12-10-2015, 10:46 AM
So an update. I've been working on becoming a dog trainer. Part of that is volunteering at at a rescue to work one on one with adoptable dogs that need a bit of training and to help them bond with a potential owner faster. As I have been working with these dogs one dog stood out the most. Crazy Eddie is about 4-5 years old Miniature Pincher. He's been at the rescue for 3 years. He's been adopted out twice and brought back both times. The thing with Eddie is he is very untrusting of new people. Which is horrible for a dog that needs a home. He's also been in several dog fights. I've been told and more incidents with him and he could be put down. When I first saw Crazy Eddie he saw me and backed out to the outside part of his run and growled and barked at me. He was very scared and wanted nothing to do with me. Armed with only treats I began tossing a few into the run. I'm guessing the food was more enticing than the threat of me standing there. Little by little I got him closer and closer until I was able to feed him from my hand though the fence. Someone, thankfully, walked by and closed him off to the outside part of his run which he was not happy about and began he growling and barking but he still wanted the treats so he gave up quickly.
The next step was to open the door and get into the run with him. I opened the door and he started backing away and growling and barking. I just sat there with my hand out and a treat waiting. once he realized I wasn't coming any further in he started to relax. I eased closer and closer let him get comfortable and then push him a bit further. Occasionally he would get snippy and I would hold my ground where we left off and just wait a bit longer until he was comfortable again. Getting his collar on was a trick. I had to lure him into it with treats. then getting out of the run I had to lure him out then reassure him that he would be able to go back in. So when walked in and out of the kennel for quite some time luring him out then waiting then back in just increasing the about of time out each time before he was ready to move on to outside.
Once I got him outside he was still very nervous and scared but was doing well. I focused on luring him to me most of the time. I was very excited when he started putting his paws on my knee to get closer. It was 45 minutes be he finally let me pet him without a treat. I had to go slow and only pet his chest but it was progress. Finally I could tell he was getting close to getting full so I returned him to his run and the dreaded getting the collar off. He has snipped at me when putting the collar on so I knew it was going to be about the same getting it off. For about 20 minutes I struggled and couldn't get it off. Then I thought to put the leash though to help lift it over his ears and to put treats on the ground so he's distracted and it's less likely to get caught on his ears and undo all the trust I just built. 5 minutes I had his collar off. It was exciting seeing in just an hour and a half ho much he opened up to me.
The next day I worked with him he was like a completely different dog. I walked in and he was jumping up and down excited to see me. I walked in his kennel with no problems. I tried the same trick to get his collar on as I had to get it off. No problems. when I opened the kennel door for us to leave he was a bit hesitant but was ready to go without food lure. I still worked on going in and out but he was fantastic. I walked outside no problem. I leaned down to get level with him and he put his front paws on my knee to get closer. I was immediately able to pet his chest and side. I couldn't believe my eyes. If he had changed that much over an hour and a half with me and then 3 days later be the much improved I knew he wasn't hopeless. I bragged on him so much both days. I can't wait to work with him again. He's going to be a hard dog to place but I know he can find a good home. He just needs a patient owner and no kids.
The next step was to open the door and get into the run with him. I opened the door and he started backing away and growling and barking. I just sat there with my hand out and a treat waiting. once he realized I wasn't coming any further in he started to relax. I eased closer and closer let him get comfortable and then push him a bit further. Occasionally he would get snippy and I would hold my ground where we left off and just wait a bit longer until he was comfortable again. Getting his collar on was a trick. I had to lure him into it with treats. then getting out of the run I had to lure him out then reassure him that he would be able to go back in. So when walked in and out of the kennel for quite some time luring him out then waiting then back in just increasing the about of time out each time before he was ready to move on to outside.
Once I got him outside he was still very nervous and scared but was doing well. I focused on luring him to me most of the time. I was very excited when he started putting his paws on my knee to get closer. It was 45 minutes be he finally let me pet him without a treat. I had to go slow and only pet his chest but it was progress. Finally I could tell he was getting close to getting full so I returned him to his run and the dreaded getting the collar off. He has snipped at me when putting the collar on so I knew it was going to be about the same getting it off. For about 20 minutes I struggled and couldn't get it off. Then I thought to put the leash though to help lift it over his ears and to put treats on the ground so he's distracted and it's less likely to get caught on his ears and undo all the trust I just built. 5 minutes I had his collar off. It was exciting seeing in just an hour and a half ho much he opened up to me.
The next day I worked with him he was like a completely different dog. I walked in and he was jumping up and down excited to see me. I walked in his kennel with no problems. I tried the same trick to get his collar on as I had to get it off. No problems. when I opened the kennel door for us to leave he was a bit hesitant but was ready to go without food lure. I still worked on going in and out but he was fantastic. I walked outside no problem. I leaned down to get level with him and he put his front paws on my knee to get closer. I was immediately able to pet his chest and side. I couldn't believe my eyes. If he had changed that much over an hour and a half with me and then 3 days later be the much improved I knew he wasn't hopeless. I bragged on him so much both days. I can't wait to work with him again. He's going to be a hard dog to place but I know he can find a good home. He just needs a patient owner and no kids.
