Chance's pH results!

After three weeks of practicing (with clicker training), I was able to get a sample of Chance's urine to be tested for his pH levels.

See, when we used to try and get Chance's urine, he would just stop peeing.  He wanted to mark, but a glance at hubby, Mark and I behind him would make him clam up.

So I used clicker training when we were walking and would just bend down like I was going to collect.  Click and reward.  Did that for a while and then started doing it while he was going.  Click and reward.  Then I finally added the collection tub.  Bingo!  Piece of cake.

Took in the sample, had it tested and I am proud to say that Chance's pH level is at a 6!!  To compare it was at an 8 about three months ago.  All our hard work paid off.

Now that we are out of the danger zone, we can slowly add items back into his diet to see if they upset the balance of his pH levels.  This also means that Chance's pH levels were high because of the food he was eating and not something more serious.  GOOD NEWS!!

We won't do anything for a while.  I think for safety reason we will keep things as is, but when we feel he's ready we can try a piece of chicken of something.

It may not seem like much, but we have been worrying about this since late fall or so of last year.  It is a relief and a great weight lifted off our minds.

Thanks for cheering us on with Chance's diet and keeping us strong!

It's the simple things

It had been a long couple of days.  A friend of ours had died at the beginning of the year and we helped with the cleaning out of the house.  It left me depleted and empty as his death was now more final.  I found myself angry with my life and life in general.  I was almost shaking I was so angry and disappointed.  I started talking to God and voiced my feelings, in a list, of what was bothering me the most.  I didn't get very far when Brut sat in front of me and stared into my eyes with a look that said, but you have me and you have the only Brut there is. 

And he was right.  I had the only Bruter on the planet right at my feet.  My awesome heart dog who understood my feelings when no one else did.

All he was asking in return was a little quality time together and preferably with treats. 

Simple tricks, touch, give me five, eye contact for saying his name.  Nothing fancy or rowdy fun, just simple time together.  We did them several times until bedtime.

That was all Brut needed.  And Brut was all I needed to remember life wasn't so bad because I had a Brut that no one else had and he was all mine.  Life doesn't get any better or more simpler than that.

How to Make Reindeers

A few of you asked how I got the dogs to sit still.  There's about a five second span when that happened and I had to have the camera ready to shoot.  In real time here's how long it took to to get those pictures of Chance and Blaze with those darn antlers we humans think are so cute, just to have a cute Christmas Card for the holidays.

Or watch on YouTube

GET THAT NAIL!

 You'd better have a whole lot of treats to make up for this mess!

I am trying to clip Silver's nails.  I'm trying to use clicker training.  I pull out the clippers, right off the bat, and bring them straight over to her.  Then I try to touch a nail with the clippers while she shuffles her paw back and forth and out of the way.  All the while trying to clicker train and reward.  I try to catch a nail while feeding her treats one after another to clip a tip off.  She sits, she stands, she lays down, she doesn't know what to do except get the food while she can.   I'm so flustered, I'm clicking and rewarding when she pulls away and ignoring her when she does something good.  The whole thing is a confusing mess and every training session goes like this and I can't figure out why.  This time though I'm watching myself and besides thinking this is crazy, I realize I don't know how to do something new with Silver that involves clicker training.  Which may sound a bit weird, but really I have so little behavior training I have to do with Silver that I don't know how to do it on her.  This is when I also see I'm trying to have her be friends with the nail clippers to clipping a nail all in one shot.  I know, it sounds horrible, doesn't it?  My poor girl!

So after our mass confusion session, I take my problem to my go-to dogs when it comes to behavior training, Chance and Blaze.  They are always the first to learn any trick or behavior issue and I practice everything one them first.  This is when I realize I have to start at square one with Silver and let her let me hold her paw for more than a split second.

This is what I practice with Chance and Blaze who will let me do just about anything and the two dogs whom I have the most compassion for because of the abuse they have been through.  It helps that they are even tempered and easy to work with and in the process they get yummy treats for something that is so easy for them as holding their paws.
 
Now I know how to start with Silver. SLOW! And we took that first step today.  Just holding her paw and clicking and rewarding.  No clippers, no confusion.  Just simple.

I think we finally both relaxed.

       FINALLY!

Two Walking Miracles

We came, we walked, we kicked some A$$!

