Two Best Dogs! Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Wow a great Thistle update. Yep slow and steady is the best way. Continually build positive associations and outcomes. It builds their confidence and resilience bit by bit. If Thistle loves to fetch, are you allowed to reward her solid stand for exam with a throw of the ball/squeaky toy? This is how I built Dee's confidence up with the stand for exam. It also gave her a chance to shake off the built up stress in a positive way. I can ask about it, We'd need to put her on the long line for a ball at the end but hopefully she won't be so out of sorts as to not want to chase it at least. Haven't had much luck with squeaky toys in class, even her favourites she will lose interest in in the class environment. Her small-break-play usually consists of a lot of fuss, a lot of physical affection and a jog away from all the stress. She does love to chase small, fast moving things though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Great update Snook. I get almost teary when I think back to the Justice who would have panic attacks at the mere sight of another dog. Little Malcolm update. After mastering his busy buddy barnacle food dispenser he started taking interest in a puppy Kong I had laying about. So last night after Noseworks I filled it with some loose kibble and he went at it, and today he's having a vile concoction of mashed banana, kibble, a green lipped mussel and a sprinkling of BBQ chook leftover from Nosework. This is the dog who previously shut down in the presence of a Kong despite it being filled and coated with BBQ chicken. Noseworks went ok. He was pushed a little too hard during one search and got stressed (the hide was on top of a chair and he knew it was there but lacked the confidence to jump up). Then he saw a dog when they're meant to be kept in their own vehicles, and I dropped his calming cap and had trouble redirecting him from his reflection in the car windows. However the cap was found and he recovered. He was very excited to be there and my goodness was he pulling towards the hall to launch into a search. He didn't want to leave! Now I've just got to make sure they don't stress him next session as they're bringing in some metal objects to confuse the dogs, and despite talking about it I still don't think the instructor understands that it's not straight up mirrors that set off his OCD but rather things onto which light is reflected or which reflect his appearance in a non-standard way (e.g. a shiny surface or metal or glass even if it's a matte finish). I don't think they've come across this before nor realise how bad it can be when the dog otherwise looks ok to most. I also need to get some sort of wax or resin for his paws as he's sliding around like no tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliecat Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 On, I forgot we had another noise related win on Tuesday. Oh was mowing the lawn and while dozer was a bit scared, he wasn't his usual barnacle level of scared, and he managed to walk past the switched off vacuum cleaner! Dozer even went and checked out the mower through the windows. I'm very proud of my scaredy cat dog this week. He's also continuing to use his crate when he doesn't get his own way, like when I didn't lift up the couch blanket for Mr Precious. it's a nice change to being slowly pushed off the couch as he stretches.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 That's amazing Taliecat. Well done to you and your boy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 (edited) I hope these work...these are some snippets of the BAT 2.0 book that I really liked and I'm finding useful - including posters that I've printed out for the shed/quick reference. https://www.dropbox.com/s/hghnrd4kqs21mpl/BAT%2020whole2.pdf?dl=0 And a pdf of just the posters - things like signs to reward, signs of reaction-imminent, flow charts etc. https://www.dropbox.com/s/o3kmk50ffhrd4vf/BAT20posters.pdf?dl=0 Anyway, we're off to our Thursday 'social rehab' which is now on friday's because work is busy. aka hang around in various pet stores watching people and sniffing staff. Tomorrow I'm thinking we might go bush. Not to the snow tho - it won't be thick enough to be worth the trip. I did some satellite map browsing and spotted some clearings we'll go check out. Should be big enough for some chuck it while I work on building a real ball obsession I have ordered "On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals" By Turid Rugaas. It's by someone who had an unsocialised reactive dog and it's about what did/didn't work in teaching their dog to become a dog savvy dog social master of dog etiquette. aka teaching me what to look for and praise in our controlled doggie play dates. Edited July 22, 2016 by Thistle the dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 (edited) And our nightly rehab went amazingly well! :) Her mouth was open a lot (normally she's so tense it is closed. Curious, cautious and sniffing, but