ACADEMY WEEK!!!

 I do love academy weeks! As much as they are physically and mentally draining (read "exhausting") they are also rejuvenating and exhilarating for me. I love the Level 1 (Basic Dog Training and Behavior) weeks because I get to meet new trainers and make new connections. I love the upper-level academies too; it's great to see familiar faces and continue our work with the training and behavior professionals and volunteers (and the occasional very dedicated dog guardians) who keep coming back to us for their ongoing learning.

This week is a Behavior Modification Academy. We encourage students to bring their own dogs so they can continue on with the work we've started after they go back home. (No, sports fans, behavior modification doesn't generally happen in 6 days...<G>). And because several staff members of Frederick County Animal Control have attended one or more of our academies, we are confident that they can continue the work that their dogs have started here. Win-win!!

So this week we have quite a variety of dogs - a Pittie (Drako), and a Terrier mix (Scampi) from FCAC, and a Lab (Julian), a Golden (Gody), a Retriever mix (Josie), another Pittie (Miss Honey Biscuit - GREAT name!), an Aussie mix (Indie) and a Sheltie (Hamish) who came with their own humans. Wonderful variety!!!

It usually takes the first day for everyone to decide on the protocols they think they will be implementing with their dogs for the week. Then we have a day or two of trial-and-error as they experiment with the protocols they selected, abandoned the ones that don't seem to be working, pursue the ones that are, and add new ones as they go along. It's a week of fluidity and shifting sands.

So far, Drako and Scampi are working on resistance to handling - they were both not-fond of having their feet and mouths handled during their assessment at the shelter. Drako's trainer, Natalie, is focusing on counter conditioning and desensitization (CC&D) to touch, and some Bucket Game, while Scampi is learning to do the chin rest, and also doing some CC&D with Emily. (https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/counter-conditioning-and-desensitization-ccd/ and https://k9infocus.com/chin-up-teaching-a-strong-solid-chin-rest-behavior/ )

Indie has some Stranger Danger issues - she's not bad as long as Patrick is holding her leash, but gets quite concerned if he hands her leash to someone else, especially if the try to lead her away from him. He is doing some CC&D, as well as using Leslie McDevitt's Super Bowl Pattern Game. (https://www.dogcrazylady.com/post/pattern-games )

Gody has barking challenges. Originally perceived as demand barking, we also have decided that there may be a strong element of stress involved (Gody was allegedly a street dog in Turkey). Nedra is teaching him Dr. Karen Overall's "Breathe" protocol and then will work on helping him relax on a mat. Just as we have realized that behaviors like jumping up and crate vocalization are often about stress and we need to address the stress rather than just removing our attention and ignoring the dog, so is the case with a lot of what has been labelled "demand barking." The dog is most often not just being a "pushy brat" - but more likely has needs that aren't being met. (https://www.dogsmith.com/ds/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Dr-Karen-O-Protocol-for-Teaching-Your-Dog-To-Take-Deep-Breaths-and-use-Bio-Feedback-as-part-of-Relaxation.pdf )

Okay - that's half our academy canine and human students - time to skedaddle over to the training center and get to work. I will share the other 4 dogs with you tomorrow. As my good friend Lisa Waggoner would say... "Make it a GREAT DAY!!!"