![]() ![]() I like to use “Where’s the Dog” with dogs who are truly afraid of just the sight of other dogs, and who either initially bark and lunge, or avoid looking altogether. So, which methods to use with Ceilidh? First off, I wasn’t inclined to teach her “Where’s the Dog” or LAT, because in typical Border collie fashion, once she’d locked onto a dog she had a hard time looking away. I often suggest using them both, as I did with Willie, but you have to decide which one to use first. However, in my experience, which one you choose depends a lot on the dog. Ironically, although #1 and #2 seem to be opposites, functionally they tend to get the same behavioral response: see dog, look at owner, get treat. In my dog-dog reactive seminars I summarize and illustrate the four most commonly used methods that I believe are effective and humane: 1) Teaching “Watch” or “Look at Me,” 2) Teaching “Where’s the Dog?” or “Look at That” (Leslie McDevitt), 3) BAT or Behavior Adjustment Training (Griesha Stewart) and “Abandonment Training” (Trish King). I had chosen Ceilidh as the dog I would use to illustrate using an “on-cue” positive reinforcement for dogs who are dog-dog reactive. Jan has very realistic goals for Ceilidh she’d just like to be able to walk her down the street or go to the vet clinic without it being a stress test for her. Jan told me after we worked on stage that she was aware they’ve let Ceilidh “get away” with a lot because of her seizures. I call dogs like this “alphawannabees.” To add to the story, Jan told me at the seminar, Ceilidh has suffered from seizures all her life. Without knowing her better, I’d describe her as both frightened of other dogs and desperately desiring to control them. This is not her version of playing or herding, if they get too close she will lunge toward them aggressively.Ĭeilidh can be pushy and demanding around the other dogs at home, (we agreed she’s the type of dog who reminds us why the term “bitch” is a dirty word), but is soft and sugar-sweet to people. She does NOT do this to unfamiliar BCs, only to other breeds. She does not bark or vocalize in any way, just does her “silent runner” routine when she sees dogs she doesn’t know. I should say here that I don’t have the depth of information I would if they were my clients, but here are the basics:Ĭeilidh (pronounced Cay-lee) is a 6.5 year old female Border Collie who fixates on other dogs with what I call the “locked and loaded” look of a stalking predator. Right now I’m working on choosing dogs for a similar seminar in DENVER next weekend and have the same problem: too many dogs, too little time.Īnd so I thought it might be useful to use one of Pittsburgh’s dogs as a case study in the blog, and her owner, Jan, graciously agreed. In choosing those dogs I had a problem myself: I had to choose from over 12 people who offered their dogs for demo’s. I did a seminar last week in Pittsburgh for the Westmoreland County Obedience Training Club, and worked with 3 dogs who had “dog-dog reactivity” problems.
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