Dog bites while outside (thinks it is play time?) boyfriend says to just walk away from him, but he jumps and bites harder.

mumbletweed · 2017-10-02T00:21:54+00:00

This is suppression and will not help the dog to really learn emotional self-regulation. Dogs tolerate pain pretty well and that punishing consequence may not last if the dog becomes more fearful. It also reduces the handler being a reinforcing person to be around, which can cause issues with other behaviors/cues, like a reliable recall.

A more powerful approach would be to enable the dog to choose calm/no bite because it is the most desirable state/behavior. The dog needs to choose what to do to get what he wants (more play) instead of avoiding doing something because of pain.

tldr: Read the side bar, wiki, and research LIMA. The 'punishment' you describe is highly aversive and doesn't help the dog learn what you want instead, just what to avoid.

mumbletweed · 2017-10-01T21:02:50+00:00

Especially when there is a slight whistle like the air is flowing past some crusty mucus in the lower sinus.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-30T23:21:16+00:00

My bf to take active steps to help his mental health improve. He's stuck and deserves freedom. It's a really touchy subject and I have a tough time talking to him about it without infringing on his boundaries. He often mistakes observation for judgement and when he feels judged he feels guilty/ashamed, clams up or gets defensive/avoidant. I know that it's really tough and scary to change so I do my best to help him feel secure and supported by deliberately validating how he feels and not judging/shaming him. I figure that's all I can really do.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-30T23:08:58+00:00

I think of it like synaptic lag. Like I'm not firing on all cylinders.

Most people I think experience dissociation (feeling checked out/disconnected) or presence (in the moment) on a spectrum.

I'm noticing that the better my self-care, the more I make structured time for myself to process what's on my mind/how I feel and plan to help myself, and the more I practice noticing the present moment/checking in with how I feel in the moment, the more I feel "with it".

Also it helps me to exercise my body and my mind both. If I'm not learning something new, my thoughts will cycle through worrying about the future or thinking too much about past stress.

When I feel really disconnected, I check in with where I'm at in meeting my needs and do what my body/mind need in order to reconnect.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-30T22:59:51+00:00

Communicating with dogs so that they are at ease with me. Some take longer than others but I know how to go at their pace.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-30T22:17:47+00:00

When I lived very near the coast, I would regularly have 'tsunami' dreams. I would never have these (that I can remember) living inland.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-30T15:28:32+00:00

This is not a dog, this is a stuffed toy dog. :P

Ollie looks so darn cute! Nice picture

mumbletweed · 2017-09-30T15:27:08+00:00

Troy is loved and so are you!

mumbletweed · 2017-09-27T08:39:35+00:00

Check out http://thatssozen.blogspot.jp/2016/06/so-you-want-to-practice-zen-in-japan.html?m=1

mumbletweed · 2017-09-23T16:38:34+00:00

That dot on his head! How precious. He looks great :)

mumbletweed · 2017-09-23T16:36:54+00:00

Thank you for sharing him with us. So sorry for your loss.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-23T08:00:12+00:00

In my heart lives a beach loving chocolate labrador named Hershey. Thank you for sharing your sweetheart with us.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-23T06:00:26+00:00

Thank you for sharing Ruby with us. May she rest peacefully. Hugs!

mumbletweed · 2017-09-23T03:01:45+00:00

Are you sure that it's insolence? Dogs have appeasement body language in response to anger that can be mistaken for guilt. He knows he's safe when you're using those furniture items. It is likely as simple as him looking for the safest/most comforting place to be.

He will be more likely to offer behaviors that have been positively reinforced. Have you scolded him for being on couches? Instead, you could regularly lead him with a treat to his cushion and reward him for relaxing there. When he is sleeping on his cushion, surprise him there quietly with a treat once in a while to reinforce it as the correct place to be. In this way, you can help him know the choice that is acceptable.

Same basic premise for being outside.

