Very rarely, the pack awakens me at night with a few loud “woofs” and I’m always saying to myself that I must respond to this by checking out what is wrong for them to sound such an alarm. However, I never do just telling them to quiet down so I can get back to sleep. I really ought to pay attention to them as something important might be going on to need to wake me. I mean I’ve heard before of dogs waking their owners, barking to alert the owner to a fire!
Last night I did the usual quieten down thing - ok I admit a few louder words were used! Albeit this time I did sit up a bit concerned as those who normally sleep on the bed got off and went charging outside barking. This is a very unusual occurrence as Patsy, the old girl, jumped off the bed - normally it has to be breakfast time before she’ll even consider getting up! I couldn’t see anything amiss so I got them all back to bed and that was that. At least so I thought until I heard the news - clearly it was the earthquake that had stirred them up.
Wow, clever dogs - I hadn’t even noticed but they were obviously unhappy about such an event! It is known that dogs can tell when an earthquake is about to happen, some can even tell when a tsunami is approaching. Dogs are being employed to use these incredible senses to alert the authorities out in Indonesia.
Well done all, we didn’t suffer any damage but at least I know I’m safe at night with this pack of dogs, even asleep they’re still alert! All I have to do is be less lazy and respond actively to what they’re trying to tell me!!!
Thursday 28 February 2008
At home with Tia!
Tia was quite stressed to be apart from Chris on the first day, and at night particularly! As it took some time to settle her before we could get any sleep - drifting off to a tune of “whining” is not really relaxing! The dogs on the other hand just slept through any of her displays of separation anxiety! It proved to me how “chilled out” my pack have become…or is that lazy?!
The next day, you wouldn’t have known that she’d not been here for ages. She’d calmed down, copying the energy of my pack she began to laze about and settle into our routine. We took her out on a walk with Peter and the Setters, she can’t be let off the lead so she nearly pulled Simon’s arm off charging here and there chasing the others!
The strange but true news is: her favourite dog is…..”Peter”!! Peter feels the same way and displays playful behaviour with her, bouncing on and off sofas as if he were a pup again! Jack, Monty and Bob - a surprising trio, aren’t too keen on Tia, giving out a gentle growl warning to stay away which she happily adheres to! I say surprisingly as Jack usually gets along with most dogs, Monty is usually neutral, as is Bob. On reflection it’s the energy those three don’t like, high and excitable these three only do calm and laid back! There’s no problem between them I must add, they just ignore each other and mine carry on regardless.
This morning she spent some time, encouraged I do believe by Peter, to stare at cat through the window. Cat duly obliged by putting on a display of preening himself which provoked much barking at him from the pair of them. Unfased , cat carried on refusing to do as they wanted and runaway, they gave up and settled for sunbathing instaed!!
However, her stay is short as she isn’t fully in season yet - my boys have confirmed this by paying no interest! So she’s off back home to return when the time is right! We had a walk on the beach with Chris, Tia and her other dogs, I brought Peter along and wondered what he would make of so many dogs on the beach. I half expected some aggressive displays, but there were none! He played about quite happily, albeit avoiding their rough and tumble play - he is one strange dog!
The Eastcoasters are back to their normal pack balance then…all sleeping in front o the fire having tucked in to their evening meal! Until next time Tia, take it easy we’ll see you soon.
The next day, you wouldn’t have known that she’d not been here for ages. She’d calmed down, copying the energy of my pack she began to laze about and settle into our routine. We took her out on a walk with Peter and the Setters, she can’t be let off the lead so she nearly pulled Simon’s arm off charging here and there chasing the others!
The strange but true news is: her favourite dog is…..”Peter”!! Peter feels the same way and displays playful behaviour with her, bouncing on and off sofas as if he were a pup again! Jack, Monty and Bob - a surprising trio, aren’t too keen on Tia, giving out a gentle growl warning to stay away which she happily adheres to! I say surprisingly as Jack usually gets along with most dogs, Monty is usually neutral, as is Bob. On reflection it’s the energy those three don’t like, high and excitable these three only do calm and laid back! There’s no problem between them I must add, they just ignore each other and mine carry on regardless.
This morning she spent some time, encouraged I do believe by Peter, to stare at cat through the window. Cat duly obliged by putting on a display of preening himself which provoked much barking at him from the pair of them. Unfased , cat carried on refusing to do as they wanted and runaway, they gave up and settled for sunbathing instaed!!
However, her stay is short as she isn’t fully in season yet - my boys have confirmed this by paying no interest! So she’s off back home to return when the time is right! We had a walk on the beach with Chris, Tia and her other dogs, I brought Peter along and wondered what he would make of so many dogs on the beach. I half expected some aggressive displays, but there were none! He played about quite happily, albeit avoiding their rough and tumble play - he is one strange dog!
The Eastcoasters are back to their normal pack balance then…all sleeping in front o the fire having tucked in to their evening meal! Until next time Tia, take it easy we’ll see you soon.
Welcome Tia!!
Imagine a whirlwind in an enclosed space and you’ve got Tia’s arrival into the house! A Border Collie x Poodle and 9 months old, her long chocolate hair flying in all directions as she investigates our home accompanied by Peter! By the way, Peter does not recognise her as the dog at school who he snarls at, she’s now “part of the pack” in his view and to be played with!
We introduced Eddie next, and true to her status - “top ranked female”, she chased Tia about, placed her paws on her back to dominate and a few “powerful looks” later, Tia submits and all is well - the balance successfully restored by the Boss Lady!
Gradually, we introduce the rest of the pack, the meeting is a little mad and chaotic, as we’re giving out treats at the same time to reward the dogs who are greeting with good social manners. Of course, there’s always one who steps out of line, and it’s usually a Jack Russell, again true to form it was Mickey! He got all too excited and bossy, he’s not even a high ranking dog but has a unique view of himself! So I had to control Mickey for a few minutes until he submitted to me then all was well.
Must add that the Mitchell brothers, Max and Monty (the East coast equivalent to Eastenders’ Phil and Grant), paid no real attention to her arrival, you could almost see them thinking “Oh no another hyper puppy, we don’t do puppies”!!!
All is well with the “Eastcoasteres” and their guest! You're very welcome Tia - enjoy your stay...!
We introduced Eddie next, and true to her status - “top ranked female”, she chased Tia about, placed her paws on her back to dominate and a few “powerful looks” later, Tia submits and all is well - the balance successfully restored by the Boss Lady!
Gradually, we introduce the rest of the pack, the meeting is a little mad and chaotic, as we’re giving out treats at the same time to reward the dogs who are greeting with good social manners. Of course, there’s always one who steps out of line, and it’s usually a Jack Russell, again true to form it was Mickey! He got all too excited and bossy, he’s not even a high ranking dog but has a unique view of himself! So I had to control Mickey for a few minutes until he submitted to me then all was well.
Must add that the Mitchell brothers, Max and Monty (the East coast equivalent to Eastenders’ Phil and Grant), paid no real attention to her arrival, you could almost see them thinking “Oh no another hyper puppy, we don’t do puppies”!!!
All is well with the “Eastcoasteres” and their guest! You're very welcome Tia - enjoy your stay...!
Sunday 24 February 2008
Peter's School Days
Hey - there’s a new kid at school - and he’s a Jack Russell pup!! Peter stops in his tracks…the Russells he knows are all higher ranked dogs so this is confusing, what to make of this new guy?! He stares and then avoids him, best to be on the safe side and give the new boy a bit of space - respect from Peter now that’s a first at school!
