0n (27 Sep 07) PETER COGGON wrote to CINDY HAGLUND...

 PC> Hello Cindy.,

 -=> Quoting Cindy Haglund to All <=-

 CH> SO. about dogs. Aren't they wonderful! Any breed is still a dog and
 CH> all dogs have needs! Needs yes ! They're not just here to do with as
 CH> we please as some seem to think and end up with neurotic out of
 CH> control animals whom may depending on their disposition become
 CH> aggressive and need to be 'put down'  as a result (unless they ar
 CH> rehabilitated.

 PC>   As you might remember my dog was from his birth abused.

 PC>   Now due to being placed within our family he has calmed down
 PC> but still doesn't like the snowplow or garbage truck or loud

We suspect Abbie wsa mistreated too. We are advised by that dog guy
that you should NOT milly coddle a dog who shows fear. This only
reinforces the fear. Think about it. I'm guilty of this. :(

Ignore the fearful and reward the behavior that is good behavior (just
being friendly calm assertive is what the dog nees.). Being a calm
assetive person helps our dogs be calm submissive (relaxed). I know
this is true because I have seen it with our Abbie. :)

Abbie however still dislikes getting into her harness/leash. She must
have had a very traumatic puppyhood. :( I can't imagine!

At first we'd go after her and reassure her .. this only increased her
running away. We'd then get annoyed which only made it worse.

So my sister who has also read the book I am obessed with, suggested
IGNORE HER SHYING away behavior. When she seees you getting Cosmo
ready and getting her harness too, she KNOWS what is next. Don't go
after her. Call her, then wait a minute. She'll come. And she does.

Some days she comes right away if we stand at the door. Other days I
thinks he wants to make a game out of it I swear. I think she likes us
to go after her. lol. Silly girl. She's very happy go lucky and loves
to be good. :) She's a real sweetie.

One other thing she does I wonder about. Have an of you see a dog do
this? :) Sometiems she lays on her side and moves her front paws
together like she's praying for something. :) It always gets us to rub
her tummy or give her a chew stick. We think that is what it is. But
it is cute ! It's her way of talking to us I guess. And how she will
come lick my ankle when I'm on here and she wants to go out or it's
supper time. I guess you might say she has ME trained. lol.

Well we're supposed to leaders of the pack all the time. Incosnistancey
makes them neurotic. So I always make her wait  when she comes to get
me to do something.

Cesar says when you are going for a walk the dogs should always follow
YOU out the door. We're working on that. They do walk at our side or
behind us. No problem there. But getting out of the house seems easier
when they're in front until we get out there and set off and then they
take their places.

Some might say : what difference does it make if the dog is in front.
they know they're on a leash and who is holding it. hmm. Debatable?


 PC> motors, which is something he associates with something in
 PC> his passed.

 CM says they don't remember details just the response. I imagine one
way to desensitize the dog to loud noises would be to expose the dog
to the noise and act calm yourself. Ignore his reaction; ignore the
noise yourself. Sooner or later the dog will learn to ignore the noise too.

see if that works. Pay no attention to the dog when he reacts to the
nose. Only after he calms down reward him with affection. I think that
is what CM would advise. :)

...........
 PC>   Not only did my mother leave him money to care for him, which makes
 PC> me think she might have thought I wanted to get rid of him....I
 PC> still function as executor of her estate and his inheritance.

 She probably just wants to be assured the dog will be cared for
whether by you or someone else. If you do not want to take care of the
dog do give it to someone who will. :) Don't punish either of you by
doing want you don't want to do. The dog will know just as any social
critter would. It would be hard for you to meet his needs as well as
your own in a forced relationships.
 ......

 PC> Not only does he go to the vet, but I do look to his moods everyday
 PC> and when sick, I try my best in a calm manner to figure out his
 PC> problems which I have been lucky so far.

 PC> I feel he is a part of my family, and while now restricted to a
 PC> area of the house, I am always thinking of his well being, and
 PC> needs, and trying to make his life mean something to him.

 CM would say you are humanizing him. We all do this. The dogs needs
are very simple. And just like us they do not like being sick or
unable to take a long walk say. Dogs love to walk. They need to. It's
wired into them. ... Read Cesar's Way and you'll understand. This guy
explains dogs completely and understandably.

If you are unable to walk your dog there is a way to train them to
walk on a treadmill. If he is not mobile himself then you know he's
sleeping more instead or chewing his nails....

 PC> I  think due to age, and my medical reasons he is the last dog
 PC> I will have.   I said that about my dog, but even still while
 PC> I inherited him, I will give him the care and attention I can
 PC> to give life meaning...but after him... my job as executor ends
 PC> and that is it with dogs.

  You do what makes you happy and do it for the dog's sake too.

  We had a lab mix from a shelter years ago who was scared of everything
and allergic to everything. NO CM back then. If I had had that
book maybe we could have helped but this dog was impossible mostly d due
to the allergies.

We ended up penning her outside in a kennel . She was fine there.
Then we gave her up when we moved from NYS to FL.

It's a happy balance when a dog meets our needs (usually
companionships if not work) - AND we meet theirs too which are so
simple really. :) But if we can't meet theirs then well the effect is
ours won't be either.

 PC> In the past, I mentioned my wife and the dog, but then she also
 PC> had a dog and she lost her....but then in her country instead
 PC> of being a part of the family like here...they lock themup
 PC> outside, and they act as guard dogs.... I allow my dog free
 PC> run of the home outside....  So we debate this all the time


Cesar says in Mexico dogs ran free. The natural pack order. Dogs that
were kept by farmers were there mostly as working dogs, but often
became pets. YET they stayed doors. They lived the life of wild dogs
but they recognized their humans as their pack leaders. ((Food and
affection are every dog's basic need next to lots of exercise.))

His grandfather never tolerated aggression in the dogs that lived with
them. He'd s imply brake up any fights. The dogs saw him and the
children as their pack leaders. People did not baby their dogs there.
They didn't even use leashes.

Dogs in other countries are allowed to be dogs. Here in this country
we humanize them and that is why so many have big behavior problems. I
saying this is what Cesar says and I do agree.

 PC> and she will never convince me to have a dog like they seem
 PC> to do in Brazil.   My dog is inside, and sleeps at my door.
 PC> I feel he is returning my care and my time with him and
 PC> also allowing him a place to be alone when he wants peace.

 As long as you are the pack leader your dog will be your follower no
matter where you live. But if a dog was running free out in the
country once, he may not adjust well to indoor life. He needs walking.

 PC> My dog and his cat...remind me of the cartoon  "Ruff n Ready".


  I Love cats but sadly am allergic to them.

C


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