mouth closed) and her movements/ears were a bit looser than usual. I just followed along behind, rewarding disengagement and only guiding/distracting on occasion i.e. past the bunny cage/rspca kittens, when we inadvertently were surrounded by ppl from different directions and she froze (got her in a heel and weaved to a more open area) Our big things were: - young alsatian type dog lunging/barking - Thistle stiffined, whined once then turn around and led us away. She yawned a lot and shook herself. Then we did some tricks in a quiet corner to calm down - surprise whippet!puppy running up to us while distracted with greeting male!staff member (T was approaching/sniffing) - T didn't snap or flinch at it and I "lets go" and we did a very smooth 180 and calmly walked off. Very pleased with T. Also, the puppy classes next focus after that was on teaching your dog to pass other dogs/let others pass politely - no running and jumping :laugh: - she's looking at the new store manager. previously she was pretending he wasn't there Of interested note, I saw someone else training a dog too. Big bully mix, I wasn't sure what they're working on so I gave them space as they were giving everyone else big space. S/he was a very good dog though, lots of focus. Edited July 22, 2016 by Thistle the dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Oh that's an awesome update Thistle! And thanks for sharing the BAT stuff too. Is it just me or does it get a bit confusing when you get into the finer details? Anyway, I'm always a sucker for Lili Chin's graphics. :) It's so amazing how quickly nose works is building Malcolm's confidence!! There may have been a few fumbles at the nose works class but the really important part is that he recovered and continued on with the class. That's fantastic. Maybe have another chat to them before the next class and explain that the metal objects may be too much for him and will need to be removed if he can't cope? Thanks Snook. I'm very proud of him. I'm going to email the instructor, as she gave out her details. They are good with modifying things for anxious dogs, I just need to help them better understand and speak up if I don't think something will be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) Yes I find BAT2 gets very confusing! I am mostly referring to the posters and the mark-and-move flowcharts. Everything else...to technical and overwhelming... I think this BAT 2 stuff, even our lazy rough version of it, is really helping! We got lots of comments today on Thistle's calm. I think because before class I go around doing a bit of BAT to remind her on it, since in class is working-mode and smaller range of choices. So she'll sniff grass and look at a dog then choose to keep sniffing or turn another way and i reward for that. But today the dog near us is new to class, he was a little excitable and kept jumping towards us, at one point he got right into Thistle's face (and she went stiff) so I was about to "let's go!" and move us a bit further away and she deliberately turned her head away and snorted/exhaled/fake-sneezed! We still "lets go" so out of leash distance but inside I was cheering very loudly as we moved away and she kept her heel to me. Many treats and the trainer praised us both too. Thistle honestly didn't seem bothered by any of this, didn't get all overly excited, didn't whine, just moved and sat back down. It is so small but I am very happy :) PS she didn't bark, eyeball or stiffen up over anyone (did give the odd side eye, baby steps) Edited July 24, 2016 by Thistle the dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliecat Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 (edited) It sounds like the BAT 2.0 is really great for the two of you! I'm a bit concerned with Dozer.. He was fine before we went out to the gold coast for a couple of hours yesterday morning and when we got home his whole demeanour had changed.. He's back to being a limpet/Velcro dog, and wouldn't get off my lap for about 10 minutes yesterday when I needed to put a dirty plate in the dishwasher that was next to me and he didn't even look at it.. When I finally got him to move, he came and sat on my foot, literally on it. He didn't race to the door to greet the housemate when he got home from work and this morning he was basically hiding behind me when OH was trying to get him to sit on his bed prior to releasing him to his food hunt for breakfast.. I'm not Dozer's favourite person, the boys are and have always been much much higher value than I and he doesn't want to have anything to do with them.. I'm worried that either the construction noise from a street away spooked him or possibly a male next door had a big shouting match (he hates raised voices).. *sigh* It just feels like one step forward, a dozen steps back with him at the moment. Eta: just put his coat on him and he's now asleep on my lap.. I want to get up, but he's asleep.. I just realised that he might be picking up on some of my stress related to some medical stuff, but I still think it's