Update on Gunny's Training

Training Gunny has been a real challenge...I guess that is the kind of dog I like...the ones no one else would work with...or keep. I have had a very difficult time unlocking the keys to this dog, and motivating him to work...to the point of asking myself if I should give up on him. In July he took off from me, in a park, and would not listen to my "Come" command at all. It scared the heck out of me! I thought he was going to get lost or hit or both....again his life flashed before my eyes

He also took off on me at a training facility I use for agility...and totally ignored me...again his life flashed before my eyes. I did a lot of work with him..and thought he was making progress...I could even call him off squirrels in the back yard!  So we went to a CPE Agility Trial; he did 4 obstacles and took off...thank goodness the ring was fenced! This was getting very frustrating, as I know Gunny knows the meaning of come...and was choosing not to.

My biggest fear was Gunny getting away from me. I have never had a dog that refused to come, and it was not acceptable....whether I ever showed him or not. I had wrestled for a long time about using an e-collar on him, for reinforcement on the come command...and finally decided to give it a try. I had used it on him minimally, for barking in his crate and it had worked well...would he understand that this time it had to do with COME? Had I not spent extensive time working on the come in a variety of situations, I would never have considered this. And it did work...but at what price? I felt it was eroding our our relationship...but he had to come...what else could I do?

And so I started thinking...really thinking hard...about the circumstances of his taking off. It happened when I was working on weave poles several times, and when I was pushing him...maybe beyond what he understood or was confident in. I made mental note of his body language...he was arched away from me, looking back over his shoulder...and appeared worried...or was he scared??? This body posture was present even before i used the collar...was it an indicator of why he was taking off? I had to assume it was...and I felt awful...

So...no more e-collar...we started over this week...building our working relationship. It started with my version of "crate games", where I opened the crate but made him wait inside until I released and called him. We started with him coming to me, doing a trick, and going right back into his crate, as I went on to the next dog (I have 3). We progressed to coming out and doing a trick, then a jump, then back in, the two obstacles, to heeling across the agility field off leash. We worked leash of, no sniffing, leash on, stays with no sniffing, stays for 1 or 2 obstacles. I kept each work session short, and alternately motivating with his toy - a purple Wubba - and treats. I looked for any holes in his understanding, including contact behavior, weave poles and tunnel exits! Gradually I have been able to increase the length of our work sessions, without him feeling overwhelmed. His confidence has already grown by leaps and bounds...and he has not tried to leave me once.

A previous agility instructor has a motto, "If he knew it he would do it." Think of any behavior you ask your dog for...sit, down, etc.  that they give you automatically every time you ask. His lack of confidence in his ability to do what I  asked of him, and fear that I would be angry are what are causing him to leave. Instead, I am now inviting him to partner with me...and I think  he is accepting.

Boot Camp!

Our First Week of Work - Gunny Boot Camp!

Where do I start after Gunny's meltdown? What are his main issues??? Thinking back to last year when we were preparing for the GSD National Speciality, I realized that Gunny and i spent a lot of time working on his basic behavior, especially around dogs. Also, Daisy Mae was showing  alot, and he was at agility trials almost every weekend. I realized that we have not been to an agility since Thanksgiving weekend, as Daisy Mae has only trialed twice in Santa Rosa since then...and Gunny and Pirouette were left home as it was a local trial. So, it was almost like starting over.

Monday and Tuesday we went to Western Farm Center to work around people and dogs. Gunny did very well with no growling or undue interest in the other dogs. So off we went to Rincon Valley Community Park. We worked around the outside only, as their were lots of dogs and people walking.  He was really interested in some of the dogs, so we kept good distance. This was my first time working with the clicker. It was not a strong enough signal for him, even with high value treats.

On Wednesday we went to Howarth Park and went up on the trails. This time were worked on "look At That" followed by a turn-away and reward. He picked up on that right away. I also utilized the turn-away while dogs passed us. He had one minor upset, but the approaching dog was growling at him...the good news was that he came back down very quickly...I call that a success!

Meltdown!

Last Sunday I took Gunny to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds during an agility trial, for exposure. The last trial we were at was at WAG in Elk Grove for Thanksgiving weekend. If I want to match or trial him, he needs to be at least somewhat comfortable and able to focus. We did not park where we normally do...we parked on the hill across from the building. When we came around the side of our van, the van in front of us was open in back...and we were immediately assailed with 3 or 4 barking snarling dogs who hit the front of their crates (even though we were not close to the van)...and Gunny freaked...leaping and growling. I couldn't say that I blamed him...it really startled me too!

