Teach a dog like a dog
I could only help Charlene and Jerry with the fighting among their dogs if I had their buy-in. They were both feeling pretty low. So, I shared the game plan.
I explained that if big Izzy’s threats toward Rosy and Willa were consistently ignored, the circuits in her brain that carried and stored her unhealthy behaviors would weaken from disuse. “Oh No!” they exclaimed in unison. “We can’t do nothing, can we?” “Don’t be ridiculous” I responded. “Of course you can.” There could be no other way.
Dogs regard any response from a leader, however subtle, as a validation of their behavior and of their emotional state of the moment. I told the Clines to leave a 6 foot leash (drag line) attached to their big spotted girl’s harness. At the earliest hint of tension directed toward the little tykes, their job was to immediately believe that there were no dogs. Then step on the drag line (no diving for it like an infielder), grab it, and march to another room. Maintaining composure, they would close the door and walk away.
Time-out is well established in behavioral science. Dogs really hate it because they lose essential communication with their superiors (us). Izzy’s benevolent dictators, Charlene and Jerry, would reinforce with a kind word only after it was earned by a calmer posture. I admonished them to catch their fuzzy canine student doing something right every chance they got. Every day. Hundreds of times every day.
Jerry was hanging on every word. I paused, expecting a question. Instead he shared his anger problem. In a quiet tone, the big man explained that he was raised in a physically and emotionally violent home. He was severely punished for his lackluster school grades. Any mistake resulted in, well, I won’t repeat what happened to this child whose trust was stolen. But I will share that research shows the majority of children who suffer physical abuse carry significant anger as adults. Pets can take the brunt. Jerry didn’t cause Izzy’s aggression toward Rosie and Willa but his verbal tirades hadn’t fostered improvement either. Will Rogers said, “When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.”
Next week: Could Izzy recover? What about Jerry?
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.
