AGGRESSION ACADEMY THAT REALLY WASN'T SO MUCH

Aggression Academy – Not So Much... and That's Okay!

It was the Aggression Academy that really wasn’t. It can be challenging to find the right dogs for this academy. We want dogs who have demonstrated some aggressive behavior, but we don’t want Cujos, as we want everyone to be safe. We also cannot work with dogs who are significantly reactive to humans or other dogs, as that behavior is too hard to manage in the academy environment. So, we generally look for dogs with arousal biting, resource guarding, husbandry issues, and mild fear-related aggression. Several of the dogs who came for this academy ended up not really presenting with the behaviors they were reported to have, but that was okay – we still found plenty to work on.

For this academy two students brought their own dogs. These were:

Heidi Moreau’s Autumn, an 11-year-old spayed female Staffordshire Terrier/Bull Dog cross with mild reactivity toward

other dogs, and Abigail Penland’s Ahsoka, a 1.5-year-old spayed female Pembroke Welsh Corgi, whose lack of impulse control was complicating life with her other home-dogs, and who also needed some work on muzzle training and nail trimming.

Nedra Woodard worked with KC, our 5-year-old spayed female Australian Kelpie with husbandry challenges,

and we had four dogs from Frederick County Animal Control:

Ross Miller worked with Huntley, an 8-month-old neutered male Retriever mix with fear-related behaviors, including fear of men.

Emily Jagdmann worked with Horatio, a 2-year-old neutered male Pit mix (originally a stray) with arousal/mouthing behaviors

Debbie Nathanson worked with Roderick, and 8-month-old neutered male Retriever mix with fear-related behaviors.

and Ashlee Correll worked with Bella, a 2-year-old owner surrendered spayed female Pit mix with arousal, jumping and mouthing behaviors.

Each student is required to keep a detailed journal of their work with their dogs for the week, and for the shelter dogs they write up a one-to-two-page report that goes with the dogs back to the shelter, to be shared with potential adopters. Here are the students’ experiences in their own words, excerpted from these documents:

WORK DONE IN ACADEMY

Heidi and Autumn

Description of the Behavior: Autumn shows aggressive behaviors in the form of stiffening, hard stares, barking and

lunging toward strange dogs. Her behavior becomes more intense if the other dogs are excited, vocal, or give off some body language that she perceives as threatening. Passing another dog on a trail is most difficult for her due to the proximity to each other. I am generally very aware of our surroundings and avoid situations that could potentially trigger her.

Protocols Planned for the Academy: Counter-conditioning and desensitization (CC&D); UPenn Relaxation Exercises; Leslie McDevitt Pattern Games; Walk Away; Chin Rest

Concluding Comments: This was a wonderful Academy although I struggled with the assignments. But I think what stressed me more overall was that Autumn was out of her comfort zone and very stressed. I overestimated what she’d be able to handle and sadly we did not get to see her full spunky, personality, although she did relax some by the end of the week. I really enjoyed working on the Relaxation Protocol with her and will continue with it moving forward. I was impressed by how well she did with the Chin Rest and will certainly practice more as cooperative care behavior. The Counter Conditioning exercises with Pat’s dogs gave us good information, and overall Autumn handled the “on the fly” CC/D pretty well too. Would have liked to get more CERs (Conditioned Emotional Response looks) but then again her stress level had a lot to do with how she behaved.