We finally got by the van, though Gunny was on his tiptoes after that. We went into the building, and I took Gunny up by the ring fence to gain some space. He was between me and the fence when some one's dog came up behind him and he erupted, barking and snarling. From that time forward He was growly with everyone we met. We could not find a clear spot to be where there were not dogs all around us. I finally maneuvered him back to the van. And I tried to think...

What just happened and why? Finally I came up with some reasons...

First, we did not park in our "usual place", in the barn away from the ring. Normally, we go for a walk when first arrive, and Gunny is never confronted with barking dogs when he gets out of the car. After we go for a brisk walk we go into the building under control. Sometimes he goes directly to his crate and sometimes we walk through the building. We are able to find room and he has no issues. This time there was no room...and no place to go around.

We work very hard on his behavior around other dogs, having been to Western Farm Center the day before, with  no problem. We walked by other dogs and he looked at them with no growling or barking. But obviously we have a problem. the last time I saw this extreme behavior was 7 months ago at GSD nationals, the first day we went into the obedience building and their were dogs everywhere! We did more work the next day and he was fine. But I had to admit that this was scary!

And I wondered...should I be thinking of putting him to sleep...and I cried.

Out and About With Gunny
Today I spent a lot of time with Gunny. We went to Pet Smart to get him a new ball (see him looking at toys). He got a biscuit for sitting from the clerk. He got a biscuit at Western Farms (standing with front feet on the counter. He did a sis-stay in the food court in front of Starbucks.
Did I mention that Gunny will be showing in Novice B Rally at the GSD Nationals? So we are doing the training behind the training...exposing him to a lot of people a...nd situations...and dogs on leash...so that he will be able to focus when we show. Learning the exercises is only half the challenge. He also gave me some nice heeling in the food court!

Part of this training was prompted by an interesting occurrence last week. We were at Spreckles doing Rally, when a worker came walking across the field towards us. There was no one else around...and Gunny bristled and growled. And I am trying to figure out what made him defensive...was it the situation or the person??? This is not his usual reaction...and I am not sure what he was reading in it.
Today as we were leaving Pet Smart, a man came in in a wheel chair. He apologized for holding us up. I told him no problem as Gunny was practicing his manners (sitting next to me). He started talking to Gunny...who got up and went right to him, sniffing him gently and giving him a little kiss. He is so good at reading situations. I am still trying to learn how he sees things.

Which Gunny Are You?

Last weekend we went to Eureka for CPE Agility Trials. I was so proud of Gunny's behavior at the trial. He met lots of people on our "walk-abouts." He met some people and dogs through the ex-pen in front of our crates. He did a little crate barking...but nothing compared to what we had in the past. At the end of the weekend I was feeling very confident in this dog and where he is in his learning. And then there was this morning...

We went to a grass area behind a local gym and arts center, where we have been going to practice for a long time. The difference this morning was that there was a construction crew at the end of the parking lot, working on preparing for repaving. One construction worker walked through our training area on the way back to his work. Gunny was sitting next to me and I saw him "lock on" with his eyes...then start to rumble. I turned him away just before he started to bark. He did the same thing with another person that walked through our area. When we got home, I had him out of the car when the mailman walked by. He sniffed him...then started to bark!

I am trying to figure out what, in these situations, set him off. The commonality I came up with is that he was sitting next to me, rather than walking forward. Also, these were individual people walking by one at a time. Obviously we need a lot more work in this area.

I have two planned ways to work on this: We will go to the park, where there is lots of room, and let people walk by, staying far enough back from them that he is comfortable. We will also go to the pet supply store where we shop, and practice having people give him treats. I need him to learn what or who is a threat and who is not.

Below is a photo of Gunny sitting in front of our set-up, relaxed and happy, and not problem with people going by.

Stress Out on the 4th of July

Gunny Stresses Out - 4th of July Fireworks

I think I figured out how and why Gunny ended up a stray. He is terrified of the fireworks and is between

my feet panting, eyes glazed and ears high. Poor boy! — in Santa Rosa, California.

