Week 1

Week 1
Jenny Proctor, Head Trainer LukEli K-9 Dog Training and Behavior Modification

If you’ve seen our recent facebook posts, then you’ve already met Jake. For those of you who haven’t seen his story, I’ll do a quick recap:

Jacob arrived at LukEli K-9 Training about a week ago from Florida. He’s an approximately 3 year old, underweight (from muscle atrophy), 100lb African Mastiff.  Jake has loss of muscle mass in his head and back. He has tested positive for Ehrlichiosis and hookworms. His tail has been previously broken. He has broken off both his upper canines, all the front row of teeth on top, and half a lower canine is broken as well (I recently discovered why his teeth are so messed up - more on that later). He is here with us as part of our New Leash On Life program because of his, at times, extreme fear reactivity and aggression.

Jacob’s Roadtrip

I received a phone call from a woman on the morning of February 15th, 2014. She said her name was Karen Valente, that she worked with a network of people from all around the country (mostly through facebook) to rescue dogs, and that a friend named Toni Diamond had recommended that she contact us about a dog in Florida who had been deemed aggressive and was scheduled to be euthanized. An adopter had stepped forward for Jacob, she explained, and her rescue group had pulled Jacob for the adopter. That person fell through (due to circumstances I am not aware of), and so another adopter was found for Jacob. Unfortunately, the introductions and interactions between dogs in that household weren’t managed well (resource guarding issues), and Jacob found himself without a home once again. He was then placed in a boarding facility near the end of December. He underwent several obedience training sessions with a trainer there, before Karen’s group decided that Jacob needed more than obedience training and limited counter conditioning while continuing to live in a stressful kennel environment.

Karen told me that they had searched for a different kind of program for Jacob. One in which he could live as part of a household, learning to be a member of a family, just as dogs in foster environments enjoy, but with people who could provide the correct structure and learning environment. She told me they hadn’t had any luck finding such a unique program until her friend Toni Diamond (you may remember that she was instrumental in Hank’s rescue) recommended LukEli K-9 Training as just the place Jacob needed. After I explained our In-Kennel Behavior Modification program to her, she agreed it was the right fit for Jacob. I also explained our “New Leash On Life” program for dogs such as Jacob, who have no where else to turn. As most people are aware, behavior modification is almost always a lengthy process. We instituted the NewLeash On Life program to offer rescue groups our program as an option by capping the price on a case-by-case basis regardless of the duration of treatment because, well, we love dogs! We want to help as much as we’re able when we can, and I have a very soft spot for rescue dogs (every dog I’ve ever owned has been a rescue).

After a discussion with her group, Karen called me to say that they were transporting Jacob to North Carolina the next day! Two awesome dog heroes, Varda Rosenfeld and Zeke Moreno, drove all night to get Jacob to LukEli K-9 Training in Mount Pleasant, NC as quickly as possible from Florida. He couldn’t be removed from the car because they weren’t sure they could handle him

safely, so time was of the essence.

Once Varda and Zeke arrived with Jake, we were able to get him out of the car without incident. Jake seemed relieved to be able to get out of the car, stretch his legs, and explore this new place. Everyone involved in Jake’s story had done there part to help him up until this point; now that he’s here, it’s our turn!

Jake’s “Baggage”

Karen and her group were absolutely right about the environment Jacob needed; a place where his every interaction was carefully managed, every moment was exploited as a learning opportunity, and he could safely be counter conditioned slowly, all the while being evaluated for behavioral issues so that he could eventually be confidently placed in a home of his own.  My first steps with Jake involve assessment of his bite threshold level, determining his particular triggers, and integrating him safely into our household. I had an idea of what to expect from what I was told, but nothing compares to hands-on interaction with the dog.

