Brooklyn Rebellion Dogs: Gear Boy
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a blogumn by Shante Paradigm
Tilo and Plato at Hillside Dog Park
One of the truths about owning a dog, is that they have gear. Even if the dog is really well-behaved or has no trauma, an owner always needs training tools. I’m not talking about the fancy, expensive dog clothes or accessories, although, it’s quite easy to get caught up in all of that. Instead, I’m talking about training and behavioral management tools, which can include clickers, chest or head harnesses, spray collars or other tools, which I don’t think are as dog-friendly, like shock collars. Well, Mr. Tilopa has quite a few training tools, so my trainer calls him “Gear Boy,” and until he feels fairly safe in the world and with people, we have mad gear.
I recently purchased him a HALTI, which despite its ludicrous name, is a great tool for interrupting Tilo’s bark and/or lunging at other dogs. I work with him to greet other dogs politely, but it doesn’t always work out that way–this is a great tool. We do lots of clicker training. He sees a dog, I see him tense up or take a more hunting stance, I might say “friend,” or “Tilo here,” he’ll look at my and I click and reward him with a treat. Every time he looks at the approaching dog, then looks me in the eye, he gets a click and a treat. The dog and owner pass by and Tilo begins to associate dogs approaching him with good things! It’s not 100% with him yet, but he is much, much better at greeting strange dogs in the street on leash (he’s a dream with dogs off-leash in the park).
I’ve taken to carrying a back pack to store his coat (it always gets ripped off by his friends or he shakes it off), a long bungee leash, so he can run more freely when on leash in the park, his gentle leader (this keeps his mouth from opening all the way when there are children afoot — he’s not so sure about them yet), and various balls and treats. I used to feel silly, but have been reminding myself it’s not about me at all. It’s about helping Tilo become the happiest, calmest, safest dog I can. So If I have to look like a total goofball, or if he has to stay on leash for a few more months (he ran out of the park last week, after a dog friend he hadn’t seen in a while), that’s okay with me. On weekends, he gets to be off-leash at his beloved Hillside Dog Run.
It’s not easy having a dog with a lot of triggers. As a novice trainer, I rely on the experience and guidance of my trainer, other owners I trust and paying attention to my dog and using my common sense. I often forget the very things I train him when I’m nervous or afraid he might act out in a really challenging way, but when I stay calm, he calms down. It’s a lot to remember for the both of us, especially the one who has the thick skull.
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You are such a great dog parent! I know I felt like a dork with all of my gear at first, but they really are lifesavers for both you & your pooch!
You are such a great dog parent! I know I felt like a dork with all of my gear at first, but they really are lifesavers for both you & your pooch!
I agree about you being such a good dog parent. In fact, I've been thinking a lot about your columns as we search for our own rescue dog.
Like you mentioned before, a lot of organizations aren't forthcoming about the problems dogs have, and they often require more training and patience then perhaps many of us have time for. I know that there are those that believe that you shouldn't be allowed to have a dog, unless you have a ton of one-on-one time and patience to dedicate to it. But I've actually been wanting a dog lately, b/c I'll be working from home after the baby is born and taking a dog out for a walk or two everyday seems like it would be beneficial to my new lifestyle. However, I wonder how to ensure getting a dog that doesn't require a ton of training — I don't want to fail a dog that has already been failed by someone else. We have 3 rescue cats, but obviously they are easier to tame.
In cases of families, I wonder if it isn't better to buy rather than rescue. And if you rescue, how do you ensure that a dog will be a good fit?
I agree about you being such a good dog parent. In fact, I've been thinking a lot about your columns as we search for our own rescue dog.
Like you mentioned before, a lot of organizations aren't forthcoming about the problems dogs have, and they often require more training and patience then perhaps many of us have time for. I know that there are those that believe that you shouldn't be allowed to have a dog, unless you have a ton of one-on-one time and patience to dedicate to it. But I've actually been wanting a dog lately, b/c I'll be working from home after the baby is born and taking a dog out for a walk or two everyday seems like it would be beneficial to my new lifestyle. However, I wonder how to ensure getting a dog that doesn't require a ton of training — I don't want to fail a dog that has already been failed by someone else. We have 3 rescue cats, but obviously they are easier to tame.
In cases of families, I wonder if it isn't better to buy rather than rescue. And if you rescue, how do you ensure that a dog will be a good fit?
Ernessa, my sister rescues Schipperkes, and every dog she has rescued has been so loving, even the ones that were physically abused. Her first Shipperke was purchased from a breeder as a puppy and that was the most evil dog that ever existed. It bit everyone and sent a few people (including my mom) to the hospital. After many years of heartache and pain, they finally had to put the dog down after it attacked my nephew and bit his face.
What I am trying to say is, at least if you rescue a dog, it is full grown and you can get a feel for it's personality. You don't really know what a puppy will grown up to be like.