This week we did agility jumps for half the class- I say we but this time I didn’t have to jump with Peter to show him what to do - he remembered. When he’s focused on his agility work he completely ignores the other dogs doing obedience close by. He’s got the hang of back and close - left and right…but for me it’s a bit trickier as it’s his left and right turns that require the commands and not mine!
After this we joined the rest of the class for some obedience. He’s improving and doing this after some agility works better. However, I was anticipating a reaction when he had to stop near a classmate and handler, I’d get tense and so he duly obliged with an aggressive display! So looks like I’ve got some homework to do on being calm and not projecting anxiety onto Peter!
A charge around the Heath has tired out Peter and the Setters, then we’re back to school to collect Tia, Chris’s dog who’s joining our pack for a couple of weeks.
Coming next: Tia’s holidays - read about her introduction to Crystal Dogs…how will my pack react?
This week we did agility jumps for half the class- I say we but this time I didn’t have to jump with Peter to show him what to do - he remembered. When he’s focused on his agility work he completely ignores the other dogs doing obedience close by. He’s got the hang of back and close - left and right…but for me it’s a bit trickier as it’s his left and right turns that require the commands and not mine!
After this we joined the rest of the class for some obedience. He’s improving and doing this after some agility works better. However, I was anticipating a reaction when he had to stop near a classmate and handler, I’d get tense and so he duly obliged with an aggressive display! So looks like I’ve got some homework to do on being calm and not projecting anxiety onto Peter!
A charge around the Heath has tired out Peter and the Setters, then we’re back to school to collect Tia, Chris’s dog who’s joining our pack for a couple of weeks.
Coming next: Tia’s holidays - read about her introduction to Crystal Dogs…how will my pack react?
Thursday 21 February 2008
13 Dogs at Dinner ...plus one!
We’re soon to be a pack of 14 dogs …..don’t panic I haven’t got a new dog! We will be looking after our friend Chris’s dog, Tia a fabulous young puppy who is a Poodle cross Border Collie! The reason for this unusual event is that being a young lady, she’s come into season, Chris also has male dogs and being full boys they’re getting edgy and challenging each other for Tia’s attention! My male dogs have all been neutered so no inter-male fighting over a bitch, she’s with me for the duration!
The plan is for her to come over after Peter’s school on Sunday. She does know my lot but has not stayed with us before. So this is going to be “interesting”…..what will my pack make of having a house guest I wonder?!
Usually when one of mine is in season, she pairs off with one of the boys and the rest are kept away by that boy. The contenders for this role are usually Peter (what a surprise hey), Timmy (one of the Jack Russells) and most surprisingly little Jack (the Chihuahua who turns into a gremlin when acting in this role!)
The first job is to get her accepted by the “Boss Lady” - Eddie, the highest ranking female. We’ll walk Tia with Eddie to get them to bond, when Eddie says “Yes” to a new dog in the house the whole pack says “Yes"! Of course, if I say she’s staying for a few weeks, Eddie will say “Yes”…just got to remind her that I am the Leader! Seriously though, it’s vital Eddie approves of the new addition in order for the dogs pack hierarchy to function in the balanced, happy-go-lucky way that they’re used to. How will Eddie do this? - She will put her paws on Tia’s back, use “herding” type behaviour to dominate her and so long as she submits she’s in! Eddie did this the first time they met at Christmas and Tia accepted her as “Boss“, so she just has to remind Tia. To Eddie she’ll be part of the pack…neither of them would know that it’s only temporary!
So watch this space for regular reports on how Tia adapts to life with Crystal Dogs - Drama with the “Eastcoasters” coming soon!
The plan is for her to come over after Peter’s school on Sunday. She does know my lot but has not stayed with us before. So this is going to be “interesting”…..what will my pack make of having a house guest I wonder?!
Usually when one of mine is in season, she pairs off with one of the boys and the rest are kept away by that boy. The contenders for this role are usually Peter (what a surprise hey), Timmy (one of the Jack Russells) and most surprisingly little Jack (the Chihuahua who turns into a gremlin when acting in this role!)
The first job is to get her accepted by the “Boss Lady” - Eddie, the highest ranking female. We’ll walk Tia with Eddie to get them to bond, when Eddie says “Yes” to a new dog in the house the whole pack says “Yes"! Of course, if I say she’s staying for a few weeks, Eddie will say “Yes”…just got to remind her that I am the Leader! Seriously though, it’s vital Eddie approves of the new addition in order for the dogs pack hierarchy to function in the balanced, happy-go-lucky way that they’re used to. How will Eddie do this? - She will put her paws on Tia’s back, use “herding” type behaviour to dominate her and so long as she submits she’s in! Eddie did this the first time they met at Christmas and Tia accepted her as “Boss“, so she just has to remind Tia. To Eddie she’ll be part of the pack…neither of them would know that it’s only temporary!
So watch this space for regular reports on how Tia adapts to life with Crystal Dogs - Drama with the “Eastcoasters” coming soon!
Monty's Great Adventure
It’s a beautiful clear sunny day, with the big dog troop we’re off to the beach. We start on the beach where Monty first spotted a seal, more than 5 days ago now. He’s off back to the exact spot where the seal appeared, none of the usual mad dashing with Max, he’s searching for said seal!
We head off on the walk, usually along the middle of the beach, Monty is walking right at the edge of the sea - nose down, paying no attention to any of the others or me (I even have dog treats in my bag but they’re of no interest today). He’s speeding up …. Has he picked up the seal’s scent I wonder.
He’s off, at quite a pace. We’re all lagging behind now, Max catches him up from time to time but he appears to be in his own world - Monty and his Seal world. With Monty “seal tracking”, the rest of us head off onto the dunes, we do this routinely so Monty does know which way to go, but nothing is to disturb his tracking!
Eventually he realises he’s on his own, I can see him but he can’t see me. He turns and heads back, still keeping close to the shore. Next thing he’s passing me, I’m calling him, he’s oblivious! He’s passed us, he’s in front of me and he’s off….no way can we all keep up! So we too head off towards home, now I can’t even see him on the distant beaches… I mean he is a very large black Gt Dane on a sandy beach….how does that happen!
At last we arrive back at the house and there he is as large as life, standing by the gate looking baffled and very pleased to see the rest of the troop! I just wonder if anyone saw a large black dog, striding out alone along a beach on a mission?! He wouldn’t have gone near anyone or any dog, just focused on getting himself home without being noticed!
So that’s that then - it is possible to “loose” a Gt. Dane on an empty beach in clear weather!! Seal tracking - a new sport for Gt. Danes, a non-contact sport obviously I wouldn’t let him to close to one and they‘re too fast at swimming for him!
We head off on the walk, usually along the middle of the beach, Monty is walking right at the edge of the sea - nose down, paying no attention to any of the others or me (I even have dog treats in my bag but they’re of no interest today). He’s speeding up …. Has he picked up the seal’s scent I wonder.
He’s off, at quite a pace. We’re all lagging behind now, Max catches him up from time to time but he appears to be in his own world - Monty and his Seal world. With Monty “seal tracking”, the rest of us head off onto the dunes, we do this routinely so Monty does know which way to go, but nothing is to disturb his tracking!
Eventually he realises he’s on his own, I can see him but he can’t see me. He turns and heads back, still keeping close to the shore. Next thing he’s passing me, I’m calling him, he’s oblivious! He’s passed us, he’s in front of me and he’s off….no way can we all keep up! So we too head off towards home, now I can’t even see him on the distant beaches… I mean he is a very large black Gt Dane on a sandy beach….how does that happen!
