I was researching ways to work through Maxwell's crate guarding the other day, and came across this article. I found it to be a level-headed and fair assessment of the TV show 'The Dog Whisperer.' As a bonus, I completely agree with the author's conclusion: the show gives dog owners bad information that is not based in canine behavior or psychology. And in my opinion, the show could easily lead well-intentioned but poorly informed owners to make matters worse.
For the record, let me say that I have watched many episodes of the show myself. Before I learned about clicker training, I even tried to apply the show's methods to Sadie, hoping to stop her lunging and growling at other dogs while on walks. Far from teaching her to be calm and mind me, it made her even more sure that dogs are bad. Her behavior escalated until she actually pulled me off my feet one day while jogging, in front of a car turning into a driveway, on a dark sidewalk. I had horrible bruises on my hip and arm for weeks, and was afraid to walk Sadie without a prong collar.
Once I switched to positive reinforcement and worked through Control Unleashed, she began to ignore dogs. She even walks on a plain flat-buckle collar. Yes, I still have to keep an eye on her when I see other pups on walks or at trials, but I know that all I have to do is say her name. No matter how intense her interest is in the strange dog, she will whip around to me for a treat.
She is my recovering reactive dog. Like a recovering alcoholic, it will always be easy for her to regress. I will always have to be vigilant, but I no longer have to worry. We are both much happier.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Good, The Bad, And The "What The Hell Is My Dog Doing?"
I know I haven't posted much recently, and I'm sorry. I have lots to say, but haven't had much time to write! Mostly this post comes from the trial Sadie ran this past weekend, but not entirely.
The Good
Sadie, Maxwell, and I went to a trial in Sewaren, NJ on Sunday. The location was a very nice park, where there were three rings. The dogs had a great time sniffing about and rough-housing in an adjacent section of field.
Since she earned her NJP title, I had moved Sadie's Jumpers run up to Open Preferred. This was the first time Sadie had ever run an Open level course, and I think she ran wonderfully. She followed my cues, including several tight rear crosses, and (mostly) stayed with me. She didn't Q because she missed the weaves entirely. Can you say distracted? I'm pleased with the run anyway.
Maxwell did very nicely when I walked him around, giving attention when asked and generally not rushing other dogs. He wanted very badly to play with some of them, but wasn't obnoxious about it. He really seems to have calmed down in trial environments, at least as an observer.
The Bad
Maxwell has become a terrible crate-guarder. A friend said she walked by my setup with one of her dogs, and Maxwell went berserk. Not just barking, mind you, but snarling and lunging through the crate door. Poor Sadie apparently flattened herself into the farthest corner to get some distance.
This is something I've been seeing escalate, and been thinking about how best to address the issue. Now, though, it has become a serious problem. I want to be able to leave my dogs for short periods without worrying that he'll claw through the soft crate, or even just frighten another dog.
Mrs. Trainer mentioned calming caps. I'm going to discuss it with Mr. Trainer, then perhaps buy one to try. I'd like to avoid buying Maxwell his own crate to leave covered, but will do so if I must!
A brand new behavior problem has cropped up as well: vehicle chasing. Just in the past week or so I've noticed Maxwell lunge at large vans (like a florist or plumber might use) and buses. The first time or two were so isolated, and so unusual, that I assumed he had seen a squirrel that I missed. Walking the dogs tonight, though, he very clearly went after a moving van. Then another. Then a bus. Then a van.... NOT GOOD. I have no idea where this came from, but it must be stopped now. I'll probably turn large vehicles into a cue to look at me for treats, like I did with dogs to address Sadie's dog-reactivity.
What The Hell Is My Dog Doing?
Sadie had a lot of fun at the trial on Sunday, but wasn't in top form. In fact, her runs in Standard and Time 2 Beat made her look like a green dog that shouldn't be trialing yet! She visited the ring crew, sniffed grass, and ran large circles. In Standard, she took several of the (on-course) obstacles completely by accident. They just happened to be in the way of her sniff-and-run!