Wait for the Food Bowl - for impulse control

Abigail and Ahsoka

Description of the Behavior:

Behavior 1 (Primary) - Lack of impulse control at doors (going outside) causing arousal and potential for aggression with her canine housemates

Behavior 2 - Lack of impulse control at mealtimes (excited about food delivery)

Behavior 3a - Excited response to visitors (entering the home)

Behavior 3b - Excited response to visitors (knocking on door)

Behavior 4- Touch sensitivity to nail trimming

Protocols Planned for the Academy:

a. Mat - use this to regain focus during distractions, build confidence, help move Ahsoka past scary objects/people/animals, or distract her as these things pass her. Use with behaviors 1, 3a, & 3b

b. Breathe - use this to calm down/decrease arousal and regain focus during distractions. Can be used with all behaviors

c. Relaxation - Alternative to “Breathe” use this to calm down/decrease arousal and regain focus during distractions. Can be used with behaviors 1, 2, 3a, & 3b.

d. Choice/You Choose - used to provide agency and build confidence

e. Bucket Game/Chin Rest - Alternatives to “You Choose” (See above) – used to provide agency and build confidence. Used with Behavior 4.

f. Pattern Games – routine and predictability can build focus and confidence

g. Wait at Door and Wait for food bowl for impulse control

Concluding Comments: Although Ahsoka was happy and eager to work at the beginning of each day, she did show some signs of stress during our work sessions:

a. She was avoiding the bowl when we did “Wait. (I am wondering if my speed of delivery, amount of eye contact, and how much I bend over affect her reaction.)

b. When I began to work on the UPenn relaxation protocol modules, Ahsoka was happily engaged and clearly enjoyed working.

c. We made good progress with “Wait” at the door – I was able to exit the door and move as far as 15 feet outside with her staying in her “Wait” position.

d. We tried a bit of the Karen Overall “Breathe” protocol but didn’t get too far.

e. We never made it to the Bucket Game or Chin Rest for nail trimming.

Nedra and KC

Description of the Behavior: During examination by the shelter vet during the intake process, KC reportedly air-snapped when restrained as well as during attempts to trim her nails. Since that time, there have been no other incidents as these actions have been eliminated. A mobile vet is used and a very gentle, mild restraint like an arm across the chest may be performed by Pat during a vaccination. Pat has been able to trim one nail at two separate times when KC was calmly lying next to her on the sofa.

Protocols Planned for the Academy:

Operant Conditioning:

● Filing own nails on a scratch tube using lure/shaping;

● Bucket Game using Chirag Patel protocol OR Chin Rest to indicate consent

● Back foot/feet targeting to elevated stationary target for easy access

● Front foot/feet targeting to elevated stationary target for easy access

● Easy and fun games for faster recovery: Touch, Find it, Ping Pong, Search

Classical Counter Conditioning and Desensitization (ambitious!): CCD for sight of nail clippers & movement towards each paw; CCD sound of nail clippers trimming stick - increasing proximity to feet; CCD sensation of nail clippers touching nail(s); CCD touching paw - progressing to holding nail(s); CCD body handling and gentle restraint; CCD veterinarian approaching her with various tools, reaching near, toward and for her; CCD arm reaching around her neck/chest and eventually wrapping around then making contact; CCD arm reaching around her torso and eventually wrapping around then making contact; CCD full but gentle restraint (arm around chest/neck and torso); Gotcha game CCD collar grabs

Concluding Comments: Training with KC is definitely a challenge. She seemed to have a tolerance for 6-8 trials of any protocol on average and worked for a maximum of 20 minutes - even less on days when the weather was bad. She was able to focus better when Pat was in close proximity. At the end of the week:

● KC was much farther along than I thought she would be on touching one’s hand to her front right paw/toenail, listening to the clipper clip a stick just a few inches from her front right nails and reaching the clippers / moving them adjacent to her outer front right toenail.

● With the nail filing tube, KC was consistently offering her front left paw and starting to drag it (even twice one time on the last day!) We did add a cue yet but the signal was holding the tube vertically between the knees and giving a slight knock with a closed fist in the middle of the tube, pulling it away as her paw came up.

● She learned to back up in a 1.5 foot wide chute or corridor by following a “find it” treat into the tube for about 3 ft. She will run in and then back out without a lure as you say “back up”! This seemed to build her confidence and she would seek out that activity when she tired of something else.

● KC was starting to roll onto her right hip comfortably with a lure (settle) and, on our best session, was clearing having both rear feet available for nail trimming.

