Boone-My Anatolian Unicorn

[fuzzi]

Now that I’m home, and not stressed out and reacting, I’m able to step back and deconstruct what happened.

Initially Boone let out his “I’m a dog!” Bark.
When the lab raced across the room at us they were literally touching noses. The other dog moved in and got rude at the same time Boone changed to a warning bark At no time did either dog bite.
I feel like a complete fool as I had citronella spray on my treat bag and never thought about it. The other dog should not have been off leash and should not have charged at us.
Boone was reactive but not wanting to hurt the dog. It could have been tragic due to Boone’s size and power.
I am going to to pull him from public access and just work on his tasks, skills and obedience. A little a lot of stuff goes the last few months because I just haven’t felt very good. I didn’t have any energy to do any training with him all these new things anxiety meds of blood pressure meds that Ivermectin the patches I feel better be more focused with him tonight. He learned to take my socks off and he did really good!! He’s starting to figure things out at a faster pace so there’s a lot I can do, I need to
Find someplace where there’s a couple dogs on leash in a controlled situation where I can start working him through and understand that he’s not gonna get to play with every dog he sees. Then I need to proof him. If he can nail this reactivity by the time he’s mature I’ll give him another try. If not, I spend most of my life at home and that’s what I need his assistance. It’s just very hard for me to go to town and not have his support.

Tonight he just wants to play the “gud boi” game. He’s opening and closing the bathroom door, he found my wallet and brought it to me, handed me all the dirty clothes and took my socks off.
If I’m mobile tomorrow, I’ll have him start working on taking off my jacket. That’s a lot more complex and difficult, but I think he can do it.

Sometimes we just need to step away from a situation, and our emotions, in order to assess. I think your analysis of Boone's behavior is correct, and so are your plans.

Hang in there.

 

[rachels.haven]

Those dogs were a threat and an LGD would rather die than leave you unprotected. His genetics code for bodyguard. He's your secret service. Your best shot will probably be to convince him that you've got it covered, but IDK how you're going to convince an Anatolian of that. His genetics also call for doubting you now that he's approaching grown up.

On the positive side, when you're out and about you're probably the safest woman for miles.

 

[Baymule]

If anyone can pull this off, it’s you. Boone is in not just good hands, he’s in the BEST hands. You have gone through a rough patch, but you are on the upswing, feeling better and can give Boone more training sessions.
Together, y’all got this!

 

[fuzzi]

On the positive side, when you're out and about you're probably the safest woman for miles.

My 90# GSD/Lab cross Tirzah had the bark and attitude of a GSD. I took her with me to the ATM. No one got close.

I miss her.

 

[SageHill]

On the citronella spray and not using it --- muscle memory, it's not there. Not your fault you forgot to use it.
Things like that - I had XYZ why didn't I use it happens to me as well.
This should be something that you try out, learn to aim, consider blow-back, and then practice with Boone so he understands it's not on him. If there is a next time you'll be ready.
I'm glad you took the time to step back and analyze it. Mr Boone did the proper thing - just not the proper thing for a service dog. But - he hasn't had the chance to learn what he is supposed to do. He did what comes naturally - and he did it in a very tempered/scaled down way.
Your plan to take him to where there are controlled dogs is a good one. If you've got people that will work with you, you can add in key word(s) that you say to them where they'll stop their dogs and either the same words where they move their dogs away. These are words that Boone would learn and understand that you are in control and basically you have his six.
He's still young, still part puppy. This was just a hole in his training. You have done so much with him extremely successfully especially going against the LGD nature. I have no doubt that you can do this and that Boone is capable.
Hang in there - you've got this.

 

[peteyfoozer]

God bless you guys! Your support means the world to me as I know you are all animal handlers and have a variety of experiences, as well as some of you share your specific talents and experience with dogs and LGDs.

I had a great morning and amazingly my pain levels are quite low, in spite if the cold, wind and sleet. Dinner is in the Dutch oven cooking slow slowly for tonight and I’m a little woozy afraid I’m gonna take another fall. Subutai or working where I can sit, he has taken off my socks help me take off my shirt several times on his own. She ran to make sure the bathroom door was shut and he found my med bag in the other room and brought it to me and he’s learning to find an antler now. This kind of training wears out pretty fast and he enjoys it and I’m happy he’s learning stuff that can be used to help me. I am so happy he’s learning to take off my jacket and socks and stuff because a lot of times I struggle. He really is so helpful and it’s hard to believe he’s only a year old.

 

[Baymule]

Buford would freak out if he was in the house, much less if I told him to take my socks off.

He sits, waits, I set his food pan down and tell him take it. He comes when I call, most of the time. Sometimes he tries to hide and flattens out behind a weed with his big ol’ body. I walk out to him, tummy rub, and he jumps up and beats me back to the sheep pen. And I think he’s BRILLIANT!!

Boone is on a whole ‘nother level. And he’s there because of YOU. It’s YOUR training that has brought him this far and there’s more to come. You and Boone are partners. You rely on each other. Boone is attuned to you, your wants and needs. It can only get better from here going forward.