Defiance vs.Too afraid to listen

We love our new class! We are taking a class called "Proofing and Distraction." Basically, rather than focus on learning new tricks, we work on how to perform the tricks we know even in distracting situations (ex: near food, other dogs, strangers, etc.) The instructors are wonderful, and treat Ramsey very nicely!

We began to realize that Ramsey's anxious behavior was getting a bit worse before enrolling in this class and thought it would be a nice outlet for him, and a way to get some extra socialization. The instructors pointed something out to us... what was once labeled as defiance, looks much more like Ramsey is too fearful to listen in certain situations. This explains A LOT! The instructor in our previous class labeled Ramsey as defiant, almost immediately. An unruly puppy at the time, yes, but defiant, no. You might remember our 'Bad Kid in Class' post almost a year ago? To refresh: Ramsey refused to 'Down.' We were told that some dogs refuse to lay down on command because it is a submissive position. They are refusing to submit to you. Our instructor forced Ramsey into a down position and he snapped at her, to the horror or our entire class. We were embarrassed, and from then on every time our instructor came near Ramsey he peed... this eventually led to her and others not petting him or coming near him in class. If it's true that he was simply too afraid to be in a submissive position in the class environment, he snapped our of panic. By not allowing people to pet him in class, his fears of others were allowed to remain. He should have been getting extra pets and treats! Poor Rams!

Anyways... we've been working with our new instructors, who noticed his timidness immediately. They've even let us borrow a book about training your shy dog. Shy, yes. Defiant, no!

It's easy to assume a well respected obedience trainer knows it all about dogs. Unfortunately, they may not know what's best for your dog. If your dog isn't improving (given you are putting forth the required effort), maybe think about the techniques used in class. Are they the best for your dog?

Awful dog? or Awful Owners?

I admit to lacking any motivation to blog over the past few months despite a lot of happenings to write about. Quite frankly, we have an awful dog. People say dogs aren't awful, they're the creation of their owners... so what the heck are we doing wrong?! Everyone we've asked seems to have a different answer to that, not helpful.

Since the summer:

Bad behavior 1) Rams has continued to bark. Car doors slamming... footsteps outside or upstairs ... doorbells or knocking on TV,  accidentally bumping the wall with anything... bark bark bark (side note, we are temporarily living in an apartment which may amplify any behavioral issues).  He's constantly on edge which has become worse with the move.

We tried yelling, but were told he think's we're barking with him. We tried calling him with treats to get him to stop, but that doesn't stop him from starting, and what about when I'm showering? We tried grabbing his snout, and sternly saying 'No,' but what about when we can't reach him? Or the fact that he's so worked up I'm partially scared to get bit... Now, we sit on edge as much as he is. We listen for every noise and try to distract him from them before he barks. Now, noises stress me out at the anticipation of his barking most likely adding to his stress, and leading to more barking. Sometimes he does pace around crying and whimpering at noises, I think this is progress... he's trying not to bark?


Bad behavior 2) Separation Anxiety? I know, not a 'bad behavior' but annoying. We've received two notes from our upstairs neighbor. "PLEASE stop your dog from barking!!!" Thanks for the info.... We aren't sure if he is crying because we left, or because he hears something or sees something. Either way... this is what we're trying:

Yes those blinds are taped together. There will be NO looking out the window while we are gone.

(We tried crating, that was the first note.... we tried just the bedroom, that was the second note. We think the anxiety is worse when he is confined.)

Bad behavior 3) Pulling on the leash, even in his prong. Two incidents have led us to think we need to revisit the pulling. The first being that one car ride we forgot his prong and I tried to take him walking in a regular collar. Disaster. He frustrates me so badly I could scream. The second being that after a run his neck was actually bleeding from his prong. I'm not sure how... I hadn't been yanking, and I've yanked it on my own arm quite hard and it's uncomfortable, but not sharp at all. Maybe the blood wasn't from the collar, I had clipped his nails that day, he could have scratched himself. But I got nervous either way. But seriously, to pull hard enough in a prong you'll bleed? What's wrong with you!? (We also were criticized by the trainer at Petco, apparently there is "No reason at all for a Springer to be in a prong" sorry lady you don't know our springer, and you just lost us as customers. If we come to you for help, don't criticize us.

We started to stop moving when he got ahead of us. This is working although it took Greg's patience the first few times, I don't have enough. The dog is supposed to realize you've stopped, look at you to see what's going on, then you can tell them to get to their position, or give them a treat when they do it on their own. Rams continues to pull while you stand motionless, as if he pulls hard enough you'll start moving again. Sometimes he goes up onto two feet, strangling himself at the same time. Other times he'll sit with the leash as tight as possible and stare at the sky watching birds. :Sigh: Thank you Greg for waiting him out and getting this started. He's getting better, but still highly distracted into pulling by smells, people, dogs, squirrels, birds, leaves, anything that moves....

Bad behavior 4) Demanding attention. If you sit in the only chair in the apartment, he needs up. If you say no, he tries again. I counted, 8 attempts in 20 minutes, alternating putting hi paws on you and crying at the door even though he just was outside.

We started ignoring him completely. Although he seems depressed it's working. He now can lay in his dog bed and sleep, or stare at the door waiting for a noise.

