Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Introducing Gigi, Case 1 History


A little something different for at least the next week, I am going to blog on an in-house case.

History:
1. General Information:

  • Dog's name is Gigi.
  • Her breed is mixed, owner thinks Lab/Doberman. It's hard to tell, sometimes her profile almost looks Great Dane to me, but from the front their are similar characteristics to a Doberman face, and the squareness of the jaw line could come from lab origins.
  • Thought to be about 4-5 years of age.
  • Gigi is spayed.
  • Socialization with other dogs and men has not been going so well. Also children are thought to perhaps be a problem for Gigi.

2. Health problems: None known of.

3. Problem behaviors: 1) Aggression to other dogs. 2) Wary of men. 3) Not trusted around children.

4. Goals and objectives of training program: Gigi is staying for one week, and a minimum of three weeks was suggested. Owners' would have a problem paying for the three weeks. Therefore are goals during one week are 1) to show improvement in handling and obedience around other dogs (and other general distractions, but a focus around other dogs) and 2) to concentrate on the let's go command and heel with auto sit during this week. Anything else that can be fit into the program, will also be fit in, but these are ambitious goals.

5. Length is one week board and train, and then coaching the owners on a go forward basis from there for three follow up lessons that are included in the board and train, and then hopefully a weekly obedience coaching program at a minimum of six weeks. It's really important to be able to show the owners what can be done in the one week time period in order to gain their confidence in their dog.

Board and Train has been suggested as owners have been battling with this for the last 8 months. We want a nice start to Gigi's training in the most effective and efficient way possible. It will be hard for the client's to get to the learning curve needed quickly, and meanwhile Gigi's behavior has been on a downward slide. So once we have a foundation instilled, it will be time to bring the owners into the training program.

6. Both written evaluation form, and in person consultation to view the behavior and client's interactions with Gigi.

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