● It was a pleasure working with such a smart and sweet dog. I can tell she has come a long way from where she started. Even though the journey is a long one, she is in a wonderful place.

Ross and Huntley

Description of the Behavior: Although Huntley was attending Academy for arousal behaviors and resource guarding, throughout the week, we saw significant fearful behaviors. Huntley displayed avoidance of me (male) and would retreat if I approached him. I tried crouching, adjusting my body so I wasn’t directly facing him, and treat tosses. None of that was successful in getting him to approach more closely than 3 feet away without really stretching his neck to retrieve the treats. If I made any sudden movements, Huntley would dart away. In fact, anytime that anything scared him, he would dart away in a frantic panic. He was fearful of a large range of stimuli, including: men, moving cars, car doors closing, horses, lawn mowers, weed trimmers, branches breaking in the distance, going through the doors into the training facility, and also any sudden noises or bangs.

Ping-Pong Pattern Game to reduce stress and build confidence

Protocols Planned for the Academy: My original intention was to work with Huntley on his over-arousal and difficulty settling by teaching him sit, down, and then a relaxation protocol, in addition to working with the resource guarding through the Walk Away and “I Come In Peace” protocols. I quickly realized that this was an unrealistic plan, since I couldn’t even get close to Huntley to work on the protocols. We decided it would be better for Huntley to work on his fear of men and add in some resource guarding exercises when practical. The main focus became the Treat and Retreat game, to create a better association with me. I knew I wanted to incorporate one of the Pattern Games, so I started out with “Ping Pong.” That turned out to be useful to help calm Huntley after a stressful event. I added the 1-2-3 game, which was very helpful to move Huntley through a mildly stressful event.

Concluding Comments: Spending this week with Huntley turned out to be educational in different ways than I had expected. Rather than improving my mechanical skills and timing by working with him, I learned more about empathy and patience. There were many times that I was incredibly frustrated, but I tried to think about clients who might adopt a dog like Huntley. It gave me a whole new perspective when taking that into consideration. Additionally, even being a professional, I struggled to not take it personally when Huntley would run from me, or when we had to call for help because we got “stuck” on a hike. I believe that, moving forward, this shift in perspective will prove to be extremely valuable when working with clients. Huntley has provided me with quite an education!

Emily and Horatio

Give agency - Horatio can choose to put his harness on... or not!

Description of the Behavior: Basic husbandry is a source of stress for Horatio and Horatio will display appeasement and deference signals depending on the context and intensity of the stress. In the past Horatio has resisted and pulled away when handling his paws. Horatio jumps and gets mouthy when stressed/excited. This was noted in the shelter as well on multiple occasions. Horatio will selectively guard high value food objects. He also guarded his food bowl and was unwilling to give it up at the shelter.

Protocols Planned for the Academy:

I planned several different protocols to work on Horatio’s behavior. Counterconditioning and Desensitization (CC&D) was my first choice to address Horatio’s aversion to his harness and to basic husbandry interactions. I also used operant conditioning to teach Horatio to choose to stick his head into the harness for a reward, and used classical conditioning to help Horatio create positive associations with wearing the harness. The second protocol I planned to use was to teach Kelly Fahey’s “I Come In Peace” to create a classical association between my proximity and the arrival of delicious food items for Horatio. I discovered that this was not necessary as Horatio’s resource guarding was not as severe as initially portrayed and instead implemented the operant protocol “Trade” to teach Horatio to willingly trade me his food items when I ask for them in anticipation of a more delicious and higher value reward. I also used the operant protocol “down” to help reset Horatio between. This both acted as a mental break for Horatio and set the foundation to teach Horatio a behavior that is incompatible with jumping (he cannot jump and lie down at the same time).

