[Poppy14]

Has anyone taken this? I have a pretty highly anxious, very reactive, tightly wound Cocker and am considering taking this course at Gold level next year (he doesn't currently live with me, which is why I need to wait). He takes anti-anxiety medication and we've done some behavioral work with trainers in the past, but nothing that really takes this approach.

If anyone has any experience with this, that would be awesome!

 

[craftyfaith]

I took Bogeyman this summer at gold with my overly aroused/fearful Rottie mix. I can't say it totally fixed all our problems but it gave me a lot of awesome tools. I think the most useful thing I got out of it was a much better way of assessing his stress level beyond whether he'll take food or not. If you've taken any classes on Fenzi before I highly recommend joining the Fenzi Alumni group on facebook. It's basically the only dog place I hang out online. They are a great positive group. If you have any specific questions about Bogeyman I'd be happy to answer.

 

[gingerkid]

I only took it at bronze, because the concepts in Boogeyman don't really work for our biggest problem (car rides; I even discussed it with Amy Cook, the instructor), but I loved it. I totally agree that it really opened my eyes to different types of thresholds. I did swing too far the other way for a while, where I was trying to avoid any and all signs of stress, oops.

1000% take it. Especially if you've never worked with a reactive dog before. It won't fix all your problems - behavior problems are a LOT of work to fix - but it will give you amazing information and tools to help this dog with his problems now, and also to help prevent problems in future dogs.

If you're thinking about taking Boogeyman at gold in the New Year, consider taking it at bronze in December. That will give you some time to read and digest the material well before you have to apply it. (The instructor recommends this, especially for students who have never had a reactive dog before).

 

[Poppy14]

Thanks, both of you!

I did watch Amy Cook's webinar on the "play way" and am working right now to build play with him. He gets in playful moods but we've never played much together - especially compared to my other dog - so I'm working on developing that right now.

I've had one other reactive dog before but she was just kind of...different. Not really as intense about it and also kind of detached from me, if that makes sense. My dog and I are very bonded BUT he's got a lot of anxiety and other problems to work through. Poor dog wasn't really given much of a chance in the genetics department.

 

[CptJack]

I second that, once you've taken a class, joining the alumni group page - tons of good people and good info - as well as the lurker group for the class, regardless of what level you take the class in (you have to be at least bronze, but there'd discussion and help there as well as on the forums).

Though full disclosure: I actually get very little out of any online learning when it comes to dog training. I do however enjoy webinars and keep taking/buying fenzi classes to keep the FB community. Go figure.

 

[Poppy14]

Though full disclosure: I actually get very little out of any online learning when it comes to dog training. I do however enjoy webinars and keep taking/buying fenzi classes to keep the FB community. Go figure.

I don't really love online learning either. I'm pretty good at understanding the concepts, but not always great at putting them into practice, so I love to have someone there coaching me. Unfortunately, there aren't many around here that do quality behavior mod for reactivity, and those that do charge an arm and a leg - fine for a few sessions, but not really realistic for the ongoing training my boy would need.