else where and i think know about her hyper-friendliness and i can genuinely say it does help, she is better....and so i continue

Welcome!

[Obsidian]

No, where Kevin lives is only about 6- 7 hours away so it isn't far but my car is having a hard time making it to the feed store much less up the turnpike. I think if I was able to go up there I would take Jinx and Isis or only one of them. I don't think I would be mentally or physically capable to take all of them up. At least not yet.

Kratos isn't as hard as I first thought. He is very respectful of my space. He is at chest level with me as I'm only 5' so it is a little of a challange. I'm also at a slight disadvantage with a broken toe (From Jinx bending it back) and a bruise arm/ shoulder the size of Texas (From Jinx broadsiding me while playing) but I'm managing.

I'm glad Oka is doing better with her hyper friendliness. I've done two pushing sessions with Kratos and haven't heard a peep from him other than letting me know someone was in the driveway. Sweet sweet silence...well at least from him!