No more tears? It ain’t easy

terrier

Last in a series

Right away, after Atticus and Tandy were separated in different parts of the house, everybody relaxed and exhaled. There had been plenty of smack downs but, so far, no perforated pets. Sylvia and Jason were committed to doing whatever was necessary; I was cautiously optimistic.

Tandy’s anxiety disorder needed research – based behavior modification. Her brain’s neurochemical imbalances also required treatment. I started her on an antianxiety medication called Reconcile, the canine-approved chewable fluoxetine. Her folks reported her much calmer about 4 weeks later. She was no longer spooked by little noises. Rather than her head-on-a-swivel during leash walks, she was sniffing and investigating while happily tail wagging. She was now ready to learn.

Competition between Tandy and Atticus had to end. Never, for the rest of their lives, could they be together in the same room with food of any kind. Until they were consistently relaxed (never a guaranteed outcome) they could only be near their people one-at-a-time. A baby gate kept them physically apart while able to hang out and swap jokes, which we assumed involved snarky comments about their parents.

I explained how to use a clicker for immediate reinforcement of simple commands. Sylvia and Jason, each with one dog a generous distance from the baby gate, followed a click not with food (taboo when the dogs were together) but petting and praise. The book, Click to Calm, helped.

They took down the baby gate a week later. Tandy and Atticus were kept leashed, several feet apart, getting clicks, petting, and praise for performing fun commands. They learned to watch their leaders for opportunities to earn rather than squabbling, reacting aggressively, or trembling with fear. Frequent repetition motivated these sweet dogs to continue their good work over the long term.

Sylvia and Jason gradually allowed Tandy and Atticus to drag the leashes, so they could be safely pulled apart if the politics got ugly. Their dogs were better when together but two rules would always apply: 1) Take the process slow. 2) No guarantees. The wheels could fall off any time.

For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist. He provides consultations in-person and in groups by Zoom (drjeffnichol.com). Each week he shares a blog and a video to help bring out the best in pets and their people. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol.com. Post pet questions through my website, drjeffnichol.com/contact/ or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.