Sorry for my vent. You'll be happy to know, we enrolled in a new, positive, training class for Rams. It's an 'Attention & Distraction" class... We'll go as a whole family and see what we can do. Last night was the first night, successful, and we weren't the bad kid!

Road Trip USA

Many things have happened over the past few months that have deterred me from blogging and eventually blogging just felt overwhelming. However, a good friend of mine started a blog and although it has absolutely nothing to do with me, Ramsey, dogs in general, or anything about this blog... it gave me a push to get back to this. The next post will explain a little more about my lack of blogging motivation... This post however, will be fun.

At the end of October, Greg accepted a job across the country, in Oregon. We put the house up for sale, packed all our things, planned a 9 day cross-country road trip itinerary, and off we went, 3 weeks later. 

Stop #1: Chicago

We decided that we'd head North first, and stop a night near Chicago before heading west. My best friend lives in Chicago with her husband, yellow lab, and 'new' baby. The baby is only 'new' since I hadn't met him yet. At the time of our visit, he was 10 months already! They were nice enough to let us, and Ramsey, disrupt their usual routine and stay at their house on a semi random Sunday night. Rams and Baloo (almost) got along. Rams is definitely a provoker, and his chasing other dogs around apparently is not limited to dogs smaller than him. Baloo was a champ though and although there were a few teeth sitings, there was no blood shed. Good job boys!

Kelly was able to look past Ramsey's naughty side and love him all the same. Rams can't help but love those who allow him on their furniture!

Stop #2: Decorah, Iowa

We took a nice long walk along the Trout Run Trail. The paved trail runs 11 miles around the town (we only did a 2.5 mile stretch, out and back). The goal of our trek was to spot the Decorah Eagle family. A family of bald eagles that have made their nest along the route and been staying there for several years. 

 

We couldn't get the greatest view of the nest, but we did see this guy! 

Ramsey was equally excited to see a Hawk, and crows, and sparrows...anything with wings.

Stop #3: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

We walked around Falls Park for about an hour in the morning before heading out. The park was pretty, it had a slight smell of Goose poop though... could have just been the season! The park was deserted, partially because it was in the 20 degree range, and partially because it was 7:30 in the morning. The lack of people did let us take some nice pictures though! 

Rams, pondering all of life's questions while watching the falls.

I assume if Ramsey had a camera this would be a picture he'd have saved.

Stop # 4: Rapid City, South Dakota

We stopped just before Rapid City and visited the Badlands National Park. The park was more of a drive through and stop at the scenic areas. Each stop had a little path to an incredible view. Although every walkway said no pets.... Rams lucked out because we only saw a few other people who didn't seem bothered by his presence. Here's Rams loungin at the Badlands. (We probably should have left him there... Badlands for Bad dogs.... my frustrations will be detailed next time).

We spent two nights in Rapid City, which gave us an entire day to site see and relax without thinking about hours in the car afterwards. First destination was Custer park, amazing! We drove the 'Wildlife Loop,' they don't allow dogs in the park (out of the car) because they interfere with the animals who life there. After the drive... I was glad we stayed in the car!

Rams staring down the two ton Buffalo! What are you thinking little dog!?!? Luckily we noticed the Bison staring semi agitated at our vehicle and put two and two together. We had to swerve around a bit to get by, but I think he may have charged us down if we hadn't! 

Bye, bye Buffalo!

Next up was the Crazy Horse Memorial. The memorial was pretty cool, and the museums were great. However... we read that it was pet friendly. Unfortunately, the only part that's pet friendly is the look out deck. Ok, that would be fine... but they refused to let us buy lunch and eat it on the deck. They said if we wanted to eat on the deck we could go to the snack bar instead. Disappointed, we left. We get it if you're not really pet friendly, but don't advertise yourself as such. 

After we left Crazy Horse, we hit up Mount Rushmore. We knew Mount Rushmore was not pet friendly, and Rams was still pretty tired from watching the wildlife at Custer to mind staying in the car. (The Rushmore website does say that dogs are allowed only in the pet friendly area next to the parking lot, the parking lot is actually a parking garage... and we saw no grass, so I'm not sure what they were talking about!) On the way out, we did get a nice view that Rams could enjoy also. We pulled over and took full advantage!

Stop # 5 Bozeman, Montana

We didn't stay in Bozeman very long, but we did look up some nearby trails and chose this one to hike on. Traveling with a dog limits what you can do, but also forces you to get in a lot of parks and walks!

Rams enjoyed a bit of snow.

Stop # 6: Spokane, Washington

We went to Riverfront park in the morning before we  headed out. 

Huge red flyer wagon.

Incase you didn't notice Ramsey up there.... Yes, he took a ride in the wagon.

Rams met Ram.

Enjoyed the River view.

Stop # 7: The Dalles, Oregon

The Dalles, is right on the Columbia river (the border between Washington and Oregon). We just spent the night there, and didn't do too much exploring. It was raining, which was a sure sign we ere getting close! A little bit outside the Dalles is Multnomah Falls. We stopped there to hike around a little bit despite the rain. Might not look familiar in this picture but part of the Twilight movie was filmed here.

Family photo!

After Multnomah, we headed 'home.' Not without stopping at Voodoo doughnuts in Portland, and then an outlet mall about 45 minutes outside our final destination. Even though we wanted to get in, we had no reason to rush. Our furniture or things wouldn't be delivered for a week! (That's another story).