a bit of an extreme reaction Edited July 25, 2016 by Taliecat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliecat Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 And... He's back to normal today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 (edited) Pleased to hear it Taliecat. I hope you soon feel better, too. -- Malcolm's Nosework class went well last night. My goodness does he get excited. He was scratching at the car door to get out, when usually he'd be fixating on his reflection in the car windows and launching into a tirade. I think practicing being in the car at night around such an exciting activity may be helping him, in addition to his medication and everything else. He gives the odd anxious look and starts seeking out his reflection if I'm too slow putting on his calming cap, but he's able to be redirected instead of getting stuck. The other two dogs had big metal buckets in their field, and we modified it for Malcolm by having a little tin with a black lid that did not reflect too much light. He found the food on it straight away and zoomed on by. :) He is funny to watch. He makes these little snorting sounds when he's close to finding the source. :laugh: Edited July 27, 2016 by Papillon Kisses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 (edited) ARgh! Just argh! Thistle is being such a...just, such a dick teenage dog right now! Probably feeding off how stressed i've been lately but argh!! Today she has jumped on me repeatedly, whined non stop and, I'm pretty mad about this one but I tried not to show it, hared off on our weekly park adventures for no apparent reason! As in, she wasn't chasing a rabbit, there were no dogs, no people...just decided "HEY IM GOING TO RUN 500m in ONE DIRECTION"! Glanced at me then kept going at my call back. Which ended up with her scarily close to a (quiet, speed bump filled) road and gave me a good scare because there was one car meandering along. Heartattack! Her offlead (even with the long line attached) permissions have been revoked until I can build up her check ins and reliability again. Just...just so frustrating! I have put her outside with a bone so she can't see me stomping around, and going to a friends house to cool down in a bit so we don't get more frustrated with each other. I should be over it by tonight, just want to bitch about it to let it out. And we lost our ball We're being tested for lvl 4 tomorrow and I know we won't pass, but if by some miracle we do...I'm thinking i might decline because we can't work reliably right now and lvl 4 is a lot of offlead. Just... ARGH some days can be so frustrating! Good thing I love her and a lot more good days than bad days. Edited July 30, 2016 by Thistle the dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 (edited) Do you think she may have been stressed by the property damage too? I have a tendency to blame myself when Malcolm worsens but there's usually more to the story. Please don't let a bad day/days get in the way of seeing how much progress you've both made. Remember this? That's your girl only five days ago . Edited July 30, 2016 by Papillon Kisses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 (edited) I know! She's usually such q good girl! A lesson learned - when I am stressed keep her on the long line!! And she did recall after blowing me off so I made a big fuss over that. But I don't handle heart attacks well ???? And we lost ball ???????? But earlier she was a good girl outside park doing some bat 2.0 a little excited but not off her head or anything. Edited July 30, 2016 by Thistle the dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 (edited) Snook that is all so amazing! He has come so far, what a champ. Justice for champion dog of the year! Even the scary dog with the scary fence! This is how close to dog park we are right now, scaled all the way back because now working on her enthusiasm to go greet. Close enough she'll glance at the running/playing dogs (two currently wrestling in the screenshot) but far enough away that she'll disengage herself and sniff the ground/only whine a little bit. Someone asked if we wanted to join them but I declined, said I have a very rude dog, so we are training. I like that there are two fences between dog park (raised grass obscures the 2nd one) and car park and keep my car door open for any emergency retreats. I read a quote in the BAT 2.0 book about tarzan dogs and read more on it, paraphrasing: dogs who are insecure+unsocialised and do over the top rude greetings to help determine if the other dog is a threat - and that clicked with what I think our current stage is. She's not *terrified* of the average dog anymore, but is still very insecure and feels better if she can run up in their face before they run up into hers. Which, obviously, is not something I am planning to let her do! So hoping BAT can teach her the calm. She's still grounded btw. I'm not angry more but the young lady is still grounded for letting teenage brain take over for a clump of grass. It is looking like