Ernessa, my sister rescues Schipperkes, and every dog she has rescued has been so loving, even the ones that were physically abused. Her first Shipperke was purchased from a breeder as a puppy and that was the most evil dog that ever existed. It bit everyone and sent a few people (including my mom) to the hospital. After many years of heartache and pain, they finally had to put the dog down after it attacked my nephew and bit his face.
What I am trying to say is, at least if you rescue a dog, it is full grown and you can get a feel for it's personality. You don't really know what a puppy will grown up to be like.
so sweet. we just had a pretty good hour outside and then he saw three men who are in his trigger category (one was crazy and dogs hate crazy people), but they all were cleaning/sweeping/shoveling. It's totally challenging to work with this, but the better I get at managing, the better he will get. He was great in the park and really is listening better and better.
I would say to you Ernessa, specifically find a rescue place that has worked really well with a dog and tell them what you need. You might even consider fostering. The truth is, ALL, dogs take work, no matter if they are totally perfect because dogs and human communicate really differently. I would recommend reading _The Other End of the Leash_ to think about how you would work with a dog. But there's always something, whether they develop an aversion to certain dog breeds of people (like FedEx/UPS guys) or are terrified of thuderstorms, like children, there will always be something to work with.
so sweet. we just had a pretty good hour outside and then he saw three men who are in his trigger category (one was crazy and dogs hate crazy people), but they all were cleaning/sweeping/shoveling. It's totally challenging to work with this, but the better I get at managing, the better he will get. He was great in the park and really is listening better and better.
I would say to you Ernessa, specifically find a rescue place that has worked really well with a dog and tell them what you need. You might even consider fostering. The truth is, ALL, dogs take work, no matter if they are totally perfect because dogs and human communicate really differently. I would recommend reading _The Other End of the Leash_ to think about how you would work with a dog. But there's always something, whether they develop an aversion to certain dog breeds of people (like FedEx/UPS guys) or are terrified of thuderstorms, like children, there will always be something to work with.
I volunteer with my local Humane Society & we have a specific program called Dog Behavior & Socialization. We essentially clicker train & socialize them so they get rid of bad habits that make them less interesting to potential adoptive parents. I also fostered a pit bull mix recently & she was a bit grabby with her mouth. Oh yeah, that was fun to work on! The good news is she found a home the day I brought her back into the shelter. It's a pretty amazing program & I hope more rescues & shelters start implementing these practices.
I volunteer with my local Humane Society & we have a specific program called Dog Behavior & Socialization. We essentially clicker train & socialize them so they get rid of bad habits that make them less interesting to potential adoptive parents. I also fostered a pit bull mix recently & she was a bit grabby with her mouth. Oh yeah, that was fun to work on! The good news is she found a home the day I brought her back into the shelter. It's a pretty amazing program & I hope more rescues & shelters start implementing these practices.
Shante, You are a really great doggy parent! Kudos to you for all the work and time you are providing Tilo. I also have lots of gear for my dog, Madison. I never invested in a clicker, but the Halti has been a life saver. He also has the lunging issue with dogs while on leash (great off-leash). I usually just stop, tell him to "look" (at me), sit, and reward with a treat. It is tough, my biggest issue is being consistent. Sometimes I just want to finish the walk, especially when its freezing outside. All of your work will pay off, I know he will be a very well behaved doggy. Your column has inspired me to be a pit more patient and consistent on my walks.
Ernessa, I think you are going to have to put in lots of time whether you buy or adopt. I adopted Madison when he was just a puppy (3 months), so he was not mistreated by a previous owner. In fact, I adopted him from a really great shelter where he hung out with all his brothers and sisters until I adopted him. And I still had to put lots of work into training him (and myself). I recommend a training class and LOTS OF PATIENCE. But all the time and money I put into training Madison is worth the wagging tail when I come home and the cuddles on the couch when watching a movie–I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Shante, You are a really great doggy parent! Kudos to you for all the work and time you are providing Tilo. I also have lots of gear for my dog, Madison. I never invested in a clicker, but the Halti has been a life saver. He also has the lunging issue with dogs while on leash (great off-leash). I usually just stop, tell him to "look" (at me), sit, and reward with a treat. It is tough, my biggest issue is being consistent. Sometimes I just want to finish the walk, especially when its freezing outside. All of your work will pay off, I know he will be a very well behaved doggy. Your column has inspired me to be a pit more patient and consistent on my walks.
Ernessa, I think you are going to have to put in lots of time whether you buy or adopt. I adopted Madison when he was just a puppy (3 months), so he was not mistreated by a previous owner. In fact, I adopted him from a really great shelter where he hung out with all his brothers and sisters until I adopted him. And I still had to put lots of work into training him (and myself). I recommend a training class and LOTS OF PATIENCE. But all the time and money I put into training Madison is worth the wagging tail when I come home and the cuddles on the couch when watching a movie–I wouldn't trade it for anything.