We walk as one pack, we migrate together all in tune with each other one human and 52 paws!! So how then for another owner and dog to join us? This is how we do it...a step by step or should that be a paw by paw guide!
1. I walk my pack alone first, especially important for my higher energy dogs, to release excess energy and get them in the mind-set of migration walking.
2. We meet up with my friend and her dog, all dogs are on leash. Once all dogs are calm we allow the dogs to politely greet each other through scent - the "sniff"! They are not allowed to greet face to face as this could be understood as canine confrontation, rather they greet approaching sideways with relaxed body language.
3. If any of my dogs are not in the right mind-set they only get to look, no greeting and no focusing is allowed, their energy must be calm submissive and we simply wait until it is - say one is excited...oh OK so I am referring of course to Peterpan who is fearful/excited when he first sees another dog, as this negative energy can quickly turn to aggression he does not get to greet ...yet! - read on!!
4. Then we begin to walk, humans heads held high and no looking at the ground just straight ahead projecting positive images of the lovely walk we are going to have altogether. Not one paw is allowed in front of either human! At this stage we are each holding the leashes of our own dogs so we are still 2 separate packs!
5. Agan any focusing on the other dog from my pack gets a quick leash correction (to focus is to begin acting-out problem behaviour hey Peterpan!) So we keep going - moving the minds of all dogs forwards into calm or alert submission.
6. Once all dogs are migrating well then my friend begins to hand off her dog to me, I have all my dogs on my left hand side and take on her dog to my right - we do not stop she hands-off to me as we are still moving forwards - no change in energy.
7. I keep walking with my dogs on one side and her dogs on the other - now we are one pack! Gradually once all dogs are in true migration zone, I move my friends dog to the same side as my pack, again we do not stop, this dog goes around my back to join-up with my dogs.
8. Once we have walked this way for a while, say about 30 minutes then we stop for a rest and let the dogs off leash together for some "directed play time" - this means they get to sniff about, run around, play etc but still no excitement as we humans correct this energy as it can so easily change from play to fight! This is the time when Peter can greet the other dogs as we are all one pack Peter accepts this and socializes well as he feels safe under my leadership!
9. Back on leads and we all walk home together - then it is just fine for my friend and her dog to come into my home - as dogs live in the now and "just for now" we have united the dogs as one pack under our human leadership.
These steps, and not even 10 steps, are the only way Peter can learn to greet another dog without fear or aggression and accept them in our home as well, once he knows a dog through this process he is very relaxed around them.
A similar process to this also works to re-bond two or more dogs from the same home-pack who have been fighting previously but are ready to unite as one pack - always consult with a canine professional first though when faced with aggression rehab!!
That's it - this is how I can turn two packs into one pack, whether it is a friends's dog joining us on a walk or a new dog joining my pack the routine works. So once again I see Cesar's Way triumph here...as always!
Monday 27 October 2008
Wednesday 8 October 2008
New Dog - An existing pack member rehabilitated!
I have been reading a little more of Cesar's new book, A Member of the Family by Cesar Millan. So I will be talking about some of the ways I adopt what he says into life with my pack as I go through this book - join me?! BUT I am not going to give too much away, it's all in the book!!
In the beginning Cesar talks about getting a new dog and introducing this dog to the family - other humans, dogs, cats and so on - the pack! But I am not getting a new dog, well not just yet anyway, so how does this apply to me? Let me tell you as indeed it still does!
When I rehabilitate problem behaviour in any one of my dogs, I start over again and the best place to do that is from the beginning - as if this were indeed a new dog, afterall once rehabilitated it is just like having a new dog who has learned new discipline - rules, boundaries and limits!
So you see Cesar's early chapters do apply here, we go back to basics, teach my dogs the new rules of behaviour, we have zero tolerance for in-pack aggression or dominance posturing, we begin again to teach the walk, the rules of the home, socialisation, that all dogs here are my equal follower and the list goes on. So I "begin again" and it works!
