"Relax class"

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Postby amazincc » January 17th, 2010, 9:40 pm

pitbullmamaliz wrote:I really think that leash failure was a big part of my nerves. Hard to recover from that when you can't stop thinking about what could have happened if it had broken mid-lunge. :sad2:


That definitely must've played a major factor... my nerves would've been frazzled as all get out.

Fingers and paws crossed for a successful class next week - for both of you. :cheer:
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Postby TheRedQueen » January 17th, 2010, 10:34 pm

amazincc wrote:
See... I think w/a non-reactive other dog there chaos and over-stimulation could've been avoided. Inara wouldn't have gotten any feedback, and we all know that it's no fun to be hysterical when no-one pays attention to you... lol
I agree w/your statement about self-control and obedience, but I think it's a lot to expect that from a reactive dog in a chaotic setting.
If I remember correctly you started your own Inara off very slowly... you didn't throw her into a crowd of people and expected her to cope well... right? And look how FAR she has come since then... :clap:

:)


Nope, actually Inara was thrown into crowds of people (with help and skills from me)...at flyball practice, and flyball tournaments...lol She had a LOT to cope with, living with me...being thrown into BIG stress situations from day one. Poor girly...:shake: :wink:
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"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » January 17th, 2010, 10:39 pm

And since barking is often self-rewarding, they don't need reactions from other dogs to keep going. :wink: Also, I don't want to disrupt a class for "normal" dogs. :giggle:
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby maberi » January 18th, 2010, 9:36 am

Honestly it doesn't sound like that bad of a first class Liz. I know it probably stressed you way out. but it is a start, and things will get better. Inara is very much like Kayden in the sense that she just doesn't know how to relax in stimulating environments. It doesn't come natural to her and because of that she is very reactive.

One of my goals this year is to improve on my public speaking skills. I constantly have to present for my job and it is always something that has stressed me out. I'm working with a performance coach on techniques that will help me improve and the first thing we are working on is staying calm and relaxed. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it is for me to close my eyes and work on breathing techniques in the middle of my work day. It's just not something I'm used to and feels so ODD, but the more I practice it, the easier it becomes.

Our dogs are no different. The first time they try something that goes against everything they know, they freak out. Just keep up the practice don't expect too much from Inara at this point. The fact that you are actually putting the time in to help Inara is very commendable and she will improve over time.
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Postby TinaMartin » January 18th, 2010, 10:05 am

The 1st 6 months with Gator in class was a night mare. It took him a long time to cope. It is well worth the results. Gator still has trouble with dogs on the street but its a million times better than it was before.
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » January 18th, 2010, 10:54 am

I think one of the things that gets me the most frustrated is my inability to tell what's setting her off. Our last group class she barked like a fiend for about 10 minutes and then settled in and acted like she was some champion obedience dog. And that was more dogs in a smaller room. For all I know, next week she'll saunter in to Relax Class and take a nap with no cares in the world. It's the not knowing that gets me!

But thanks for the encouragement you guys. I probably make it sound worse than it is just because this is my safe place to vent because you all understand. I'm definitely looking forward to working on our homework this week and having an improved class next week.
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby TheRedQueen » January 18th, 2010, 11:31 am

Another thought...will she relax in a covered crate...? Could you bring her crate (like in CU) for her to take breaks in, if it would work?
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"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » January 18th, 2010, 11:43 am

No, she will bark. And her crate is too heavy to haul around anyway.
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby TheRedQueen » January 19th, 2010, 5:04 pm

I just read this on "The Other End of the Leash"...which I know you read, Liz...but I made me think of this thread, so I figured I'd bring it over here too. :)

http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/he ... nevitable/
"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » January 19th, 2010, 5:37 pm

I love Patricia McConnell. She just makes sense. :)

I do not feel Inara's behavior is inevitable - I simply haven't figured out how to teach her another way. I feel better when I blame myself instead of snapping at her. :)
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby pitbullmamaliz » January 23rd, 2010, 5:56 pm

Woot! Inara seemed to have found her brain again this week. :) All the dogs did much better, but I'm pretty sure Inara would win the award for most improved.

She barked a couple times as we walked in because there was another dog already there. It was half-hearted though, kinda like she was doing it just for appearances. As the other dogs came in, one at a time, Inara didn't bark at all! I was shoveling treats and peanut butter into her mouth, but I was still pleased. While the other owners worked on massaging their dogs I just worked on treating Inara for relaxed behavior - we kind of have our own agenda because Ginger quickly realized Inara is special. :) Then we worked on targeting, both our hands and a tupperware lid. We worked on "go say hi" and "look at that." Inara was a champ at LAT - Ginger was laughing because she was just glancing around then looking back at me for her treat. *giggle* So we worked on Inara looking for a couple seconds instead of a glance so she would understand that it was looking at the dog that earned the treat, not just turning her head.

That was about it. I was just so pleased with the way Inara behaved. And our l-Theanine arrived today so we'll start that tomorrow and see if it makes a difference at all.
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby TheRedQueen » January 23rd, 2010, 11:12 pm

:cheer:

Soooo glad to hear that you both had a better class! :hug3:
"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby TinaMartin » January 25th, 2010, 9:22 am

Yeah for good dogs!
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » January 30th, 2010, 3:42 pm

Just wanted to update again. Class today was fantastic. Inara did single barks randomly throughout class, but it didn't seem reactive at all, more like, "hi there! Don't forget that Inara is here!" Ginger ended up taking the blinds down and we all moved closer together, about 15' away from each other. We practiced having one dog move at a time when the blinds were down, while everybody else clicked and treated if our dogs looked at the moving dog. She also introduced jump standards as she said reactive dogs often end up being amazing at sports if they can focus on the sport instead of the dogs. So next week she may actually let the dogs jump a couple inches, which I'm sure will be difficult for the other dogs to watch.

Inara's just improving by leaps and bounds. :)
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby pocketpit » January 30th, 2010, 3:44 pm

Hooray for you and Inara!!
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Postby TheRedQueen » January 31st, 2010, 9:45 am

WHOOOHOOOO! :cheer:
"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby tiva » February 10th, 2010, 10:11 pm

Aren't we due for another class update? More, more!
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » February 10th, 2010, 10:34 pm

lol Class was cancelled this past Saturday because none of us could get out of our driveways and the training center's driveway and lot hadn't been plowed either. So hopefully on Saturday I will have a lovely update! Thanks for asking!
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby tiva » February 11th, 2010, 10:14 am

A little snowpocalypse stops the dedicated dogs?
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » February 11th, 2010, 10:53 am

Oh trust me, if it had been on I would have found a way there! I love dog school!
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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