Grisha Stewart Seminar: Saturday Learning’s

by Christy Caplan | September 10, 2016

I’m using this pic as an example of displacement behavior – since Walter is sniffing while next to Bruisy – saying – I’m no bother Brui!

Don’t you want to hug him!! It’s actually not a great idea as we’ve learned but I’m having fun with this “holiday” 

National Hug Your Hound Day is September 11, 2016

“National Hug Your Hound Day was created by Ami Moore, author and Canine Behaviorist.  She would like for our dogs to be accepted in more places, especially public ones such as taxis, malls and restaurants and to appreciate the companionship our dogs give us and the value of it, both emotionally and physically.” -So! I’ve decided to share some key learning’s from the seminar I attended today… Trainer, Grisha Stewart was in Portland today for a two hour seminar. These learning’s all would embrace what Ami Moore was striving towards. Although, I want to emphasize that this “holiday” celebrates something that your dog likely doesn’t love. Although I do sneak in hugs every once awhile! Refrain from this though – this is a dog behavior article!

Grisha’s training style focuses on using clear communication and empowerment to teach behavior that improves the quality of life for everyone in the family, including the dog(s).

Here’s what I learned today: Basic needs of dogs include these categories (safety, reproduction, choice & control…) so I’ll go into detail on these…note that this seminar was focused on dog trainers, dog walkers, vets, vet techs as the audience. So these tips below are issues that occur if they are not getting these basic needs.

Safety – a basic dog need

• Have you heard about “below threshold?” — this is where your dog is happiest – Sherm is below threshold when sniffing, happily on a walk and before he reaches “threshold” which is before he reacts! This is a good term to know. When Sherm is over threshold he no longer accepts treats and is in what I call the “red zone”. More in part two about Grisha’s BAT techniques at a high level.
• If you run a play group – make sure to keep a safe place available – “a virtual fence” is how she described it… for dogs that need a break
  • TIP: dogs should be released in waves  — release the shy dog first and then let the dogs tag each other into the group!

Clear & Control – when they feel out of control…

• Take in food and water – resource guarding “I want to keep my food bowl from you.” We fix this by saying when I show up magical things happen to you. TREATS!! Invite them to bring you the object and reward them. Use something greater or of equal value but stick to the category of what they’re guarding (toys, food objects, bones).
• Environmental enrichment: if they don’t have this –it can lead to destructive behaviors (we all know this!)
• Social Interaction: making sure they don’t socialize with their same three friends. (This is something I struggle with since my dogs are reactive with other dogs… I’m considering what to do about this).
• New habits replace old ones: what triggers the old habit? teach them that the trigger is for a different behavior -e.g. teach them if they jump to sit, then when they’re given a jump up signal, they are taught to sit instead
  • Old habit: running away – running to you works too! Teach a new habit…
  • Stop practicing “running away” when called: only call if the dog comes or Long Leash with harness, fenced yard or stretching the rubberband (I love this!). That emotional rubber band is the emotional distance between you and your dog – it’s demonstrated by the distance your dog will go before he checks in or returns to you on a hike. What is this distance? Do you know what it is with you dogs? When they come back to you – TREAT!

REACTIVITY IS A HABIT:

• TIP: Scatter food when you walk out the door – if they leave the house barking, biting, fleeing, lunging… (I will be trying this as Walter tends to walk out the back door barking – just since he knows the neighbor’s dog has been out).

Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) is what Grisha specializes in. I will post about this second part of the lecture in a PART TWO post. I”ll post about these techniques next week…

• Leash Skills
• Set-ups in enriched environments
• Survival Skills (crossing the street…)

Resources:

• www.grishastewart.com 
• Her Facebook Page
• “How many dogs” – Deb McMullen

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