If any of the suggestions offered in the Agbeh group are unclear to you, please ask questions.  One of the severe limitations of these email discussion lists is that we cannot "see" the dogs you folks are describing to the Agbeh group. We also all write our descriptions in a type of shorthand. We do not intend to do so, but that's a limitation that happens in email discussion groups. As a result, some of the suggestions may not be clear. Please ask questions for clarity any time you wish, by writing to the Agbeh group.

To each dog owner:  please don't do anything with your dogs based upon a discussion here unless you feel very comfortable in your gut that you're willing to try it. Trust your instincts and your observations about your own dogs.

If anything, many owners tend to minimize problems with their dogs rather than to exaggerate them, in my opinion.

If you feel that your dog is feeling stress, then pay attention to that feeling. Don't discount it or 'pooh-pooh' it as unimportant. Stress/ anxiety or mounting nervousness and agitation are very important. We want to observe and observe, take lots of notes, even keep a journal to detect and record any signs that the dog is beginning to feel less stress or is beginning to find better ways of coping with a potential stimulus or triggering event.

Along with all the other approaches already presented here, I have another strong recommendation. I like to take some time simply to give positive reinforcement to each student dog at least 25 times a day. That may sound like a lot, or very frequent reinforcement, but it really isn't. For instance, if I had 25 tiny treats counted out in a little jar or in a plastic baggie, I could use 5 for a tiny short session first thing in the morning, upon arising. What behaviors would I look for to reward? My choices may differ from yours. You may pick and select your own favored list of doggy behaviors to reinforce.

Hmm. Let's think about that. With a dog who has a tendency to become super alert, even hyper as distinguished from the dog that indicates calm or a bit of relaxation. For one thing, I sure as heck would click/treat the play bow invitation to play. That's a very happy position for a dog to assume.

I might also click-treat a behavior that indicated 'at rest,' such as the down-stay or settle in the doggy bed.

Then I might click-treat the dog for offering to sit just before I open the door to take it outside in the morning. And, of course, a nice click/treat for coming back indoors again for breakfast.

Then a tad later, I could click/treat the dog for a nice wait (down-stay) in the upstairs hallway while I make the bedsor while I gather up the towels from the bathroom to put into the washing machine.

We may all find daily living events to which the the dog responds very appropriately and select those to mark for rewards. Then the dog will begin to increase the frequency with which he offers those behaviors voluntarily. That's how we increase desirable behaviors!!  The dog will start to gain greater self pride, too.

 It's not difficult to find 25 times a day worthy of a small reward for the dog. Just something to think about.

© Copyright. May 30, 2003. Barbara D. Brill, Reward Training, North Chili, NY   All rights reserved. No further reproduction permitted without express written consent.