At last we arrive back at the house and there he is as large as life, standing by the gate looking baffled and very pleased to see the rest of the troop! I just wonder if anyone saw a large black dog, striding out alone along a beach on a mission?! He wouldn’t have gone near anyone or any dog, just focused on getting himself home without being noticed!
So that’s that then - it is possible to “loose” a Gt. Dane on an empty beach in clear weather!! Seal tracking - a new sport for Gt. Danes, a non-contact sport obviously I wouldn’t let him to close to one and they‘re too fast at swimming for him!
Monday 18 February 2008
Peter's School Days
Peter arrives for school, alert which is more than can be said for me, half asleep guess it’s time to wake up and feel the cold, -1 the car reports! We have the usual aggressive display, come on Peter nobody is paying any attention!
Today we see the welcome return of his classmates, though they are puppies so obedience class is a little slow paced for Peter to remain focused for long. “Sit and stay” is not something that Terriers do well, hardly an active sport for this high energy breed!
We worked with Sonia and both of her dogs today. With calm Fletch, Peter would sit still and Sonia would walk around us. Peter got the hang of this and was quite accepting! However, Lucy a livelier dog, sent Peter into a frenzy so it was harder to get him to focus on working, simply not displaying aggression was the best I got! We finished up walking alongside Sonia and Fletch, I had Peter on one side and my Alfie on the other. So with both Fletch and Alfie acting as role models we all walked together well, moving forward all the time without any tantrums from Peter. He even walked with Sonia, noticeable improvement as she had Fletch on her other side - way to go boy! Moving forward is the key, he can't do aggression if he's on the move in "pack style".
The Heath walk was rather amusing, Alfie walked across the frozen lake like a person first attempting ice skating, legs all over the place ..imagine “Bambi attempting to walk for the first time and you’ve got a vision of Alfie’s performance. What do you think - Dogs on Ice next?! A few panics from me imaging the vet bill were he to take a nasty turn! There was no telling him not to do it, of course eventually the ice broke and he got a very cold dip!
Week of homework ahead and some high energy draining exercise, “Yep” we have a replacement bike! We shall see if he takes to running alongside the bike while I cycle - multi-tasking big time! Or if I take off and into the ditch hanging onto his lead, pulled off by a Terrier insisting on chasing a wild rodent!
Today we see the welcome return of his classmates, though they are puppies so obedience class is a little slow paced for Peter to remain focused for long. “Sit and stay” is not something that Terriers do well, hardly an active sport for this high energy breed!
We worked with Sonia and both of her dogs today. With calm Fletch, Peter would sit still and Sonia would walk around us. Peter got the hang of this and was quite accepting! However, Lucy a livelier dog, sent Peter into a frenzy so it was harder to get him to focus on working, simply not displaying aggression was the best I got! We finished up walking alongside Sonia and Fletch, I had Peter on one side and my Alfie on the other. So with both Fletch and Alfie acting as role models we all walked together well, moving forward all the time without any tantrums from Peter. He even walked with Sonia, noticeable improvement as she had Fletch on her other side - way to go boy! Moving forward is the key, he can't do aggression if he's on the move in "pack style".
The Heath walk was rather amusing, Alfie walked across the frozen lake like a person first attempting ice skating, legs all over the place ..imagine “Bambi attempting to walk for the first time and you’ve got a vision of Alfie’s performance. What do you think - Dogs on Ice next?! A few panics from me imaging the vet bill were he to take a nasty turn! There was no telling him not to do it, of course eventually the ice broke and he got a very cold dip!
Week of homework ahead and some high energy draining exercise, “Yep” we have a replacement bike! We shall see if he takes to running alongside the bike while I cycle - multi-tasking big time! Or if I take off and into the ditch hanging onto his lead, pulled off by a Terrier insisting on chasing a wild rodent!
Sunday 17 February 2008
Golden Dog Awards
This week sees more of the pack challenging previous award winners! Those with outstanding performances are:
Gold Award - Goes to Monty, the Gt Dane. For actually going into the sea up to his waist - this is unprecedented and only inspired by a seal! The seal was happily swimming close to the shore when Max and Monty spotted it, the seal ducked and swam off - don’t blame it on seeing these two! However, Monty’s hasn’t seen one before and knows nothing of their behaviour, that they can and do swim off into the deap sea! So he went in after it, to hunt it down - Gt Danes were used to hunt wild boar once upon a time, did this instinct kick in I wonder, did he think it was a wild swimming boar?! Anyway, 2 days later we returned to this beach, Monty went again into the sea at the same place, refusing to come on the rest of the walk as he was busy searching for “his prey” - the seal. Clever seal, of course, would have been miles away! Never mind Monty, well done for going into the sea at last and demonstrating some instinct, you’re not just a couch potato after all!
Silver Award - Goes to Jack, the Chihuahua x Yorkshire Terrier, “Chalky”. For excellent behaviour when receiving his pre-spring hair cut courtesy of Chris in her pet shop. Short back and sides, not so much like teddy bear now there is a dog under that disguise!! Much sand was left behind along with his winter coat!
And finally, the Bronze Award goes to the Jack Russell 4 Dog Pack, headed up by Eddie, they successfully navigated the local woods and returned when called. This is significant, as to get a perfect recall when they’re busy doing their thing - “russelling” about with the direction only known to them, is unheard of. The best I’ll get from these Terriers is a return to me, soon after calling them and at a running pace, zigzagging their way! Not nicknamed “The Rat Pack - Terrible Terriers” for nothing, when there’s a rat about and the chase is on I may as well forget recall until they‘ve caught up with their target!!
Gold Award - Goes to Monty, the Gt Dane. For actually going into the sea up to his waist - this is unprecedented and only inspired by a seal! The seal was happily swimming close to the shore when Max and Monty spotted it, the seal ducked and swam off - don’t blame it on seeing these two! However, Monty’s hasn’t seen one before and knows nothing of their behaviour, that they can and do swim off into the deap sea! So he went in after it, to hunt it down - Gt Danes were used to hunt wild boar once upon a time, did this instinct kick in I wonder, did he think it was a wild swimming boar?! Anyway, 2 days later we returned to this beach, Monty went again into the sea at the same place, refusing to come on the rest of the walk as he was busy searching for “his prey” - the seal. Clever seal, of course, would have been miles away! Never mind Monty, well done for going into the sea at last and demonstrating some instinct, you’re not just a couch potato after all!
Silver Award - Goes to Jack, the Chihuahua x Yorkshire Terrier, “Chalky”. For excellent behaviour when receiving his pre-spring hair cut courtesy of Chris in her pet shop. Short back and sides, not so much like teddy bear now there is a dog under that disguise!! Much sand was left behind along with his winter coat!
And finally, the Bronze Award goes to the Jack Russell 4 Dog Pack, headed up by Eddie, they successfully navigated the local woods and returned when called. This is significant, as to get a perfect recall when they’re busy doing their thing - “russelling” about with the direction only known to them, is unheard of. The best I’ll get from these Terriers is a return to me, soon after calling them and at a running pace, zigzagging their way! Not nicknamed “The Rat Pack - Terrible Terriers” for nothing, when there’s a rat about and the chase is on I may as well forget recall until they‘ve caught up with their target!!
Sunday 10 February 2008
Peter's School Days - Part 2
Look how close Peter is to Chris with one of her dogs, Bruffy - and they're both off lead, calm yet working hard ....simply amazing!
