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Sleep On It: ideas that percolate overnight
I’m working on a challenging 2-dog case and am the 4th trainer hired by this couple. Though I feel confident that my behavior plans could help this couple with their dogs, I’m running into a lot of roadblocks. Folks may say they want to solve a doggie problem, they may not actually be willing to do the work once they realize the time commitment. This can be frustrating for us, because we want everyone to be wildly successful thanks to our services. ????
In this case, I have been challenged to come up with a bunch of management strategies to buy them some peace and time to implement the behavior work, whenever they are ready to commit. Thinking about this family kept me up for several stressful hours last night, but I was excited to wake this morning with a new idea for them and quickly sent an email to share the idea.
A bit of background: Charlee is a poodle rescued from a puppy mill and she is reactive toward the husband, barking a lot, occasionally charging and muzzle-punching him. The other dog is very friendly but she barks at sights and sounds outside… A LOT! The idea I had this morning was to create a long barrier in one section of the house in order to contain the dogs in the kitchen/DR area. (One can do this easily with an exercise pen extended out, accordion style, and anchored on either end for security.) Not only does this area keep Stella, the barker, away from her preferred windows and doors, it also contains Charlee in a way that will allow the husband more freedom to move about the house without triggering her.
The wife responded, expressing her appreciation for my continued trouble-shooting and excited to give it a try. It turns out some lost sleep was worthwhile in the end.
This is just one idea of many that I’ve shared with them. What other strategies would help in a situation like this?
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11 Replies
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Oh, a visual and noise sensitive barker- that’s tough. I like the idea of keeping her away from windows and husband at this time, as a strategy.
For the window trigger, I would also try window film as needed. For noise, I sometimes recommend a noise machine or leaving a tv or radio on.
I would try having the husband calmly and softly announce when he may be moving, to provide some pedictability for them.
Interested in reading what other ideas are out there!
Keep us posted with this case!
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Great tips, @jenz ! They are using window films, white noise machine, and (on occasion) the husband is pairing movements with treat tosses. Wish he could commit to this, as it does make a helpful difference for wee Charlee.
Interestingly, she is comfortable with him in one single context — when he’s lying on the bed with her, she is relaxed and happy to receiving petting. (Doesn’t translate to him lying on the sofa though.)
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I wonder why she is seemingly ok on the bed and not the sofa. I am wondering if something else trnspired or, the sofa has a negative or unknown association o some kind? I would be curious to see her body language on the bed with him; is she tolerating him there or truely enjying being in his company. Does she guard anything?
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Regarding bed vs sofa, @jenz , it’s not the norm that he remains lying down on the sofa and he is also more actively moving then, i.e., up more, gesturing more, etc. His movements disturb her.
She doesn’t guard anything.
They will be digging in deeper with behavior meds (she’s currently on one, but the choice and dosage may not be correct) and so I’m hoping some adjustments will yield a positive difference for Charlee. Unfortunately, I fear they will not be doing the b.mod work consistently, so that’s why I tried to provide as many practical management strategies as I could.
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Thanks for this adittional info.
It is tough when clients never follow through or follow-up. Some just want a little magic sprinkled on the dog to be “fixed”.
I hope they follow through with at least the management, but we know that will only get them so far.
Best
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Imagine how wealthy we’d be if we possessed the magic wand that cures all doggie issues?!
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Ha! I love this magic wand idea…imagining being dog trainer version of Hermione Granger…SIGN ME UP!!!
Then we could point it at the dog and say, (in a bright, positive way)…”Barkupatus Halten-Hunden!” or, some other stop barking spell…!!!
Sorry, it’s late and I got inspired on a random thought. @virginiad @jenz
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It’s hard to follow through on behavior issues. I’m thinking of a student who has a highly reactive (scared) pit mix. This is truly changing an emotion, not creating an alternative behavior. Her person is a vet, and good at the DSCC. But, progress is slow and I don’t blame her for getting discouraged. I look for little things to point out. She’s able to be a bit closer ( 30 yards!) and her recovery time is shorter than when she started. The biggest win comes from management. She’s now happy to put on her harness because it means she gets to play in the yard with her person, rather than walk where the scary dogs are.
I compare that to my laziness teaching my friendly lab to greet calmly. It’s not much of an issue because she’s pretty good just a bark and rushing forward to greet. If I gave this 1/8 of the time that the pit owner dedicates to reactivity training, my lab would be the perfect greeter.
I’ve also thought about other classes I’ve taken, drawing and exercise. I’ve not done tons of homework for those either. We all have busy lives, and those of us who don’t thrive on dog training justifiably balk at having to work with a reactive dog 24/7. Which leads to tons of management, practice when possible and celebrating the small steps.
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You are SOOOO right, @Cyn . I’m really glad you posted this. It inspires us to show more empathy and understanding toward our clients, and it’s a great reminder that providing management strategies should be a legitimate option, giving the client some breathing room and an easier time of things in general.
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@cyn
I echo your sentiment…it’s very difficult to keep the faith at times, even for someone in a vet field with their own dogs! My recent Dane owner totally despaired and seems to have lost sight of all the work we’ve done and I know she is not in an animal related field. Coaching the human to train their dog on obedience is not the same as all the pep talk and pointing out small steps of B-mod.
I love the management, train when possible and celebrate small steps. You summed it all up so well!!!
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