Our class had originally been scheduled for 11:00 am, in Pineville at the Animal Hospital. However, a few weeks prior, I saw that there was going to be a group class, at 9:00 am in Huntersville. I asked on the FB page if it would be OK to bring Spur; not to participate in the class, but to work him on the side so he could get used to the distractions. At our May 11, class, Courtney agreed that she could be present at the group class to work with us in lieu of attending our 11:00 class.
Upon arriving, still in the car, Spur saw the people and dogs and began his normal, “HEY! I NEED YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM ME, MY CAR, MY PEOPLE!!!” We were able to settle him down and remove him from the car without too much display from him. Once we walked over closer to the class, he started back up. Courtney took his leash and remote and began a brisk walk away from the class, working on healing and looking at her.
As the group class lined up on the sidewalk beside the animal hospital, Doug walked Spur along the curb. Spur would pick out one or two dogs or people to go nuts on. So Frustrating! So Disheartening! When will this boy learn??? Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap… And CONTINUOUS when he goes nuts! A few more rounds of walking back and forth beside the group class, and he was beginning to ignore the excitement from the class with fewer Taps. Even when the group class practiced stays and comes (with running dogs) Doug was beginning to realize what I’ve been telling him about keeping Spur’s attention during a period of distraction. If Doug can keep Spur’s attention, Spur will ignore the activity going on behind him. It’s a wonderful thing.
There was one man there with an Australian Cattle Dog that has been known to be dog aggressive. Evidently the training is working very well for them. Spur didn’t pick up on any cues from this ACD. While practicing “Place” the man asked if he could practice walking his ACD around Spur while Spur stayed on “Place.” The man circled Spur while Doug kept Spur’s attention. The man circled closer. The man changed direction so his dog was closer to Spur. Spur did GREAT! The man then offered to take Spur’s leash and handed his ACD to me. He practiced walking around the back of Spur and stepping away. Spur stayed on his “Place.” The man, feeling more comfortable with Spur, bent down to pet Spur and Spur did his normal jump up in excitement and bumped the man’s nose. However, this time, the man, used to aggressive dogs, didn’t jump back, didn’t flinch and Spur didn’t go into any aggressive motions. The man’s family came over to see what was up since they didn’t see them in the Group Class. The family had two young girls. Spur didn’t seem to have any issue with them, even as they were fidgety and flailing arms. We all talked about our dogs and their issues.
During the class, Spur had an opportunity to join in the activity that the group class was doing. He did well. We also talked to a woman that previously owned a people aggressive shepherd. She knew exactly what we were going through. She assured us that, while it won’t get cured, it will get better. All in all, even with the few outbursts by Spur, here and there, it really ended up being a good class. The distractions were just enough to help Doug realize what he needs to do when we know Spur’s going to have an outburst.
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