For any lesson we teach, whether to a child or to a dog, we, their teachers, need to meet certain requirements. Putting on my educator hat for a moment.

I'm writing this message in response to the frequently heard worry or complaint, "I can't walk my dog without meeting loose dogs, or dogs who come to close."

 Desensitization and Counter Conditioning (D/CC) are two of the easiest methods one may use. They rely on our using classical conditioning more than on our using operant conditioning. But somewhere along that continuum on the path to success, we'll switch from using classical conditioning to using operant conditioning with the clicker.

****

Dr. Karen Overall has provided a super plan for beginning, called the Protocol for Relaxation. I would suggest beginning with that. She even does all the criteria setting for us. How great is that!

For any new members here who may not yet have heard about it, go to the Yahoo Groups' web site <http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups> 

Then click the Agbeh group name in the list. This part will work if you've already subscribed to the Agbeh group. Enter Agbeh in the search box, to find the group. 

The when the home page appears, scroll down the left hand side box to the go to the LINKS section.Click on that.

Then scroll down to the folder called "Overall, Karen." Among Dr. Overall's articles in that folder, you'll find the protocol for relaxation. There are links, as well, to other great articles by Dr.Overall.

*****

Back to the other concern about rehabilitating dogs who have been reactive, even aggressive toward other dogs.

For all the dogs I worked with over the years while offering foster care, I managed to do D/CC without running the risk of exposing them to stray dogs, loose dogs, because of how I planned the lessons.

An exception: There was one funny event with Petey the Peke involving the next door neighbor's German Shepherd Dog, Ginger. Petey and Ginger had appeared to be mortal enemies, with their fence running, barking, noisy arguing at the border of their two yards. But when they met in person, they were fine, non-aggressive. It turned out that their previous behaviors had been a lot of spit and noise.

*****

Another source of information I like a lot and which I want to recommend to you all: Dawn Jecs' book, Choose to Heel.

The author has accomplished much in her dog training career, and she's been willing to share her successful ideas with us. She has a great gift of starting a dog at the very beginning. Her lessons are unique, a great way to begin when working with a new dog. Aren't you intrigued with the idea of a dog choosing to heel?

I want to emphasize with all my might that we need to keep clear objectives in mind, and then plan around them. We absolutely cannot let ourselves get sidetracked, running down the wrong alley, as could occur if anyone plants the thought that "Oh dear, I may meet a loose dog when I'm out walking!"

Planting negative thoughts can be a huge problem in any discussion group, on line or in person. Have you ever heard the acronym SNIOPS? It's a term that refers to people who are 'Sensitive to the Negative Influence of Other Persons.'  Since almost anyone may be sensitive to that, it's truly best not to contribute to that problem.

If one does meet a loose dog, that's absolutely not the end of the world. I urge you to follow William E. Campbell's suggestion to use 'the Jolly Routine.' His wisdom is based upon the theory in psychology that we attempt to *project* the emotion that we want our own dogs to feel. Or as may be commonly stated, "Change your own perceptions about loose dogs if you hope to help change your dogs' perceptions about them."

I'm not trying to stifle discussion with my admonition, but instead I'm trying to steer it in a more productive direction for the benefit of everyone.  Remember the parts to a lesson plan,  choose your teaching location wisely so that it is conducive to the lesson you wish to teach, and keep a positive outlook.


© Barbara D. Brill, June 5, 2009. No further reproduction permitted without express written consent from the author. Barbara D. Brill, 302 Meadow Farm N., North Chili, NY 14514. Email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it