Here is what I was told they knew about Jacob:

๏ slow to warm up to people, but once he did he was responsive to correction

๏ attacked a dog/s over food in his adopter’s house

๏ was possibly fear aggressive

๏ turned into “Cujo”

๏ was definitely fear aggressive towards men, but seemed to like women

Here’s what I think is going on with Jake so far:

๏ due to what I would ascribe to his breed’s innate traits, when Jake is afraid he quickly snaps his jaws over and over as he lunges forward. He does not ever back up, as most fearful dogs would do in his place. This makes for a very confusing and potentially very dangerous combination in a fearful dog.

๏ I do not believe Jake is fearful of men, specifically. I think there are other triggers (such as people squatting down to his level. Remember the vet visit?) that are the cause of his reactivity, some I’m sure I’ve yet to discover.

๏ I would say that Jake is not hugely reactive to very many things (that I have discovered so far), but when he IS reactive, he goes from “0-60”, leaping right over that bite threshold with the greatest of ease, skipping all warning signs like barks and growls, and going straight to a fight or flight response. I’m not convinced Jake would ever bite a person, but...

๏ I believe that, due to ignorance of handling techniques, Jake has learned some negative associations with collar grabs, invading his “safe” space, etc.,

๏ Serious resource guarding issues, most noticeably about any type of bones, but also at times including: his crate, a bed on the floor, the entrance to the deck, the spot on the floor he’s standing on...you get the idea. It could be any random spot that he suddenly decides to guard.

๏ misunderstanding of his body language and verbalizations due to his breed and size by people interacting with him

๏ He seems to become much more reactive when tension is on his leash. Yes, this is the case with most dogs (it’s known as barrier frustration), but Jake takes it to a whole new level when he is reacting fearfully.

๏ He showed us that he was probably used to barking at the fence at strangers and why his teeth are so bad - He did indeed look like Cujo as he raked his teeth up and down the fence, biting it the entire time, but didn’t do this until our friend walked within 3 or 4 feet of the fence. 

He has shown improvement in several area’s already after being here a week:

๏ He was very “mouthy” when he arrived. By that I mean he has learned somewhere in the past to “play” with humans using his mouth. I have discouraged that behavior by disengaging with him when he does it. He has responded very well to this and his mouthing behavior is on it’s way to extinction.

๏ Jake seems to learn quite quickly; he now sits quietly with everyone else waiting for his dinner. He politely waits, when asked, to go in or out the door. He walks politely on the leash (though in the past someone has used the leash to play tug with him and I am trying to discourage that behavior).

๏ We are better able to verbally interrupt him when he is engaged in something that he is highly interested in (like trying to eat used kleenex. Ew. haha).

๏ Jake is much less jumpy when touched while he’s not paying attention. I think he was grabbed a lot and didn’t like it. Also, he REALLY hates flies.

๏ I can reach over his head without him ducking backward and away most of the time.

๏ He’s more focused on me and what I’m doing or asking him to do, which is great.

๏ He’s learning the cue “kennel”

๏ Jake has started playing a lot more with the other dogs, especially Gracie Lu. Yay!

๏ He’s learning that watchdog barking is not an acceptable pastime here.

Last, but not least, I want to point out some of Jake’s very endearing qualities:

๏ Pretty great doggie social skills with other dogs.

๏ Cute as heck. Just look at that big, squishy face!

๏ Very sweet boy. He loves to be loved.

๏ Super quick at learning new things.

๏ Smarter than the average bear!

๏ Takes treats very gently from your hand

๏ Eats Slowly

๏ House trained!

๏ Plays tug nicely with people and dogs

๏ He loves car rides and does great in the car

๏ He “talks” a lot. It’s pretty funny!

๏ Likes to keep busy (yes, I just said that about a dog), which makes teaching him fun!

All in all, I’d say this first week has been a success. I’ll expand on one of the issues I mentioned I think Jake has going on next time. If you want to hear about one in particular, please mention it in the comments below.

Remember, if you have a dog who has issues beyond your ability to manage, don’t hesitate to contact a Canine Obedience and Behavior Modification Professional to help you reach your goals.