On March 19th, Michelle and I were called out for a "Start'em out Right~Puppies!" session at the home of Chris Carlson who runs a group home for special needs adults.
Chris's main concern initially was her twin Yorkie-poo's, 4 1/2 month old Homer and Stewie. They had become rather unruly in their behavior and were getting all tangled up in their leashes on the walk. They were also picking up the habit of incessant barking when someone would come to the door. There was another dog, 3 year old Kaily, a Husky mix rescue, who although was not the center of attention for our visit, had a few issues of her own. Kailey had some fear agression and was the innitiator of the barking, so the twins being young and impressionable, followed suit.
Chris is a "Dog Whisperer" fan, so aware of Cesar Millan's techniques, she was open to what we presented to her that day. We were so delighted at how the structured walk turned out! At first we experienced the mayhem that Chris described, but as Michelle and I took Stewie and Homer, we noticed it getting better as we went along. The dogs are velcroed to Chris, which made it difficult for us at first since they had to be always watching her, but in time they started to enjoy the walk more than the need to see Chris and we settled into a pretty good pace.
We ran with them to drain more energy, and then I took Kailey who I needed some bonding with, Pack Leader style, while I sent Michelle and Chris each with a twin, a different way around the block. Kailey bonded well with me in this way, much better than she had in the house where she made it clear that she was not happy with my presence there. I want to take this moment to tell the reader that it is the structured walk that consitutes a Pack. Kailey and I were both relaxed with each other in minutes and a bonding began to form which lasted the rest of the session.
When we met Michelle and Chris as they came around the block facing us, I had them stop just a few feet in front of us so the dogs could experience some mental draining of energy. Just waiting is a huge exercise for a dog. We then put prong collars on all 3 dogs so we could practice walking in tandem. I took the twins on one side of me. When I got them walking evenly and politely, I added Kailey on the other side. It was a beautiful contrast from how we started out just 20-25 minutes earlier! When I handed the leashes over to Chris, she was in awe that this could be done. Her dream of being able to have some time alone from the crew at the house and just be outside alone on a walk with her dogs was now a reality. (See above photo.)
The 2nd half of the session was spent instructing Chris how to do body massage a minimum of 1x a week on her dogs and touch the parts of their body that will often be handled by a vet and groomer to help be comfortable with it. Homer gave me a close call bite attempt twice during this excersice, and I immediately returned it with two bites of my own with a sharp "No!" I made a cupped hand with my fingers spread apart and tappped him very firmly on the side of the neck. He got the idea quickly that biting was not acceptable behavior. I told Chris that because problem behavior does not go away, it only gets worse, Homer could very well be a biter in a year if we had not discovered hi proneness to it now and dealt with him this way.
Chris was particuarly interested in the suggestions we gave her in making an acceptable place for the dogs to dig in the sandbox, rewarding them for finding treats she hides in the holes she makes for them. Then contrast that with bodily blocking the areas that they want to dig that are off limits, making it clear to them that this is not rewardable ground.
I also suggested she get a rabbit and a small cage for it to help cure Kailey of her fixation on rabbits. In practice sessions, the rabbit should be held above Kailey by someone holding the cage and standing over Kailey while Chris carries out the dominance ritual on Kailey to clearly express that the rabbit is off limits and is to be respected as a leader. Notice the protocal. Rabbit on top, Kailey on the bottom. This could save Kailey's life someday if she were to escape the fence and run out in the street after a rabbit oblivious to oncoming traffic. An e-collar would also help with this as Chris could correct Kailey 'invisibley' from inside the house when she goes after a rabbit in the yard or tries to escape the fence.
It was important to me that the staff and residents were involved with the dogs as well. This would make a great reduction in separation anxiety when Chris had to leave them at home. We put a back pack on Kailey and taught them how to make a game of having her carry books of dvd's for them from point A to point B, loading them and unloading them to give her the impression that she was doing an important job for them. This could be done with Stewie and Homer as well since back packs come in small sizes too.
Dog's need jobs and the back pack can provide that readily. I would like to see Chris get a back pack for all 3 dogs so they could wear them on their walks, besides the exercise in the house. This would drain extra physical and mental energy, both, which would help them, especially the twins, to be calmer and well behaved during the rest of the day.
You may think that you only have one dog who is the trouble maker in your family, but remember that a dog thinks in terms of a pack mentality. Unless everyone is at least moderately balanced, the one that is noticeabley out of line won't have a chance at becoming stable. That is why we focused on Kailey as much as we did even though it was the "Little Rascals" that we were initially called out for. This was a very successful visit and I have every confidence that Chris, her residence and staff will do what it takes to see it through until it becomes a way of life.
~Candiss DelCastillo
Walks & Wags Pet Service
http://www.walksandwags.biz/
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