Control unleashed class #2

• 11-05-2009 12:13 PM

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 7,304 Points 4,610

  Control unleashed class #2 Reply Contact I almost broke down in to tears last night! Things did not go well and I felt guilty and frustrated all at the same time. First abbie barked and lunged all the way to our box. Then while I was trying to do mat work, she could hear the dog on the other side of the barrier so she started reacting to that. They had to put up TWO gates on each side so that she would settle down and stop worrying. She would not calm down enough for us to do any of the exercises though. I tried a new technique for "look at that" since the other way wasn't working. Basically I took a stuffed animal, put it behind my back then pulled it out quickly and when abbie looked at it I clicked treated and put the stuffie back behind my back. Well this stressed abbie out so much that she turned away from me, sat down, ears flat and her head pointed up to the wall/ ceiling. It was the most extreme avoidance body language that I had ever seen out of her! That I had caused that stress really made me wonder if I'm the one that is causing her worried reactive behavior in the first place. The instructor came over to work with us and she did a few look at that's, but abbie would catch on which hand was holding the stuffie and would avoid looking that way. So we had to switch hands every 2 times to fake her out. Then we tried to work on crate games. Forget it. She was not going in there for nothing. She doesn't love crates anyway so I expected it and didn't push. At that point I just laid down on the floor next to her (she was on her mat) and gave her a massage. This is what her and I do every night before bed. She instantly relaxed so I did that for the rest of the class while everyone else worked. Eventually abbie fell asleep (I was happy that she relaxed so much). Obviously this is going to be a very long process. She worries so much about her surroundings that her brain just doesn't function and she boils over. I talked to our vet and we are starting her on a very low dose of prozac. The hope is that the prozac will lower her stress so that she can actually think enough to work on some of these cu techniques. The whole thing is so upsetting but I'm determined to make it work. I don't want her going through life being so stressed.

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• 11-05-2009 12:24 PM

  In reply to Jewlieee

  stardog85 Joined on 09-10-2007 South Carolina, USA Posts 2,347 Points 235	Re: Control unleashed class #2 Reply Contact ((hugs)) Abbie is very lucky to have such a dedicated, aware handler!  We all have classes where we get incredibly frustrated, even when not working a reactive dog, so know that you aren't alone! Erin, the Amazing Maggie Mae, Ziva the Wonder Dog, and Kestrel the Up and Coming "Always keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go." - Louise Priscoll
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• 11-05-2009 3:02 PM

  In reply to Jewlieee

  espencer Joined on 09-25-2006 St Louis Posts 3,496 Points 300

  Re: Control unleashed class #2 Reply Contact Jewlieee: She worries so much about her surroundings that her brain just doesn't function and she boils over. Usually i'm on favor of flooding but i think this time you should take it slow. This could be considered  "indirect" flooding and obviously you are in no position to deal with what it comes with. I'm pretty sure the class represents a great time for you and you feel that she would love it as much as you do but it seems that as of right now the class for her represents also stress and she might not be enjoying it as much. If i was you i would put the class on hold for a little bit while i work specifically on the issue. I think that exposing her to the triggers they way you are doing it now are setting her for failure. If you want to work on it while you have to worry about the excersises the class needs you might be doing 2 things half way and none of them correctly. Just my opinion, thats what i would do and you are free of doing whatever you think you need "There are not bad dogs, only bad owners"

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• 11-05-2009 3:31 PM

  In reply to stardog85

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 5,913 Points 710

  Re: Control unleashed class #2 Reply Contact Julie, you may not think you made progress but don't compare Abbie's progress to the other dogs.  I know you know that but it helps to be reminded sometimes. The CU book talks about some dogs who never get to any of the other techniques.  They spend the whole class, every week, getting massaged and learning to relax in the environment.  You did make progress if she relaxed enough to fall asleep.  Baby steps.

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• 11-05-2009 3:58 PM

  In reply to JackieG

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 11,723 Points 1,020

  Re: Control unleashed class #2 Reply Contact JackieG: Julie, you may not think you made progress but don't compare Abbie's progress to the other dogs.  I know you know that but it helps to be reminded sometimes. The CU book talks about some dogs who never get to any of the other techniques.  They spend the whole class, every week, getting massaged and learning to relax in the environment.  You did make progress if she relaxed enough to fall asleep.  Baby steps.    I agree with Jackie.  I sometimes refer to an old riding instructor's advice - "work with horse you've got" - so you can think of it as "work with the dog you've got."  She needs to make progress at her own pace, and you are doing a fabulous job, despite the fact that she may progress at a slower rate than the other dogs.   Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 11-05-2009 4:31 PM

  In reply to espencer

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 7,304 Points 4,610

  Re: Control unleashed class #2 Reply Contact Its interesting that see this as flooding. In a way you are right it is flooding. What I haven't done to prepare her for this is work enough on the foundation exercises, such as mat relaxation work. The idea of this exercise in control unleashed is to get the dog to associate the mat (blanket, etc) as a safe zone (kind of like a crate). The dog learns that good things happen on the mat no matter what the surroundings are. You use whatever technique works to get the dog to relax enough to survey the surroundings without worrying and stressing (reacting). Last night we weren't there until I laid down with her. So I am going to work almost exclusively on mat and relaxation work (and look at that) this week, at home, and see where we are by the time the next class comes around. I was just practicing look at that with her, keeping the object to the ground (non threatening) and using a super high rate of reinforcement. One thing came to light: I think she was initially trying the watch me. And when that didn't work, got stressed. I have worked so hard on watch me with her in the phase of stressors and I think she just shut down. One thing the instructor said was that abbie is a dog who is afraid to be wrong. By the end of our session today, she would initially look away from the object then catch herself and look at it for the c/t. So that is some progress.

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