Louie has struggled with anxiety in many forms. He actually doesn't mind being in a crate as long as a person is present. One of the exercises I practice with him is a variation of Susan Garretts relaxation protocol. While he lays in the crate he practices waiting while i move around and away from him and always come back to reward his waiting. I also have done this inside the house with baby gates. It's how I was able to help him find independence and security with simple things like when I went to take a shower.
Louie still shows some concern when I walk away which is shown in his stress signals such as he closes his mouth, lick his lips, and tenses up. But his coping skills have improved from before when he would jump up, paw at the door and whine.
A dog with isolation distress is anxious or panicked when left alone, but is fine when other people are present.
A dog with separation anxiety is bonded to a specific person or people and becomes anxious when they are absent.
Part 2.....Speaking of Louie and birds.... his foundation training is kicking in. He disengaged from the birds on his own! When I stop and allow him the chance to process the scene and make a choice, he is learning!
Marla needed a shot yesterday and since I took the time to muzzle train her, she is comfortable with this safety measure. She enjoyed some peanut butter while getting the shot and a little got on her muzzle for continued enjoyment.
Tip for shots... I asked the manager to massage her hip area before adminstrining the actual shot. This helped Marla relax her muscles and she barely responded to the poke of the needle.
Marla is wearing a muzzle from The Muzzle Movement !
Follow marlas training adventures on her journey to adoption on her very own page Marlas Magic Journey. She is available from SAFE Pet Rescue Inc. In St Augustine
Aspen is going to his new foster home after waiting over a year in boarding. Please send out positive vibes, energy and prayers. Boy does he deserve a change of luck. He works harder than most any other dog and training with him has been so rewarding. Sure we hit a few bumps in his reactivity. It turns out he was teaching me too! Now he's doing really great and almost there to earning his "recovered reactive" label. Being able to build the skills he has, at the level he has, with all this time living in an environment where dogs constantly challenge him is an unmeasurable achievement. 5 gold stars for you Aspen! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Aspen is always fun and here he is goofing off just feet away from the dog park fence!!!
📋Aspens lessons
(1) never give up. Many would have given up on him. Ayla's Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue, did not, Jade Paws did not, and neither did i, The PET Impact .
(2) Partnership is everything! Your dog MUST feel safe with you and trust you to be open to change.
✌️❤️🐾
#fearfreedogtraining #partnershipintraining #caninelifeskillsprogram #reallifedogtraining
Louie is a quick moving, athletic adolescent who loves his squeaky ball. He is showing his progress to resist jumping on that ball in movement. We also practice this with high value treats and chew bones. I am building his skills to be capable of resiting chasing wildlife and cats and general self control.
Louie came to Ayla's Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue, Inc. with little skills and a lot of anxiety. Thanks to his great foster home providing a home where he can feel safe and be able to relax we have been making progress on his anxiety and building important life skills to prepare him for a successful adoption. ✌️❤️🐾
#thePETimpact #caninelifeskillsprogram #aylasacresrescue #rescuedogspecialist #positivereinforcementtraining
Cuteness overload! 1.5 yr Louie learned "trade" to pass over desired objects. He loves his squeaky ball!
Aspen is loyal to the ends of the earth...
Ayla's Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue, Inc.
What do you see? Context and the individual dog is always part of the answer.
Sometimes pinned back ears can be a sign of a dog being uncomfortable, insecure or afraid.
In this scenario Aspen is letting me know he is ready to GO! He loves to jog and run. (Me, not so much) 🤷♀️. He puts his ears in "racer" mode when he is picking up speed ready to take off.
If we pay attention and get to know our dogs they communicate using their bodies. Waiting until extreme behaviors show up means we missed a whole lot of signals.
Aspen could be a good jogging partner especially for dirt trails! Aspen loves climbing, jumping and having fun following his person. Go to aylasacres.org to submit an application.
I'm doing warm-ups with Aspen. These were actual warm-ups for me, given the chilly morning. 🥶 Warm-ups involve familiar cues that help dogs prepare their bodies for movement, engage their brains, and focus.
Aspen aims to please and is the best at engaging with me no matter what we are doing.
Aspen is living in boarding and we've been preparing him for his forever home. He needs and is ready for a foster or adopting home! Ayla's Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue, Inc.
Recently adopted Eula from SAFE has had her sessions following adoption to support her adjustment to her new life.
She was having some trouble walking with her humans. She hopped amd walked sideways or pulled ahead. In working with her she showed us she had not developed the coordination to walk next to her human and look up to check in for guidance. 🤓
It is unnatural for dogs to walk in straight lines, right next to someone and at a constant walking pace. Watch a dog free to roam and they change direction, speed and focus freely. This is natural for them.
So in taking the time to
(1) slow the walk
(2) show her what we want the walk to look like
(3) help her practice
(4) Reinforcement! And keep it fun
She not only learned to walk, she was offering check ins with her mom, and was tired and relaxed afterwards from the mental excersise. 🫶👏
Luther is a new foster board and train. The first few days we spend getting to know each other, decompression and assessment.
1st and 3rd mornings he shows an improved response to the birds. 😊
Ayla's Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue, Inc.
Do you have a dog with big emotional responses?
Aspen and willow are learning to settle in an environment that triggers big emotional responses. The first clips are them starting to practice a couple of weeks ago.
The last clip was Aspen this week. He always gives me a good effort and is getting this concept down. For him dogs have triggered big emotional responses out of fear. The other day he was able to lay down (a very vulnerable position for a dog!) While a German shepherd and his person were playing in the field!!!
~Side note I found out later that dog is also learning to regulate responses and be less excited when seeing other dogs. So we all helped each other out remaining calm and practicing supporting skills. 😊
Willow is being introduced to this concept of settling and is a bit resistant. She has her mind and likes to be busy all the time. (Know anyone like that? 😉) So calming herself has been a challenge. With shorter training intervals and breaks her focus is improving and she is starting to allow herself to try laying down in a stimulating environment.
Encouraging, supporting and teaching these dogs to achieve these goals on their own without force or punishment keeps their brain engaged, their responses genuine and their learning optimal. = Partnership ✌️💜🐾
CCPDT Certified Dog Trainer, serving NE Florida. I help pet parents cultivate well mannered dogs. private in home or in public sessions available.
