TRAINING WITH BRODY

When I first took in Rowdy (see June 4th, 2008 blog), he was known as the less than well-behaved dog that I saved from certain death at the pound. Everyone thought I was an angel for saving the little heathen who tormented Peanut and wreaked havoc in the house. But it turns out this dog is not only very handsome, he is smart and on his way to being a very well behaved dog!

Last week, Rowdy and I started dog training. I had done training with Peanut years ago when we joined Le Paws Agency (yes, Peanut has an agent - check out my March 18th, 2007 blog and recently appeared on Ugly Betty – check it out at http://youtube.com/watch?v=NOYQ7LIQ9Ss ). Training at the agency was with a guy named Zack and his dog Mr. Moon. He recently opened his own dog store and training facility in Hollywood called Urban Tails (Check it out at urbantails.com). I liked him and trust him, so that’s just where I decided to do training with Rowdy.

Rowdy is aggressive on a leash and I was concerned about going into group training, so we stopped by the store for an evaluation. Sure enough, as we approached the counter where Mr. Moon was perched by the cash register Rowdy growled and jumped. When Zack talked to him, he relaxed. Zack told me that he thought we would be fine in the group class (and that it was the perfect place to work through leash aggression issues).

Zack gave me two strong suggestions to address before we returned for class the following week:

1) Rowdy should be on a pinch collar for training (You know those ones that look like torture devices with spikes digging into the dogs throat). He explained to me that it actually doesn’t hurt the dog, but it works pressure points and would help me gain control.

2) Dogs are verbal creatures and the name Rowdy comes with negative tone. He said it would be a GOOD idea to think of a new name for him. This is not the first time I have heard this. My mom wanted to call him Serenity to help change his demeanor. She is a strong believer that people (and dogs, I guess) live up to whatever you call them. Call a kid trouble and that’s just what he’ll be.

I put a lot of thought into the name change. I mean, how can you live almost 2 years with one name then just like that it changes. Plus, Rowdy is a cute name and it does suit him (maybe all too well). I called Natasha (his previous owner) to ask her thoughts and she wasn’t too excited. BUT he’s my dog now and maybe a name change is just what the doctor ordered (or the trainer, whatever)! I tried a couple on for size to see what he responded to. “Come, Billy” worked, but didn’t feel totally right. “Baxter, sit!” He didn’t even flinch. “BRODY, come!” Ah, FABULOUS! It fit like a glove and so now I introduce you to my new improved dog BRODY!

Week One of Training –

Wednesday morning, I woke feeling excited about BRODY’s training. Even though I did my best to avoid other dogs on our morning walk, he still growled and jumped when one came into sight. I fed BRODY only half of his regular serving of food (You want the dog to be hungry so they will for sure respond to the treats).

That evening, we arrived to class a little early to purchase the new pinch collar (Whoo Hoo!) and took a walk around the block to get used to it. When BRODY approached the other dogs in the training, he was aggressive at first, but settled in (I think he is a all bark and no bite, but I didn’t want to find out for sure)! We started heel commands and then sit, stay and down commands. To my surprise BRODY was a whiz kid (maybe even the best in the class)! He picked up everything quickly and was very responsive to all the commands (I think this dog might do anything for food). We worked hard on the focus command (when the dog sits and stare in your eyes to hold focus), which is so important to build a relationship of authority with your dog. You are the boss not him (Peanut sometimes forgets this). I learned that this is what we need to work on at home. I was so proud of him and excited about his progress.

At home, we continued to work on the sit, down and stay commands (Peanut is doing awesome too with the refresher). BRODY continued to be aggressive on the leash (So annoying!) and I continued to avoid other dogs on our walks.

Week Two of Training–

Again, I started the day with only feeding BRODY half of his regular food and no treats all day. At the beginning of class everyone sits in chairs very close to each other with the dogs in way too close proximity. This time when we arrived, the class was extremely full! There were lots of new students who also seemed to have aggression issues. Within the first 10 minutes of class BRODY tried to bite the nice puppy next to us. I took this as an opportunity to get some one-on-one coaching on how to deal with leash aggression, which is normal in many dogs. Even if they are not alpha males (dominating dog), they feel secure and tough when on the leash next to you. Zack told me that is was better to not avoid the other dogs, but to put BRODY in a sit and focus as other dogs approach. Let him know who is in charge and hold his focus on you not the other dog. Do not use the “no” command or the choke tactic, which I have been using. I guess focus and staying calm is the main thing BRODY (and I) have to work on throughout continued training. I’ll keep you posted on his continued progress!

Also a little excitement (and stress) this week –

BRODY ate a chocolate bar with espresso beans off my roommate’s bed! Just what I need, a caffeinated, dead dog (dogs are NOT supposed to eat chocolate bars)! At first I saw no signs of illness or trouble, so I held off taking him to the vet for a stomach pump. But the next day, BRODY was extremely irritable at the dog park. I mean, he was getting in fights with everyone and had to be dragged out of there over my shoulder (I can imagine nothing more embarrassing for a young dog). When we got home I noticed his increased heart rate and uncontrollable panting. It didn’t subside after a little water and rest, so I threw the doggies into the car for a trip to the emergency room. After a chat with the vet and a quick examine (and $150 later) BRODY was declared fine with no pancreatic damage and no death in sight (PHEW)!

Later that night on our walk, BRODY took a big poop that was pink (Interesting)! Upon closer examination, I realized my nice, new dog had just eliminated a pair of my lace panties (NO JOKE)! Maybe it was the underwear not the chocolate and espresso beans that was agitating his stomach. UGH!

BRODY is not a bad dog. He is a puppy working out some serious growing pains. Though stressful at times with the growling and the panty loss, BRODY is settling in just fine and that is FABULOUS!

PEANUT IS FABULOUS TOO ☺