Our Progress with Kitsune & Behaviorist
We have seen our behaviorist 3 times now and I am still seeing tremendous results with Kitsune and US as leaders and caretakers of him.
One of the biggest things I've noticed is the lack of frustration in my dog. He seems "lighter" and happier these days. He has a relaxed look on him and he is less physically tense in situations and interactions.
See?
We have also learned to watch for his submissive body language and watch for Tsuki's dominant body language. I can't believe I missed it all before! Its so easy to catch!
We have learned that Kitsune is not alpha but seeks interactions with the alpha, whether it be Tsuki or any other dog that subliminally challenges Tsuki. We are now able to see this need for interaction and if it is not a play invitation or a positive interaction, we have to put pressure into his space, creating a boundary to prevent any sort of aggression (food possession that can turn aggression). It really works, I think he respects us more for it. I really believe that the communication boundary is slowly being lifted and everything he is trying to tell us is slowly being understood and that makes him more comfortable all around.
I took this video last night. The dogs were enjoying raw meaty bones, usually we have to keep them either at seperate parts of the room or gate a room off between them so Tsuki doesn't claim both and Kitsune doesn't react. BUT putting pressure in Tsuki's space made her less "mine" and that relaxed Kitsune enough where they moved next to each other to enjoy their bones! FIRST TIME EVER! I was so excited, I filmed it!
That is all! Happy holiday weekend!
One of the biggest things I've noticed is the lack of frustration in my dog. He seems "lighter" and happier these days. He has a relaxed look on him and he is less physically tense in situations and interactions.
See?
We have also learned to watch for his submissive body language and watch for Tsuki's dominant body language. I can't believe I missed it all before! Its so easy to catch!
We have learned that Kitsune is not alpha but seeks interactions with the alpha, whether it be Tsuki or any other dog that subliminally challenges Tsuki. We are now able to see this need for interaction and if it is not a play invitation or a positive interaction, we have to put pressure into his space, creating a boundary to prevent any sort of aggression (food possession that can turn aggression). It really works, I think he respects us more for it. I really believe that the communication boundary is slowly being lifted and everything he is trying to tell us is slowly being understood and that makes him more comfortable all around.
I took this video last night. The dogs were enjoying raw meaty bones, usually we have to keep them either at seperate parts of the room or gate a room off between them so Tsuki doesn't claim both and Kitsune doesn't react. BUT putting pressure in Tsuki's space made her less "mine" and that relaxed Kitsune enough where they moved next to each other to enjoy their bones! FIRST TIME EVER! I was so excited, I filmed it!
That is all! Happy holiday weekend!
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Comments
Congrats!
PS: That video is cute.
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For the pedagogical benefit of everyone, what do you mean by "putting pressure in his space"?
Pressure in their space: It's making a slight forward movement into the space they were about to occupy to either get something they shouldn't have or do something you don't want them to do. The behaviorist uses it as an advanced method of "sit-stay" if they break that command he enters their space to get them back into a 'sit-stay' even if it something they really want like chicken pieces or something. He feels its more effective than words.
the most important part of reclaiming space, or putting pressure in their space, is to release your movement as soon as the dog understands why you did it and what you want of them, so it is non threatening. It is supposed to be used only as a non verbal communication without using your arms, just torso, to reclaim your space. I'm sure you can use your arms, I use my arms at the dog park when someone comes to the gate and Tsuki runs to the gate to greet them - I stand in her path with arms out like a crossing guard and say "stop". Without arms, you have to watch how much you move your body forward and their body language in response to yours. I think I would only feel comfortable as a beginner doing this to a dog that I know and and that knows me.
For example, last night we distributed the raw meaty bones - one to Tsuki first, then Kitsune. Kitsune usually settles in the kitchen right where he gets his bone while Tsuki runs into the living room. She drops her bone off and goes back for Kitsune's. As soon as I saw her intention, I put pressure on her space - by leaning - until she stopped moving forward than released my movement. She tried it again, I pressured again, she stopped, I released. She then went back to attend to her bone. With her bone in her mouth, she moved closer to the kitchen so I let her. Kitsune moved closer to her, I think knowing that I was keeping her in check and then I took the video. Harmony.
I'm probably not very good at explaining it, I apologize! but this is how I understand it and how my dogs respond to it ..
It was really difficult to decide to do this or not because I didn't want to further damage my dog by hiring the wrong or unqualified person. We really tried to do our homework finding the right behaviorist and lucked out I guess! After a phone conversation with him after the evaluation I felt more comfortable and assured that he would get us to a good place with Kitsune and we've had two sessions since! I'm so glad I decided to trust my gut and go through with it!