-
Help me with this case: 11 mo Cattle dog/shepherd mix reactivity
Pup was adopted by a couple at 6 months old, previous history is unknown. The husband passed away two months later and the owner is struggling with the dog. We have been working on basic cues, impulse control and relaxation techniques. The dog shows minimal reactivity while I am there and there has been improvement during our sessions. However, when the owner walks the dog alone, the dog barks and lunges at other dogs and people. Yesterday the dog airsnapped at her several times and bit her.
The owner is having a difficult time in her grieving process and further stressed the dog will bite someone. I am looking for suggestions on the best way to assist her and her dog as i feel she needs a more experienced trainer. Any suggestions on a trainer in NYC area that I can recommend. She is open to board and train. I am going to start solo walks with the dog to exercise, work on walking shills, attention, counterconditioning. I also suggested muzzle training. I am going to start solo walks with the dog to exercise, work on walking shills, attention, counterconditioning. I also suggested muzzle training. Any suggestions that I can offer in the meantime is greatly appreciated.
-
5 Replies
-
Hi Ariella! Thank you for bringing this case and sharing the background information. It’s very professional of you to recognize that this may be more complex than your current skills are ready to tackle. And it’s wonderful that you want to help this client and dog. We have had Bobbie Bhambree of NYC Behavior Vets speak in our community and other team members have also taught at CATCH workshops – highly recommend them for all things behavior. Please do keep us posted on this dog and client’s progress.
-
It’s a long reply but it’s proven to work with my GS and other reactive dogs in my classes.
What kind of dog is it? Has she practiced walking the dog in the neighborhood while you are there? This case sounds so familiar to me. My GS had earned his CGC certificate. Several months after that, I became ill & weak. I struggled keeping my balance and my fear that I was weakened and not strong enough to walk him intensified. My dog became unsure of my energy on walks and began lunging &barking (he had no direction from me).
It’s taken quite some time for me to get back on my feet and walk him with confidence. I suggest you video her walking the dog. This can be done in the house (without distractions) and it will help the owner to feel a bit more confident. Reviewing videos of training sessions, gives you a specific goal and focus for your next training session.
To set the dog & owner up for success, have her place the dog’s “must have” treats along the route she will take in the house, and some in a pocket or closed Left hand. Position the dog to start on her left side, in-line with the direction she wants to go. Place the leash in her right hand with the dog being on the left side. The leash should be loose as it hangs low in front of the owner’s body to the dog.
1. With a loose leash, take 2 steps forward as she tells her dog “with me” or let’s go”.
2. Has she stops& the dog is beside her, she should verbally praise him and treat him excessively while he’s still positioned on her left side, in-line with the direction she wants to go.
3. Continue practicing walks in the house only adding on steps when he routinely walks by her side.
4. Once SHE feels confident and is clearly communicating what she wants her dog to do, begin to add some distractions. Place items on the floor along the “walk “( in her house) just out of the dog’s reach but within sight. You can use things like cheese, favorite toy, sliced deli roast beef. The bigger the distraction, the more energy & confidence the owner will need to walk him past it on a LOOSE leash.
I would try to demonstrate to her that focusing on the timing of the rewards is the key to having nice, enjoyable, loose leash walks with her dog.
Did she ever the walk the dog with her husband? Did he have any similar issues? Not knowing the dog’s past makes it a bit more challenging to figure out its triggers. However, when you focus on looking for the (big &small) cues, the dog always give a clue to let you know they’re not comfortable. Their bodies become stiff, they stare at the concerning object, or they begin to make low growls. Other dogs may try to retreat but being on a leash, they become defensive and often bite their owners out of frustration.
I really think teaching her how to do hand targets with the dog and other interactive play will enrich their relationship & help make their walks beneficial for both.
Good luck! Please let me know what you do and what worked or did not work.
-
What a thoughtful, instructional post @Lis !
-
-
Hi Ariella-
Wow. Thanks for sharing. I love the shares from Catherine and Lisa. Grief can express itself in so many ways. Western culture doesn’t really give us time and space to fall apart when a loved one leaves us. I can imagine your client may be struggling emotionally maybe more than she is able to share. Dogs are so great at picking up our body language and emotions that her state could very well be affecting the training progress. Sometimes turning over the stressful activity (like walking) to someone else for now would be a good way to continue to practice the training and alleviate some of her stress? She can hopefully let the dog outside for potty breaks, practice mental enrichment inside and leave the walking to someone else for now?
Not so related but when my mom had surgery she was ambulatory but so stressed about walking her dog that it was impeding her healing. We hired a dog walker for three weeks, three times a day. Worth its weight in gold. Everyone benefited.
-
@Abbie This is so very insightful. You are so right. And your suggestion to hire some help is a great solution. Thanks for sharing!
Grief can express itself in so many ways. Western culture doesn’t really give us time and space to fall apart when a loved one leaves us. I can imagine your client may be struggling emotionally maybe more than she is able to share. Dogs are so great at picking up our body language and emotions that her state could very well be affecting the training progress. – Abbie D.
-
Log in to reply.