speaking dog

This week we enjoyed an on-site workshop with Mark German, America's Dog Whisperer, and his assistant, Tom Gross. They taught us to speak dog! It was not an easy task, especially for those of us most comfortable with verbal communication, and who may fret if we think we have hurt our animals' feelings. The premise is simple, and anyone involved in the animal world has probably had some exposure, especially due to the popularity of Cesar Millan, 'the dog whisperer'.....become the leader of the pack. Dogs don't communicate and interact the way we do, so to work with them we need to re-educate ourselves about their behaviours and the way they would be corrected by the pack leader.
I know not everyone agrees with this approach, but we at Tara's Babies do and, quite frankly, in a space of one day we witnessed the obvious and beneficial effect of Mark's techniques. And it didn't stop when he went home. After just a couple of days of using what he has taught us, Benji and Bonnie - 2 very fearful rescues from AR, who have not walked on leash much before - have transformed. Benji has spent much of the time since his arrival in his doghouse. Now he is out and about in his run, like everyone else.
But the story I want to share is much closer to home, literally. It's Madeleine. Remember the little scared dog named Rory that came to me from the gallows in AR? Well, she is a delight with me and the my dogs, and even cat. She snuggles under the cover, and licks my face (a little too much) and plays and cavorts with Nyima, Milo and Wildfire (another new arrival, another story). She is quite alpha, and has challenged Gypsy Rose, but anyone who knows me or Gypsy can imagine how far she will get with that attitude. But it is an indication of her feisty nature.
And feisty she has proven to be. If anyone even approaches the yard where we live, she lets loose, barking, growling, snapping. It is fear-based, I suspect she was abused, and my voice or movements can elicit a cringe that is hard to witness. But as Mark pointed out, dogs live in the moment, so we shouldn't pin their histories on them and simply feel sorry. Instead, we create a new moment, new relationships, and by being a calm and assertive pack leader, the dog can relax and no longer be fearful.

Here she is as she came to me : see the fear of the world?

So to date, when anyone enters my yard, Maddie backs off, barking and snarling, and when they turn their back, she rushes forward, as if to bite. She hasn't connected with flesh yet, but it certainly looks like the intention is there. When I went to DC, no-one could get near her, so she didn't even get to sleep inside the yurt with everyone else, she had to make-do with the small camper trailer I use as our kitchen. This of course has to change, for no less reason than for her own safety, when I am not around.
So my pack was a primary re-education target for us all. Mark went in, and Madelaine did her thing. He ignored her, just stood there, so she could sniff him if she wanted. Lesson one, pack leader does not respond to the "look at me" antics. To save time, he had me put a leash on her, but otherwise he would have done it. It was a small cloth slip leash, that fits behind the ears rather than around the throat. She cavorted, resisted, flung herself, growling and barking. Like a jumping bean. He ignored her and, instead, started walking, she wanting to dig her little toes in, ever carrying on. He ignored her, didn't look at her, just kept, in a relaxed way, walking around the yard, she behind him. He went around and about, us all watching beyond the perimeter, until, eventually, she became calmer and calmer. After maybe 5 minutes he picked her up and held her in his arms, her ears erect, not flat with fear.
He asked someone to come in, and then he handed Maddie to Karen. At their last meeting Karen nearly got bitten. Madelaine was fine. After a few minutes Maddie went on the ground and we all came in. She got snarly, so he rolled her on her back. Nothing was said. She tensed up, her tail between her leg, her little arms crossed over her hand. He simply held her firmly, not harshly. Slowly she relaxed, her eyes softened, her tail went limp. He stroked her little belly, and she looked as if she were in heaven.
Then I had to walk her, and it was a challenge not to be always checking...Lesson Two - the pack leader does not look at the dog: s/he gives the correction and just assumes the pack will follow. This is a hard one to "get", we worry so much if the dog will obey. The leader has to be calm, assertive, relaxed and confident, and then the dog will respond to that energy. Someone has to be boss. Make it you, not the dog!
The final test. I stood with Maddie at my side, and everyone had to come over, one by one and shake my hand or hug me. If she growled, I just gave a quick correction (tug and Tsst) without looking. She was great, and we all stood together in a circle : seven strangers in her yard, Maddie relaxed and with them all.
Do I think that changed her forever? No, it will take repetition, but it was a huge transformation even for that moment, and it came from her. We weren't forcing her to do anything, there was no harshness . We simply used dogspeak to help her adapt her behaviour. I had been lax in not walking her (Mark stresses a walk is essential for dogs, to assert your leadership and because it simulates the leader and pack hunting for food; you feed after the walk).
Of course, the challenge is consistency from me, but I want her to not be fearful or try to be in charge. She will be happier, and so will all of us, when she can relax into stable behaviour. I have used Mark's techniques the last couple of nights, with Milo as well (speaking of demanding....!!), and it truly and simply WORKS. They get it, without words or repetition or raising of voice. I have watched Maddie and the pack interact in the evening, with rough and tumble play, and been so aware of the pack dynamic and communication. Now i can join in as the ultimate pack leader, conversant in dogspeak!