Posted by Roxanne Hawn | Posted in Dog Musings, Dog Training | Posted on 13-07-2010
Tags: action plan, classical conditioning, clicker training, Dog Training, fearful dog, positive reinforcement, shy dog
Once in a while, everyone gets stuck. Maybe it’s stress. Maybe fear. Maybe illness, in ourselves (or those around us). When friends face what we called “stress lock” back in my college days, I typically tell them this: “Action is always better than inaction.” In other words, do something … anything … to make progress, no matter how small.
The same is true when working with our dogs.
If rule #1 is … You cannot change how a dog behaves, until you change how she feels.
Then, rule #2 is … As soon as you realize you’re dealing with a fearful dog, DO something about it (especially if there are any kids in your life or in your future).
Yesterday’s dog adoption social media blitz for Charlie, the 9-year-old, fearful border collie is a perfect example of this axiom.
I wish, wish, wish Charlie had gotten the kind of help she needed long before a scary toddler came into her life. I’m not blaming anyone. Truly. Her family has done many good things for Charlie, but now … at age 9, with well-rooted behavior challenges and a few medical issues … Charlie needs someone to step in.
I wish it could be me. BUT, many other things consume my time and energy these days, including Tom’s recent medical scare.
It’s too soon to know if our adoption blitz will help Charlie, but in the meantime, let’s consider her lesson.
Taking action as soon as you realize a dog has fears protects them later, even if big changes come into your life.
[My friend Susan makes a terrific recommendation today for a book about dogs and babies/small kids.]
I remember wondering why on earth Debbie Jacobs (our friend from FearfulDogs.com) asked me in our blog swap what kind of plan I had in place for Lilly, if something happened to me.
Now, I think I understand her question and her concern.
So, what’s your plan? Or, what rules would you add?
Related Reading (from friends of mine):
Caring For Pets in Tough Times
Keeping a Pet When You’re in Crisis
The issue of providing homes for our furry ones in general and for fearful dogs in particular in case of emergency or death is so important and not something people really consider in more than an off-handed way. They will already be depressed, confused that you are not there. I can’t tell you how many times the shelter has found daughters, husbands, wives, sons, best friends giving up their relative’s/friend’s dogs that had problems that would make placement of heightened concern. Made me mad and sick all at once. People must formalize agreements to safeguard their dogs. Thanks for your post – it’s a good reminder on several levels:))
Important points and things to consider. I also think it’s important to consider that you may not be able to help your dog with all her fears and you need to plan and have a plan for that also. For example, I don’t think Kona will ever be comfortable with “human heavy/city” environments. I’m not “settled” yet and know I will need to make choices about where I live, etc. around her. I couldn’t live in an apartment, for example.
I want to always work to help her with her fears, but I’ve also learned that “just doing a little more,” may end up being too much. A lot of “action” with a fearful dog may be stopping, taking a break and re-evaluating. In all this, I still need to be OK with the fact that it may not matter how hard I try…
Point taken, AC. There are indeed things we may not be able to change. I think my broader point is this: At the very least, don’t ignore fear.
I have to admit…I dont frequent championofmyheart as much as I should…but if you keep this up I simply will NOT have a choice but to be a regular
All joshing aside, this is an excellent post in so many ways.
It makes several small points plus one big one. Its relatively short and well presented. As a fellow blogger, I must stand-back and admire it from afar for a little bit
So…in terms of emotions…we humans seldom realize just how empty we are without emotions…heres an example.
Neuroscience has shown that the same part of the brain which is responsible for memory is also responsible for emotions. (the middle brain).
In some cultures fathers would take their sons to the edge of their property line and beat the son (as in slap him around and kick him till he cries).
They did this so that the son would associate the location of the beating forever, therefore remembering the property line forever.
Another example is with folks who get their middle brain lobotomized. You’d think they would be perfect, rational Spock-like humans, alas, nothing could be further from the truth. They are often unable to move. They have a hard time eating, or doing anything of consequence. Even tho they are perfectly capable of moving, eating, etc.
They are unable to move because the word Emotion and the word Motion come from the same root for a good reason.
In order to make a motion towards anything/anyone we need Emotion. And of course, motion is just another word for action…
Sorry to go on and on….I’m gonna stop writing now and go make plans for my dogs in case something happens to me
You are too kind. Trust me, my posts aren’t always short or to the point or eloquent.
In case something happens to us, we have plans in place for both dogs – including money to help with their care and maintenance. Unfortunately, the plans involve different homes for our dogs – but, we’re working on that.