Even the chapters about how to select the right dog for you can still help us with our current dogs - at least we can learn how we may not be fulfilling the breed we have and how to change this while keeping our dog of course! Or that, for example, a high-energy dog is not a perfect fit with a more "laid-back" lifestyle - BUT - when anyone owns such a dog in such an environment, one can accept to do things different another time, look in the mirror to see what one can indeed do now and improve life for all - make changes in the now to accommodate and fulfill the dog you do have already - this is your responsibility - not to give up on a dog...any dog! Here is a brief look at how this applied to me and the pack:
As I read these points Cesar makes I thought of my pack - "oops" some of my dogs would not be a "best fit" in terms of their energy needs matching my natural energy drive! - So I did have to change and become more of a walker, more of a cyclist, and ...well OK not more of a jogger ...running is just not my thing!! Though I am sure my pack would love an early morning run on the beach...this is not for me! So I take some instead, the higher energy dogs, to play ball on the beach first before the walks begin for the day - that way they run .. I throw the ball!! Though I add if any of you have read the quote "You threw it go fetch it yourself"? I think Peter looks at me like this sometimes!! (Just a little humanizing between us humans here for fun!!)
So if you are experiencing problem behaviour then I would get this book and let it guide you to counter-condition your dogs current behaviour into the dog behaviour you do want - a "new" your dog!
Peterpan is such an example here, we have spent months re-conditioning Peter on how to behave within the pack, home and outside. Of course it is much harder work to teach him change than to teach new, but with consistency, time and above all Cesar's Way he is beginning to act like a completely different dog, but still he is Peterpan, my beloved dog!
Stay Calm Assertive, Be The Pack Leader and fulfill your dogs - my pack are contentedly resting now all tired out from the day...me I am exhausted, high energy dogs I have but I think I need some energy food...drinks...tablets myself! Though I add that when off-lead as a pack they do exercise eachother...and "chasing sea birds" is one great way to "high energy exercise" my Doberman Max, he still just doesn't "get it" - they fly away you cannot fly to catch them Max!
In the beginning Cesar talks about getting a new dog and introducing this dog to the family - other humans, dogs, cats and so on - the pack! But I am not getting a new dog, well not just yet anyway, so how does this apply to me? Let me tell you as indeed it still does!
When I rehabilitate problem behaviour in any one of my dogs, I start over again and the best place to do that is from the beginning - as if this were indeed a new dog, afterall once rehabilitated it is just like having a new dog who has learned new discipline - rules, boundaries and limits!
So you see Cesar's early chapters do apply here, we go back to basics, teach my dogs the new rules of behaviour, we have zero tolerance for in-pack aggression or dominance posturing, we begin again to teach the walk, the rules of the home, socialisation, that all dogs here are my equal follower and the list goes on. So I "begin again" and it works!
Even the chapters about how to select the right dog for you can still help us with our current dogs - at least we can learn how we may not be fulfilling the breed we have and how to change this while keeping our dog of course! Or that, for example, a high-energy dog is not a perfect fit with a more "laid-back" lifestyle - BUT - when anyone owns such a dog in such an environment, one can accept to do things different another time, look in the mirror to see what one can indeed do now and improve life for all - make changes in the now to accommodate and fulfill the dog you do have already - this is your responsibility - not to give up on a dog...any dog! Here is a brief look at how this applied to me and the pack:
As I read these points Cesar makes I thought of my pack - "oops" some of my dogs would not be a "best fit" in terms of their energy needs matching my natural energy drive! - So I did have to change and become more of a walker, more of a cyclist, and ...well OK not more of a jogger ...running is just not my thing!! Though I am sure my pack would love an early morning run on the beach...this is not for me! So I take some instead, the higher energy dogs, to play ball on the beach first before the walks begin for the day - that way they run .. I throw the ball!! Though I add if any of you have read the quote "You threw it go fetch it yourself"? I think Peter looks at me like this sometimes!! (Just a little humanizing between us humans here for fun!!)
So if you are experiencing problem behaviour then I would get this book and let it guide you to counter-condition your dogs current behaviour into the dog behaviour you do want - a "new" your dog!
Peterpan is such an example here, we have spent months re-conditioning Peter on how to behave within the pack, home and outside. Of course it is much harder work to teach him change than to teach new, but with consistency, time and above all Cesar's Way he is beginning to act like a completely different dog, but still he is Peterpan, my beloved dog!
Stay Calm Assertive, Be The Pack Leader and fulfill your dogs - my pack are contentedly resting now all tired out from the day...me I am exhausted, high energy dogs I have but I think I need some energy food...drinks...tablets myself! Though I add that when off-lead as a pack they do exercise eachother...and "chasing sea birds" is one great way to "high energy exercise" my Doberman Max, he still just doesn't "get it" - they fly away you cannot fly to catch them Max!
