For those of you who know of my story from the "aggression" category here, you know of my recently adopted shelter dog, Murphy (a terrier/lab mix), who bit my niece, who is 4, in the face about 8 weeks ago. He's a fearful dog who is disabled, too, and was cornered (literally, he was in a corner) on that fateful day so he bit to get her away and to get away himself.
I've been debating writing up an update to the aggressiive catetory since it seems we never get updates there, but I feel safer here for now. Not brave enough yet. Still feeling vulnerable and really really crappy about it all. Really blaming myself and somedays I struggle to move beyond it. I'm obsessed and stressed about it all the time. Very much aware of what I didn't do on that fateful day.
Aside from me, I've enrolled Murphy in a new training class--Clicker Training! It's a miracle for him. It really is. He caught on in seconds and his recall is currently about 80-85%. He is gladly sitting for everything, even without the clicker (like if I happen to not have it on me, but I'm learning to keep it on me and click for things all day and all night), and he is really tuning into me, even when he's feeling nervous or afraid. He's amazing and so is his ability to concentrate.
We're very close to eliminating some of his triggers, but I realize that will take time. He doesn't bark at people when they come in the door, and I am able to finally take strong note of his cues--great with people 10 ft away, OK at 5 ft, nervous at 3 ft or less. Better outside with people than in. Am trying to get into our city's great behaviorist, but the waiting list is long so I am doing the clicker training and am thoroughly enjoying it. (No kids allowed in my house right now and nobody who's feeling negative around Murphy is, either.)
Things are working out well for us. Not as well between my sister and me (she would still prefer I would do the PTS thing, but that's not going to happen since I'm earnestly working to change things). Unfortunatetly, she is accusing him of doing far more than he did and she isn't really speaking to me right now. So, the situation is what it is.
After starting it, I see that clicker training has gotten just as many negative knocks as leash-correction training butm, boy, do I enjoy watching my dog WANT to do things instead of feeling compelled to do things. I wish that Ellie had learned this way. She still could, of course, but she isn't very fond of the clicker--she is very used to my voice. (I used voice and treats for her and leash-corrrection for a dog I had 10 years ago.)
One thing that I've learned through the clicker methods (and Pat Miller, wonderful soul that she is, along with Patricia McConnell, Donaldson, and Pryor) is a calmer, more positive way to relate to humans, too. It's OK to ignore or play down negative behaviors while focusing/rewarding the positive. It's been so enjoyable.
There are several levels of clicker training and I hope to hit them all here.
My biggest issue, however, is my clumsiness! It was really hard at first, and can be at times, for me to organize myself, my body language, my voice, my tone, my command, my clicker, and the treats.
Whew! Talk about keeping me on my toes! There should be a class for slow-reflex people like me.
More updates to follow.
Nancy (and Murphy and Ellie, too, even if she is weird about the beloved clicker)