Redirection Tease Play…
December 26, 2009
…is one of the techniques I use to help rehabilitate dogs with confidence problems or other noise, dog or people phobias. This method allows me to directly interact with them in a language they understand, without them thinking I’m approving of how they’re feeling. At the same time I’m desensitizing them from their fears. In the dog world- there is no such thing as comforting, If a dog becomes afraid of something there is never a time when another dog would hold it in its arms, stroking them telling them everything will be alright. We often humanize their thoughts and comfort them if we “think” they’re feeling hurtful emotions, but our comforting is doing more harm than good. Blog: Treat a dog like a dog. If dogs have fear of thunder, fireworks, people or dogs, it’s usually because of their owners. Yes initially they may have reacted to those things, but how the owners reacts to their reaction is the problem.
Rather than me explaining just how the technique is done, let me show you. First, I need to set up the clips. The first dog you’ll see is Duncan, a 4-month old German Shepherd, he gets terribly car sick. The car doesn’t have to move for him to start drooling excessively. These clips are not a “How to” cure your dog of car sickness or any problems you’ll see, it’s an example of how to use re-direction tease play when, a) You see your dog react negatively to strange noises or situations, or b) Using it as part of the rehabilitation process.
If you have a dog that gets car sick or has other phobias and you need help, you can contact me for a Skype lesson.
The second dog you’ll see is Chulo, a 6-month old white German Shepherd. He’s socialized with other familiar dogs in semi-large groups, but not around strange dogs or at this particular dog park. I noticed straight away he would snap at dogs if they came up behind him, especially the older more assertive (friendly) dogs. This technique will help him be more tolerant.
The Third dog is Freda, she has a very sweet face but has a few aggressive problems, she’s a 4-month old Kelpi mix who goes ballistic, screaming, biting, scratching and urinating if you suddenly try to restrict her movement either by holding her collar or just holding her. She will need a lot of re-direction tease play in many different scenarios. Since I’m living in Freda’s house, playing “Extreme doggie make-over” (Behavior modification edition) while the owners are away on holiday, I can focus a lot on using tease play to help cure her of – what I call ”restrictive phobia”.
Since I’ve been working on this blog, filming and working on Freda’s restrictive phobia problem, we had a break through, I’ve added a clip of Freda letting me grind her nails.
Note: You’ll notice how I never once say anything or pet (praise) the dogs I’m rehabilitating. Think “Dog whispering” . ”Petting” is interpreted as praise or approval.
Link to video: Redirection Tease Play
Hi. Robert. Always did like your methods of training. You always place yourself in the dogs mind and solve the problems from there. My dog Mitzi Jo wrote a children’s book that good for adults too. She explains doggy daycare and the dogs in it. I have an agent who is currently looking for a publisher. I think I could do about 5 books in the series. Our Blog about the book is http://www.campjeans.com/blog/ The welcome blog is from the book the other blogs are written in the style of the book text but are her current observasions. You can comment to Mitzi Jo if you want on her observations. You won’t hurt her feelings. In fact she does have one thing she can’t figure out. How come our Sheltie Foxy. only wiggles on her back on the carpet after her meal. It is every day and only at that time. We think it’s just a happy feel good thing. Kind of like a dessert to a human or a cup of coffee after dinner. are we right?
Thank you! is there any other way, other than looking at it through their eyes?
I was just talking to a client the other day telling him how I gave my Schnauzer “Schultz” away at a garage sale I had. My client asked how could I do something like that? and I said easy, it was the best thing for him, he was 10 years old and no longer enjoying being around the 4-6 month old puppies I was bringing home for training, and if he’s not happy, something has to change. I wanted the last few years of his life to be spent on someones lap, so they can spoil the heck out of him. Not that I didn’t spoil him when I had the chance, but for him, because of his age, it was no longer a great thing being the dog of a dog trainer. I just wanted to reward him for helping me with my success, and helping me train all the dogs that went through my program. He was a real trooper and gave more than I ever expected, it was time for payback. A Gentleman who was interested in buying a generator I had, he just looked at Schultz and said, “oh, what a cute dog”. without hesitation I asked, “would you like to adopt him? he’s housebroken (chuckling), I’m serious”. to make a long conversation short, we introduced Schultz to his wife. The love was instant and I felt very lucky to find a retired couple (close to my house) that did exactly what he deserved. spoiled him rotten until he passed 3 1/2 years later. I’ve never expressed any emotion regarding my dog Schultz, maybe this can be a blog? putting your dogs emotional happiness ahead of your own. Thats the sign a a true dog person.
Regarding Mitzi Jo, I think the scratching is just a ritualistic expression of contentment. Dog’s look forward to meal time and after they eat they can relax and clean themselves or scratch that area that needs scratching. You’re right, it’s a “Happy feel good thing”. Good luck with the book. All the best