We have “play time” at school, where we break the dogs off from working for some "rest and relaxation" - which usually translates to charging about playing with each other. Peter's lack of social skills have meant that he has been unable to join in so far. He does know Chris's dogs socially, but in this different environment he does not recognise them as friends. As only Chris's dogs were here today, and he had already been friendly with Bruffy, we introduced Tia (Chris's puppy). After a few corrections of his aggression, I let him off lead to great Tia, he met her with good manners so off all three went to play! So there Peter you can do it!
Looks like agility training is the way to go with Peter then. We will do some more obedience work first though to improve his attention on me, then we’ll take up agility. Thing is that’s the 9am class - thanks Peter!
A good charge around the Heath with the Setters, all exhausted we headed home to a sunny beach!
Will his classmates return next week? We shall see.
Peters's School Days - Part 1
Ready Peter "Over" ....he's just jumped, Good Boy....."Close" - follow my arm signal, next to me that's right.....and all off the lead - Wow!
We arrive at school on a bright morning and much warmer on the training field! We’re ready to work and show off some of Peter’s new social skills, but there are no classmates to be seen! Has he scared them off? No it’s just holiday time being half term so Peter is the only one not missing school, no skiving for him!
With Chris, the teacher, we decide to put Peter through his paces on the agility equipment. During the week I had read how Fox Terriers love the agility challenge, and do far better at this than obedience because the pace is faster with the focus constantly changing. This makes sense and corresponds with Peter's Fox T character. Put simply - they don’t usually excel at obedience, Peter supports this theory as he gets bored quickly!
Within seconds of showing him how to weave in and out of poles he had grasped it and flew through, with me getting a bit tangled in his lead! The jumps he took to like a duck to water, not surprisingly as he is always leaping about! I got a bit confused with my lefts - back commands and rights - close commands! Once I’d got the hang of it we had Peter jumping over 4 jumps in a row, go boy! Also, worth pointing out that he did this off lead, while Chris was working one of her dogs off lead in the same area - no incidents to report, remarkable!
See Part 2 - play time!
Peter's School Days!
Any Dream Will Do……
The tune alone is calming and cheery so it’s my theme this week when out walking Peter. It reminds me to focus on my dream - a rehabilitated Peter calmly walking past other dogs! Actually it does more than this, it helps me to help Peter during this very stressful time, by picturing how I want his experience to be a positive one, it helps to create the reality.
To get Peter to pass another dog, I have to Focus on relaxing, humming my tune, correcting any aggressive outburst from Peter, and rewarding him after he has calmed. When we’re in tune with each other, we just walk on by with no problems, balanced and content. I like being a calm leader, Peter’s giving up his position of "my protector" albeit grudgingly (typical strong willed Terrier!). However, I can tell that he prefers being calm and inquisitive.
Today we had a lovely meeting with 2 fishermen, reckon he liked the smells from their catch! As we were both distracted, with me deep in conversation, we didn’t even notice other dogs go by , we weren’t thinking "oh no there’s another dog" so neither of us reacted.
Clearly then, projecting how I want the walk to be really does enable it to happen. Empowering me and calming Peter - slowly and step by step we’re achieving our dream. Put another way, I no longer predict a disaster on meeting new dogs - which is how I used to cause such an event to happen in the first place!
Back to school tomorrow, homework complete, uniform (harness, & lead) ready, snacks for him and a flask of hot tea for me! Wonder what teacher will say…..!
The tune alone is calming and cheery so it’s my theme this week when out walking Peter. It reminds me to focus on my dream - a rehabilitated Peter calmly walking past other dogs! Actually it does more than this, it helps me to help Peter during this very stressful time, by picturing how I want his experience to be a positive one, it helps to create the reality.
To get Peter to pass another dog, I have to Focus on relaxing, humming my tune, correcting any aggressive outburst from Peter, and rewarding him after he has calmed. When we’re in tune with each other, we just walk on by with no problems, balanced and content. I like being a calm leader, Peter’s giving up his position of "my protector" albeit grudgingly (typical strong willed Terrier!). However, I can tell that he prefers being calm and inquisitive.
Today we had a lovely meeting with 2 fishermen, reckon he liked the smells from their catch! As we were both distracted, with me deep in conversation, we didn’t even notice other dogs go by , we weren’t thinking "oh no there’s another dog" so neither of us reacted.
Clearly then, projecting how I want the walk to be really does enable it to happen. Empowering me and calming Peter - slowly and step by step we’re achieving our dream. Put another way, I no longer predict a disaster on meeting new dogs - which is how I used to cause such an event to happen in the first place!
Back to school tomorrow, homework complete, uniform (harness, & lead) ready, snacks for him and a flask of hot tea for me! Wonder what teacher will say…..!
Saturday 9 February 2008
What "anger" really means to a dog..........
I recently read a quote “He who angers you, conquers you”, this is so very true when dealing with a dogs “naughty” behaviour!
Our anger decides who we are, in terms of “energy” for the dog that means “weak and negative” - not the makings of a good leader in their view! If we decide to feel instead how we want to feel - “calm, firm and confident”, this gives us respect from the dog and immediately reinstates us as Pack Leader.
It also gets results, lets look at this example of Max, the Dobey, out on a walk (mainly run in his case) along the beach:
Attempt 1: Max is charging off into the distance, I have noticed some people wandering along with children and a lively dog. I recall Max he “sort of” comes - he dawdles about, then runs towards me and straight past me! Of course he knows what “Come” means but has chosen to ignore it in favour of running along the beach! "A frequent experience I hear some of you say"! I am getting frustrated, I call again adding the words “bad Max“, he comes closer and goes into a routine of spinning, play bowing, dancing around - anything but come close and sit. Thus I’m getting more angry by the second and shout at him, this neurotic routine escalates. During this time I have no real control over him and he knows it, the feeling disturbs him hence this neurotic behaviour. I try ignoring him, no use he gets even more confused, I walk off - no use “stropping off” he doesn’t get this human emotion and continues his dancing around!
So what have I done wrong? Primarily, being angry! Max is clearly telling me he is in charge at that moment and although he doesn’t know what to do he uses a multitude of learned behaviours and becomes a neurotic dog. I am not acting like a leader and I have used his name to tell him off. This is a sure way to confuse a dog as I have learnt! Names should only be used to grab attention and particularly not in conjunction with corrections!
Attempt 2: Thankfully, dogs always prefer to return to a balanced state, instead of getting frustrated, moving towards angry, I calm myself down and picture what I want from him. I use his name to get his attention then only use commands, with positive reinforcements such as “good boy” as he’s coming towards me. A correction such as a firm “No” if he veers off. Avoiding eye contact as this can be connected with a “challenge” to him, until he is next to me in a sit then I reward him.
The first attempt took 20 minutes before I had him back under control, the latter only a minute or 2.
So that’s that then, clearly presented to me by Max, if I’m angry he wins, if I’m calm assertive I win! A Pack Leader always wins
So by communicating "in dog" that I am his leader and using consistency in commanding him I avoid creating a neurotic dog, and having a large neurotic dog is not a good feeling for me or Max!
Remember you can start “again” at any time, reclaim leadership and the dog will change their behaviour! This I call "the promise of a new dog"!
Our anger decides who we are, in terms of “energy” for the dog that means “weak and negative” - not the makings of a good leader in their view! If we decide to feel instead how we want to feel - “calm, firm and confident”, this gives us respect from the dog and immediately reinstates us as Pack Leader.
