When we take our dogs to the Vet, the groomer, a friend's house, the park etc. because we are in control, we know that we are taking them to be with friends, the only problem is that they really don't see it like that, quite the opposite they view the change with deep suspicion and concern.
Whenever a dog is faced with any situation that is away from the comfort of the familiar and routine, a dog will be prepared to run away at the slightest sign of what it perceives as danger, this is why when the owner insists that a dog 'sit' at any point there is great reluctance on the part of the dog to do so. Even if the dog has elected the owner as their leader of the pack/family (which is something that you can always rely on when 'Amichien� Bonding' becomes your method of choice when working with your dog), the dog remains unhappy at giving up the ability to move away from danger very quickly and this is why I would never ask my dogs to do other than stay on their feet by my side when faced with any situation that requires them to make their own judgement about if they should feel suitably safe. I give them the essential time to look around, then to take my lead, which is relaxed and confident and then allow them, when they feel safe enough, to sit or lay down.
There are many reasons why attempting to force a dog to sit or lay down before it has been able to assure itself that it is safe to do so, the most important being that it just isn't necessary. Think of the time that people make their dog sit at the side of the road before crossing, why, do you? This action comes from the misconception that the dog is being controlled but with my way of working with dogs they are about to control their own behaviour. This enables you to approach a road, stand quietly and when it is safe to cross do so without worrying that your dog is with you.
Many dogs in rescue, really struggle with the human idea that they, somehow, know that the person coming towards them has nothing but the best intentions towards them. The dog only sees a stranger stalking them. I remember meeting a very kind hearted lady who volunteered in a rescue centre and just couldn't understand why every dog that she tries to help backs away from her. There was no doubt that this lady really cared for the dogs and so I took the decision to tell her how her approach, with outstretched arms whilst making cooing sounds at them, was only forcing them to be very concerned about her and to try to put distance between them. This lady really did not want to hear this and her tears only increased, as she insisted that I was wrong and that love will conquer all.
Knowing that I was now perhaps the last person she wanted to listen to I left her kneeling on the ground and with her head pressed on the bars of a kennel telling the little multi pedigree dog, pinning itself in the corner looking at the wall in an attempt to avoid any possible eye contact with the lady, that I was stupid and that I really didn't understand how much she loved dogs.
At this point the centre manager approached and told me that without good people like this volunteer she just wouldn't get anything done with the dogs, so I asked her what was actually being achieved here? She thought for a moment and said that the volunteers were gaining the dogs trust and getting them to come to them. I then asked how long this volunteer had been working with this little dog in this way and was told four weeks and it was still pinning itself to the back of the kennel.
Knowing that all of these people really wanted the best for the dogs I asked if they would allow me to see if I could get the dog to relax, saying that I would hope to get the dog to look at me. There was a knowing look between the ladies and the volunteer said for me to come over with her and show her. Aware that she had done all that she knew to do I asked her to please come away from the kennel and join the manager at the main door, a request that sparked the manager to say that as they wouldn't be able to see the dog from that position how could she trust me to tell the truth what the dog did and then the volunteer disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a mirror taken from the toilet. 'How's this' she asked and I agreed that if angled properly and providing they stayed still, as the dog could possibly see them if they could see her.
With the scene set I quietly sat sideways on to the kennel with my head lowered, in a non-threatening manner and did absolutely nothing. I signalled to the ladies to sit down too. I avoided looking at the ladies either and within two minutes the little dog turned her head towards me. The Manager became excited and the little dog looked away again, so I calmly signalled to the ladies to please stay quiet. As I had only set a target of getting the little dog to look at me I had succeeded but as this had happened in such a short time I really believed that we could achieve so much more and so we all went relaxed again.
It only took a about 30 seconds for the little dog to look at me this time and another 30 seconds for her to be physically leaning towards me. Keeping my posture exactly the same was delighted as the dog then stood up and gave a shake. With every couple of seconds came a tentative step in my direction until she was within two feet of me. I slowly began to get up and after a brief jolt away the little dog held her ground. I gently signalled for the ladies to join me quietly telling them to refrain from looking directly at her, which they did.
Together we stood calmly by the kennel with the little dog looking at us in a relaxed interested manner and so I signalled that we should all walk away and leave her curious and as we walked through the door and out into the sunshine the lady volunteer looked at me and asked if she could do this too.
The next hour was spent sharing the ways to avoid causing a dog to fear us and how to do what they really wanted to do which was help this little dog overcome her fears and be able to find a home of her own.
Happily for the future dogs that would come into this centre this loving volunteer embraced my process and went on to do the courses and become a recommended Dog Listener and all it takes is an open mind and love enough to know that what we want to do is ultimately be a positive stage in the welfare of all dogs. The little dog was ready for re-homing just three weeks later and went off happy.
Jan Fennell
16th May 2012
