Diary of a broken dog, week 2 (8/5 - 8/12/08)

I've noticed that Jax is considerably calmer during walks taken at night. Less stimuli? Don't know.

Have been using a Halti on him to give me more control. Applying the halti is a trick. He doesn't like his face handled and resists with his teeth. I hold a treat in my right hand, slip the nose loop over my treat-bearing fingers. As he takes the treat, I slip the loop over his snout. Then maybe a struggle to get it latched behind his ears.

According to Cesar, long walks are supposed to drain his energy, but taking Jax on a long walk only makes him tense. He is so relieved to be indoors again, he goes into ballistic play. How to drain his energy??

Behaving a teeny bit better about us going in and out of the door, and also eating more regularly. Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior recommends a low protein, high carb diet. Read this somewhere else too, dog food should be no more than 21% protein. Hi-protein encourages aggression in dogs.

Pat plays with him on the front lawn, and he's getting more comfortable outside. A little too aggressive during play, sometimes gets too excited and will start jumping up and biting. When that happens I hold the leash firmly and make him sit, then rub him behind the ears until he relaxes. It's like he suddenly turns into a wild fox or coyote and is quite disturbed to be so close to humans, so he starts biting. But he relaxes very quickly when massaged - almost melting into the ground.

Barks himself into a frenzy at the cats.

8/8 Friday Introduction to Mina, 2 year old spayed Lab/Dal mix. She was extraordinarily patient with him.

8/9 Saturday Walk for 45 minutes downtown and back. Saw Pat at Main Street, as soon as Jax recognized he rushed up to him and started snuggling and exposing his belly, tail wagging low. Then Daryl came out and he met Daryl - went okay, not exactly calm, but not so anxious

Sunday 8/10 Went for walk 1 1/2 hours across town to cemetery and back. Jax nervous and pulling the entire time. I think I'm calm. On the way back we encounter 2 small dogs, a corgi puppy and a terrier in their yard - they chase us along the fence yapping madly and Jax is terrified, trying to get away and manages to pull the halti off his nose. (Big advantage of halti over gentle leader halter - the halti has a safety loop that attaches the halter to the collar. So even if the halti slides off, the leash is still connected to the collar.) Anyway, a struggle with a panicky dog trying to put the dreaded halti back on, but managed. Finally reached home, me worn out, Jax relieved and playful and energetic.
Days later it comes to me: being quiet is not the same as being calm. In fact, I was not calm on that walk, I was grim, which is entirely different. I was worrying about all the different problems in my life and feeling anxious myself. Of course it wasn't a fun walk! How could it have been for him? I was all gloomy and angry, even though I was quiet, I'm sure he felt my mood.