It also gets results, lets look at this example of Max, the Dobey, out on a walk (mainly run in his case) along the beach:
Attempt 1: Max is charging off into the distance, I have noticed some people wandering along with children and a lively dog. I recall Max he “sort of” comes - he dawdles about, then runs towards me and straight past me! Of course he knows what “Come” means but has chosen to ignore it in favour of running along the beach! "A frequent experience I hear some of you say"! I am getting frustrated, I call again adding the words “bad Max“, he comes closer and goes into a routine of spinning, play bowing, dancing around - anything but come close and sit. Thus I’m getting more angry by the second and shout at him, this neurotic routine escalates. During this time I have no real control over him and he knows it, the feeling disturbs him hence this neurotic behaviour. I try ignoring him, no use he gets even more confused, I walk off - no use “stropping off” he doesn’t get this human emotion and continues his dancing around!
So what have I done wrong? Primarily, being angry! Max is clearly telling me he is in charge at that moment and although he doesn’t know what to do he uses a multitude of learned behaviours and becomes a neurotic dog. I am not acting like a leader and I have used his name to tell him off. This is a sure way to confuse a dog as I have learnt! Names should only be used to grab attention and particularly not in conjunction with corrections!
Attempt 2: Thankfully, dogs always prefer to return to a balanced state, instead of getting frustrated, moving towards angry, I calm myself down and picture what I want from him. I use his name to get his attention then only use commands, with positive reinforcements such as “good boy” as he’s coming towards me. A correction such as a firm “No” if he veers off. Avoiding eye contact as this can be connected with a “challenge” to him, until he is next to me in a sit then I reward him.
The first attempt took 20 minutes before I had him back under control, the latter only a minute or 2.
So that’s that then, clearly presented to me by Max, if I’m angry he wins, if I’m calm assertive I win! A Pack Leader always wins
So by communicating "in dog" that I am his leader and using consistency in commanding him I avoid creating a neurotic dog, and having a large neurotic dog is not a good feeling for me or Max!
Remember you can start “again” at any time, reclaim leadership and the dog will change their behaviour! This I call "the promise of a new dog"!
Golden Dog Awards
Some of the pack have learnt new commands, some have learnt to stop doing unwanted activities! The awards are just for fun and to enable you all to know how much improvement has been made and by whom.
The dogs get their prizes for their correct reactions to my commands at the time, immediate reward enables them to associate the “prize” (food treat) with the instruction and their action, essential to condition the dog to repeat a new behaviour. If they stop doing something and substitute a wanted action they too receive a reward for the substituted behaviour. The technique used is known as "positive reinforcement" - adding something they like to reinforce the behaviour.
The Gold Award goes to Alfie, Yes I did say Alfie the English Setter, a remarkable achievement for him as he’s not the most likely recipient within the pack! The award is for “Recall” - every walk he has returned to me within an acceptable time frame…quite simply amazing and never been achieved before!
The Silver Award goes to Max, he learnt a new word “Pull”, sounds strange but I wanted him to pull me, out in front of me when the wind was high and I was struggling to walk across the sand!
The Bronze Award goes to Peter, for learning to play ball with me and today he sat with me on the edge of the beach and calmly watched dogs go by.
Runners up are the Jack Russells, for synchronised recall on the beach...it may have been a coincidence!
Let's see who the pack champions are next week..........
The dogs get their prizes for their correct reactions to my commands at the time, immediate reward enables them to associate the “prize” (food treat) with the instruction and their action, essential to condition the dog to repeat a new behaviour. If they stop doing something and substitute a wanted action they too receive a reward for the substituted behaviour. The technique used is known as "positive reinforcement" - adding something they like to reinforce the behaviour.
The Gold Award goes to Alfie, Yes I did say Alfie the English Setter, a remarkable achievement for him as he’s not the most likely recipient within the pack! The award is for “Recall” - every walk he has returned to me within an acceptable time frame…quite simply amazing and never been achieved before!
The Silver Award goes to Max, he learnt a new word “Pull”, sounds strange but I wanted him to pull me, out in front of me when the wind was high and I was struggling to walk across the sand!
The Bronze Award goes to Peter, for learning to play ball with me and today he sat with me on the edge of the beach and calmly watched dogs go by.
Runners up are the Jack Russells, for synchronised recall on the beach...it may have been a coincidence!
Let's see who the pack champions are next week..........
Friday 8 February 2008
Spring is in the air...
A Few of the Terriers relaxing after a "Jack Russelling" session in the countryside!
This week sees the arrival of the sun, at last, on the East Coast! With spring in the air some of the dogs have livened up! Ok by some of the dogs I am referring to my Terriers in particular! The outdoor scents, specifically rabbits I suspect, are encouraging their genetic senses to surface (I am referring to running off and completely ignoring any commands!) This is something quite specific to my Jack Russells and Parson Russells, both distant cousins of the Fox Terrier, with Peter more closely linked being a cross between Fox and Jack Russell Terrier! So much more lead work is required this time of year to remind them of the boundaries of our walks, the practice of not running off and staying with me, therefore all keeping safe. Clearly, this is not so appealing as searching out wild rodents! So we vary the route and play ball games to inspire them, it will take some time (read patience) to reinforce their learned behaviour to come when called, thus overriding their hereditary instinct.
Every year at this time it's the same thing with the Terriers, I love the spring, but it has it's problems that winter doesn't, which also includes busier beaches which means getting up earlier to avoid tourists! For now the temperature is still cold so they are all settled in for the evening by 5pm, in front of the fire, bellies full and bodies tired! The other breeds, don't seem to have seasonal changes, Monty the Gt Dane still remains the couch potato, Jack the Chihuahua the lap dog, Max the Dobey....well Max is just Max a laid back dog dressed in the suit of a Doberman, and the Setters remain true to breed and love the outdoor life no matter what the season.. a few more seagulls around add to their interest on the beach ....to them they are strange looking pheasants and Lucy tries stalking them showing her pure working breed instinct...Just miss-placed, she's supposed to "set" not stalk as well! To Max they are something to chase, and boy can he chase, he gets up an impressive speed! If they sit on the rocks out at sea he will stand and bark at them, not able to understand why they don't leave the rocks as clearly a Doberman is telling them what to do ...Alpha Male status has no impact on seagulls!
As for the household this week so far the light bulb in the lounge blew on Monday (once Simon had returned to work of course) but it didn't just blow it wiped out the fitting...so no main light until Simon returns home with a new fitting! The tumble drier continues to work only when it feels like it and the washing machine is kindly pouring some of its water onto the floor...to help with cleaning the floor..... I think not! The blinds in the sunroom took another hit from the Terriers and this time are broken, cat was at fault in their opinion for strutting past the window..I mean a pack of Terriers and a small furry moving animal!
We also had a helicopter land on the beach, I was out walking with Peter so that was a new experience for us both! I remained calm and so did he - a triumph for us both!
Peter has also learnt to walk next to my bicycle so we can use cycling to drain some of his high energy, this requires physical balance from me so there's a huge challenge. Which is on hold currently as my trusted bike has given up after much riding across these uneven tracks. Well it was a road bike and I can't really call these tracks roads! So until we can get a mountain bike I shall have to keep thinking up other ways to tire Peter out! I did think and even ordered some roller skates, copying Cesar's idea of rollerblading with his pack for high energy exercising, however my attempts at skating around the house (now that's stretching it ...more like lunging from one foot to the other with ski boots on and no snow) proved this to be a bad idea! The boots have gone back thus enabling me to carry on walking without the aid of crutches! Peter seems far more in touch with his Fox Terrier side as he grows older, so this week we played ball on the beach, which is something Fox Terriers enjoy and is proving to be a good game for Peter, he focuses on playing with me and ignoring what is going on around him.
