The Spaniel Annals

Yesterday Gael made a major transition in her training.  It might sound like a little transition, but not to me and Gael!  In the past several months, Gael has developed a phobia about training at shopping centers.  I routinely train at places like outlet malls and shopping strips because they provide distraction and usually have a covered walkway (great in the Northwest rain).  Up until Gael first’s season, she was bold and confident in these venues.  Perhaps she wasn’t always so focused, but she was a baby.  Then all of a sudden, without any trigger that I know of, these shopping centers became places of danger for her.  She wouldn’t be able to concentrate, her tail would be tucked, and she’d shiver and try to bolt.  Obviously this was not only worrisome and inhibited any training with her, but it was also dangerous.  One time she broke the lead when she tried to bolt.  Fortunately she ran into a grassy area and I was able to call her to me.  Once this fear period started, I had to completely revamp my goals for her in these venues.  There were sessions when I simply sat with her, feeding her when she relaxed, and letting people pet her. It was great for my Starbucks addiction, but we weren’t getting any actual training done. 

Yesterday morning showed a dramatic improvement.  Why?  I have no idea, other Gael maturing.  With the help of big chunks of hot dog and a foxtail (yes, a real one), Gael played, did fronts, and heeled, all with enjoyment and much improved focus.  She never got into that “fear zone” I’ve been seeing.  I also made sure we stopped training before that zone hit, so our little session lasted maybe 5-7 minutes. 

I remember seeing on an obedience yahoo list recently the dangers of using too much luring with food.  However, I also can hear the voice of Terri Arnold in my mind from a long-ago seminar, saying, “Do whatever it takes to get the dog’s attention.  Whatever it takes!”  The context was young dogs in new venues, and she wasn’t referring to corrections, only to the motivators used.  That was my mantra yesterday, and will be for the next several weeks as we continue to build on Gael’s new-found confidence.