multiple trainers, multiple approaches, and the complexity of behavior.

Had a most engaging and impactful IBAC with these two and their "mom". Although their humans are well-seasoned dog raisers and companions, the guy on the left is proving to be quite a challenge... and also an excellent teacher.

The behaviors they're struggling with are: aggression, jumping on people, nipping, stealing food/ objects/ trash, excessive vocalization when alone, threatening visitors and strangers, threatening other animals, fearful, pulling on leash, excessive attention seeking, bullying, separation anxiety and destructiveness when alone, social anxiety, "selective hearing", and nervousness.

They've been through multiple trainers, have tried multiple approaches, and even medication (which is not an appropriate solution and is only altering his chemistry). Their latest training approach is very food-focused, and has had them redirecting and rewarding the dog with food when a dog walks by. The problem is, is that although it may seem relatively effective in the moment....these "moments" continue to happen, so they continue having to treat-pump and address them. And what happens when on a walk and the treat bag is forgotten at home?

There is a difference between "managing" unwanted behaviors, and actually decreasing and/or eliminating them. Dogs have the ability to make choices, to respond vs. react, but we've got to equip them. Meet their needs. Develop their self and world concept. Lead and guide. Advocate.

We're very particular in how we use food in our training, and - while it's great to use for teaching and encouraging something, it's not great for stopping and discouraging something. We cannot treat, avoid, redirect, or ignore behaviors away, as this doesn't address what's underlying them, and we also do not want responses to ever become food dependent... nor do we want people to become food reliant. Additionally, food tends to excite the brain in a lot of dogs, and the behaviors most are struggling with are excitement fueled and excitement induced (aggression, reactivity, jumping, pulling, whining, excessive barking, etc). We've got to pay more attention to a dog's state of mind.... the "juice" behind any given behavior. When we can manage and control our dog's state of mind, we can manage and control the body... as the body *always* follows the mind's lead. If the mind is calm, the body is calm. If the mind is overly aroused and excited, we'll see it reflected in the body.

"Behavior" is highly complex, with multiple factors contributing to it. What needs to be addressed here are a number of things: the human end of the leash (how they're feeling, the information they're sharing- knowing and unknowingly, nature of the relationship, etc), **state of mind** conditioning, association, communication, sensitivity to space (public/social/personal/intimate), story, the dog's level of security and confidence, level of structure, discipline (there's a yin and yang to this, as with raising a child and teaching the difference between "okay" and "not okay"), rules and boundaries, energy gap between dog and human (e.g. stronger energy vs. softer energy), no "job" or sense of purpose (this can be a big ingredient depending on the breed or mix of breeds of dog), etc.

They've had him since he was a wee pup. The thinking behind getting a puppy was that he'd be raised and conditioned early on in life so any challenging behaviors could be offset..... but the opposite has happened. Why? There are several factors that may have and have contributed to the development of his self and world concept, associations, and have nurtured certain responses and behaviors..... early neuter, being separated from his (canine) mother prior to 8 weeks of age, and the other ingredients we mentioned above.

Again, behavior is so very complex, and we've *got* to work with the individual dog, the individual human/s with the dog, and speak to the *underlying, contributing factors* to certain behaviors in order to remedy them.

www.packfit.net