Dogs can learn well from each other so I have employed Patsy and Alfie (both calm submissive dogs) to help Peter on his walks. The latter, Alfie one of the English Setters, who unless off lead is reliably obedient and Patsy, who has no interest in other dogs, both positively influence Peter's behaviour. It's important to only take out calm dogs with Peter, as there's also a negative side, Peter picked up some habits from the Jack Russells which I'd rather he hadn't! This has been working well, but Alfie didn't understand the ball thing so I let him off and he vanished presumably doing his Setter thing! Mind you this week Alfie has returned when called..not sure why yet, hopefully I'll be able to explain this soon.
In between walks I have been doing some more research and study into dog psychology. I've read up on Cesar Milan's techniques and continue to use some of his methods to balance my pack. On reading further, The Dogs Mind by Bruce Fogle, I am beginning to understand so much more about their behaviour, genetically and learned....why they do what they do! This even explains why Mickey (Jack Russell) waves at me with both paws, because I always react smiling and welcome him for a cuddle i.e. rewarding his behaviour with affection, so he's not just a clown after all....fascinating! The subject of types, causes and treatment for aggression are proving useful in treating Peter's problems. Although I am beginning to think he has more than one type! However, I also note specific references to Fox Terriers (remember Peter is half Fox T) - known for their male dog on dog aggression and that keeping more than 4 can lead to inter-pack fighting. Apply this to my pack, I have 6 Terriers so that explains a few of our previous issues and fights between the pack, especially when you consider that previously there have been at least 9 Terriers in my pack! Guess I could have done with knowing this a few years ago! Oh well, too late now, we'll just have to manage the situation, which has evened out now as they are older and intermixed with 7 other breeds. By older I mean that they have passed the 2-2.5 years stage, which rather belatedly for me explains that this is the stage when inter-pack dominance aggression arises, while they sort out their internal pack hierarchy. So for now the balance and hierarchy is established - for this I am eternally grateful!
Peter's been doing his homework too. We have been walking past other dogs and correcting any aggressive displays, there are a few calm submissive dogs who live near us and we've been walking close by, conditioning Peter with rewards to reinforce wanted social behaviour. We always end our homework sessions on a positive note, so sometimes they take a while!
Another added bonus of these new techniques I am using to communicate with my pack, is that the delivery man from Tescos can come by with my shopping safely! He gets out of his van and drops off the shopping without a chorus of barking dogs angrily watching him, which must have been pretty scary when you think about it! They bark to let me know he has arrived (no need for door bells here) and then I tell them to relax and they trot off to their lazing about places, apart from a few ever curious Terriers who watch....quietly! Peter even lets me go out and see him without accompanying me....now that was a hard habit of his to eliminate but hey success is a wonderful experience!
All the dogs are helping me with my studies, they just don't know it! What I think they do know is that as their owner and leader I am learning their language and how to read them - they can't get away with as much as they used to! Dogs don't have morals or understand human morals, such as fairness ... so that's good! They live in the now so simply accept the new boundaries and changes to rules, with consistent practice and positive reinforcement (food treats) they are learning fast. Strangely enough, the one who seemingly rebels the most to my new behaviour is Bob, set in his ways he doesn't like wearing his lead, and has an apparent look of disgust, of course this emotion is not one a dog has as they don't have such complex emotions, I'm humanising his behaviour here, so it's probably one of reluctance to obey commands (the spirit of the Jack Russell side of him outweighing the collie side!)
So let's keep the Terrier spirit for enjoying life...welcome in the Spring!
Sunday 3 February 2008
Peter's School Days!
I have decided to re-start Peter's training, back to school for Peter Pan. The plan is that school, with many doggie classmates, will help him to overcome his anxiety sufferred in the company of dogs he doesn't know. I mean he doesn't know them so his rash decision to dislike them is surely unfounded?! There I go "humanising" his actions..really must stop that! Seriously though, he has aggressive reactions to new dogs causing him and me distress, this needs to be addressed and changed.
Luckily, my friends Chris and Sonia run a training school on a Sunday morning and know Peter and his, shall we say problem! Unluckily, for us humans, Sunday School starts at 10am...."Thanks Peter....I din't like my lie-in, coffee and croissants, lazing with the papers morning anyway!" So it's everyone up early, big dogs to the beach, breakfast and then off in the car to Cawston (a Norfolk village where we used to live, I've said before that our place new is named "Escape" was truly just that - an escape from Cawston! Let's just say we had an "escape from the country" experience after having lived there for 4 years, trust me that was long enough! It really wasn't as hoped, far from a "Miss Marple" village more of a "Midsommer Murders" which, incidently, is set around a place called Cawston - should have tipped us off!)
One redeeming feature of Cawston is the heath, a huge piece of common land great for dogs. So joining Peter on the trip are the English Setters, these 2 - Alfie and Lucy, are the nuttiest of dogs I have ever had the pleasure to own! There aren't many places, other than the beach, we can walk them as they charge off indiscriminatley, seemingly with no idea what they're doing or where they're going! Alfie, in particular, is the type of dog who gets an idea into his head and it appears to be the only idea, no room for anything else! Lucy just folllows (not nicknamed "Loopy Loo" for nothing!) The heath provides the perfect opportunity for them to run in strange circles, dashing off here and there, diving into the lake looking for any unsuspecting ducks (who are much smarter than the Setters and have already left the area!) They of course are joined as ever by Bob who did the school thing a few years ago, excelled and graduated with great applause! Jack and Sadie (Peter's week day walking companions) come along too, me thinks they like to sit in the warm car and watch Peter work...gloating I shouldn't wonder, one day I shall get them into school!
So all in the car, safely in the back, we arrive at school. All the others wait with Simon in the warm car (not that I'm jealous or anything but 10am on a Sunday morning in the freezing cold, in the middle of a field are Peter and I).
Once out of the car, Peter's tantruum begins. Lots of shaking and whining, while we watch the previous class come to a close (grateful I am that we're not in that one, I mean a 9am start?!) Correcting Peter's anti-social bahviour is all about spot-on timing so that he understands which of his actions he is being corrected for, a correction being to turn him away at the same time as using a firm vocal sound such as Psssht (like my Dad used to tell me when chattering on and on as a child...worked for me...well most of the time!) Takes a few corrections to stop his snarling at the other dogs and lunging to try an attack them. Last week was his first week and was all about dogs - simply getting him to calm down enough to focus on working. There was much less aggression this week, he got into the "working zone" much quicker and so did I ... well done Peter. He's joined the "puppy class" because that's all about socialisation - which is what he needs, to learn how to be polite in company with other dogs. Having had some training in the past, he know the basics - his "sits, downs, heels, wait and come" commands. It's just getting his attention off the other dogs and focused on me ...that's the all...that's massive! With Chris instructing, Sonia brought out one of her older calm dogs - Fletch acts as a stooge dog who helps unstable dogs by being totally balanced. She worked Fletch very close to Peter, with lots of praise and treats for good wanted behaviuor (and a few "just in time" corrections) we completed the class! It seems that Peter's manners are better with older calmer dogs, he was also well behaved when Bruffy, one of Chris's dogs whom Peter knows and likes. With the puppies who have high excitable energy he begins to stress and revert to his aggressive stance - more effort required from Peter says teacher! So todays class was all about conditioning Peter to work while other dogs are very near by, from there he has to learn to be calm and listen to me at all times, he's beginning to realise that no harm will come to him being in the company of strange dogs.