we will be watching lure coursing in sept more than participating. and to buy a new ball. I really liked that ball. Edited July 30, 2016 by Thistle the dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 That's so awesome to hear, PK. I was wondering how Malcolm had gone with the reflective surfaces being introduced. It sounds like you did a great job of getting things modified for him and he handled it like a champ! Thanks Snook, and how awesome is it that you can expand your walking times! Malcolm's coming completely off Trazodone. Each time we've reduced the dose he's improved, so it looks like it isn't for him. Not sure what's to follow at this stage but I think it might be Clomicalm pending clearance from his Addison's Disease specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 (edited) We shall see. If it's not clomicalm there's probably something else suitable, I just know our VB wants something else added. And we still have Prozac on board which has been transformative. We had a number of wins yesterday: - Loud lawn mower, whipper snipper, hedging equipment: checked in with me a few times with a concerned look, but mainly worked on a bone or relaxed on his bed. No freak outs! - Relaxation protocol: minor reactivity but no intense, wired look or shaking. Not even a tremble! - Walking: non-reactive to all but one dog barking, and the one that did cause concern just led to him increasing the pace without even a whimper! I was also able to recall him at times and get a very nice heel (he loose-leash walks but I don't insist on heeling as such). Previously he's been too anxious on walks to care about food rewards and would tune out. - Smoke alarm sounding when I hadn't preemptively taken him upstairs: looked up, barked three times, rested his head again!!! His smoke alarm phobia was so bad that he back-chained it step by step to chopping boards coming out at night time. Huge progress. - Lights/Shadows: one incident of seeking out reflections and attacking a wall, but his body relaxed and he let out a big sigh about 30sec after I covered his head. And it's not surprising that his OCD came out to play a bit after he had been tested more throughout the day. So we're getting there. :) Ahhhh, more barking tonight. Oh well. We'll get there. Edited August 2, 2016 by Papillon Kisses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliecat Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 That's an impressive series of wins! Very proud of you both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Thanks Taliecat and Snook. :D The heeling was so adorable, I'm still smiling when I think about it. It was that happy, high-footed, gaze into the chicken giver's eyes with adoration, prancy type. :laugh: Properly happy on a walk! Fancy that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 (edited) We had a nice night tonight :) Nothing big! Just, T and I were watching a pug and thinking of saying hello (owners had offered) but I guess pug was tired or something because YAP GROWL YAP GROWL YAP when we started getting closer but T just "nope" and turned around and walked the other way without prompting! (then ignored the pug the rest of the time it was yap growl yap at us. I tried to give it some space) I got us a new ball and we practiced our figure 8 homework in the store... Then we went to other pet store and T let J (male) pat her for the first time ever! Then one of the other staff members started coming over, T looked at them, put her head back into J's hands, then walked over to new staff member and did the "pat me pls" lean. She also dropped and made herself comfy at the feet of R(male) while I patted the baby python (sooo cute and soft) and she stayed in the drop while excited whippet puppy was being a puppy about 1m away with another staff member. Loose body language! She was even a bit silly with the puppy agility equipment, an excited husky passing by and the kitten adoption pen (was just being silly and a little naughty, so brought her back to calm but it was nice seeing her relax a little with a waggy tail and voluntarily walking away from me) Another customer and his kid complimented us while I was patting the python and T was ignoring whippet puppy. I was very flattered! I was also confident in Thistle's current relaxed state so we went over to the kid and let her say hello (i did show kid how to say hello, for T - hold hand out flat - if she rests her head in it tadah! you may pat and she likes you. apology for all the drool). Thistle even did some tricks for the kid. Then since Thistle was looking around and wagging and sniffing R's feet, treat party and left on a good note. So a nice day of many little success and a bit of showing off And she's back up to 31kg :) she dropped down to 28kg last month so I was concerned, but back up! 31-32 seems to be her healthy weight. My confidence is a little bit back up too :) Edited August 5, 2016 by Thistle the dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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