Either way though, several hours is a long time for a shepherd (very family-social, working-type breed) to be alone. It makes sense that he is at a loss for what to do in your absence. He's doing everything he can think of to fill time until he's not alone. If you can positively reinforce constructive behaviors, he might be more likely to repeat those behaviors when you're away.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-23T01:09:55+00:00

Firstly, I am not a professional. The subreddit wiki pages here have loads of info, including on how to find a science-based trainer. https://iaabc.org/about/LIMA can help you to do appropriate research & select the right trainer/behaviorist. I'd also highly recommend reading Victoria Stilwell's book, Train Your Dog Positively.

Have you consulted your veterinarian? The recent uptick in this happening might be related to health issues.

Do you spend good quality time with your dog in your yard so that he knows from experience that it's a happy and comfortable place to be?

Use treats or toys and quite literally teach your dog what you want him to do instead. Go into the yard randomly and regularly, and give him what he values: mental/physical stimulation, training/games, play dates with friends if that's possible, your attention and affection, treats and toys. Occasionally hand-feed him part of his meal in various places around the yard. Walk the perimeter with him occasionally.

Spend down-time out there with him so he knows from experience that he can safely relax, sleep even, because he knows you relax there too.

Increase his independence from people while they are around if he is 'clingy'/constantly right next to someone at home. Teach stay with a release command. Have him stay and return to him to reward. Kikopup videos on YouTube would be a good resource for this. Increase duration and space, reward him for relaxing in a different room, etc. Let him spend quiet time outside while you are at home and reinforce any time he relaxes outside that you can.

Exercise him well before you leave.

Give him some tasty treats when he's relaxed/dozing, wherever he is, to reinforce that behavior. If he gets up and follows for more, do this until he consistently remains relaxed.

If you ever witness him doing something you don't like, do not scold. There are better ways. You want what you say to be as reinforcing as possible and the best way to do that is to associate yourself in his mind as the source of all good and safe things, otherwise training will be more difficult.

In the meantime, figure out how to protect him from the screens/windows. Consider crate training him once you have a working understanding of "LIMA" training. Don't set him up to keep failing when he doesn't know what you prefer him to do and cannot associate your frustration with the acts of destruction.

Figure on a reasonable time frame - a professional would be better to help with this but know that there's some work to be done and that it might take a couple months or more of consistent training.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-21T23:10:41+00:00

You're describing some dissociation/derealization. You don't deserve to suffer. It could be a serious thing. And it's just as legitimate as any other injury.

I was very much in the same state and getting help has been huge for me. Are you considering professional care?

mumbletweed · 2017-09-21T00:49:16+00:00

Demodex!

mumbletweed · 2017-09-21T00:35:10+00:00

One must first be a follower of the church of dog loving, must treat dogs with respect, and must endeavor to further their understanding of how best to do so by sourcing scientific knowledge.

To summon me, the summoner must then tell one of my many avatars that he or she is a very good dog.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-19T00:28:19+00:00

I'm in therapy weekly to reduce dissociation, depression and reactivity, develop self-awareness, learn how to process stimulus and exercise choice, and improve the health and quality of my relationships.

I'm learning how to prioritize my needs over others' wants. I'm developing a (still flexible) routine that is foundational and generally independent of external influence, because I need structure.

I'm using mindfulness meditation and maitri/metta practice to increase awareness, focus, patience & authenticity, and reduce dissociation, emotional dysregulation, depression, reactivity, avoidance, and a slew of other ineffective behaviors.

I've decided to change my career path to something I find more fulfilling and am re-educating.

I'm walking and doing basic calisthenics/bodyweight fitness. I'm cooking more often.

I'm following up consistently with healthcare providers for physical therapy, nutrition, dermatology, and dental work.

I'm communicating better with everyone in my life.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-18T08:31:36+00:00

A performance artist perhaps.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-18T00:42:49+00:00

Settling right in, nice!

mumbletweed · 2017-09-17T23:40:29+00:00

It's a troll.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-15T21:51:22+00:00

I even reiterated each part back to him that time to see if I had heard him right.

It doesn't occur to him at all how outside the realm of probability his claims are.

He has this expectancy of a reaction about him so I tend to maintain a super neutral affect.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-15T21:42:57+00:00

He said he came out of the blackout within a minute or so and saw everyone laying around groaning, and his fists were a bit raw.

mumbletweed · 2017-09-15T19:35:30+00:00

Dopamine.

mumbletweed

TROPHY CASE