Waiving The White Flag

Yes, it's true.  I've waived the white flag.  I've admitted defeat.  I don't know how to train my dogs!  My dogs have out of control moments that I don't know what to do with!  So, I finally broke down and hired a professional.  I have hired a former head dog trainer from Petsmart who now just does dog training on the side, but at your home.  I didn't sign up for a class again, because I didn't think a class would do anything.  My dogs needed a trainer to see how they behave when we are out on our walks and encounter a dog, or a bike, or a stroller for goodness sakes!

Our trainer's verdict:  Our dogs are scared.  I'm a little person with a high pitch voice, ergo, I don't sound like I can protect myself and my "pack" when we encounter something scary.  Therefore, the dogs erupt out of fear.

Plan:  Dominance training.  The word "dominance" sounds so harsh, but so far it's been working well.  Essentially, we are focusing on establishing me and the hubbs as the dominant ones - not the dog.  The homework involves a lot of stays and heeling based on eye contact.  There isn't much verbal praise at all and no affection in the training part.  Oh, and no treats so far either.  The dog is being trained to seek us out for their cue to move forward or be released from a stay.  Already I'm seeing improvement, but we're still only a few days into practicing, and we haven't done a ton with the dogs walking together either.

Failed Attempt #999: The Thundershirt

Here's a post I started back in the winter....and just realized it!

Well, it feels like attempt #999. We have tried so many different techniques with the little buddy boo boo to work on his leash aggression. I have been so curious about the "Thunder Shirt" and wanted to see if it would help at all with Copper's issues when he sees other dogs. I was a little hesitant because I first saw it advertised on an infomercial. Then I heard about a local pet store in town that sells it and has a great return policy, so I decided to go for it.

While the dogs looked extremely cute in the "Thunder Shirt", it did not seem to soothe either dog. We tried it in multiple situations and attempted to phase it in. For example, I first had Copper wear it while we were watching a show that had dogs in it. Copper still barked at the television. Then, we tried it out on some outings on the block, and it still no success. I supposed Copper's issues may not be anxiety anymore, but rather a defensive reaction to dogs instead.

We even attempted the "Thunder Shirt" on Sara Beth who definitely has anxiety issues when riding in the car. However, she still panted frantically and drooled in the car as usual.

I have heard of other dogs who have had success with this new product on the market, so I wouldn't rule it out as an option. We were able to return it with no hassles and got some leads on attempt #1000. Just know that there are good return policies on the product in case you want to try it out with your dog.

Counter-Intuitive Thoughts On Dealing With Dog Aggression

Even though the dogs are behaving "better", I still wouldn't say they could pass their Canine Good Citizen right now (ironically, both dogs have this certification and have regressed manners-wise).  I'm always wanting to get their behavior better and better.  I recently came across this blog/website and it has some really good articles on it:  Here's a snapshot of what I was reading about dog aggression:

"The key to making a dog feel less afraid or upset about exposure to the stimulus is by making the dog feel better about the stimulus. That's the goal of classical counter conditioning and desensitization protocols which treat the root of the problem. These techniques are counter-intuitive - the presence of the trigger, rather than the dog's behavior, must be the reliable predictor of reinforcement. Essentially, we're giving the dog what he wants (toys, food, etc.) at the instant he sees the other dog or person, continually until they're out of sight, at least in the initial stages of training. It doesn't matter what my dog is doing - I don't care if he's sitting, lying down, standing, or if his hackles are fully raised. Yep, I'm going to feed him even if he's noticing the dog and not giving a full-blown reaction, maybe if it's a soft growl or muted "woof," I'm still feeding him."

Here's where I found this article:  http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/myths-about-dog-aggression-part-vii

If dog aggression isn't your issue, there are tons of articles on other dog and puppy training issues!

New Environments; New Dogs?

Well, it's been a while since I've posted.  That doesn't mean that we haven't had dog training struggles and joys in the meantime.  Realistically, it just means that I haven't been able to take the time to think and blog on it.

Since the last post, we have moved out of the condo!  Yay for not living downtown!  Our dogs love it too!  They seemed to settle into the new house almost immediately.  I honestly think the downtown setting was too much stimulation for them.  Too many noises.  Too many new people.  Too many other dogs.  Too many unknowns.

Gotta Love the tongue sticking out!

Our new place is on a one acre lot that, while not fenced, is surrounded on three sides by large trees and heavy brush.  Our dogs have been really good about staying nearby us when we go out to do business or play.  We don't have sidewalks and we live on the end of a dead end street, so it is in general, pretty quiet.  It's almost the opposite of living in downtown Nashville.

This new place is dog utopia, right?  Well, almost, but not fully.  We still have issues with leash aggression on walks, but this time, it's the dogs in the yards initiating it.  We also deal with people who don't fence their dog in and just let it roam in the yard.  I must say, though, I've been impressed with how well my poopies have reacted to the neighbor dogs so far.

