Calming Signals

I'm not sure I agree with the term, it seems a bit misleading to me. In fact, LCK used a term that I think is more appropriate. He deemed them “Stress Indicators”. Here's his article on it

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/my-puppy-my-self/201012/unified-dog-theory-vii-understanding-calming-signals-what-they-really-a

Dogs that are stressed will exhibit many behaviors, head turning, blinking, yawning, lip licking, all the way to whale eye (you can see the whites of their eye) to growling. There's many many more signs but those are the easiest to spot. Kikopup on youtube has a wonderful video showing some of the signs, here's a link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgnLgHFRJu4

I am alarmed to find that a lot of people will correct a dog for showing these signs, especially growling. People don't like that and some will issue harsh corrections so the dog stops. The problem I find with this is that now when the dog has been pushed over his threshold you have to look even harder to spot the signs. This can create a dog that when stressed/fearful he lashes out with no obvious warning.

On top of that you are shutting down your dog. Have you ever seen these dogs? Ears back, head down, slight whale eye. They're constantly stressed out. To me, a dog that's shut down like that is a ticking bomb. Unless this dog has gone so far into it that it's turned into “learned helplessness”, the dog is going to snap at some point.

A good example of dog learning helplessness? Cotton on the Dog Whisperer. I'm not trying to bash CM but in the end the dogs teeth were removed due to handler failure. I always advice people to MUTE THE SOUND. Without the influence of what others are telling you, you can read the dogs body language and come to your own conclusion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXPkSZ7gBTk

So why not correct the under lying issue? If the dog is over whelmed with a situation, remove him and slowly try to introduce him back into it. If your dog doesn't like his ears to be touched, slowly get him used to the idea. If your dog is pulling and when you issue a leash pop he snarls- try a different method.

The goal is to train the dog, not to diminish it's confidence or drive. Your dog is not an alpha wanna be, he's not always trying to one up you. If you think of it this way, it's hard to have a good relationship with your dog.

Going to edit this at a later date

Training at the shelter

 I'm starting to wonder if I'm cut out for this. First time a dog showed aggression I about shut down. What's with that? I don't know. I never used to have a fear of being bite by an animal. I used to have a cat hanging off of me, teeth deep in my hand, and calmly scruff it. I never had that problem before were I jerk away thinking the dog is going to rip me a new one. As if I can move faster than a dog that's set on biting me!

Oh well. I think I can get over it. Scoots and I are becoming buddies. First time I saw him he was a terrified terror. Paw up, ears back, eyes dilated, lip licking. I thought he had hurt his paw but when I went to look closer he attacked the kennel. First day, terrified of him! I thought for sure I should avoid him for a while. Niki called his bluff right in front of me, he's attacking the cage, she rolls her eyes and barges right in. Totally different dog. Barrier issues? IDK.

I took him out for a walk, he really ignored me. I'd say "Scooter!", he'd make eye contact, click, treat. Did that for a while. Every time I walk by his cage I say "Scoots!" he'll look up, click, treat. I'm hoping to get him to eventually like people coming up to his kennel. If he goes ape shit every time someone approaches no one will want him.

The APBT boy I fell in love with got adopted this weekend. He was a hoot last time we were working (before someone put a hold on him). Teaching sit, drop it, stay. He picked up sit really well. Anyway, I was using a tug as the reward, sat down and he grabs my shoe. Drags me across the room. I tried redirecting, trading, and even luring. Didn't work.  Soon as I got the leash back on him he calmed down and offered sit. Silly dog. 

So tuesday I'm hoping to go back out there, work with Scoot some more and take Spike out. He's another reactive LARGE dog there. No idea his breed. Spotted and huge though lol

Holly finally picked up spin! It's not 100% yet but at least she got it. That was so frusterating lol Mike doesn't like me using the clicker when he's around but I'm hoping to work with Holly and BeBe after work tonight.