Progress with Mandy (videos)

Mikey

We started with a dog reactive dog (Background here: summary she's been this way for eleven years, she's now deaf; and has had one bite where the dog was hurt albeit it was a hematoma and those can explode with ear flicking... Aggressive dog discussion/help? (Mandy-progress and plan update))

Anyways we've been following a program that Crio basically designed around counter conditioning and desensitizing her to Mikey-based on the assumption that she is fear-reactive and not aggressive (reasonable presumption based on how she is and her history).

So we've progressed to pseudo walking together, and meeting through a fence. Though with how snarky Mandy is to Mikey, he's not real interested in playing with her. We're working on her wearing a muzzle and hope to progress to letting the two offleash, her muzzled, in neutral area.

Her progress has been amazing, with her visibly relaxing in his presence or just ignoring him. She can get remarkably close, and doesn't freak out if she sees him in her yard. She's really got the idea I think.

They've gotten so used to the other being around when we are over at my parents house, if I come without Mikey Mandy is searching for him (we shuffle the dogs at their house-they are never in direct contact, but they know the other is there).

Now for some video. Unfortunately my mom was cooking supper so my dad did this last session with me-so Im apologizing in advance for how dorky and annoying he is -he continually talks to Mandy though she hasn't heard anything in almost two years... *sigh*

Here's the progress!!!

pseudo walking together
New dogpark :: DSCF6997.flv video by bunnymikey - Photobucket

Meeting through the fence (this is the third session)
New dogpark :: DSCF6998.flv video by bunnymikey - Photobucket

New dogpark :: DSCF6999.flv video by bunnymikey - Photobucket

And when we got to the island, I dropped Mikey's leash (it's an on leash area but you can't fine me becuase he's technically on a leash ) and we let Mandy out on her flexi-at this platform they kind of hung out togeher while Mikey meditated on the meaning of life and Mandy tried targeting the camera for food
New dogpark :: DSCF7001.flv video by bunnymikey - Photobucket

Criosphynx

Omg wow wow wow...you would never have known she was anything but normal watching those...especially when Mikey jumps on the fence and she doesn't care. I mean totally wow!

@ "she can't hear you" hahahahahahah


thats so much progress, she doesn't even look tense AT ALL. Seriously great job!

Mikey

Thanks She's looking super relaxed to me-but wanted to see what you guys thought

Criosphynx

she totally calm...happy almost...really good body language IMO...thats just...wow... Iam happy for you guys...

fawkese1

ditto crio! that is totally not the dog you described when you first started this... really amazing job... not only does she not look tense, but she looks like she is enjoying this... well done!

alfi

Well I don't know how Mandy was before....but she seems calm now to me

Bravo!! Well done!! It feels so good when training works!!

Sheltiemama

Don't under estimate Mandy. She can't hear but she can see your dad talking to her, see his hand signals and most likely feel it when he's talking to her and feeding her at the same time. All would be reassuring to her, I imagine.

WTG! She looks very calm to me.

Mikey

Hahah wanted to update! Mandy is doing AWESOME with Mikey-and oh gross those videos have so much snow!!!


For the deafness I now have a few 'deaf clickers' -light clickers really. IT was sad I'd just taken a course in clicker and started with her when she lost her hearing and really I can't imagine training without a clicker now.

I taught this old dog (with a light clicker this weekend) wave and 'nice girl' (which is lay down on your side and allow nail clipping...which was HUGE for this beast...we had to go as a family and work as a team with vet techs to restrain her for vet nail clipping! Just some training and she's good!!) on hand command in five minutes (she's a super FAST learner-wonderful training toy hehe) and it's so promising to finally be able to 'clicker' train her again!

She's doing awesome. We had an oops last night-I went over to clip her nails (friends and family-never let on you can do this!!! -I clip their animals nails-cat/dog/rabbit etc and pick their food and train their pet...lol)ANyways...

Mikey in the yard and Mandy inside while I chatted with my mom outside-door blew open, Mikey trotted in and Mandy just sat there. I freaked-nothing happened. I really really want to keep things safe, but I do think, since they are BOTH my babies and I'm neurotic lol-I'm being overprotective...Mandy is doing so WELL!! Honestly if they were someone elses dogs-I'd just be like-let them be! But they're my babes so I'm being careful Doing awesome new video coming!!