 |
| http://www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/index.ssf/2014/06/plan_now_for_the_impact_of_nei.html |
Monday, June 30, 2014
React
Fantastic, helpful and very easy to understand! Our clients in private sessions...you work on this all the time! This is a nice reminder!
"WHAT DO I DO WHEN____???" Depending on the situation, the environment, the dog's history, the owner's physical abilities, etc., the DO is going to vary for everyone. That said, this is a general answer that applies to all behaviors that most dog owners consider "bad," whether it is on-leash reactivity, stranger-directed aggression, resource guarding, or just bad manners in general.
Ideally, we take necessary steps to prevent the unwanted behavior to begin with, but no training or behavior modification plan is perfect.
Yesterday, for example, I had taken a client's dog on a field trip. We went to a local coffee shop to practice mat training and attention around distractions. An oddly behaving man in a hat and sunglasses started approaching us, startling the dog. When the dog reacted, *I* reacted: I immediately got up and walked 8-10 feet away, until the growling stopped, then worked on regaining his attention to me (click/treat). Then, we started practicing looking at the man without barking (click/treat), looking at the man and looking back at me (click/treat), then returning to the mat at our table and practicing all of the above while stationed at his mat (click/treat).
When a dog reacts with any form of unwanted behavior - be it bad manners or aggression - they are providing valuable information - information you can use to re-evaluate your plan and make adjustments that ensure success."
"WHAT DO I DO WHEN____???" Depending on the situation, the environment, the dog's history, the owner's physical abilities, etc., the DO is going to vary for everyone. That said, this is a general answer that applies to all behaviors that most dog owners consider "bad," whether it is on-leash reactivity, stranger-directed aggression, resource guarding, or just bad manners in general.
Ideally, we take necessary steps to prevent the unwanted behavior to begin with, but no training or behavior modification plan is perfect.
Yesterday, for example, I had taken a client's dog on a field trip. We went to a local coffee shop to practice mat training and attention around distractions. An oddly behaving man in a hat and sunglasses started approaching us, startling the dog. When the dog reacted, *I* reacted: I immediately got up and walked 8-10 feet away, until the growling stopped, then worked on regaining his attention to me (click/treat). Then, we started practicing looking at the man without barking (click/treat), looking at the man and looking back at me (click/treat), then returning to the mat at our table and practicing all of the above while stationed at his mat (click/treat).
When a dog reacts with any form of unwanted behavior - be it bad manners or aggression - they are providing valuable information - information you can use to re-evaluate your plan and make adjustments that ensure success."
"Just a Dog"
Just perfect......JUST A DOG
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or "that's a lot of money for just a dog."
They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."
Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought aobut by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise,"
or "just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that its' not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man" or "just a woman."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog," just smile, because they "just don't understand."
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or "that's a lot of money for just a dog."
They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."
Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought aobut by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise,"
or "just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that its' not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man" or "just a woman."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog," just smile, because they "just don't understand."
Allergies Remain Gone!
Remember Millies allergies last year! Well this is her tummy this year and we are still off of benadryl, only bathing and now every two to three days instead of everyday! The difference is i am bathing her in raw apple cider vinegar, no shampoo and when she is completely dry underneath I rub her down with unrefined coconut oil and a bit of lavender essential oil! Doesn't she look great!! last year she was still a bit pink and had lost her hair on her chest from scratching! We are building her immune system with her diet, still must stay on top of it though. we have until November then she is fine..all grass/pollen allergies! Bonus..we can cue "tummy" and she exposes herself and loves to be petted now! yay!
Let Your Dog Sniff!
Smell is the most important sense for dogs, as important as sight is to humans.
Use this to your advantage when you take your dog for a walk. Let him really discover and explore his world by sniffing. This will not only make his walk much more enjoyable but will also help tire him out. Sniffing is an easy to do mental enrichment exercise for dogs.
Have fun with your dog!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)