The Cautious Canine by Patricia B. McConnell

Author:Patricia B. McConnell [McConnell, Patricia B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: General, Dogs, Pets, Training, Breeds
ISBN: 9781891767005
Google: hTFWAAAAYAAJ
Publisher: Dog's Best Friend
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

This is actually much harder to read about than it is to do. Once you understand the process and know how to "read" your dog and thus predict his behavior, it actually becomes very easy. Keep each session upbeat, and again, always end long before you or Duke start to get nervous.

Don't hesitate to link up with a professional if you can't do this with confidence. One or two sessions with someone who understands counter conditioning may be all you need to do it on your own.

Safety first: If you have any knowledge that your dog might harm someone, it is your responsibility to insure that this does not happen. If your dog might nip or bite if things don't go well, you simply must take steps to prevent that from happening. Use a muzzle if necessary (you can slide treats through the front opening), and have only your own friends be the "strangers" on the street. Use only those friends who you can count on to do what you say - this does NOT include all of your friends, right?! Go slow, remembering that "too far, too fast" may not only get someone hurt, but will set you and your dog back too.

Don't fall into the trap of believing that you can use the leash to keep things safe if the stranger gets too close. This method has at least two problems: a tight leash creates tension and signals to your dog that this is a, well, tense situation. That's the last message you want to convey to your dog! Secondly, it most likely won't work. Your dog's reaction time is so much faster than yours that you simply will not be able to react until the dog has already lunged. So keep the leash slightly loose (just a bit of slack is perfect) and use your body to keep strangers away from your dog if you have to. Guard against setting up situations where you HOPE you can keep everything safe - hope doesn't get the job done, and it creates a situation where you are nervous and your dog will pick up on it. It is essential that you role model being cool, calm, and playful, so be very sure your sessions are structured in such a way that you can be that cool, calm dog owner your dog needs.

Continue this routine, step by step, until the dog has overlearned the association between the trigger and what makes him happy. Always remember that in times of stress we all tend to "default" to our old habits, so continue this process long after your dog looks relaxed. Depending on your dog, the treatment could take only a few weeks, as it did with Lassie. In severe cases, it could take up to a year. For all dogs, I recommend never really stopping this conditioning throughout the dog's life - after your dog's behavior has stabilized, continue to be opportunistic, and have friends toss treats or balls whenever the occassion arises.

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