Walk the Walk

Cookie's photo by Susan Sandstrom Wagoner

We hate to admit it, but there is a dark side of us, one that we hate to reveal to the world, that we simply don’t walk our dogs as much as we should because it’s too unpredictable.  Our angel, the light of our life, the center of our universe, the perfect pooch that so deserves everything her (or his) heart desires has the ability to embarrass and humiliate (or even injure) us at the site of a squirrel, another dog, or (heaven forbid) a jogger.  If we are honest with ourselves, we have routes that we avoid in our neighborhood because that “Other Dog” that lives behind the fence, the one that sends our little sweetie to the moon, is always in his backyard whenever we walk past. 

Many of us experience this difficulty with our own dogs, but how many shelter volunteers and Good Buddy humans experience similar issues when walking our Good Buddy dogs?  How many dogs would be more “adoptable” if they only knew how to better walk on their leash and not be so reactive to other dogs?  How many dogs just don't get walked because it's difficult or nearly impossible, based on how they react to other dogs?  The solution is as amazing as it is surprising …

Caliber would love a Good Buddy.  

The next time you are headed out with your Good Buddy dog, pack his or her very favorite, irresistible bag of treats.  If it’s bacon, make it little pieces of bacon.  Lots of them. If it’s hot dogs, make it little pieces of hot dogs.  If it’s steamed carrots (yes, steamed carrots), then steam ‘em and pack ‘em.  It’s called currency -- find the dog’s personal currency and use it to your advantage.

As you are approaching that dreaded, forbidden location of the “Other Dog,” transform yourself into a Treat-Giving Machine.  In the beginning, your Good Buddy is naturally going to exhibit the reactive behavior that you are trying to correct, but that’s OK.  Don’t correct or react, don’t praise, just keep cranking out the Very Yummy Treats.  You’re just trying to get the dog’s attention and teach your Good Buddy that walking past the Other Dog is going to be connected to the Very Yummy Treats.  Keep walking and as you clear the sight of the Other Dog, stop showering the Very Yummy Treats.  Do it again tomorrow, and do it again the next day. Sooner than later you are going to notice that your Good Buddy isn’t reacting to the Other Dog.  He is going to start anticipating the Very Yummy Treats, and his attention will begin to focus on You.  Hallelujah!  Give yourself a high-five … you did it!!!!  Don’t stop, though … keep doing it, over and over again and gradually withdraw the Very Yummy Treats as the behavior becomes more automatic. 

Visit Sasha at the Shelter.

Once a behavior is learned by a dog, he will begin to just do it, without the incentive of the Very Yummy Treats. Expect your Good Buddy to excel, let your body language show him that you know he can do it. He will have days that are better than others, but learning is a journey, and we are in it together. 

After you have had a chance to try this technique, please leave a comment and give let us know how it worked for you.  Happy Walking!