Here are a few things I've learned and been reminded of in this new environment:

*  No living environment is perfect, so you constantly have to train your dog and adapt to the new challenges
*  Dogs love to run.  Well, my herders do at least!  They have excelled because they have the space to run and get their energy out.  We still go on walks and to the dog park for socialization, but if the day is busy, we have the yard to run around in.
*  You have to know your dogs' limits.  When we are on a walk, I know there are certain houses that we cannot go past without an eruption.  If I can, I'll turn around and go another route.  I praise the dogs when they calmly walk past a house with a barking dog.  I always want to set my dogs up for success, not failure.
*  I'm going to become an expert at removing ticks this summer!  Each dog has already gotten their first tick bite.  Yuck!

Happy Copper

Feisty Fido: Watch!

Mastering "Feisty Fido's" main tool: WATCH

The main tool you use according to Feisty Fido's method is to train your dog to "watch" you whenever they face a distraction. Eventually, my goal is to get Copper to a point where he will see a dog on the other side of the street (or even passing us on the same side!) and automatically look me in the eyes instead of react to the distraction.

The nice thing about Copper-butt is that he is so smart. He really is. So, when we practice this command in easy situations (home, our front porch, out on the street with not distractions) he does great. The other thing that makes training with Copper easy is that he is HIGHLY motivated by food.

So far, with our working on this, we have been able to follow a dog half a block away for a few blocks without whining. We have passed dogs about half a block away (sometimes the dogs don't even know the other dog is there because they are so focused on the treats). Copper's also responded well to the "watch" command when we pass this one house that has a yard full of cats wandering around.

All in all, I have seen some improvement. We are no where near calling Copper behaved on the leash aggression front, but I'm enjoying the walks more. Copper is too-treats and all!

Feisty Fido

I thought I had come to the end of my rope with this leash aggression and just not finding resources that were helpful. I mean, we've done obedience classes; I've tried working with the clicker; I've tried so many techniques. And then on top of practicing, I've looked for books and resources online about what to do with leash aggression specifically. There are tons of dog training books, but rarely do they focus on the specific problem of leash aggression.

And then one day, I stumbled upon "Feisty Fido" by Patricia McConnell and Karen London. Someone, somewhere blogged about this book (and whoever that was, I'm sorry I forgot who you are, but thank you!) and I instantly went online and purchased it. The whole premise of the book is about dealing with leash aggression.

The techniques in the book are not overly new ideas, but they lay it out exactly how you should start and progress from there. It is so straightforward about what you need to do. Not only that, but it's realistic. For example, they talk about how it may take some dogs a few weeks to master the new habits, but for some it could take months or even just continual work. The other thing I appreciated about the book is that the descriptions of scenarios you deal with with a leash aggressive dog were so close to what I've experienced it was scary.

I highly recommend this book. It wasn't expensive. It was an easy read. Plain and simple, it has practical tools you can use for this specific issue.

oh the agony!

Update on how the training is going...

Food Aggression:

I've gotten a little more lax with Copper in the last few days. I've forgotten and left the bowls out after feeding time, which in turn, allows Copper the opportunity to lick his and Sara's bowl. He still does really well in waiting for his food even though Sara has started before him. He also does really well when we take his food away from him mid-meal.

We did have one instance where he tried to start eating Sara's food while she had her head in the bowl. And I caught it so fast that I simply scooped him up with a firm "NO" and held him up like a baby until Sara was done eating. He didn't snap or anything. Good thing he's not heavier!


Loose Leash/Leash Aggression:

Both dogs have been getting walks together, which I'm sure is where the problem lies. I don't even know when I drifted out of the habit of walking them separately, but I'm sure I should start back up. Both dogs are walking on the leash well. Sara Beth still pulls more than Copper, but they are good in my book.

This morning we had a good walk and I think it was because I was only half-awake. I was more mellow and so they were more mellow. I barely said anything except maybe a "good boy/good girl" here or there, and mainly just led by pace and leash direction. I think I'm a believer in the fact that my hyper energy can make the dogs more hyper.

Now, the leash aggression is still a problem. oh the agony! I feel like the dogs have gotten worse instead of better about seeing other dogs out. Even bikes are freaking them out again, and sometimes runners. It's so frustrating to have to go back to basics with them when I thought we were past this!

hows the training going?

the dog training has been going well lately. sara beth and copper have been getting walks together these days, which is technically breaking my rules, but it's been in the mid 90's consistently and it's just too hot to take them separately. they've actually been doing really well. we ran into "emma" (one of the dogs they have issues with from our building) and we promptly turned and walked the opposite way (with purpose and decent speed). both dogs barked initially, but settled back into "walk mode" fairly quickly.

we haven't been running into too many dogs lately - could be the heat, but they've been doing well regardless. but, I misplaced my "clicker" and I need to find it to continue to be consistent in this technique. that's my goal for the weekend: find the clicker!

separate walks...finally!

After getting knocked down by a cold and all of my excuses, the dogs got their separate walks this morning and did great!

Sara Beth is starting to respond much better to the clicker sounds again. And-we were even able to get half a block from two dogs that were irritated by our presence! I like that we weren't the trouble dog! While she got upset at first, she calmed down with some commands/rewards.

Copper did excellent today. We didn't encounter any other dogs, but he was very focused on me and following my lead. The only downfall to our walk today was that he ate so many cicadas! eeew!