Tuesday 7 October 2008
CESAR'S NEW BOOK IS OUT!!
A Member of the Family - Cesar's new book is on sale from today!!
As one of his Ambassadors I was honoured to receive an early copy of this most excellent new book. For anyone who follows Cesar's Way, anyone who has a dog I urge you to get this book and read it ...not once but at least twice as it is so full of just the information we all need to live with our dogs as part of the family - part of our packs! This book is also essential reading for those of you or your friends "thinking of getting a new dog" - trust me there is no other book like this you really can begin life with a new dog Cesar's Way - in tune and in balance!
Oh and look at the Acknowledgements section in the front - you will see a note to Cynthia Anderson - CJ - our Ambassador Program Manager!! CJ leads us Ambassadors by example as well being our co-ordinator for activities and projects, she works tirelessly in support of Cesar and helps save many dogs lives, she is an inspiration as well as a success story herself - "CJ and Signal Bear", in the book "Be The Pack Leader"!
Through my work with dogs and their owners, we are seeing much sucess with problem behaviour, inlcuding for owners who were told by others that the behaviour could not be rehabilitated - it has with thanks to Cesar's Way and indeed continues to be a success story of my own here at Crystaldogs - Packs are returning to balance...fighting behaviour is ceasing to be a way of life - peace returns .... chaos extinguished!! All through calm assertive energy and instinct, no forceful methods, no harsh punishment, no intimidation - such archaic ways I, like Cesar, do not follow, I never use aggression and now neither do my dogs!! Cesar saves lifes, last chance dogs have hope and as his proud Ambassador International I follow his lead, I am here in the UK so I too can help you to have the life you want with your dogs, all you have to do is ask me - I am the Canine Coach!! More News coming soon - I need a Team here in the UK and Internationally to help me spread the word in our communities! - Watch here for more information very soon.
Look out for future posts reviewing this book - for now I must go and finish reading this wonderful experience - My "Cesarised" pack are truly success stories themselves, I really appreciate Cesar's unique insight as I lead them to fulfillment! Cesar, Illusion and their children too have contributed to this book, thank you. Happy reading everyone!
As one of his Ambassadors I was honoured to receive an early copy of this most excellent new book. For anyone who follows Cesar's Way, anyone who has a dog I urge you to get this book and read it ...not once but at least twice as it is so full of just the information we all need to live with our dogs as part of the family - part of our packs! This book is also essential reading for those of you or your friends "thinking of getting a new dog" - trust me there is no other book like this you really can begin life with a new dog Cesar's Way - in tune and in balance!
Oh and look at the Acknowledgements section in the front - you will see a note to Cynthia Anderson - CJ - our Ambassador Program Manager!! CJ leads us Ambassadors by example as well being our co-ordinator for activities and projects, she works tirelessly in support of Cesar and helps save many dogs lives, she is an inspiration as well as a success story herself - "CJ and Signal Bear", in the book "Be The Pack Leader"!
Through my work with dogs and their owners, we are seeing much sucess with problem behaviour, inlcuding for owners who were told by others that the behaviour could not be rehabilitated - it has with thanks to Cesar's Way and indeed continues to be a success story of my own here at Crystaldogs - Packs are returning to balance...fighting behaviour is ceasing to be a way of life - peace returns .... chaos extinguished!! All through calm assertive energy and instinct, no forceful methods, no harsh punishment, no intimidation - such archaic ways I, like Cesar, do not follow, I never use aggression and now neither do my dogs!! Cesar saves lifes, last chance dogs have hope and as his proud Ambassador International I follow his lead, I am here in the UK so I too can help you to have the life you want with your dogs, all you have to do is ask me - I am the Canine Coach!! More News coming soon - I need a Team here in the UK and Internationally to help me spread the word in our communities! - Watch here for more information very soon.
Look out for future posts reviewing this book - for now I must go and finish reading this wonderful experience - My "Cesarised" pack are truly success stories themselves, I really appreciate Cesar's unique insight as I lead them to fulfillment! Cesar, Illusion and their children too have contributed to this book, thank you. Happy reading everyone!
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