Keith I'm really glad to hear from you. Your story really is an inspiration of owner commitment and dedication.
You are exactly right in that you showed Maggie what not to do, but then you went the extra step and helped her learn what to do instead of attacking. What you did was enable her natural ability to communicate peacefully with other dogs to come to the forefront.
Most dog to dog aggression is like Maggie's was...based on rusty or non-existent communication skills. Yet, dogs are pack animals, and biologically programmed to thrive in the company of their own species. It is only man's interjection that changes the natural order of things.
You have helped your dog back to a balanced place in the natural world. That is very good for her and her quality of life, to say nothing of your own.
Well done!
Marc Goldberg, CDT
IACP Certified Dog Trainer
ForceFree Method...it's all about pack drive!
www.ChicagoDogTrainer.com
President, International Association of Canine Professionals
Flint River Ranch dog food distributor # 121096
IACP Professional Member #1099
Chicagoland, Illinois
Monday, August 18, 2008
Keith balances Maggie
Here is a great email from a client...
Hello Marc -
You may remember me - I worked with you over the summer of '06 with Maggie, a mixed-breed rescue, and Buddy, our Cocker Spaniel. I had been meaning to drop you a note to let you know that things are going very well with our dogs, and they get better and better all of the time.
I happened upon your blog and read your post about Diablo. Very sorry to read that you had to let him go. He was a spectacular dog. I remember how unbelievably calm he was, while Maggie was flying off the handle the first time that they were introduced. I think he deserves some credit for what you are about to read here.
You may recall that Maggie was a tough case around other dogs. It took us a while before we were able to take Maggie and Diablo around the block together. At one point, after several attempts at walking her towards Diablo and trying to get her to disengage, I remember you said that I might just have to cross the street when I saw another dog coming. My heart sank - but about 15 minutes later Maggie and Diablo were happily walking along side-by side, and I swore to myself that I was going to do everything in my power to teach Maggie how to politely socialize with unfamiliar dogs. I knew you would like to know that we have been successful with Maggie.
We went through an extended period of time where Maggie knew what NOT to do around an unfamiliar dog - but she still had no idea what she was supposed to DO. So, I simply immersed her in observing dogs interacting socially. I would take her to dog parks and let her watch the other dogs play. I would let her watch Buddy interact with other dogs from a distance. Finally, I started to let her approach calm dogs on our walk. You should have seen her body language! She just SCREAMED alpha! But she was able to communicate her 'princess' status, without triggering dominance or fear in the other dog, and in most cases the dog would submit, and she was able to finally experience sniffing, and being sniffed by, another dog.
In the last couple of weeks, Maggie has:
- Interacted with an enormous male Labrador - he barks at us when he first sees us, and runs over - but then takes a submissive posture and even lays down near her
- interacted similarly with a small male bloodhound
- Been charged by a barking Maltese, and used her body language to calm the dog down, sniffing each other and interacting, without another sound
- Had a female dog, about the same size, walk up unseen behind her, and shove it's nose right in her rump. Again, no growl, no snarl, no snap - just polite interaction
- played with a golden retriever pup on a walk - a pup who was very excited, putting his paws in her face, etc. She would growl to correct, and the pup would roll over for her. This was HUGE - an oncoming leash-walked dog was one of her worst triggers
- Had a play date with the male german shepard mix puppy next door - this is an excited dog with a strong dominant streak. He wouldn't let up, and she made a lot of noise to try to correct him - and even snapped - but never made contact. I am working with my neighbor to help him increase his control over this wonderful pup. They now greet each other politely at the fence, and we will have another play date soon.
- Had a very polite exchange with a calm but curious off-leash collie. I had Maggie on a long leash and I actually had this collie following us around the field! Maggie simply sniffed the collie and accepted her temporarily into our pack.
Anyway, for anyone who is getting discouraged or impatient about their dog's aggression, please show them this note, and tell them not to give up! It has taken two years, but with your help, I have taken a dog who seriously injured a smaller dog, and turned her into a dog that is able to politely socialize with other dogs - even those who are not entirely stable! Your techniques work, even on the hardest cases, with patience and persistence.
Thanks again for everything, and again sorry to hear about Diablo. He will always have a special place in my heart, as the first unfamiliar dog that Maggie was able to befriend.
Sincerely,
Keith
Hello Marc -
You may remember me - I worked with you over the summer of '06 with Maggie, a mixed-breed rescue, and Buddy, our Cocker Spaniel. I had been meaning to drop you a note to let you know that things are going very well with our dogs, and they get better and better all of the time.
I happened upon your blog and read your post about Diablo. Very sorry to read that you had to let him go. He was a spectacular dog. I remember how unbelievably calm he was, while Maggie was flying off the handle the first time that they were introduced. I think he deserves some credit for what you are about to read here.
You may recall that Maggie was a tough case around other dogs. It took us a while before we were able to take Maggie and Diablo around the block together. At one point, after several attempts at walking her towards Diablo and trying to get her to disengage, I remember you said that I might just have to cross the street when I saw another dog coming. My heart sank - but about 15 minutes later Maggie and Diablo were happily walking along side-by side, and I swore to myself that I was going to do everything in my power to teach Maggie how to politely socialize with unfamiliar dogs. I knew you would like to know that we have been successful with Maggie.
We went through an extended period of time where Maggie knew what NOT to do around an unfamiliar dog - but she still had no idea what she was supposed to DO. So, I simply immersed her in observing dogs interacting socially. I would take her to dog parks and let her watch the other dogs play. I would let her watch Buddy interact with other dogs from a distance. Finally, I started to let her approach calm dogs on our walk. You should have seen her body language! She just SCREAMED alpha! But she was able to communicate her 'princess' status, without triggering dominance or fear in the other dog, and in most cases the dog would submit, and she was able to finally experience sniffing, and being sniffed by, another dog.
In the last couple of weeks, Maggie has:
- Interacted with an enormous male Labrador - he barks at us when he first sees us, and runs over - but then takes a submissive posture and even lays down near her
- interacted similarly with a small male bloodhound
- Been charged by a barking Maltese, and used her body language to calm the dog down, sniffing each other and interacting, without another sound
- Had a female dog, about the same size, walk up unseen behind her, and shove it's nose right in her rump. Again, no growl, no snarl, no snap - just polite interaction
- played with a golden retriever pup on a walk - a pup who was very excited, putting his paws in her face, etc. She would growl to correct, and the pup would roll over for her. This was HUGE - an oncoming leash-walked dog was one of her worst triggers
- Had a play date with the male german shepard mix puppy next door - this is an excited dog with a strong dominant streak. He wouldn't let up, and she made a lot of noise to try to correct him - and even snapped - but never made contact. I am working with my neighbor to help him increase his control over this wonderful pup. They now greet each other politely at the fence, and we will have another play date soon.
- Had a very polite exchange with a calm but curious off-leash collie. I had Maggie on a long leash and I actually had this collie following us around the field! Maggie simply sniffed the collie and accepted her temporarily into our pack.
Anyway, for anyone who is getting discouraged or impatient about their dog's aggression, please show them this note, and tell them not to give up! It has taken two years, but with your help, I have taken a dog who seriously injured a smaller dog, and turned her into a dog that is able to politely socialize with other dogs - even those who are not entirely stable! Your techniques work, even on the hardest cases, with patience and persistence.
Thanks again for everything, and again sorry to hear about Diablo. He will always have a special place in my heart, as the first unfamiliar dog that Maggie was able to befriend.
Sincerely,
Keith
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