First time with a behaviourist

[Santaspelvicfloor]

My JRT snapped and bit someone last week. It happened when postman called and I couldn't pick him up (recent surgery) to stop him getting to the door. Friend tried to catch him and he bit them :(

I've booked an appt with behaviourist as his anxiety over the postman and also me leaving causes a snarling fury each time. Otherwise he is the sweetest gentlest lad going.

Behaviourist has suggested food as a reward but he's intolerant of almost all treats (history of pancreatitis) and also not a dog that accepts treats. He's ambivalent about food.

So I'm to remove his toys and starve him for 24 hrs before he is seen in order that he might accept some kind of reward...otherwise it can be hard to do reward based training.

Just wondering if there is anything I can do to make the appt go as well as can be

About to go out if I don't reply... I will later

Treats don't have to be dog food. Tiny bits of roasted chicken will work.

But surely the training is to be ongoing, and always reward based? You can't starve him forever. Sometimes if they are fed kibble then this could be given as rewards throughout the day other than actual meals I suppose...

Interested to see what she says. I think she needs to see him as he is every day in order to assess him and go from there, so probably no preparation as such from you.

Would he accept plain chicken as a treat?

The reward doesn't have to be food - that's why you've to remove toys as well, it can be a toy or a game.

What foods can he have ok?

He loves chicken but gets pancreatitis. Tbh almost anything out of the ordinary can trigger the gut issue. Equally he used to have chicken with no issue. Two episodes of pancreatitis have made me possibly over cautious. I'm tempted to do chicken anyway.

He likes toys but doesn't play if offered. He offers them up when he wants to play. (Highly strung dog obviously!!!)

Chicken breast without the skin, or flakes of white fish, are ideal gentle treats for dogs with pancreatitis. You only need a pea-sized piece because they smell so good :)

Thank you. I hadn't really considered the ongoing aspect of this so whatever I do has to be feasible long term. He loves squeaky balls but destroys instantly so I might buy him one as one reward.

Are his toys always around for him to pick up whenever he want? If so, that's why you need to reward them. If they're not a freely available resource, they become more valuable.

Definitely build on the squeaky ball love. We had a dog that loved squeaky balls but killed them instantly. We bought one that was 'ours' and she only got to play with it as reward when she'd done something extra good. She was so keyed into it, she used to be ecstatic if we just let her prod it with her nose to make it squeak and if it so much as made a tiny noise in my pocket she was back at my side in an instant. It was only so desirable because it wasn't freely available.

That's my main plan now moose. I feel a bit more hopeful having decided on a toy which captures his attention quickly.

Brilliant man.

Instant result and if we keep up the activity I am sure we will get control of the behaviour. Hard work and persistence but worth it.

We used treats as that seems to be the simplest way (time will tell bowel wise ) and have some house rules. Usual stuff of no attention when leaving the house. Ignore on entry. Affection on our terms. Lots and lots of priming him with reward behaviour for sit, stand, bed just so he learns that instinct of good behaviour = reward. Change of diet and a spray (just air but a loud hiss) which reinforces the No command should he fail to respond. Limit that though. Plus he wears a house lead so that he can be coaxed to bed on command if he ignores the command.

He was a different dog after just one hour but I can see how he can be a different dog in another hour if we don't persist

Oh jeez, sorry but a decent behaviorist would NOT ever, NEVER recommend an air spray or the word no. They just wouldn't. They also would NOT tell you to ignore your dog when you come in.

The air spray could make the problem WORSE. Don't do a thing this bloke said. The dog training industry is totally unregulated and you have found one giving very outdated and potentially dangerous advice.

I am going to post this so I don't loose it then come back with some links for you so you can find a properly qualified professional.

Association of Pet Behaviour Councellors
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Pet Professional Guild
institute of Modern Dog Trainers
coape.org/ Centre of Applied Pet Ethology]]

Out of these you should find someone. I am so sorry you stumbled across one of the bad ones

Sorry I agree with Lilcamper.

Just out of interest, what qualifications/degrees does he hold? A lot of numpties call themselves "behaviourists" and it's very naughty unless they've got the relevant training.

Using treats and rewards is a good thing btw but a lot of what you mention sounds very rank reduction/dominance based which is very outdated advice.

He is ex police dog handler. I did have a funny feeling that my post would be pounced on and I'd be told it was all wrong.

It worked tough. It really did. All calm. No shouting. Dog was like putty

He came with huge recommendation from the vets and other owners

Just to say that while i completely agree that air sprays are totally unnecessary (why on earth would you use that to treat an anxiety problem?) it is entirely possible that a decent behaviourist may advise ignoring a separation anxious dog on your return. Giving attention on your return is highly reinforcing and is usually rewarding to the dog. If your return is boring and perfunctory then it's less rewarding.

The police, until very very recently, trained their dogs using dominance and fear based techniques, lots of aversives and were generally extremely harsh.

No he definitely did not advocate dominance or aversion. It was reward based. The spray was because frankly when he's beside himself yapping nothing will get his attention. Two sprays in and not needed again. It was not sprayed at him. Just a noise behind trainers back. He said it would probably be barely needed but useful if he does revert back to the uncontrolled barking and leaping.

Dog's attention was captured as I say on 2nd procedure and it wasn't used again.

Most vets are not experts in behavioural issues, most ex police still use outdated methods. I very much doubt he will have any reputable, recognised qualifications.

Scaring your dog into compliance with 'no' and air sprays will appear to work in the short term but it is dealing with the symptoms of the behaviour and not the causes. Your dog is likely fear reactive, suppressing his reactions without addressing the cause is effectively going to create a ticking time bomb without a timer.....it could go off at any time, in the presence of anyone.

For your dogs sake, please don't listen to this man and find someone in the links I posted above.

He said what you said deathbylaundry that attention reinforced and rewarded. Ignore for 15 mins

Possibly my post mislead and emphasized the spray. The emphasis was on the priming with rewards to get the dog to realise good behaviour = reward. The spray broke a cycle.

The dog actually appeared very happy rather than scared. I'm very in tune with him. So was the trainer. He stopped with one activity when the dog appeared to feel overwhelmed. Lots of reassurance and a calm lad when he left us.

Why was your dog jumping around and barking? Was he excited?

Local search and rescue teams use him as well.

Defending the home against attack (doorbell)

An air spray IS an aversive and if the man doesn't acknowledge that then he's either lying or he doesn't understand what he's talking about.