BHD at the Krolls

We had the pleasure of meeting the Kroll family recently in a Behavioral HELP for Dog's session with their 5 dogs (4 Labrodoodles and 1 chihuahua) and umteen number of beautiful cats. A family of 4 living in Cannon Falls, MN halfway to Red Wing, they own and operate 'Dr. Krohll's Health Solutions Chiropractic & Rehab' out of their lovely home. Brian, the chiropractor and Beth have two teenage sons, Blake and Blair, who really impressed me. They were attentive and polite and played a very hands on role in our 3 hour session. All of them were good students.

We were there to assist them in some challenges they have had with the dog's barking excessively when clients come for their adjustments, which is an obvious distraction for both doctor and patient. Oh, and Romy, one of the 4 LD's, was eating the cats...

We were impressed with the dedication that this family had towards correcting the challenges they were experiencing. After a time of introduction and instruction, we went out for THE WALK so we could first drain that nervous energy that causes any unwanted behavior in a dog. We all handled the dogs, even Tinkerbell. Her name fits her little body well. She was a bit dubious of our time outside with all the 'giants' around her, but she was a trooper for her first time doing this. By and large the dogs loved it. My favorite part was walking the dogs that prior to that didn't get along well with each other. I first walked them one on each side of me, then put them together on the same side of me as I walked them. They got along beautifully that way.

One thing I want to mention here: When dogs are moving forward on leash at the side of a confident Pack Leader, they are usually amicable towards each other. We saw this in the behavior of these dogs which was very encouraging. This type of structured walk will eliminate a high percentage of problem behaviors when carried out on a daily basis twice a day. It must, however, be incorprated with confident leadership from the owners and consitently kept rules.

Now for the cats. Before we went inside, I took Romy up the front stairs slowly. She was wearing a prong collar, which I rode up very high on her neck, just behind the ears, to give me better control. The cats were strewed all about on the deck and she certainly must have been salivating at these savory morsels before her. I walked Romy extremely slow towards the cats, establishing a clear boundary for Romy, letting her know that she could not under any circumstances touch them. The cats dispersed one at a time, but a couple of them remained so I could put Romy down on her side in an intense dominance ritural as close to a cat as we could get. This lasted for approx 10 minutes, but on a daily basis it should go up to 20+ minutes.

I instructed the Krolls to do this daily, so the cats can become the Pack Leaders to Romy as well. This may take some time. I never know how long, but they will definately see some positive change if they keep doing it.

Michelle and I also showed the Krolls how to correct their dogs with a cupped hand 'bite' under the neck - or the tug of a slip leash; feed the dogs Food Event style; and set rules, boundaries and limitations for each one.

I look forward to our return follow-up visit with this dedicated family and I wish them the very best in their journey.

~Candiss DelCastillo, Owner

Walks & Wags Pet Service

www.WalksandWags.biz