Redirection Tease Play…
December 26, 2009
…is one of the techniques I’ve developed, to help rehabilitate dogs with confidence problems and other noise, dog or people phobias. This method allows me to directly interact with them in a language they understand, at the same time, desensitize them from their fears. In the dog world, there is no such thing as comforting, it actually…
If you would like the rest of the blog, along with a link to a video showing you how to use “Redirection Tease Play” on your dog. Use the comment form below and tell me a little about your dog and their behavior situation.
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
Hey,
My dog is 8 months, we got him at 6 months, and he’s not doing well in cars – it would be nice to know how to praise him when he’s in the car without encouraging him to think that it’s ok to be scared/unhappy. we’re working on it, and go places he enjoys going – the park, the vet (yes… strange, i know, but he loves it there), or to houses where there are other dogs to play with. We’ve also taken him on rides in the car with other dogs in the car who really enjoy car rides (and he’s seen them jumping into the car, happy, excited, etc. He gives our cars a wide circle when we’re passing them to go on walks, and getting him to jump into the car on his own ( he is an aussie doodle – a standard poodle mix, and about the same size as a lab right now) takes a very long time, if it happens at all. i’m planning on trying your car method, but wanted to know the information in this article, so that we can incorporate the distraction play while he’s in the car, and not just make him feel more nervous of cars.
thanks.
Hi Alex,
You can use quick praise when your dog responds correctly to training, or use just a toy or treat as reward. Once he is acclimated to the car and there are no signs of nervousness , then there are just the normal training guidelines to follow and tease play doesn’t apply. You can hug and pet normally. Hope I’ve answered your question.
Hi Robert,
My 1.5 y.o. lakeland terrier doesn’t have much opportunity to socialize with kids, since we don’t have any of them in the family. As much as I can, I take him to children’s playgrounds to just expose him to the sounds and energy of kids. He’s generally good with kids, except when it comes to a few situations. 1) When an unsure / nervous / hesitant child approaches him; 2) when a kid suddenly freaks out and starts screaming and running away from him; and 3) when kids get super-excited and run around or wrestle in front of him.
I’m sure his young age and terrier breed makes him predisposed to be highly reactive to excited situations which in turn makes him go out of control. But, I believe that his lack of exposure to little kids also makes him act out of insecurity and perceive the kids as threat to his safety.
I hope this training can help increase him confidence or make him feel more safe around kids. Any other advise on how to socialize him to kids will be much appreciated!
Hello,
Sounds like you need a kid wrangler . There are of course things to do, but you might be better off calling a local trainer to help you through the whole process.
Kind Regards
Greetings Robert,
We have a collie who hasn’t stopped grabbing hands, sleeves, pants, feet, etc. It seems to go along with the herding instinct and although it usually isn’t a hard grab, I’m having a tough time ending it. We’ve tried “time outs” in the crate, yelping and the big, angry “NO”.
We live on acreage where he can run, and he enjoys running after my son (esp. when son is on a bike). Great exercise, but I’m wondering if it isn’t what has made the issue so tough to undo.
Thanks for your thoughts on this.
Hi Nina,
Sound like your collie has lot’s of room to run. It’s always good to start a relationship with a local “Dog Friendly” trainer, that way, the advice given will be custom to your situation. With that said, if the things he is allowed to grab are in his mouth, then he can’r grab the things mentioned above. Take care