If you do not take time to condition a clear understanding of leash pressure outside of a situation, you will create more pressure during the situation when it is applied. Conquer a few stressors at a time and show your dog how to be successful before adding a new challenge to coach them through. Each time they work through stress, they learn and grow in confidence. This creates a dog that can recover quicker and be more resilient to stressors.
Pack Drive is something we pattern from day one with all dogs in our board and train programs. Showing them how to remain calm and move with you in all environments and distraction levels. Some dogs have a greater instinct to stay with the pack and this comes naturally to them, while others must practice this concept and be convinced of the value in following instead of being independent.
Cooper came to us with so much anxiety that he chose to flee and run away from any potential danger, staying on high alert at all times. While he still shifts in and out pack drive, he has learned to trust the value and peace it brings him. He can stay in pack drive longer and recovers quicker from reactive moments, many times choosing to avoid them all together and stay with the handler. It’s a beautiful thing when it clicks.
Vet exams is one of the components we have targeted throughout Cooper’s Board and Train program.
Like many dogs, Cooper struggles going to the vet. Unfortunately visits to the vet leave him in a state of fight or flight, making it near impossible for the staff to safely provide the appropriate medical care when needed. He has been on a mix of 3 anxiety medications over the past 4 years with little benefit. His extreme fear reactivity presents itself as jumping, mouthing, screaming, clawing, and has shown aggression when it came to being handed off for exams, nails, temp checks, and vaccinations.
His last visit, Cooper’s anxiety in the office built up to the point where it took over an hour and the help of several vet techs with the veterinarian to get his vaccinations done.
While those exams are tough for Cooper and the vet clinic, he is lucky to have a caring support team who wants to see him succeed.
This is the beginning of Cooper’s new look on a vet examination. We have worked with him to create a new process and association with the entire routine. This system reduced the anxiety of the situation and has shown him how to be successful, while also helping to build his confidence. We are looking forward to meeting with Cooper’s vet team next week to repair the relationship they have all struggled with in the past few years.
For many dogs, grooming is a major source of stress and anxiety. Some dogs are triggered by the tools used, some are nervous about the touch required to be groomed, some struggle with sharing space with other animals, and some dogs are anxious about the close quarters in which it’s all done in. Regardless of the issue, grooming is an essential part of having a dog.
The best thing you can do to help is to condition them to different tools, touch, and grooming holds so they may be as successful as possible when faced with the inevitable of intimate care like a bath, comb/brush out, nail trim, ear cleaning, tooth brushing, etc. Take your time to train them for the event and not force them through the event when needed. Taking a low pressure approach will help reduce the chance of a blow up and remove stress overall. Bonus, a dog that is easy to groom and touch is better cared for allowing for a healthier dog and happier owner.
Otis does fantastic with grooming and did not come to us for help in this area but when your dog stays with us, it is our duty to give them the best care possible be it training, grooming, nutritional care, etc. It’s always All Fur Them!
Once you have established foundational skills like trust, created a bond, a form of communication, and understanding of how to respond to leash pressure instead of fighting against it, then we can introduce the e-collar.
The e-collar is an incredible tool when conditioned and used responsibly and appropriately. It offers us the ability to communicate with our dogs at a distance when they may have a difficult time hearing or seeing us.
E-collars allow us to have an extra insurance policy should your dog bolt after something unexpectedly and become too adrenalized to hear you. Much like Otis in this video where he found a bird and was able to recall safely back to me successfully after a few quick taps from the e-collar. That is because we train the sensation of stim to mean the same thing as leash pressure from a collar.
E-collars can make a HUGE difference in your and your dog’s life providing them more opportunities for true freedom, ultimately creating a more fulfilled dog and pet parents.
Want to learn more about our board and train programs contact us at www.allfurthem.com
Cooper has made HUGE strides in his confidence and ability to cope with stress. The dog I met 5 weeks ago would have panicked and shut down immediately after being introduced to an exercise like this.
Cooper makes progress each day and I can’t wait to see where he is by the end of his program with us.
Otis the excitable golden doodle has been learning how to channel his excitement into new outlets. Obedience and dog behavior can look similar, but the goals are wildly different. The focus in obedience is what the physical body can do and how to shape and perform commands. The focus on behavior is to show the dog how to exist and act around different stimuli and allow them to make choices, eventually without micromanagement.
Do you struggle with your dog and their behavior? Let us help you! Visit www.allfurthem.com for all the services we offer.
Start of week 4 in our board and train program for Otis and Cooper. Each dog comes with their own unique challenges but each day we get to work and make progress with their goals. I’m excited to continue their growth and return them to their families ready for a more peaceful next chapter.
👏Pick 👏your 👏hard
Dogs are not pre-programmed to do the things humans see as normal or common place. Take the time to introduce new items, skills, and concepts or be faced with difficult and problematic behaviors.
Play is great for your bond. If you’re giving up the power of play to other dogs, toys, by themselves, etc. you’re missing out.
Viento’s family opted to add our training services while he is here for boarding. One of their goals is to work on his relationship with food and his resource guarding.
There are many steps involved before getting to this point, but part of this process is to show the dog how to relinquish possession of the food bowl when someone walks into him. This reduces conflict and the chance of an issue should someone walk by him while he is eating. For true change we must create a new mindset with food and convince them there is no need to guard it.
If need help with your behavioral dog, reach out to us for a board and train program!
Cooper has learned so much in our 2 weeks together.
How to:
Trust a new person
Follow leash pressure
Regulate emotions, settle, and decompress
Find success through stressful situations
Deal with conflict and frustration in new ways
Look to his handler for information
We look forward to seeing him grow more confident over the next few weeks with us.