On the whole today's class was a success and I am very happy with Peter's improvement. As for me ......I had to work on releasing tension which I've developed over time anticipating Peter going into an attack. By relaxing my arm (then the rest of me) Peter responded well. I have found that smiling helps me to stay relaxed, my serious attitude kicks in as needed to give Peter instructions such as "Heel". This is how I manage to stay "calm assertive" and react spontaneously if Peter turns aggressive (he can turn it oon in seconds), ensuring the correction voice is used at the right time. Peter is being rehabilitated and I am being trained to live in the "now" with him, not living out his previous misdememanours!Remaining calm, firm yet fair, I begin to feel more confident and see positive changes in Peter's reactions - Result! Reckon re-training me to work with Peter is the harder of the jobs! I keep in mind my feelings, not letting anger or frustration get a look in by having my a conversation in my head with a friend who's saying "mean what you say but don't be mean when you say it".
Well done Peter, reckon Chris would give you a "C" for effort this week! Let's try for a "B" next week! I enjoyed the class, having fun while teaching Peter is the best way for both of us to learn new behaviours.
Schools out .... and it's off to the Heath! All out the car and they're off ... talk about "wacky races"! Flying setters, Sadie searching for rabbits (the tiniest of my Jack Russells most rabbits are bigger than her..we call this activty "russelling"), little Jack bumbling about and Peter releasing that pentup energy trying to keep up with the Setters, which is virtually impossible as Alfie puts in so many top speed 3 point turns Peter gets dizzy!
Back at the beach, the rest of the pack are now awake...nice lie-in hey pack?! More walks for the others then Sunday lunch ("Yep" they get the leftovers and just love it). Followed by lazing in front of the fire .....It really is a dogs day on Sunday!
Plenty of homework for Peter, more form Peter Pan's shcool days next week!
Luckily, my friends Chris and Sonia run a training school on a Sunday morning and know Peter and his, shall we say problem! Unluckily, for us humans, Sunday School starts at 10am...."Thanks Peter....I din't like my lie-in, coffee and croissants, lazing with the papers morning anyway!" So it's everyone up early, big dogs to the beach, breakfast and then off in the car to Cawston (a Norfolk village where we used to live, I've said before that our place new is named "Escape" was truly just that - an escape from Cawston! Let's just say we had an "escape from the country" experience after having lived there for 4 years, trust me that was long enough! It really wasn't as hoped, far from a "Miss Marple" village more of a "Midsommer Murders" which, incidently, is set around a place called Cawston - should have tipped us off!)
One redeeming feature of Cawston is the heath, a huge piece of common land great for dogs. So joining Peter on the trip are the English Setters, these 2 - Alfie and Lucy, are the nuttiest of dogs I have ever had the pleasure to own! There aren't many places, other than the beach, we can walk them as they charge off indiscriminatley, seemingly with no idea what they're doing or where they're going! Alfie, in particular, is the type of dog who gets an idea into his head and it appears to be the only idea, no room for anything else! Lucy just folllows (not nicknamed "Loopy Loo" for nothing!) The heath provides the perfect opportunity for them to run in strange circles, dashing off here and there, diving into the lake looking for any unsuspecting ducks (who are much smarter than the Setters and have already left the area!) They of course are joined as ever by Bob who did the school thing a few years ago, excelled and graduated with great applause! Jack and Sadie (Peter's week day walking companions) come along too, me thinks they like to sit in the warm car and watch Peter work...gloating I shouldn't wonder, one day I shall get them into school!
So all in the car, safely in the back, we arrive at school. All the others wait with Simon in the warm car (not that I'm jealous or anything but 10am on a Sunday morning in the freezing cold, in the middle of a field are Peter and I).
Once out of the car, Peter's tantruum begins. Lots of shaking and whining, while we watch the previous class come to a close (grateful I am that we're not in that one, I mean a 9am start?!) Correcting Peter's anti-social bahviour is all about spot-on timing so that he understands which of his actions he is being corrected for, a correction being to turn him away at the same time as using a firm vocal sound such as Psssht (like my Dad used to tell me when chattering on and on as a child...worked for me...well most of the time!) Takes a few corrections to stop his snarling at the other dogs and lunging to try an attack them. Last week was his first week and was all about dogs - simply getting him to calm down enough to focus on working. There was much less aggression this week, he got into the "working zone" much quicker and so did I ... well done Peter. He's joined the "puppy class" because that's all about socialisation - which is what he needs, to learn how to be polite in company with other dogs. Having had some training in the past, he know the basics - his "sits, downs, heels, wait and come" commands. It's just getting his attention off the other dogs and focused on me ...that's the all...that's massive! With Chris instructing, Sonia brought out one of her older calm dogs - Fletch acts as a stooge dog who helps unstable dogs by being totally balanced. She worked Fletch very close to Peter, with lots of praise and treats for good wanted behaviuor (and a few "just in time" corrections) we completed the class! It seems that Peter's manners are better with older calmer dogs, he was also well behaved when Bruffy, one of Chris's dogs whom Peter knows and likes. With the puppies who have high excitable energy he begins to stress and revert to his aggressive stance - more effort required from Peter says teacher! So todays class was all about conditioning Peter to work while other dogs are very near by, from there he has to learn to be calm and listen to me at all times, he's beginning to realise that no harm will come to him being in the company of strange dogs.
On the whole today's class was a success and I am very happy with Peter's improvement. As for me ......I had to work on releasing tension which I've developed over time anticipating Peter going into an attack. By relaxing my arm (then the rest of me) Peter responded well. I have found that smiling helps me to stay relaxed, my serious attitude kicks in as needed to give Peter instructions such as "Heel". This is how I manage to stay "calm assertive" and react spontaneously if Peter turns aggressive (he can turn it oon in seconds), ensuring the correction voice is used at the right time. Peter is being rehabilitated and I am being trained to live in the "now" with him, not living out his previous misdememanours!Remaining calm, firm yet fair, I begin to feel more confident and see positive changes in Peter's reactions - Result! Reckon re-training me to work with Peter is the harder of the jobs! I keep in mind my feelings, not letting anger or frustration get a look in by having my a conversation in my head with a friend who's saying "mean what you say but don't be mean when you say it".
Well done Peter, reckon Chris would give you a "C" for effort this week! Let's try for a "B" next week! I enjoyed the class, having fun while teaching Peter is the best way for both of us to learn new behaviours.
Schools out .... and it's off to the Heath! All out the car and they're off ... talk about "wacky races"! Flying setters, Sadie searching for rabbits (the tiniest of my Jack Russells most rabbits are bigger than her..we call this activty "russelling"), little Jack bumbling about and Peter releasing that pentup energy trying to keep up with the Setters, which is virtually impossible as Alfie puts in so many top speed 3 point turns Peter gets dizzy!
Back at the beach, the rest of the pack are now awake...nice lie-in hey pack?! More walks for the others then Sunday lunch ("Yep" they get the leftovers and just love it). Followed by lazing in front of the fire .....It really is a dogs day on Sunday!
Plenty of homework for Peter, more form Peter Pan's shcool days next week!
Friday 1 February 2008
Bob's Ball
Ever seen the Agatha Christie film "Dumb Witness" - where the witness of a murder is a Fox Terrie named Bob - the clue to Poirot was how Bob would always place his ball on the stairs, watch it bump down them, catch the ball and put it back in his bed everytime - this helped poirot to solve the mystery!
For our Bob, tennis balls became an obsession - 3 in his bed in this picture!
