Tommy News

Sorry if I am boring some of my readers.  I am totally Tommy obsessed though:)  I love behaviorally challenged dogs, and I like dogs not that behaviorally challenged.   So far, it seems that Tommy belongs in the normal, excitable, energetic for a four year old, but has not received the full training needed group.  Publicly in exciting environments, he is going to be a bit more of a challenge as his owners described (most likely, today is the day).  

In my home, I have observed a few things that point to the issues in public.  Nothing at all alarming to me, and what I would expect in most newly rescued dogs.   That is how I treat my adult canine clients when they come, as if they were MY recently adopted adult dog from a rescue.  So not much is taken for granted as far as their temperament or their knowledge of how to interact in our different world.

The things that I have observed:

• Owner had reported much excitability at the door when visitors come.   I bring Tommy out when certain daycare guests arrive, and have observed a slight "woofing".   So in our training, we are also in the process of training for a relaxed and confident sit before greeting guests.  That has meant that Tommy has not been able to go for a pet and greet yet which is his motivation.   When he gets more comfortable and stops the "woof" we will allow guests to get closer until a calm pat can happen from a seated position.
• Related to above, Tommy loves both human and canine contact, at least with those he knows.   It has not been an overly long process to introduce Tommy to new canine friends.   We do go through a preliminary greeting process and protocol first. 
• While Tommy does love human contact, I see a couple of territorial and protect behaviors in him (see woofing).   Very similar to my Dobermans.   Just a matter of Tommy understanding that I do not need his help in this regard.    So this is the reason for training excellent sit stays to teach him this, and also proper greetings of guests.  Nothing over the top or alarming, just things that need to be trained so no misunderstandings happen on the part of the dog.  An owner or handler needs to be able to somehow communicate to a dog, when they feel danger is near, that there is no danger present and they can relax.
• Tommy has done very well on longe line training  (this article features Lola who is a bolter.   to see a non bolter like Tommy on days 4-8 see this longe line video featuring non-bolting Hoobie) to date, but does display a lack of knowledge of correct walking when the leash is on.  Much of the training done now is to teach Tommy the concept that bolting to the end of the leash or reacting while the leash is on is not what is being looked for.
• Tommy loves training.   He loves it so much that when I am training a dog, he tries to join in.   He isn't that far in the training process to know exactly what we may be doing, but he tries to copy it:)  Very cute and an excellent sign.
• Tommy tries to mimic a lot of what Leon and his other friends do.   When we go out in public, we may take some of them along so that Tommy feels a bit more confident and can observe their behavior in public.
• Tommy can be mouthy when he gets excited.   A sign that he may deflect on me later when we go out in public.   Blue-jeans and knowledgeable leash handling skills will allow me to get away with some slight bruising if that happens.    When the dog gets more comfortable and trusting of you and his environment (and assuming you act appropriately when the deflecting happens) this usually takes care of itself shortly.  It may not happen at all, assuming that a bit of a distance will allow Tommy to acclimate himself as we get closer and closer to other "strange" dogs.  (NOTE:  I SHOULD DO AN ARTICLE IN THE FUTURE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT CAN DECREASE CONFIDENCE IN A DOG WHEN THE ENVIRONMENT CHANGES TO UNFAMILIAR.  RIGHT NOW THIS IS BECOMING THE "SAFE" PLACE TO MEET DOGS)
• Tommy can get jumpy and pushy as well when excited:)   He is such a young acting four year old.   As far as I am concerned, this is excellent because it most likely means he is pretty physically sound.   This sort of energy works well with training also.   It takes a fair amount of energy for a dog like this to mentally learn and absorb new things.  This works well for the both of us.
• Tommy is very eager to please.   He eats up the praise better than he would treats, I believe.  
• Regarding above, it's obvious that Tommy is food motivated though, LOL.   He's not obnoxious about it, like my Boris.   When the stove is on though, he is following us around.   He has not shown the least bit of food aggression yet, and I don't really expect him too.   You do always have to look out for the behavioral bends though.
• Tommy likes toys.   The very first couple of days, I was trying to decide if Tommy was resource guarding the toys.   He has gotten a lot more confident in these few days, and it seems like playing with other dogs trumps toys for him.   He didn't do anything horrible the first few days, except growl a bit at dogs coming towards his toys.   He does not do that now, but still tries to "win" sometimes if the toy is thrown.   In winning, he is a bit like a bull in a china shop.   I have noticed when the other dogs walk away at that, he looses interest in the toy and wants to play with the dogs.   His toy play seems to be evolving into an understanding of sharing = playing with dogs and toys:)  This is good.
• Tommy, like many in the terrier or pit bull categories, makes funny noises, especially when excited.  To people unfamiliar with these dogs, this can seem scary to them.   Another reason to train Tommy to be confident and obedient when out in public.  
• I would note expect that Tommy would be any kind of serious fighter.  Tommy, I think, gives a good "game" face when he is unsure of something.   Judging from his backing off skills when playing with others, he is more concerned that another dog may harm him than wanting to really start something with another dog.  (NOTE: ARTICLE SHOULD COME OUT SOON ON WHY DOES MY DOG DO THAT ON LEASH?)  So I am guessing that when out in public, and under the "safety" of a leash that will pull him back, he's saying loudly "Get away from me, I don't know you.   Look how impressive I can look".  However, Tommy doesn't seem the sort that could actually back it up if he needed to.   He really just wants to get along, but does not always trust the other dogs attentions or his handler/owner's ability to protect him.
• Tommy does possess a bit of prey and chase drive (understatement LOL).  With other dogs, this can look aggressive, but he is just playing in an over the top way.   Training will allow us to recall, let's go, or sit stay him before he barrels into or tackles somebody.   The only problem with this type of play (besides accidental injury of tendons) is the misunderstanding that will come particularly in a dog that does not know him well yet.   Or even in one that does know him but simply does not like to be tackled.
• Tommy is a poker, and sometimes a nose nudger.   He pokes with his paws when he wants to play with a dog.   He nudges with his nose when he really would like a pat.   You just need to be sure the other dogs are used to a poker before letting a poker do that over and over.    This is another thing that some dogs aren't used to, and therefore can be taken the wrong way.

Tommy is an excellent dog.   He is becoming such a great friend to my dogs and visa versa.   He just needs some rough edges smoothed out, it would appear.   Some of my opinions of the above might change over time, and that is something we sometimes call the behavioral bends.   Or just considering something that does not prove to be the case once you try it out.   

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