Gunny Update; Last night Gunny was so frightened, he would not even go out into the back yard to pee. This morning he would nto come out of his crate (you know...the dog who hated his crate...); Last night I could not even reach him...usually he loves to be cuddled. I tried to comfort him, but he was too much into himself to respond, and turned away. It broke my heart. This morning his nose was v...ery warm...and I had to put him on leash to get him out the back door...at which point he bolted back to the house as soon as I took off the leash. I was ready to take him to the ER, but he got exited when I pulled out his leash and collar. I walked him down the side walk and he finally found a satisfactory tree. I took him out in back once mere, and he was fine. My poor boy...this must have been what happened to him before. See More

July 4

Rescuing Gunther

I had just lost Saber, my amazing high drive German Shepherd, 6 weeks prior to hearing about Gunny. Nine months prior to that I had lost my precious little fluffy Corgi, Star at the age of 15 ½. In February I had added Pirouette, my new little Corgi. Along with Daisy Mae, my seven year old German Shepherd, Pirouette was the perfect dog and my pack was fun, calm and predictable.  Being down to two dogs had its advantages. With one dog on each side, it was easy to travel and easy to walk with both at the same time. Going to dog shows was a breeze, with only two x-pens to fit in the car. In short, I was not in the market for another dog.

              My friend and former student Diane had moved to Redding, after retiring from the Sheriff’s department, and had become very involved in rescue. She “Face Booked” me a photo and information on this German Shepherd that had been found and turned in to the local shelter in Marysville. She has sent me these before, and they have always been interesting, but not something I gave a second thought to…until this one. I had his picture up on my computer and kept pulling it up to look at it. There was something about the eyes…and so I got on the phone and called to see if he was still there. At first I had the wrong shelter…I thought it was Yuba City. They told me of another shelter in Marysville – Yuba County Animal Shelter. After exchanging several phone calls and emails, we determined that they were the ones who had the German Shepherd I was interested in. Finally, I decided to take the afternoon off work and  go and see him…it wouldn’t hurt to look. As I was driving to the facility, I realized that I was in a position to adopt him, to save his life, and then decide if he was the dog for me. If not, I could train him until he was adoptable, and find him his forever home.

              My Aunt, Uncle and cousin had lived in Marysville years ago, and I know we had visited them…but it had been at least 50 years. The area where the shelter is was desolate, made worse, I am sure, by the current drought. Fields were weeds and stickers; a field was where Gunny had been found running loose. Fields and yards with stickers were what I passed on my way to the shelter…and I was worried about the shelter itself. When it appeared on my left, I was pleasantly surprised at the new and modern facility. I went in and asked to see the German Shepherd I had been corresponding with them about.

              The nice young lady working there went to get him and we met in the holding area between inside and outside. When she came back, I was greeted by a gawky teenage German Shepherd, who was doing his best to play with her while he was on his leash. We proceeded to their outside fenced yard. This area also was full of weeds, but shorter. He was not allowed off leash in the big yard as they felt it was not secure. He stopped fairly early in our walk to urinate, which went on for a while. I asked how often the dogs got out; the answer was twice a day. Poor dogs…

              Finally the smaller enclosure was available and we took him in there and took the leash off. I had, of course, brought treats in my pocket, to see what behaviors I could elicit. He was only mildly interested in the treats…or me. But I did get a sit, down and come…not with any enthusiasm, however. This dog seemed nice, and didn’t mind being touched. While he was mildly interested in me, he seemed to have bonded to the young lady who was his caretaker.
This was good news, as it meant he could bond. Hopefully he was transfer that bond to me. He seemed really “shut down” which is not unusual with this breed. They do not tend to do well in shelters…but does any dog?

              It is hard to evaluate dogs in this situation. He was not interested in treats. He was definitely thinking of quickly exiting over the top of the run. The girl spoke quietly to him and he changed his mind. Someone walked by outside the run with a small dog on a leash, and he did not get excited; in fact he barely looked at the dog. This was all I had to go on…that and the fact that he was gorgeous and I fell in love when she brought him out and he was trying to play with her foot.

              And so I went back in and signed his adoption paperwork. This was on a Wednesday; I would not be able to pick him up until the following Monday, as the girls and I were headed north to agility trials in Ferndale. We would be staying in a motel for two nights, and I didn’t want to risk having a brand new dog that I knew nothing about, on the road in close quarters. I felt guilty leaving him for a few more days, but at least I knew he wouldn’t be put to sleep.

              I took that Monday off work to finish getting ready for him and have time to drive to Marysville to pick him up. As it was I got stuck in traffic, and was a few minutes late. I called the girls at the clinic and they waited for me. After paying his bills for neutering, ear cleaning, hip x-rays and a check-up, we headed out for a last potty break before the drive home. He wobbled across the grass and stood there, still very much under the influence of drugs, finally coming over to lean against me. He already knew he was mine. They helped me get him into the car in his crate. Besides a toy, I had put a “slept-in” T-shirt in his crate for him to get my scent. And off we went.