Concluding Comments: While Horatio is not 100% comfortable with paw and body handling over all parts of his body, he will happily participate in putting on and taking off a harness. Future work with Horatio will focus on continuing the CC&D protocol (location of touch and duration), helping Horatio continue to gain comfortability with a harness, and practicing CC&D to touch. At this time, Horatio can easily be lured into a down, but the lure needs to be faded and the skill needs to be proofed before I would say he is “trained.” I would say Horatio is 50% of the way to a solid “Trade.” Further work with this would be needed since we want to get to a place where Horatio eagerly drops the food item, and we are not quite there yet. I am optimistic and excited to see what Horatio will achieve.

Ashlee and Bella

Description of Behavior: Overarousal leading to jumping and mouthing behavior.

Protocols Planned for the Academy:

-Go Wild and Freeze- This behavior is used to help teach Bella an “Off” switch. Her arousal can turn into mouthing behavior that may be unwanted, so to help Bella when she with this we want to teach her to perform an incompatible behavior.

-“Say Please”- A “Say Please” program can teach Bella to offer a polite behavior in order to receive something she wants.

-U-Penn Relaxation Protocol- This protocol can teach Bella how to naturally be calm in a variety of environments. While she is rather friendly, she can become over-aroused which can turn into mouthing behavior if not managed/modified properly. She also appears anxious/fearful so the relaxation protocol will give her something predictable to help her to feel safe in a variety of environments.

-Search/Find It- This simple protocol can help distract Bella from arousal triggers such as other dogs, people, and horses.

-Touch- This behavior can also be used a distraction from triggers as well as a fun and easy break from some more frustrating behaviors that we are working on.

Concluding Comments: Moving forward, I would like to see the protocols we put in place continued. She has responded incredibly well to them this week, and I believe they will help her to have some predictable behaviors to rely on and she finds her way in the world with her new forever humans. Bella was such a sweetheart this week and was very receptive to training. I hope all the good things for this sweet girl in the future.

Debbie and Roderick

Description of Behavior: Upon first meeting Roderick, he was at the front of his kennel, but low body posture and ears back. He would take treats, did not growl, but was not affiliative. I was able to enter his kennel slowly and use treats through the harness loop to have him put his head through the harness on his own. He froze when I tried to buckle the harness but continued to take treats, and I was able to get it on without issue, though Ricky appeared to be uncomfortable. The shelter indicated that Roderick needs help building confidence and learning that the world isn’t so scary. My goal is he becomes more comfortable with his environment and with handling so he does not become a likely candidate for fear-based aggression.

Protocols Planned for the Academy: I plan to implement a Counter-Conditioning and Desensitization(CC&D) protocol to acclimate Ricky to his harness and being touched. I also plan to use some operant conditioning to help him build confidence and feel more in control of his environment. Procedures would include a combination of “Paws Up/Step Up”, Chin Rest, and “Find It”. The 1,2,3 Pattern Game is another protocol that can help with confidence building.

Concluding Comments: In our short week together, Roderick learned how to put his paws up on a stool, lay his chin on a chin rest, count to 3 for the 1,2,3 Pattern Game, and he’s an expert at Find It and Search. He particularly enjoyed the Chin Rest and Paws Up and would often choose to offer these behaviors on his own. The more choice he has to decide what to do and move about freely, the more relaxed he becomes. He is startled easily by sudden movements and noises, so I did not work with a clicker but marked good behavior with an enthusiastic “Yes!” Because of his fears, I think he would benefit from a quiet home with patient adults or older children who can enjoy his silly side but allow him the time and patience to come out of his shell and work with him to feel more comfortable. He also seemed to enjoy other dogs. While he is selective with his friends (who isn’t?), he could probably benefit from a more confident dog companion who can show him the ropes.

Dogs and humans both learned and benefitted from their week at this academy, and hopefully the dogs will have a better chance for success when they find their forever homes.

INSTRUCTOR ACADEMY TEASE

Another seven dogs and humans here this past week for Instructor Academy. Here are photos for a tease – more details on my next blog: