Comments on: Magic “Touch” for Fearful Dogs http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/ For the love of dogs and their people Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:05:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Boulder Dog » Blog Archive » How Do You Help a Reactive Dog? http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-3045 Boulder Dog » Blog Archive » How Do You Help a Reactive Dog? Thu, 07 Oct 2010 06:22:30 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-3045 [...] by, for which she was reinforced. I described some of these behaviors in a previous post, “Magic Touch for Fearful Dogs.” Leslie McDevitt describes the ‘look‘ cue in her book, Control [...] [...] by, for which she was reinforced. I described some of these behaviors in a previous post, “Magic Touch for Fearful Dogs.” Leslie McDevitt describes the ‘look‘ cue in her book, Control [...]

]]> By: Deborah Flick http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-2844 Deborah Flick Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:51:47 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-2844 Thank you so much for you kind words. I wish you all the best with your new pup. Here are two resources you might find helpful. www.fearfuldogs.com is written by Debbie Jacobs. She's a wealth of excellent information about working with fearful dogs. Also, try Mary's Dogs Blog (gooogle it). Mary is fostering a fear dog she named Aaron and she's documenting their progress. Thank you so much for you kind words. I wish you all the best with your new pup. Here are two resources you might find helpful. http://www.fearfuldogs.com is written by Debbie Jacobs. She’s a wealth of excellent information about working with fearful dogs. Also, try Mary’s Dogs Blog (gooogle it). Mary is fostering a fear dog she named Aaron and she’s documenting their progress.

]]> By: lisa http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-2837 lisa Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:49:22 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-2837 what an excellent article, deborah; thanks for sharing your experiences with sadie from back when you first began learning how to be best friends to each other. i think it's brave of you to include your thought process as you realized that sadie was fear-reactive and wondered whether you were a good fit for each other. how awesome that her anxiety and your willingness to work with her has ultimately seemed to strengthen the bond between you. thanks for sharing the particulars, too. distracting sadie with 'nose' and 'paw' etc. are a great idea. actually, i need someone to do that kind of ptsd-clicker training on me, ha ha, when i start seriously panicking and stressing about life issues. ;>) come to think of it, they say knitting is good stress relief for adults and kids b/c it unites the two sides of the brain as you use both hands at the same time to do this form of handiwork. think we can use 'knit' and 'purl' w/dogs to same good effect?? :>) my partner and i are about to adopt a fearful and shy dog, so i'm doing research on some reassuring ways to interact as we are out and about together, and your thoughts and observations have been very helpful. i'm off to view videos on youtube of the 'touch' request, but last thing before i go: i could totally relate to wishing patricia mcconnell lived nearby!! coincidentally, i just finished _the other end of the leash_ a few days ago and loved it, and i've been wishing she could sit on my shoulder as my benevolent dog training angel and whisper in my ear so i don't mess things up w/ my rescue dog too much on my own before we can find a good training class/behaviorist of our own. best wishes to you and sadie. thanks again for taking the time to post your thoughts! what an excellent article, deborah; thanks for sharing your experiences with sadie from back when you first began learning how to be best friends to each other. i think it’s brave of you to include your thought process as you realized that sadie was fear-reactive and wondered whether you were a good fit for each other. how awesome that her anxiety and your willingness to work with her has ultimately seemed to strengthen the bond between you.

thanks for sharing the particulars, too. distracting sadie with ‘nose’ and ‘paw’ etc. are a great idea. actually, i need someone to do that kind of ptsd-clicker training on me, ha ha, when i start seriously panicking and stressing about life issues. ;>) come to think of it, they say knitting is good stress relief for adults and kids b/c it unites the two sides of the brain as you use both hands at the same time to do this form of handiwork. think we can use ‘knit’ and ‘purl’ w/dogs to same good effect?? :>)

my partner and i are about to adopt a fearful and shy dog, so i’m doing research on some reassuring ways to interact as we are out and about together, and your thoughts and observations have been very helpful. i’m off to view videos on youtube of the ‘touch’ request, but last thing before i go:

i could totally relate to wishing patricia mcconnell lived nearby!! coincidentally, i just finished _the other end of the leash_ a few days ago and loved it, and i’ve been wishing she could sit on my shoulder as my benevolent dog training angel and whisper in my ear so i don’t mess things up w/ my rescue dog too much on my own before we can find a good training class/behaviorist of our own.

best wishes to you and sadie. thanks again for taking the time to post your thoughts!

]]> By: Deborah Flick http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-1351 Deborah Flick Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:49:05 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-1351 Thank you so much. Thank you so much.

]]> By: Leslie McDevitt http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-1348 Leslie McDevitt Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:23:14 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-1348 what a great article! i've been there too. awesome job deborah leslie what a great article! i’ve been there too. awesome job deborah

leslie

]]> By: I did it.... I rescued Nell, now I need help! - Page 2 - Pet Forums Community http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-760 I did it.... I rescued Nell, now I need help! - Page 2 - Pet Forums Community Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:02:32 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-760 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Update on Diesel and a little advice - Page 2 - Pet Forums Community http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-755 Update on Diesel and a little advice - Page 2 - Pet Forums Community Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:57:04 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-755 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Boulder Dog » Blog Archive » Alpha Dogma: Goodbye to All That http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-19 Boulder Dog » Blog Archive » Alpha Dogma: Goodbye to All That Thu, 21 May 2009 05:44:10 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-19 [...] Comments « Magic “Touch” for Fearful Dogs [...] [...] Comments « Magic “Touch” for Fearful Dogs [...]

]]> By: Training tips or advice on walking a strong dog - Page 3 - Pet Forums Community http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-18 Training tips or advice on walking a strong dog - Page 3 - Pet Forums Community Mon, 18 May 2009 13:11:21 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-18 [...] fearful reactive dogs, and they have made great progress with their dogs using positive methods. Boulder Dog [...] fearful reactive dogs, and they have made great progress with their dogs using positive methods. Boulder Dog

]]> By: Angela http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-17 Angela Sun, 17 May 2009 20:43:48 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-17 Wonderful post, truly touching (no pun intended). Thank you for sharing. Wonderful post, truly touching (no pun intended). Thank you for sharing.

]]> By: Deborah Flick http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-16 Deborah Flick Sat, 09 May 2009 02:04:30 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-16 Dear Kim Thank you so much for your moving comments. I'm so taken by what you had to say. Less than 10% of people who have dogs offer any training at all? That's appalling to me. I hadn't thought about it before, but now that you mention it, indeed, helping your dog to learn basic life skills should be right up there with spaying and neutering. And I have to be honest with you. I was so upset upon discovering Sadie was fearful and reactive that I wasn't sure I could keep her. And, this was long before the first bark-lunge episode. I felt totally overwhelmed. Because I got Sadie from a reputable breeder, had I decided that I couldn't cope, I would have been required by contract to return her to the breeder. Obviously, I kept her. But, I had a LOT of help. I needed it, and still do. For her and me. Our weekly sessions with Gigi truly are as much for her as they are therapy for me! Thank you again for your kind and encouraging words. And, please thank Grisha for Sadie and me. Dear Kim

Thank you so much for your moving comments. I’m so taken by what you had to say. Less than 10% of people who have dogs offer any training at all? That’s appalling to me. I hadn’t thought about it before, but now that you mention it, indeed, helping your dog to learn basic life skills should be right up there with spaying and neutering.

And I have to be honest with you. I was so upset upon discovering Sadie was fearful and reactive that I wasn’t sure I could keep her. And, this was long before the first bark-lunge episode. I felt totally overwhelmed. Because I got Sadie from a reputable breeder, had I decided that I couldn’t cope, I would have been required by contract to return her to the breeder. Obviously, I kept her. But, I had a LOT of help. I needed it, and still do. For her and me. Our weekly sessions with Gigi truly are as much for her as they are therapy for me!

Thank you again for your kind and encouraging words. And, please thank Grisha for Sadie and me.

]]> By: Kim http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-15 Kim Fri, 08 May 2009 23:04:58 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-15 Thanks to Grisha, I was lucky enough to have been able to read this post. I wish that everyone would take such interest, and show the concern you have done, in recognizing what a miserable state it is, for any living being, to constantly remain in a total state of fear. So few people recognize this, and it saddens me that the average, ordinary, person that choses to bring a dog into their life, would not even have considered taking the step of attending "kindegarten" classes. Someone on a list I belong to, after reading my concern for how important it is for people to be educated, as to why the importance of, at least, the basic life skills, is so necessary for successful and rewarding relationships between people in their dogs, reported that less than 10% of people who have dogs, offer any training at all. That is more than disturbing for me and gives more reason for me to feel that if spaying and neutering are part of "responsible" pet ownership, surely proper life skills training should be as well. Both areas help keep the "unwanted" and abandonned, dogs from shelters, and/or worst case, euthanasia. I feel certain that there are very many people who would not have even given Sadie a chance, or rather, not paid enough attention, and then have had her bite someone, then leading to many negative possibilites. I can only hope that your blog, along with the type of information Grisha offers, will somehow reach that average person, who would ordinarily not even think to pick up a book on the subject of dogs, or the training of them. For the life of me, I cannot find a way to really reach these type people and it is such a strong passion within me, to do so. Please keep up the great blog and of course, I will reach out and allow Sadie to "touch" my hand, if ever the opportunity presents itself. Thanks to Grisha, I was lucky enough to have been able to read this post.
I wish that everyone would take such interest, and show the concern you have done, in recognizing what a miserable state it is, for any living being, to constantly remain in a total state of fear. So few people recognize this, and it saddens me that the average, ordinary, person that choses to bring a dog into their life, would not even have considered taking the step of attending “kindegarten” classes. Someone on a list I belong to, after reading my concern for how important it is for people to be educated, as to why the importance of, at least, the basic life skills, is so necessary for successful and rewarding relationships between people in their dogs, reported that less than 10% of people who have dogs, offer any training at all. That is more than disturbing for me and gives more reason for me to feel that if spaying and neutering are part of “responsible” pet ownership, surely proper life skills training should be as well. Both areas help keep the “unwanted” and abandonned, dogs from shelters, and/or worst case, euthanasia.
I feel certain that there are very many people who would not have even given Sadie a chance, or rather, not paid enough attention, and then have had her bite someone, then leading to many negative possibilites.
I can only hope that your blog, along with the type of information Grisha offers, will somehow reach that average person, who would ordinarily not even think to pick up a book on the subject of dogs, or the training of them.
For the life of me, I cannot find a way to really reach these type people and it is such a strong passion within me, to do so.
Please keep up the great blog and of course, I will reach out and allow Sadie to “touch” my hand, if ever the opportunity presents itself.

]]> By: Deborah Flick http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-14 Deborah Flick Fri, 08 May 2009 02:15:22 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-14 Yes! Sadie and I, with our trainer Gigi, have been working on McDevitt's cue, Look At. OMG! It works so well. Sadie now sees scary things before I do. (I'm always on the lookout :) She looks and then turns back to me. Of course, we started with clicking her looking at the scary thing and then when she started to look back at me, clicking and treating that. I know you know the relief and joy we feel when our fearful dogs gain a little more confidence and sense of well-being in the world. Pure grace. Thank you for referencing your videos. All are very helpful. Yes! Sadie and I, with our trainer Gigi, have been working on McDevitt’s cue, Look At. OMG! It works so well. Sadie now sees scary things before I do. (I’m always on the lookout :) She looks and then turns back to me. Of course, we started with clicking her looking at the scary thing and then when she started to look back at me, clicking and treating that. I know you know the relief and joy we feel when our fearful dogs gain a little more confidence and sense of well-being in the world. Pure grace.

Thank you for referencing your videos. All are very helpful.

]]> By: Deborah Flick http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-13 Deborah Flick Fri, 08 May 2009 02:05:04 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-13 Grisha Thank you so much for your appreciation. And, thank you for sharing this with your clients. There are so many fearful, reactive dogs. Breaks my heart. But, I'm so glad there are people like you who are helping. Deborah Grisha

Thank you so much for your appreciation. And, thank you for sharing this with your clients. There are so many fearful, reactive dogs. Breaks my heart. But, I’m so glad there are people like you who are helping.

Deborah

]]> By: fearfuldogs http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-12 fearfuldogs Fri, 08 May 2009 00:37:30 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-12 What a good problem you ended up with! ;-) Another great exercise for fearful or reactive dogs is the Look At That game made popular by Leslie McDevitt in Control Unleashed. I've put up videos of how I've used hand targeting to practice a recall and meeting new people here on the fearfuldogs.com website. www.fearfuldogs.com/targeting.html What a good problem you ended up with! ;-)

Another great exercise for fearful or reactive dogs is the Look At That game made popular by Leslie McDevitt in Control Unleashed.

I’ve put up videos of how I’ve used hand targeting to practice a recall and meeting new people here on the fearfuldogs.com website.

http://www.fearfuldogs.com/targeting.html

]]> By: Blog to read: Magic “Touch” for Fearful Dogs | Ahimsa Dog Training, Seattle | Dog and Puppy Tips from Seattle | http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-11 Blog to read: Magic “Touch” for Fearful Dogs | Ahimsa Dog Training, Seattle | Dog and Puppy Tips from Seattle | Thu, 07 May 2009 23:17:54 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-11 [...] well she captures the mind of the dog, so you should read it yourself! For the full post, visit the Boulder Dog website Written by Grisha Stewart, Ahimsa Dog Training, Seattle Tweet This [...] [...] well she captures the mind of the dog, so you should read it yourself! For the full post, visit the Boulder Dog website Written by Grisha Stewart, Ahimsa Dog Training, Seattle Tweet This [...]

]]> By: Grisha Stewart http://www.boulderdog.net/2009/05/06/magic-touch-for-fearful-dogs/#comment-10 Grisha Stewart Thu, 07 May 2009 14:59:32 +0000 http://boulderdog1.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-10 I LOVE this article. You captured the emotional side of having a reactive dog and the joy that comes with normalcy. I'm sharing this with clients who balk at learning Touch! I LOVE this article. You captured the emotional side of having a reactive dog and the joy that comes with normalcy. I’m sharing this with clients who balk at learning Touch!

]]>