If you have been watching the nightly news you have probably seen the story about a group of volunteers who are trying to do something for the 50,000-100,000 stray dogs wandering the streets of Detroit, Michigan. The rescue group was down to its last few dollars when NBC picked up the story for national coverage. Viewers from around the nation have been so impressed with the rescue efforts in Detroit they have been sending funds and trying to make a difference from the comfort of their living rooms. Now the volunteers have a web site: http://www.detroitdogrescue.com/
It a city with so many other problems, it would have been easy for people to forget about the animals left wandering the streets. It does my heart good to know Detroit has people that will take the time to focus on the victims left behind. That's what rescue is all about. And kudos to NBC.
I could tell Angee was a little nervous when we arrived at Ester Short Park, site of the WALK FOR THE ANIMALS, presented by the Humane Society of Southwest Washington. Loud music, lots of people, hundreds and hundreds of dogs, cats, even ponies, all over the park. She yawned a bit as we got registered (I carried her through the lines), but she settled in and seemed to enjoy being the only Scottish Terrier in the crowd. Things only got more crowded in the park as the starting time for the 3 mile walk approached. Angee took the people dressed as cats or dogs in stride. Every now and then a dog would get loose and surprise Angee from behind, but she never lost her composure. Just before the start of the walk I noticed Angee's harness had broken so I attached a second leash to her collar, securing her in the event of a worst case scenario. Angee can definitely out run me, that I know.
Finally the walk began and the entire crowd moved forward. I was a little worried about setting Angee up for failure by starting her in the most crowded portion of the walk, so we began at the very back of the crowd, working our way through all the people and animals as they streamed through the city. Angee seemed to walk along the outside edge of the crowd, at least pretending to be more interested in the bushes and trees along the way. Being short-legged, her feet were just a blur as she charged through the other dogs. Things were so crowded and narrow I let Angie lead me along the waterfront at a pretty good pace. By the time we reached the turn around point at Beach's we were close to the head of the crowd.
The return walk was probably a bigger test for Angee as she had to face oncoming dogs that, in many cases, were a little leash aggressive in their own right. Angee never once lost her composure. In fact, she actually seemed to enjoy the occasion. A number of people commented on the 'little scottie'. We saw no other Scottish Terriers at the event. Total time for the three mile walk: 1 hour and 8 minutes.
I really feel Angee has reached a turning point in her behavior with other dogs. Where she was overly aggressive and unsocialized, she is now open to the idea that other dogs are not necessarily a threat to her. She knows she needs to pay attention to the human at the other end of her leash, that there are expectations of her. Maybe the most noticeable difference in Angee's behavior is in the way she looks at me rather that at the other dogs in the immediate area. It is almost as if she trusts me enough to ignore them. We still have some work ahead, but I'm proud of what we have accomplished. It was a good day.
Angee always seems to pay better attention after she's had an opportunity to burn off some steam. We usually walk a half hour before we try to learn new behavior. Angee is a very fit and agile scotty so she really needs the exercise.
While developing Angee's ability to walk I have tried to develop her walking on my left side. When we do encounter other dogs on the trail, Angie then has to split her attention between me and the other dog. When I sense her attention is becoming locked on to an approaching dog, I try to get her attention. If she pays attention to me (looks up at me) she gets a treat. I usually win, but sometimes I don't.
Some days it seems as though Angee is looking for an excuse to not bark and growl at other dogs. I can point at a clump of grass on the side of the trail and Angee will focus her attention on the grass for quite some period of time, until the other dog passes. I have wondered if she really isn't looking for an excuse to not carry on, particularly in light of my showing displeasure when she carries on that way.
Now Angee is to the point of ignoring other dogs rather routinely. She will either take interest in a stick or clump of grass on the side of the trail or maybe look to me for some sort of attention.
Angee is now to the point of trusting me during those times when she is unsure. I'm glad, because we are going to try and put it all together in a very public place where we will both be unsure. The 20th Annual Walk for the Animals, presented by the Humane Society for Southwwest Washington, will be held May 7th, Ester Short Park in Vancouver. Lots and lots of dogs, cats and four-legged creatures. My fingers are crossed.
Angee went through this period of being fascinated by snakes. Big snakes, little snakes ...anything that she thought might possibly be a snake... had her jumping at all twigs or branches laying on the ground as though it was her only mission in life. Unfortunately, this fascination would cause her to dart at the smallest twigs immediately in front of every step I took. So long as I watched Angee we could avoid problems. The moment I took my eyes off her (like when I looked at the scenery) Angee would likely jump at something exactly where I was to step, scaring both of us. All the more reason for Angee to walk at my side such that she would be mindful of where I was likely to step. It took some work to get her to walk at heel, but she picked it up when I persisted. She seems to walk best after she has exercised for a while and has had a chance to calm down and behave.
Training Angee to walk at my side has been important in getting her attention as we walk. Back when she led me during walks I was pretty much 'out of sight, out of mind'. Walking at my side somehow strengthens my attempts at getting her attention. Of course I reinforce her noticing me by giving her a piece of kibble when she responds to my calling her name.
If you have been watching the nightly news you have probably seen the story about a group of volunteers who are trying to do something for the 50,000-100,000 stray dogs wandering the streets of Detroit, Michigan. The rescue group was down to its last few dollars when NBC picked up the story for national coverage. Viewers from around the nation have been so impressed with the rescue efforts in Detroit they have been sending funds and trying to make a difference from the comfort of their living rooms. Now the volunteers have a web site: http://www.detroitdogrescue.com/
