Hey Pup Parents,
I hope this message finds you and your dogs thriving as we embrace the gentle warmth of spring. The longer days and the return of the evening light bring a renewed sense of joy and energy, perfect for enjoying more quality time with our pups. It's been close to two months since I last reached out to say hello, and I hope all is well with you and your dogs.
Firstly, I want to share the heartening progress of Fernando, the newest addition to my family. As many of you know, I found Fernando as a stray earlier this year, and he has been on a journey of recovery and adaptation. While he still grapples with some lingering fears and past traumas, his growth has been remarkable. He's become increasingly social with both dogs and people, even charming young children with his gentle demeanor. As his confidence continues to blossom, I believe he's on the path to becoming a model of resilience and adaptability.
Recently, I received the results of Fernando's DNA test, revealing a fascinating blend of breeds. He is approximately equal parts Catahoula Leopard Dog, Treeing Walker Coonhound, and Pit Bull, with smaller contributions from Airedale Terrier, American Bulldog, American Fox Hound, Redbone Coonhound, and Plott Hound. What an incredible tapestry of canine heritage!
As Fernando settled into his new life, it became evident that he had limited prior experience living in a home environment and had likely endured unkind treatment from human hands. He would flinch if you grabbed at him too quickly, and sometimes he would stop moving and freeze in fear. Upon closer examination, I noticed scars around his head, neck and shoulders, resembling deep canine puncture wounds. The muscle above his left eye is atrophied, which the vet diagnosed as cranial nerve damage from trauma. My heart aches for the suffering he must have endured.
Helping him feel safe and secure has been a primary focus of our work together. Remarkably, when he first arrived, Fernando was unfamiliar with even the most basic cues, like sitting when prompted. Drawing from my decade-long experience working in animal shelters, I found this quite unusual, as nearly every adult dog I encountered had learned to sit at some point. It was clear that Fernando had not yet learned how to effectively communicate with people or understand the potential of such interactions.
When embarking on a training journey with a new dog, many guardians begin by teaching basic skills like sit, down, stay, and come. While these are undoubtedly important, there is an even more valuable lesson to impart: helping your dog understand that their behavior can influence the behavior of those around them. We want our dogs to grasp that they can communicate their needs and desires through their actions, ultimately leading to positive outcomes and a deeper connection with their human companions.
For some dogs, particularly those with a history of mistreatment or neglect, this concept can be challenging to grasp. They may have learned that initiating interactions or making choices can lead to negative consequences, making them hesitant to engage. This reminds me of a poignant moment in my career when I worked with a fearful Min Pin named Rudy in the Berkeley Hills. Rudy was apprehensive about being touched or approached, rendering traditional lure/reward training methods ineffective. By employing patience and creating an appropriate setup, we captured Rudy's behavior, marking and rewarding him whenever he chose to lie down on his own accord. After a few repetitions, a lightbulb moment occurred – Rudy suddenly realized that he had agency and could influence his environment through his actions. The transformation in his demeanor was profound and immediate. It was celebrated!
Fernando experienced a similar breakthrough just last week, nearly 12 weeks into his life with me. Due to his past experiences, he had developed a deep mistrust of being grabbed or approached to take food from a person's hand. This made implementing typical training protocols challenging, as he perceived food offered by humans as a veiled attempt to catch and restrain him – a classic example of a poisoned cue. Given his imperfect vision, tossing food on the floor was also problematic, as he would often miss it entirely or become triggered by the hand motion.
That's where savvy trainer Sara came into the picture, or maybe you should say efficient set up. Every night when I ate dinner, I would get comfy on the couch and offer Fernando bites intermittently along with Chester who is more than stoked for this new dog and routine change. This was also an easy way to continue to build their relationship, coming together and being near each other predicted food – classical conditioning in action without much extra effort. (Train smarter, not harder. 🤓)
This was an example of antecedent arrangement – a powerful way to address behavior by focusing on what happens before the behavior, not on how you respond after the fact. By modifying the context in which food was presented – a relaxed human on a couch, food on a plate, and non-typical treats – I aimed to change the association Fernando had with accepting food from human hands. I changed the antecedents that previously triggered Fernando's avoidance of taking food: instead of offering treats, the food was on a plate, I was relaxed on the couch, not reaching out toward him. It didn't take long before I had officially taught him to “beg” – he would climb up onto the couch next to me and wait patiently for his share of the meal.
After some trial and error, I decided to attempt a training session while lounging on the couch. I patiently waited for him to navigate his way onto the couch and squeeze into his cozy nook. The moment he settled and sat, I seized the opportunity to reinforce the behavior, rewarding him with a treat. He eagerly accepted! This became our new routine: I would stand, he would tagalong, and upon returning to the couch, we'd repeat the process. Remarkably, he began to sit with increasing promptness. In the meantime, Chester was mastering his own challenges, skillfully ascending to his perch and maintaining a "sit pretty” pose with impressive balance atop the couches back, showcasing, his brilliant quirky intelligence and my ability to multi-task.
The following day, I was inspired to see if Fernando would take food for me while outdoors in the backyard – a scenario that previously heightened his arousal and triggered his danger signals. Setting a blanket under the sun, I waited. It wasn't long before he approached, sat down, and I successfully marked the behavior and fed him a treat. It was a breakthrough moment!
Celebrating this milestone felt like we had unlocked a new level of learning. Since that pivotal moment, he has learned to accept food for my hand in various locations, whether I'm standing or sitting, indoors or out. Just last week, he mastered cues like sit, down, stay, touch my hand, and go to his dog bed. He's diligently working on maintaining a solid down-stay while Chester leaps over him, reminiscent of circus performers. This week, he even participated in his first demo dog video session, teaching other dogs tricks – a proud moment for both of us.
Most endearingly, he's begun to sit voluntarily as a way to communicate his desires, especially his eagerness for food, training, and learning. When we go to the yard for practice, he excitedly leaps into the air, landing in a sit, signaling his readiness to learn. It's his "Rudy moment "– the lightbulb moment where everything clicks, shining brightly with the promise of new possibilities. It represents a significant shift in his understanding of the world and his place within it.
As I continue to guide Fernando on his path to recovery and self-discovery, I am reminded of the importance of teaching our dogs that their behavior has the power to shape the world around them. By helping them develop a sense of agency and control over their interactions with us, we lay the foundation for a more fulfilling and harmonious relationship. This valuable lesson benefits all dogs, regardless of their background or challenges.
I would love to hear about your own experiences in fostering your dog's sense of agency and communication. Feel free to reply to this email with your stories, questions, or insights. If you find yourself in need of guidance for a specific behavior challenge or aspiration, and would benefit from a personalized training approach under my diligent supervision – I have some availability for behavior consults opening up in May. If there are specific topics you would like me to explore in the next newsletter or in my blog, don't hesitate to hit reply – I'm here to help you and your dog thrive.
Thank you for being an integral part of this community and for your unwavering dedication to creating a better world for the dogs in our lives. Until next time, take care, and keep celebrating the small victories along the way.
Warmly,
