Re: BAT tips Hi I could do with some opinions as to whether this afternoon went well or not :-\ Scott and scout took treats from a stangers hand again. A different stranger. = Good Scott woofed twice = not good. It was just two single woofs not a volley of rapid fire panic barks = good We met a couple on our lane. Scott and scout have barked at them since being pups as he has always tried to stroke them. I C&T as we approached and they remained reasonably calm. As we got to the point of stopping to chat Scott woofed. Just once a bit like he thought he should. It didn't have any aggression in it or anything just woof. He stopped himself. I gave treats as we chatted and they remained calm, sitting nicely. I asked if Mr would mind trying to give them a treat. He was happy to. The difference to Monday here was the lady on Monday is used to animals. She has horses, dogs and sheep so knows how to deal with nervous creatures. Her movement were smooth, slow and calm he just stuck his hand out so Scott woofed. Just one again. Scott then started stretching his neck to sniff at his hand before I'd put the treat in it !!! They both happily gobbled the treats. Then Scott went to mrs and sniffed her hand so scout did. Scott allowed her to stroke him under the chin!!!! Scout moved away which is still good as he moved rather than barked!!! Unfortunately as I looked away at scout she moved her hand to the top of Scott's head and I could see him getting a bit twitchy. Luckily she went back to his chin so I moved him away to calm down. I think it was good exposure just not sure about the woofs. :-\. I don't think they were as calm as they'd been on Monday to start with. Possibly because Monday's meeting was near the end of a long walk and today they had just got out of their pen. I'd be grateful for any opinions. Do you think I need to worry about the odd woof ? ??? They certainly didn't hit the panic button anyway.
Re: BAT tips Thank you Naya. Even though Scott got a bit twitchy when being stroked? I'm always concious I need to keep them as calm as possible to learn they don't have to be scared. Having said that after I'd moved him away to calm down he tried to go back to her !!! Mr Mainroad did comment on how much they'd improved compared to what they used to be like.
Re: BAT tips This is lovely Jen , so good to read through and see the improvements , so pleased for you
Re: BAT tips I think a 'bit twitchy' is huge progress to what you had before the fact that Scott wanted to go back to the lady is a positive
Re: BAT tips Thank you again Naya and thank you Kate. ;D It actually helps me to see improvements when I write and read it. : I think Scott is a confused little creature. He has always loved being made a fuss of, being stroked and cuddled. I think a part of him would like these 'strangers' to stroke and fuss him but then he gets scared and panics. PS . Should perhaps mention we call the couple we met today Mr and Mrs Mainroad because they live on the mainroad. No idea what their real name is.
Re: BAT tips Sounds really good to me I wouldn't worry about the woofs. Next time they'll be even better
Re: BAT tips Thanks Rachael. I need to keep remembering how far they've come. A woof is nothing compared to what we used to get. :
Re: BAT tips Hey Jen, you're doing great! I don't think a woof is a problem - definitely getting there I'd say.
Re: BAT tips Thank you Julie and Helen. Iam really pleased with them. I'm not counting my chickens yet though still a long way to go but maybe . ;D
Re: BAT tips I'm sorry this is going to get boring. ;D Treat from stranger number 3 . ;D ;D ;D Actually it would be really good if I did do so many posts like this that you got bored. : ;D Today it was one of our neighbours. Although they aren't too bad with him they don't see him very often and will react if he gets too close and moves his hands about. Very sensitive my dogs. : As we were walking past he came out to ask me a favour so I asked him one. To give my dogs a biscuit. I handed him two fishy treats. He started to lower his hands slowly. Scott actually jumped up to get his in excitement !!!! He told him no and sit which Scott did. They then took the treats nicely. No woofs, no twitching, just dogs. ;D ;D We didn't even have the preliminary 5 minutes of chat while they calmed. Straight in with the treat. ;D ;D
Re: BAT tips Absolutely brilliant. Sounds like they've gone from 'strangers want to boil me in oil' to 'strangers are my personal treat dispensing units'. Awesome stuff!!!!
Re: BAT tips Jen this is brilliant! been watching your progress and its fab....well done you and the Boys . you must be so pleased...I think you suddenly get these big successes on the back of lots of little steps forward and the odd wobble don't you, you suddenly think wow, they aren't reacting to that anymore...long may your success continue!!
Re: BAT tips Thank you all very much. ;D I'm expecting a wobble any time soon Debsie it's going too well but at least we are making progress to have a wobble if you get me. : [quote author=Oberon link=topic=4934.msg75226#msg75226 date=1399652981] Absolutely brilliant. Sounds like they've gone from 'strangers want to boil me in oil' to 'strangers are my personal treat dispensing units'. Awesome stuff!!!! [/quote] Perhaps not quite yet Rachael put that's my plan. One day they will pull me to get to these people for a treat rather than look like they are about to be tortured. It will be the only time I'll happily let a dog pull me.
Re: BAT tips This is so exciting you really are going to get bored with me. Yippee. We met stranger#1 again this morning in the same place. She started moving slowly into our space without being asked which was very nice of her. Unfortunately and the only blip in an otherwise perfect experience Scott was busy watching bubbles in a puddle, like you do, and hadn't noticed her so when he looked up he woofed but only once and stopped himself. As she got close she asked for a treat because scout was looking at her expectantly. As she put her hand out to get the treat Scott tried to jump up in eagerness. They both went right up to her, she told them to sit then gave them the fishy treat. No scared worried eyes nothing. Scout stayed sat next to her. Whilst we talked I noticed he had a sniff of her hand then tried to pinch the little gorilla keying dangling on her bag right by her hand !!! (strangers hands near has always been a major issue) He would've swallowed it whole had he managed it but I was just made up he was interested in her not scared of her !!!! They behaved like real Labradors !!! My dogs behaved normal !!! ;D ;D Pinch me
Re: BAT tips PINCH! You're doing a brilliant job I think this all highlights the importance of combining progressive desensitisation with counter conditioning and classical conditioning. The counter conditioning teaches a new and preferable behaviour (look at me instead of lunging and barking). The desensitisation teaches that the object of caution is actually not scary after all (see, we can get closer and nothing happens and you can stay calm). The classical conditioning teaches that the object of caution might even be fun (the scary person actually gives out awesome treats. Hey, I love meeting people in the street - they give me yummy food!!!). You should be proud, Jen. You've made some great leaps lately.