At first it was funny, Bob always with his ball, staring at shopping when we came home expecting to receive a ball from the bag, crying (read whining) if one did not appear. Slowly the ball developed into an obssession. He could sit for hours starring at a ball on a shelf, even when he had balls all over the floor, the one on the shelf out of reach was the only one he wanted! This obssession began to become a nuisance, a problem not that of aggression as he has never been aggressive, but a problem none the less. For humans its akin to an addiction, he needed a ball with him at all times and would become depressed if the ball was removed from him.
Clearly he was not a happy dog enjoying his tennis balls as we had originally thought. Through research I have found out how to begin to remove this obssession from him, this is a very long process. To date I have increased his exercise without using the tennis ball, using treats to reward him. We no longer play the "where is the ball game" on returning from shopping and ignore his obssessive behaviour. Again, I note that playing with him and comforting him was the wrong reaction from me. So far this change in behaviour is working, but I am prepared for more work beofre he gets over this problem. I know he's beginning to feel more balanced as he's far more relaxed, even around tennis balls. Soon I hope to learn more about how to remove obssessions in dogs. A human with an addiction is not a happy person, even though they may appear so, the same is true of our dogs! Rehabilitiation is the only way forward and it works! Obssession in animals is not a natural state, a truly balanced dog lives in a natural state. The dog has an advantage here - they would prefer to return to life in a natural state!
Bob is such an amazing dog he deserves the best life can give him - he's clever and has a lovely attitude to everyone and dogs alike. We created his obssession so now we have to remove it! It's a bit like conditioning him to accept the ball as an occassional toy, for now it's total abstinence that is required. I wonder if he will get to the balanced state and be able to react differently to a tennis ball?! Come to think of it a change in reaction to bringing the shopping in would be a great start!
Introducing Peter Pan!
Peter - The Fox Terrier x Russell
Such a cool Chap .... just shows how much pictures can disguise the truth! Top tip -don't judge a dog by its cover ... their breed, coat, face appeal can all mislead us when choosing a dog. First and foremost their "personality", as we humans call it, is gained partly from genetics (instinct) and partly from their early environment, this makes up the dog. Afterthat it's all about learned behaviours - good and unfortunately bad.
This is actually a dog with "Fear aggression" towards other dogs, NEVER humans.
With Peter, like many dogs, this fear reaction came about during the socialisation stage of a dog's life - 6 to 12 weeks approx. This is one of the most critical periods in a dogs life when they learn so much, social skills with other dogs, people, all about their world and how to react. He was very ill and could not be socialised outside of the house, he learnt that to keep the other dogs away from him, thus not causing him anymore pain as he did not want to play, he would snarl at them and snap if they came to close. This reinforced his belief that when afraid he could keep other dogs away by being aggressive. This led to inter-pack dog aggression as he grew up - he had learnt the act of aggression. As he matured he took on the behaviour of dominance aggression over the other males younger than him in the pack - he would fight them to gain dominance over them. He also attempted this behaviour with the older males, but he could not dominate them so this scared him, with them he returned to his previous behaviour of snarling and backing away. We had to rehome the males who were younger than Peter, for their own safety as it was not practical to have them separate within the house. So this removed the inter-pack dominance aggression, but is not a cure!
So what is fear aggression?
Now at 3 we are left predominantly with his fears and aggressive reactions. He is the little dog who never grew up - Peter Pan, in his case he grew up but remained a scared pup in his head, he's a 6 week old in 3 year terrier body! When he is scared of other dogs (not those in our pack) he pulls out his learned pup behaviour and goes into a "blind rage" - growling, bearing teeth and straining to attack, only his lead holding him back. When he's in this state his eyes glaze over and it's very hard to get him to hear me - instinctive aggression takes over and he can reach this state within seconds of seeing another dog. Let's say he can go from level one - being in a calm state enjoying his walk, to level 10 - total aggressive behaviour. Aggression in dogs is not a natural state to be in, they learn this to protect themselves from perceived danger, it's not a balanced state which dogs prefer. When in danger dogs have options - fight, flight, avoid, submit. Peter uses fight. Due to his severe reaction to fear we did consult the vets, who diagnosed "rage syndrome" (as it sounds - the dog flies into unpredictable and uncontrolable rages) and perscribed medication accordingly. However, a year further on he has been off the meds for a year, using behavioural therapy to resolve his issues, progress has been significant proving that he does not have this syndrome afterall. People have commented that he seems so much better. Just plain "fear aggression" is his problem now which is limited to knwon triggers, with a touch of dominance and territorial aggression thrown into the mix!
Perceived fear of danger to himself and the pack provokes an "attack" behaviour in Peter - for example when he is scared by fireworks or a dog walks past the house. If you saw the look of pure terror in his eyes when he's in this state you would want to fix it - so I did what many of us humans do when presented with another human or animal who is scared - I'd comfort him, cuddles, stroking and soft talking. However this made no difference, on further reflection, through studying dog behaviour, I now realise that with dogs this is the wrong reaction, only serving to make matters worse. In effect I had been communicating to him that it was good to be scared and that his reaction was acceptable. Oops - wish I had known this 3 years ago, but as I've said in previous posts, this was not common knowledge to me/dog owners and therefore not part of my common sense. I have to accept that I have made Peter's behaviour worse and move on, just as a dog would do! To get Peter to move on however is a much longer term job. This behaviour is ingrained as he's been practicing it for so long and I have to draw him out of it slowly. We are beginning by not reinforcing his belief - no more cuddles when he is scared, I ignore this reaction and correct him if he acts aggressively so that he's clear - aggression is no longer acceptable. He can't "un-learn" this behaviour but he can "learn new reactions" which should replace the old, becoming second nature in time. He is being reintroduced to training school, to learn how to behave around other dogs, it's a method known as "flooding" - facing his fear of other dogs in order to recover, more recently called "expsoure" when dealing with human fears. Taking this slowly, carefully and most importantly learning how to use positive techniques such as rewarding wanted reactions with treats, only correcting aggression which must be done at exactly the right time and with a calm, firm never physical attitude (absolutely not using anger) - this is imperitive to success. Incidently do you know what FEAR stands for .....Face Everything And Recover!!!
Thanks to my new study course on Canine Behaviour, I will be learning how to change Peter's reactions so he can be that balanced, happy dog he wants to be. Calm submissive is such a wonderful state for a dog to be in, you know they do mirror us too - ever noticed that when you're sitting down calmly in an evening watching tv the dog will relax and rest quietly ....that's because you are giving off calm submissive energy and so they pick up on this and do the same, it's not just that they are tired (this I have proved by my pack doing just this on days when they haven't been out yet have behaved this way).
He's a mixed up muddled up dog with his head all over the place - I've sufferred this myself - this was my expression of how I felt, so suffer is the right word and it's no state to live in, so we're going to show Peter the way to serenity. Follow Peter and I as we learn to change our behaviour and eliminate this problem. I love this dog so much, turns out my love was hurting him, making him worse. I need to learn how to help him as a dog needs it - which is not the way humans help eachother....it's a dog thing! I've made many mistakes through ignorance, thanks to dogs living in the "now" we can move on together. I know now that when I show him affection it's for the right reasons at the right times..and he just laps it up! Having owned dogs for many years, without insight into their psychology, I know all about mis-reading signals, putting up with "bad" behaviours, thinking problems are just "quirks of the dog", so I can understand most issues you may come accross as owners ...I've probably experienced the same!
Read our diaries of "Peter's Recovery" - following Peter's journey to balance and "Dogs - Let's communicate" - my journey to becoming a Dog Behaviourist ...... maybe we can spread the word on how to overcome this problem and not intensify it. We can "talk to the animals"!!!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
