Pet care: Canine leadership for a dog—what a concept!

Last in a series.

Had Evie been genetically equipped with a healthy, well-adjusted brain, she might have stayed in her first home. Sadly, those folks found her reactive outbursts annoying and, believing that they’d “tried everything,” succumbed to frustration and surrendered her to a shelter. While struggling to cope with that calamity, she got lucky. Vicky and Richard adopted her. Change of any kind was not her friend, however. Evie wigged out even worse. She desperately needed structure and predictability.

Richard and Vicky taught their girl that by high-tailing it to her Treat & Train, she would earn an immediate reinforcer (beep tone), followed by a treat. At random intervals Richard could then release an occasional snack, keeping his dog’s attention on her very own slot machine. Now he could jump to his feet and enjoy his wife and home without the nipping and barking.

Greater distance from Richard made him less scary for Evie. Watching and waiting for the next dog treat payout was a lot funner than freaking out anyway. Her people sent her there anytime she started to react or, even better, when they thought she might react. She also learned that the doorbell or a knock on the door would herald the same series of excellent events.

Evie carried other baggage, crammed full of angst. If we could help her become just somewhat calmer, she might accept normal human movements and household noises, not to mention being left home alone. The circuitry in that computer between her ears needed to function better. I prescribed a safe, chewable, once-daily anti-anxiety tablet called Reconcile (fluoxetine). It made the difference.

Richard and Vicky were good students of modern learning theory. I taught them that any response to Evie’s anxiety would actually validate her unhealthy behavior. As they got ready to go out on the town, they behaved as though they had no dog. They dropped a loaded food toy on the floor and left without a word. They never closed the dog crate again. OMG! They became canine leaders. Imagine Evie’s delight at being managed like a real dog.

For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom group conference at drjeffnichol.com

• .