Had a great walk with Brut tonight using his no pull EZ Walk Harness.  Man, I can't believe how great the harness and our training is working hand and hand.  I'm still using treats through the whole walk and learning how to utilize them even more to my advantage.  Now when Brut just gets to the end of the leash he automatically turns and I click and reward.  I've been clicking and rewarding for him walking by side and turning his head at me as well.  I can't believe how well this is working out.  If I hadn't taught Brut a mark point at the end of the leash, I would be pulling against him to turn, but this way teaching him that mark means he is turning on his own.  And when he does pull a little ahead or to side, he turns willingly when I tug on the leash.  It is better than I could have dreamed.

We have also been practicing when we pass dog houses I make him walk next to me by making a feeding tube out of my hands.  A handful of treats that he has to work for to get while still walking right along.  We have yet to encounter a loose dog in their yards, but I am feeling ready for the test.  I think we have got our routine down pretty solid and I feel confident when it happens if nothing else I will be able to handle it.

We did have our first encounter with a person walking down the road. I slowly reined in Brut who too busy at first taking treats to notice our neighbor.  Then the closer we got to each other, I grabbed a handful of treats, but didn't get enough, and as I chain fed Brut I was trying to make the treats last, but it was beginning to aggravate him.  Thriving on his body language as I grabbed more treats and just as the walker was across from us, Brut took the opportunity to move towards the man.  I felt it before it happened.  I tugged on the leash the second he flinched, then shove more food in his mouth and we passed without incident.

Finally she's catching on... 

IT. WAS. PHENOMENAL!!  I handle the whole situation with a calm, cool demeanor.  I was prepared and felt very collected.  It was an awesome feeling.  I used to make a big deal when people were around.  Brut would be at the end of the leash and when I saw people coming towards us I would reel him in next to me and hold the leash in a death grip.  One, because I am so nervous and self conscious around people that it would shoot my anxiety through the roof and two, because I was walking this powerful, aggressive dog and I didn't always know what he was going to do.  In fact most of the time I would just turn around in order to avoid the whole thing.  But this was the first time that I watched Brut encounter someone and not escalate with each step.  He actually stayed fairly calm and responded so quickly to my tug it was like a reflex that he took the treats.  It was fascinating to watch and be part of something I never thought would happen.  

Now I know running into a loose dog would create more fight response in Brut than a human and I know our day is coming, but running into the walker was great practice.  I think Brut is noticing a difference with me too.  Not only are my anxiety levels down and under better control, but we can walk further this way not fighting each other.

I have always been afraid of breaking Brut's spirit by hard discipline, which for a long time seem the only

way I could find in research of how to handle an aggressive dog.  And Brut is quite a strong willed dog.  I've been working this "out of love" angle for some time and this is the proof it is coming together.  I have given up with him so many times when it comes to leash training that if it wasn't for my body taking the brunt of his pulling, I may have never changed to this new way with the harness and clicker training.  It's an accomplishment for both of us on so many levels and I am so humbled to be a part of it.  It is truly an honor to work with this magnificent dog and watch him blossom to a higher state of mind than that which he started with 6 years ago.  I am so very, very blessed to have Brut, who has shown me over and over again that all things are possible with a little love and time.        

24 Paws Mission

Brut

Our goal here at 24 Paws of Love is to share our experience, strength and hope of living with six dogs in a unique situation of being separated into two packs.  By sharing this reality, we hope that people will give their dogs a second chance before getting rid of them because of behavior problems and find that simple hope of, if they can do, we can do it. 

Fiona

We also want to show that a dog is more than a dog.  They are life companions and they are a living breathing creature full of unconditional love.  There is a healing power in dogs that when you tap into it, you find they are your best friend and that there is a spirit and soul just waiting for your love. 



Chance

Simply put, we want every dog to have a forever home.  A home where they are loved and cherished as part of the family.  We'd like to share through our experience that this is possible.  Every one of our dogs has an issue or problem that needs work.   They range from simple training concerns to fear aggression with other dogs.  We don't have it all figured out as we continue to keep learning as we go, but we talk straight from the heart about these matters.  The division between the two dog packs adds to our complexity, but we continue to do our best to take care of both packs and their needs.  It isn't always easy, in fact it can be very difficult and trying at times, but the rewards out weigh those difficulties because our dogs are worth it.

