Had the pleasure of working with a beautiful, 1+ year old, black, Shnauzer named Zoey last Friday, 9.3.10. Michelle, my ever trusty assistant was back at home with a ripe cold, so I don't have the photos for this blog that you usually notice in my posts.
Owners Pete & Pam Huppert of Ellsworth, WI are Zoey's proud owners, and together we set out to help her get on the right track. A good dog by and large, some of the challenges she was having were barking when people would come to the door, infringing impolitely on their space and jumping up on them. These were easily nipped in the bud when we got done with the walk and a long session of obedience command training. All the Hupperts needed was the right information and they quickly slipped into their role as Pack Leaders to this little canine.
When I first arrived I ignored Zoey, gently knocked her off me with my knee and created a boundary for myself by keeping her out of my bags with my hand in a bite shape tapping her firmly on the neck whenever she would come and sniff them. When she remained persistent, I stood up in front of my things, thus claiming them and the space around them. This helped, but she was still too invasive for my liking, so I put her in a dominance ritual on the floor for several minutes while I talked with the Hupperts about the necessity of doing it. It was then that she surrendered to me and gave me a curtious amount of space.
When we were exiting the house for the walk, we spent a lot of time at the door with Zoey to deter her from dashing out in front of us, which had been her usual way up until then. It took some time reconditioning her, but she was clearly looking to us for direction and just wanted to know what it was she was supposed to do. She did very well.
I was impressed with her quick learning ability and in no time we had her doing fairly well in the Sit, Stay, Down, Stay commands. She is very treat motivated and that came in handy, although, I instructed the Hupperts to wean her off of the treats once the commands are established. Treats should be observed as a means to an end, with rare exceptions.
We switched Zoey into a prong collar when I could see that she would be doing alot of pulling on her nylon slip leash. She responded well to it, and both Pete and Pam had a very good walk with her once she settled down.
The highlight of the session was when we returned and I asked Pete to bring out one of their bikes so we could get them to ride with Zoey on leash safely at their side. We started with Pam. She rode her bike, I ran along side of her and when I felt the time was right, I switched the leash to Pam's hand. It went off without a hitch! We were all so excited. Lot's of cheering and thumb's up. Zoey pranced proudly next to the bike, loving the increased speed. Pete's ride went just as well and when we were done there were High 5's all around.
I will be back for our follow up in 4 weeks with Michelle in tow next time. I have a very strong peace inside about this family and their ability to take over their roles quite naturally as the Calm-Assertive Pack Leaders they were meant to be. Zoey won't disappoint them as she naturally gravitates to her innate dog instincts and responds in kind.
~Candiss DelCastillo
Walks & Wags Pet Service
http://www.walksandwags.biz/
Owners Pete & Pam Huppert of Ellsworth, WI are Zoey's proud owners, and together we set out to help her get on the right track. A good dog by and large, some of the challenges she was having were barking when people would come to the door, infringing impolitely on their space and jumping up on them. These were easily nipped in the bud when we got done with the walk and a long session of obedience command training. All the Hupperts needed was the right information and they quickly slipped into their role as Pack Leaders to this little canine.
When I first arrived I ignored Zoey, gently knocked her off me with my knee and created a boundary for myself by keeping her out of my bags with my hand in a bite shape tapping her firmly on the neck whenever she would come and sniff them. When she remained persistent, I stood up in front of my things, thus claiming them and the space around them. This helped, but she was still too invasive for my liking, so I put her in a dominance ritual on the floor for several minutes while I talked with the Hupperts about the necessity of doing it. It was then that she surrendered to me and gave me a curtious amount of space.
When we were exiting the house for the walk, we spent a lot of time at the door with Zoey to deter her from dashing out in front of us, which had been her usual way up until then. It took some time reconditioning her, but she was clearly looking to us for direction and just wanted to know what it was she was supposed to do. She did very well.
I was impressed with her quick learning ability and in no time we had her doing fairly well in the Sit, Stay, Down, Stay commands. She is very treat motivated and that came in handy, although, I instructed the Hupperts to wean her off of the treats once the commands are established. Treats should be observed as a means to an end, with rare exceptions.
We switched Zoey into a prong collar when I could see that she would be doing alot of pulling on her nylon slip leash. She responded well to it, and both Pete and Pam had a very good walk with her once she settled down.
The highlight of the session was when we returned and I asked Pete to bring out one of their bikes so we could get them to ride with Zoey on leash safely at their side. We started with Pam. She rode her bike, I ran along side of her and when I felt the time was right, I switched the leash to Pam's hand. It went off without a hitch! We were all so excited. Lot's of cheering and thumb's up. Zoey pranced proudly next to the bike, loving the increased speed. Pete's ride went just as well and when we were done there were High 5's all around.
I will be back for our follow up in 4 weeks with Michelle in tow next time. I have a very strong peace inside about this family and their ability to take over their roles quite naturally as the Calm-Assertive Pack Leaders they were meant to be. Zoey won't disappoint them as she naturally gravitates to her innate dog instincts and responds in kind.
~Candiss DelCastillo
Walks & Wags Pet Service
http://www.walksandwags.biz/
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