I first met Jack and his human Matt back in Feb 2019.
The plan was to train Jack toward his PAT assessment through MIND Dog.
We had a few challenges that we needed to work through - the biggest being Jack's dog reactivity.
When we first started Jack would react to dogs within 5-10 meters.
However I have to say that I am so proud of Matt and Jack as a team. They put in all the work, did all the desensitisation and counter conditioning, working at safe distances and ensuring Jack always had a rest day each week. Also recognising the importance of quality sleep for Jack.
We implemented a lot of deference training, as well as stationing (laying comfortably on mat), reliable recalls and leaving items on ground. We also have taught him to press a call button for help, and to walk slowly on stairs - both up and down.
Over time we have managed to decrease the distance that Jack is comfortable with walking past unknown dogs, and now he barely even acknowledges other dogs - meaning that he can walk through a dog park from one end to the other, and ignore the other dogs in the park. We set him up for success and started this at distance, then outside the dog parks, and then using quiet dog parks.
Throughout his training, we have taken him to numerous locations, on public transport (buses, trains and city cats), cafes, shopping centres etc.
We also transitioned from a martingale collar to flat collar and then to 2 point attachment harness. When Jack had originally used the harness prior to our training he had a negative experience, so it took time to transition back to this.
Jack is also now going to daycare at least once per week, and has a new sister spaniel at home called Molly. Molly will one day likely take over Jack's roll.
Jack passed his MIND Dog PAT in July!
It can be done, but you need the right team and an owner as dedicated at Matt is to Jack.
The plan was to train Jack toward his PAT assessment through MIND Dog.
We had a few challenges that we needed to work through - the biggest being Jack's dog reactivity.
When we first started Jack would react to dogs within 5-10 meters.
However I have to say that I am so proud of Matt and Jack as a team. They put in all the work, did all the desensitisation and counter conditioning, working at safe distances and ensuring Jack always had a rest day each week. Also recognising the importance of quality sleep for Jack.
We implemented a lot of deference training, as well as stationing (laying comfortably on mat), reliable recalls and leaving items on ground. We also have taught him to press a call button for help, and to walk slowly on stairs - both up and down.
Over time we have managed to decrease the distance that Jack is comfortable with walking past unknown dogs, and now he barely even acknowledges other dogs - meaning that he can walk through a dog park from one end to the other, and ignore the other dogs in the park. We set him up for success and started this at distance, then outside the dog parks, and then using quiet dog parks.
Throughout his training, we have taken him to numerous locations, on public transport (buses, trains and city cats), cafes, shopping centres etc.
We also transitioned from a martingale collar to flat collar and then to 2 point attachment harness. When Jack had originally used the harness prior to our training he had a negative experience, so it took time to transition back to this.
Jack is also now going to daycare at least once per week, and has a new sister spaniel at home called Molly. Molly will one day likely take over Jack's roll.
Jack passed his MIND Dog PAT in July!
It can be done, but you need the right team and an owner as dedicated at Matt is to Jack.
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