Zappa

We hope that everyone who visits will take away a little piece of that love that they might look at their dog in a little bit different light.  We want to do more than just tell a story. We want to share our experience so that others hopefully will see the value of their dogs and shed some light on the reality of this relationship between humans and canines and what it can be.  There will never be any human that will be as devoted to you as your dog.  Doesn't that loyalty and love deserve a wonderful home to share it with?



Silver

Blaze

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Learning to WALK Chance!

If you read What's Your Weakness you might remember that Chance likes to pull me on a walk as if I were a sled.  When I open the gate out of the yard, it shoots out of it.  I have been working with him every couple of days or so and we are making GREAT progress. 

I started by walking him around the yard with his leash on, then I would unlatch the gate (without opening it) and click and treat if he stayed.  Then we would lap the yard, this way and that, then come back to the gate, which the wind had opened, I would make him sit, wait until he looked me in the eyes then would tell him to "walk".  We went a couple of feet out then turned around and came back to the front door.  Click and treat for "end of walk".  I continued to repeat this until we reached the end of the walkway in front of the house.  End of the night.

The next couple of times I repeated the above, unlatch gate, click and reward, then when the wind opened gate, continued walking out to the end of the driveway.

The last few times I unlatched the gate and opened it.  He sat there.  HE SAT THERE AND WAITED FOR MY CUE TO WALK!!!  I could have peed my pants I was so happy.  Chance is like a runner on the starting blocks who takes off at the sound of the gun when the gate opens and here he was sitting there not making a move and waiting for my command.  It was a fantastic feeling.  So I practiced this over and over while I keep going further down the road.  Always turning around, back and forth.  I noticed yesterday he was getting comfortable with walking by my side, going at my pace.  He had relaxed into it.  It helped that he was boosting my confidence and helping me to relax with him since we tend to feed off of each other.

Now instead of letting him pull at all, I'm stopping at the slightest twinge, which is HUGE for me.  I used to just let him do it then try to stop him when it became too much.  Yea, I know, makes a lot of sense.  I have always walked my dogs with tension on the line, and never corrected them.  Now I'm not tolerating any.  What a difference.  Not just for me but for Chance and understanding that, because he is responding well to it.  I'm seeing him make sure he stays at my pace, not getting too far ahead.  I'm using a heel position, but he has some play, he can still reach his head to the ground.

I am so impressed with myself for something I never thought I could ever do.  I have decided to just work with Chance at this time.  I would like to work with Blaze also, but she comes with a completely different set of rules that I don't feel as confident about yet.  I think just sticking to one dog at a time and building my confidence and skills is the best way to start.  What a wonderful feeling doing something I never thought I could ever do.  I love watching Chances reactions.  They are calmer and quieter, like he's able to gain control over himself.  What a beautiful feeling of watching two minds work together for a greater purpose.   

The Dog Behaviorist experience with Brut

This was playtime and isn't as awful as it looks, but I just love this picture of Brut on the attack!

When Brut was about a year and half old we took him to a dog behaviorist for his aggression.  This was before Blaze and  Chance came back and we only had the Back Dogs at this time.  The conflicts between Brut and the puppies, Zappa and Fiona had been increasing and I found myself not knowing what to do. 

This behaviorist was the only one within 100 mile radius.  After checking out her website, I didn't have a good feeling about her.  I wasn't sure what it was, just a gut feeling, but with our options limited, I tried to keep an open mind and went to the appointment anyways. 

For someone who deals with aggressive and problematic dogs she was extremely flighty and very nervous.  She practiced in "holistic healing."  None of this was specified on any of her forms or her website.  When my husband left to check on the puppies in the car, she started spraying Brut with a "calming" spray, without my permission.  Then she tried a different spray when my husband had to take a call, again trying to calm Brut.  This added to my suspicion about her motives.  She was trying desperately to convince my husband when actually it was me who was uncomfortable with her.

She also used the art of Reiche, which is a form of controlling the energy in a room and the people or animals in it.  She was trying to show Brut she was the one in control while trying to calm him down.  I have some knowledge of the art and did not approve of her using it on Brut.  Another method she used without my permission and almost without my knowledge.   

She went through the process of demonstrating "clicker training," and then discuss "Pack Leadership Training."  It was at this point that Brut was laying at our feet asleep when she kicked him on purpose to get his reaction.  This was the final straw.  I don't care what your practice or treatments are but kicking him for any reason was not acceptable to us.  I don't care how great she was or that she was the only one if the area.  We were never coming back. 

