Deja’s Training Plan

They say that the ‘cobbler’s children have no shoes.’ Well, Deja HAS shoes, she just doesn’t want to wear them. Deja is very particular about the way life interacts with her. While I like to feel as though we have a special bond I always have at the back of my mind that she is an animal with sharp teeth in her mouth. If put in a situation where she is pushed beyond her doggy sensibilities, she is likely to do doggy things. She’s not perfect, but generally predictably manageable so at present her risk level to those around her is tolerably minimal.

Deja would be a challenging dog for many dog owners. She is a perfect example of the kind of dog for which pet parents reach out for assistance. It’s no surprise she ended up in detention so many times. She has definitely challenged me as a trainer and my family as a pet. However, as a family we still unanimously agree that she is safe to house and a beloved member of the family. The following is an example of the kinds of issues many of Deja’s adoption and daily management and training.

Choosing the ‘Right’ Dog

After our last dog Serendipittie passed away our family took some time to regroup. Dippie was perfect, irreplicable. As a professional dog trainer, I knew exactly what I didn’t want in a new business asset. No new projects. Silly me.

Because we own a small acreage property and have chickens, ideally I was looking for a dog that could help round up these errant elopers. Non-negotiables included size and coat. The new dog had to be under 40 lbs with a short coat and preferably no undercoat. I was looking for a dog with a little bit of drive, but not too much. They’d be attending a nose work seminar I’d signed up for, intending to take Dip. When adopting a dog you often don’t know anything about that animal’s background. Visiting a dog in a shelter is not an ideal space in which to get to know a dog.

Behavioral history

Deja was listed as a ‘High Energy’ Kelpie Mix at the shelter and I decided to meet her. Based on her general appearance I expected that she was likely some combination of herding breed. In the shelter, I observed her as avoidant of dogs but willing to play, food motivated, and nonreactive. At a second visit we took the littles and she passed the kid check. She was communicative and showed no signs of resentment toward anyone at any point during the introductions

Deja had already acquired a history of impound at multiple animal control agencies. She had been returned by a previous adopter. The shelter had rejected at least one application due to incompatibility. We anticipated that that she would be an escape risk. We took Deja home for a foster to adopt.

Observed Behaviors

Deja was handled on a 15′ snap leash attached to a martingale collar. She immediately motivated by food and kenneled easily, initially in the car and in the front room. She pulled on leash and was quickly predatory toward small animals. She would ‘pounce’ on things she heard in the grass, which is super cute!

Deja did not like children running in front of her kennel so she was moved into the master bedroom. She is no longer kenneled but confined to a back bedroom when new people visit. She is particularly intolerant of young boys or laser gun toys.

I hand fed Deja Ziwi Peak and other training treats for the first few weeks. She eats a raw diet stuffed into Kongs delivered in her kennel. She now prefers her stuffed Kongs outside though is unreliable about bringing the kongs back inside. We promptly sent off a DNA test through Wisdom Panel and the results returned that she was nearly 50% husky, 0% herding dog. Plus a variety of other contributors.

We did opt to officially adopt her so she is officially my delinquent, tree climbing, chicken killing, bicycle chasing, little boy hating, husky mix. She is particularly antagonized about the squirrels that run across the kids slack line in the front yard.

High Energy/Predatory

Deja displays persistent fixation on wildlife and general movement. She is enjoys being chased by other dogs but does not like it when they are running in the lead. She has caught and killed domestic chickens as well as rabbits. She is often unsettled at night due to opossum and racoons.

Management

• Avoid exposure to triggers such as bicycles, particularly on Saturday and Sunday mornings
• Burn energy by running and digging in 1/2 acre fenced and hot wired yard.
  • Digging out under fence is a possibility
  • Some wildlife are at risk in the yard.
• Tie out used in front yard at all times
  • Risk of entanglement or failure
  • Risk of increased arousal due to boundary frustration
• Spring auto closure utilized on gates.

Training Goals

• Auto Check-in – A heavy reinforcement history has been established around auto-check-ins. This serves to help Deja disengage from arousing stimuli and focus her attention on the handler.
• Recall – all responses to recall are heavily reinforced either with food or the opportunity to continue ‘hunting’
• ‘Look-at-that’ – is cued and practiced and reinforced when indoors to build engagement with handler

Flight Risk

Deja learned to scale the 5′ foot fence, then sailed over the 4′ fence. She has escaped the yard and camper a handful of times. When she is in the camper with us she is always on the long leash or tie out. She is consistently caught using a vehicle or will approach strangers. Deja has interacted with neighboring animals seemingly without incident.

Deja was struck by a car during one of these excursions. She bounced then ran straight home. Despite a few lacerations and upwards of a grand worth of emergency veterinary services, Deja limped away with only a few sutures.

Management

• Deja is on a steal cable tie out or leashed with a martingale collar at all times when in the yard.
• When early signs of arousal are noted Deja is promptly bought inside
• When Deja gets loose a spotter stands in the street to slow down and alert traffic.

Training

Deja is avoidant when pursued on foot. Deja naturally responds happily to the invitation of car rides. This so far has been the most effective and efficient way to secure Deja from her excursions. She is heavily reinforced with food upon entry into the vehicle.

Bite Risk Reduction

Deja is generally intolerant of handling. She screams and airsnaps when forced. She is jumpy when resting on the couch or in our bed. She also has a tendency to jump up on guests entering the home. That included nail trimming, harnessing, brushing, or any other examinations. Little boys running near by her have also caused lunges and airsnaps.

Management

• Deja is restricted to a back bedroom when friends and family visit. She can be let out for short durations when kids are absent to potty.
• Children are instructed to stand still if they see Deja.
• Deja is medicated with Trazadone prior to veterinary visits

Training

• Deja has been thoroughly muzzle trained.
• Cooperative Care practices are implemented for nail trims and handling.
  • Deja prefers to ‘snuggle’ during nail trims and now willingly tolerants trims unmuzzled.
• Resource Guarding prevention protocols have been implemented proactively
  • Children are instructed in ‘drop it’ game and to leave her alone if she has a chew

After an incident where she lunged at a little boy running past her, I began to systematically desensitize her to wearing a muzzle. Muzzle training also came in handy for nail trims, of which she was equally intolerant. Deja is muzzled as a precaution at veterinary visits due to her tendency to scream and jump at the slightest needle prick. She has quite the dramatic display of protest!

Being the sensitive Sally that she is, we have made a point to instill Cooperative Cares from the very beginning. When in a confined environment Deja is highly attentive to food and eager to work. She is impatient and quick to arouse and therefore needs focused and high volume reinforcement for remaining engaged or simply relaxing on a mat. I rely on this motivation heavily and am conscious to stay within her food tolerance. Deja is eager to work for food but equally quick to opt out if she is pressed beyond her comfort zone.

Comprehensive obedience training Skills

• Clicker Mechanics
• Leash Mechanics
• Generalized and specified targeting
  • Hand Targeting (Nose)
  • Hand Targeting (Paw) on Scratch Pad
  • Mat Targeting
  • Retrieve
• Heel/Loose leash walking
• Cooperative Care Skills
  • Stationing/Opt In
  • Nail Trims
  • Muzzle Conditioning
• Introduced to Scent Work