Dog Community

It's not working or it's getting worse . . .

Posted : 3/23/2006 8:15:43 PM

Ok, I posted this situation a couple months ago and either I'm doing it all wrong or . . . or I don't know.

Caesar goes crazy when he sees a squirrel. Either inside the house looking out the window, or while we are on walks. If he's looking out the window and he sees one, his lips pucker and go forward, he starts shrieking/barking/howling, his hacles go up, he jumps up, etc. At first I tried using the spray bottle thing, but then I read in one of my dog books that this can just make it worse. So I try to use the word "quiet" (not loudly), have him sit, then give him a treat. This works on occasion, but sometimes he can't even hear me over his barking, and he is so riled up that he won't even take the treat!

On walks, if he sees a squirrel he lunges, barks and howls, then if the lunging doesn't get him to the squirrel (which it never does) he jumps up and twists around and will even put his paws up on me, all the while biting his leash. He's even started biting his easy walk in the front, and it's not even on loose. Again, when walking I was trying the spray bottle but then I was trying "watch" or "quiet", but again he will hardly pay attention to me.

Yesterday I even shoved one of Anne S.'s salmon treats under his nose and he wouldn't even take it.

Sigh. I just don't know if my techniques are wrong, if I'm not giving it time, or what. But it's so embarrassing when we go for walks. I try to take him to public parks and other local places to keep socializing him but I'm in constant dread that he's going to see a squirrel. He's also started getting more antsy when he sees dogs not on leashes (like when we are walking at the park and there is a dog running around without a leash). I think he thinks he can play with them, but again, maybe it's going to get as bad as the squirrel situation, I'm not sure.

I really try to be calm when it happens so that he's not picking up on any tenseness, but I don't think that makes any difference.

Should I consult a behaviorist? I feel like he's so young (one year tomorrow) to have such major issues, but maybe not. How do I go about finding a reputable behaviorist?

P.S. He is in obedience school right now, once a week. And I try to follow the NILIF, but maybe I need to be more strict?

willowchow

Posted : 3/23/2006 9:10:45 PM

Willow chases squirrels and really loses her ability to focus too.

I'm sure others will disagree with me but that is an instinct that will be very hard to "train" out. I've chosen to just get away from the squirrel as quickly as possible and stay as calm as I can. I admit some days when I'm just not in the mood to be pulled to get to a squirrel, it's tough. But, recently I'm finding that if once she goes toward it, I say, "it's gone, now", she seems to give up.

Of course, the fact that the squirrel runs only reinforces that they should chase to get rid of it.

It's a tough one, it really is.

mrv

Posted : 3/24/2006 6:52:56 AM

teach puppy push ups at home. There are the random changes of position with only 1 treat occurring after a string of commands. Lure if necessary. Also, get a drag line to attach to a buckle collar he wears in the house. If he starts his squirrel maniacs, get the leash and without speaking, just take him to another spot in the house. Do some more puppy push ups.
Then start looking for squirrels. Yup that is what I said. Go to an area where you know there are likely to be squirrel. When he starts his crazy dance, turn around and start moving away in the OPPOSITE direction until he settles. At that spot, stop and do puppy push ups (3 to 6 changes of positions randomly moving between sit, down and stand). If he can't do it move further away until he can. When he can do puppy push ups for 3 or 4 strings of commands for 8 of 10 days at that critical distance. Repeat the procedure about 2 STEPS closer to the squirrils. Keep up this process of approach and retreat. When that is going well and you are 10 to 12 feet from squirrel country/area. Start practicing downs.

Break up the practice of squirrel mania in the house with the drag line and practice, and outside will eventually follow. Do lots of other training and obedience as well. A class would be a great idea. 3-4 ten minute sessions of practice in and out of the house (in addition to exercise periods will help)

Catherine

Posted : 3/24/2006 11:02:19 AM

wow, thanks! that's a totally different approach than i've been doing. when you say a class would be a great idea, you mean in addition to the obedience class he is going to?

i can't believe i'm going to go seek out squirrels :-)

maybe one day they can become friends ;-)

sillysally

Posted : 3/24/2006 4:16:06 PM

Hey, I tried that like, 10 minutes ago on Sally (with her it's outside cats, even though we have two cats at home) and it actually worked very well....

spiritdogs

Posted : 3/24/2006 4:40:23 PM

Actually, the problem is that most prey driven dogs will have a hard time "leaving" a squirrel to look at their handler. The "leave it" has to be taught in a non-distracting environment first. Then, make the "left" item progressively more luscious. Example: Dog leaves Cheerio, gets milk bone from handler. Dog leaves milk bone, gets jerky treat from handler. Dog leaves jerky treat gets roast beef. Dog leaves roast beef, gets salmon brownies. Dog leaves salmon brownies, gets to play with the cat. Etc. What the dog learns is that the handler always has something better for him than what he left.
The dog must also have a top notch recall. I recommend the method on Leslie Nelson's DVD "Really Reliable Recall". That way, the command becomes, "Leave it - Come!"
If a dog doesn't have these foundation behaviors down pat in non or low distracting environments, you'll never get him to do them when the squirrel runs by.