This is what we received for our time and money.   "Clicker Training" which I'd already been using on Brut since he was eight weeks old.  Pack Leadership Training which I'd also been using with the "Clicker Training"  A bottle of calming spray I've only used a couple of times with no results.

Brut handled the entire episode like a trooper.  He's never had any aggression with people, only dogs. She talked of a FOUR hour session to break his aggression with dogs.  We just let her talk.  We were still in utter shock at the fact she had kicked our dog.  A dog that had a rough beginning.  He didn't need that and we definitely didn't need her.  This is how we found ourselves on our own in helping Brut and the rest of the Back Dogs. 

I am now very cautious with any dog trainer/behaviorist.  I had to fill out pages and pages of questions before going to see this "specialist" and yet she didn't seem to take any of this information into consideration.  She didn't clarify her methods and did not ask for my permission to spray Brut or using the art of Reiche on him.  The fact that she kicked a previous abused dog was cruel, inhumane and beyond comprehension.  We are still shocked that it happened.  Just because someone claims to be a dog trainer or behaviorist does not mean they are the right one for you and your dog.  Test them out, ask them questions.  Don't assume that what is on their website or brochure has everything that is part of their training and evaluation.  Trust your gut.  If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.  When I saw her website, I knew something wasn't right.  If anything I should have investigated further.  We learned a valuable lesson from our experience.  No one knows our dogs better than we do and we've learned to trust our gut when it comes to them.

          

The Miracle of Clicker Training

Clicker training has got to be one of the most brilliant training techniques I have ever used.  Brut was still very young, hyper and driven with fear when I found this ad on the computer, telling me I could control and train any problem dog.  The ad didn't reveal anything about the method used, just that it could solve any dog problem.  I was quite desperate at the time and order it.  It was clicker training and it has been a life saver.

Chance is quite high strung and panics when there is a change in routine or something new.  Riding in the truck or car is high anxiety for Chance.  My truck is a single cab with a bench seat and Chance will whine and pace which can be dangerous.  We were taking a longer ride then normal the other day, I happened to have treats in my pocket and told him to sit,  then I clicked (I click with my tongue), and gave him a treat.  He instantly calmed down and focused.  I did this a few more times, he began to relax, sticking his nose out the window and watching the scenery go by.  Every so often on our trip whenever he was sitting or laying down, I would give him a treat for reinforcement for his good behavior.  The whole ride was like magic.  Just like that his fears and anxiety were taken care of.  Clicker training gave him the security he was looking for and he could rest assured there was nothing to fear.  I have heard of a book called, "Click to Calm," and even though I've never read it, I believe it is along these same principles.

Chance calm and chewing his bone

If I had any doubts and needed more confirmation on this wonderful technique.  Daddy came home and took Blaze with him for a ride.  Chance was bouncing all over the place and was an anxious mess, because he watched Daddy take Blaze and left him.  Chance has strong abandonment issues.  The whole house was actually in a raucous because they were all hoping for a ride with Daddy.  Normally when Blaze leaves with Daddy, Chance paces and races around outside and in the house, until he emotionally crashes. Remembering my success in the truck, I ask Chance to sit, then clicked and reward.  He was instantly at my feet.  He went from panic to calm in seconds.  I did this a few more times and then he grabbed a bone, laid at my feet and we watched TV.  Calm, relaxed and secure, it gave him a sense a of knowing what to expect.  I watched his fear and anxiety melt away and he became centered.  The wonders of this simple, effective technique are endless as I have begun to use them with Fiona and Zappa to stop harassing our cat, Boxer.  Just a couple of times in the last couple of days and the results have been fabulous.

Clicker training is more than just a treat.  It comes down to when you ask your dog to do something and they get it right, there is a reinforcement of understanding what they are suppose to do.  I have used it on all the dogs for basic training and when I'm teaching something new.  I am just starting to learn how to resource it in other areas, like anxiety and correcting bad behavior.  I'm beginning the learn how valuable this tool is and the possibilities that exist. My mind is already reeling on how it can be incorporated with bringing the two packs together.  Wouldn't that be something?  It is amazing to me how powerful and beneficial this approach is yet so kind and gentle.  I am simply impressed and would recommend it to anyone. 

What are your feelings on clicker training and have you ever used it before?

**24 Paws Favorites:  Paul Owens, "The Dog Whisperer" teaches clicker training and breaks it down into bite size pieces, making it even easier to learn.