I actually think these two runs were worse than her very first trial. However, there was a huge difference between the two trials. In her first, Sadie was distracted, stressed, and unsure. In this trial, she was distracted, happy, and full of goofiness. Totally different mindsets that just happen to look much alike.
Had the trial been indoors, I am positive she would have nailed all three courses. As it was, I'm just happy that she stayed happy.
The Good
Sadie, Maxwell, and I went to a trial in Sewaren, NJ on Sunday. The location was a very nice park, where there were three rings. The dogs had a great time sniffing about and rough-housing in an adjacent section of field.
Since she earned her NJP title, I had moved Sadie's Jumpers run up to Open Preferred. This was the first time Sadie had ever run an Open level course, and I think she ran wonderfully. She followed my cues, including several tight rear crosses, and (mostly) stayed with me. She didn't Q because she missed the weaves entirely. Can you say distracted? I'm pleased with the run anyway.
Maxwell did very nicely when I walked him around, giving attention when asked and generally not rushing other dogs. He wanted very badly to play with some of them, but wasn't obnoxious about it. He really seems to have calmed down in trial environments, at least as an observer.
The Bad
Maxwell has become a terrible crate-guarder. A friend said she walked by my setup with one of her dogs, and Maxwell went berserk. Not just barking, mind you, but snarling and lunging through the crate door. Poor Sadie apparently flattened herself into the farthest corner to get some distance.
This is something I've been seeing escalate, and been thinking about how best to address the issue. Now, though, it has become a serious problem. I want to be able to leave my dogs for short periods without worrying that he'll claw through the soft crate, or even just frighten another dog.
Mrs. Trainer mentioned calming caps. I'm going to discuss it with Mr. Trainer, then perhaps buy one to try. I'd like to avoid buying Maxwell his own crate to leave covered, but will do so if I must!
A brand new behavior problem has cropped up as well: vehicle chasing. Just in the past week or so I've noticed Maxwell lunge at large vans (like a florist or plumber might use) and buses. The first time or two were so isolated, and so unusual, that I assumed he had seen a squirrel that I missed. Walking the dogs tonight, though, he very clearly went after a moving van. Then another. Then a bus. Then a van.... NOT GOOD. I have no idea where this came from, but it must be stopped now. I'll probably turn large vehicles into a cue to look at me for treats, like I did with dogs to address Sadie's dog-reactivity.
What The Hell Is My Dog Doing?
Sadie had a lot of fun at the trial on Sunday, but wasn't in top form. In fact, her runs in Standard and Time 2 Beat made her look like a green dog that shouldn't be trialing yet! She visited the ring crew, sniffed grass, and ran large circles. In Standard, she took several of the (on-course) obstacles completely by accident. They just happened to be in the way of her sniff-and-run!
I actually think these two runs were worse than her very first trial. However, there was a huge difference between the two trials. In her first, Sadie was distracted, stressed, and unsure. In this trial, she was distracted, happy, and full of goofiness. Totally different mindsets that just happen to look much alike.
Had the trial been indoors, I am positive she would have nailed all three courses. As it was, I'm just happy that she stayed happy.
Teaser
I have a project in the works, but I don't know when it will be ready to go live. Maybe in a month, maybe a year... In the meantime, click here for a little hint!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Puppy Mill Awareness Day 2011
Today, September 17, is Puppy Mill Awareness Day.
While I had known for a long time about the evils of puppy mills and pet store puppy operations, my little Aussie made it a much more immediate cause. He was rescued from a West Virginia "breeder," along with his brother and sister, before they could be drowned. The rescue group was given mere days to arrange a pickup.
Maxwell is an amazing dog; loving, playful, and intelligent. I can't imagine anyone considering him or any other dog expendable.
So take some time today to hug your dog, thank your breeder for their good ethics, and appreciate the rescue organizations in your area.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)