SearchBAT Method
I wanted to ask the Dober people of GD what they (you) all thought of the BAT (Behavioural Adjustment Training) method.
Although we experienced a lot of success in recent months, Kay just isn't getting on with the method of training I've been using for her reactivity to other dogs. It's not aggression...It started out as an "I want to play, but you won't let me" whine, and just escelated to frustrated barking, growling and lunging.
It's literally just a reaction to dogs that could, and has, provoked aggression ("protective aggression") from the dog she was barking at. Which is perfectly justified, but the more she reacts, the more other dogs react, the more her frustrated reaction turns into a fearful reaction. Which is neigh gooood.
So. I've been reading up on the BAT method, by Grisha Stewart. Behavioural Adjustment Training trains the dog out of the behaviour. In my situation, you'd find out what Kay's threshold is, and then you'd stay behind it, play the "look at that!" game, and praise when she doesn't react in her usual way.
It sounds A-mazing...To me, anyway...And sounds like something Kayenne would work with really well. She's a very sensitive dog, and gets very confused and frizzed if she's spoken to harshly. And I'm not exaggerating! The fact I wouldn't havew to modify the BAT method to remove the negative 'feedback' to Kay is a bonus. For any reaction she gives, I'm to step away from her threshold (because clearly I'm over it) and start again. No words involved.
Has anybody used the BAT method before? More importantly, did it work? I've heard of the CAT method briefly, but apparently it involves giving negative feedback to the dog... All I get are Cat and Dog products when I google "CAT dog training method" so I haven't been able to look into it.
Boomer seems to have the same issue. The trainer from our basic obediance class suggested another class to work on that issue. I just signed us up for it, so I'll report back how it goes. I don't feel confident enough to deal with this on my own, so I'll be glad to have the professional help.
Sadly, I'm the soul source of Kay's training. There are NO trainers who I'd pay excessive amounts for, to come down and help me train my dog, that live reasonably close. I did call someone called Lynne Davies once, but she told me I'd have to pay her a ridiculous amount of money so that we could meet somewhere (without the dog) and talk. I take Kayenne to a local Obedience and Puppy class, but the trainer is as experienced with this sort of thing as I am.
On Wednesday, Kayenne pulled the muscle in her right front leg. Uh-oh. We've had to swap her exercise runs for on-lead walks. This means human has sore arms. A refresher of her obedience wouldn't hurt. I swear I'll be The Hulk (minus the green) by the time her leg's healed. When her leg's better, I'll start the BAT method and see how we get on.
Third time's the charm! Hopefully. I don't think I could search for another method. She's driving me crazy lately. *eyetwitch*
I find when they get that elevated - be it excitement, aggression or whatever - the only way to "snap them out of it" is with a physical correction, then the redirection, and when successful after that without another peep as the dog passes praise, praise, praise.
Steve has had issues with other dogs when we are on walks because we had been physically attacked by an off leash lab. Long story. Anyway. It took some serious work to redirect that, but I will have to say that the sharp and fair physical correction with a prong, snapping him OUT of that mode, and then redirecting into a "sit and leave it" once I had his attention has worked well for me. I can now see a dog in the distance, pull to the side of the path, make him sit and leave it. The dog may pass without issue and he looks to me, "Are we done yet?"
It's still a work in progress with the dogs that are like your Kay... who stare, bark, yap and tug to get to us. It makes him reactive.. but a firm tone of voice and a brief snap reminder that I don't want that response.. and he cools it.
There are many training aids online now adays and most of them are free. Youtube has some great resources. You'll get there. If you feel one method isn't working - and it may not for your pup! - then switch it up.
Hope Kay's leg and your arms feel better soon!
Well well well! Someone made me proud tonight!
Despite her injury, I took her to dog class. It did nothing to heal her injury (it's her dew toe (whatever that's called) that's been injured. It's all swolen up. If it doesn't start to settle by Monday, I'll be taking her to the vets, as it does nawt look goood...) but she did make me one proud pupper-parent.
There's this loud-mouth, gutsey little Whippet. He's only 15 weeks old, but boy, does he have balls!! I was thinking Kayenne was snapping at him and having a go...She did right at the start...Hackles up and evryfink...But at the end of the class, I took her over to sniff and make up, and it turns out all her bouncy-lungey-pully crap toward him was play. Because of her foot, and the fact Colin (the Whippet - best name ever) is so small, I didn't let them play, but Kay did do the Dobie-spin a few times. There was peace once again!
I was very proud, even though she did nothing else I told her to. (Sit? Whatever. Down? I shall STAND!) Hehheh.
I'm getting a bit worried about her snapping when she first meets the dogs. It's not nice, and she does have a real go at them sometimes. She settles down soon after and is more or less trusted with the other dogs, but I'm not sure what to make of her snapping when she first meets the dog. We shall get there in the end! The instructor is convinced she's just nervous and wanting to play, but she seems fearful, then playful, then nervous, then back to playful...Not sure what we'll do about that, but in time I'm sure we'll both get there.
I keep forgetting she's only just a year old. My first Doberman would have been two in August, and because I got Kayenne so soon after he went, I keep thinking she's his age. My bad. I shall not lose patience!
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I'm not familiar with this particular method, formally at least, but it's a great way to do things. Reward the calm, get closer, reward the calm, slowly work your way closer until you can walk by with no reaction. Great way to teach a dog not to react. Just make sure to not cross that threshold, because it will set you back a bit. But, no biggie, back up, and keep working!