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January 2006 Archives
Editor's Note: Catch an Encore of Last Friday's Episode
Due to a technical issue, viewers were unable to see the outcome of last Friday's Dog Whisperer episode, so we're adding a previously unscheduled encore presentation of the same episode this Friday at 7P et/pt. This encore will be followed by a brand new episode of Dog Whisperer at its regularly scheduled time, Friday at 8P et/pt.
JonBee, a once-stray Korean Jindo dog, turns into a vicious attack dog if anyone even comes near him. His owners fear that without Cesar's help, they may have to give JonBee to a shelter. Then Cesar meets Hudson, the Insane Dane. When his owners brought him into their family after one of their other Danes died, Hudson took over the house -- forcing his new owners out of their own bed! Finally, Cesar becomes matchmaker to Buford, a "spoiled rotten" boxer who won't accept his new housemate.
How do I feel about rescue organizations
About half of the dogs in my pack at the Dog Psychology Center come from rescue organizations and some of their histories are horrific. I had one dog that was set on fire by its owners, pit bulls that have been maimed from illegal dog fights, dogs that have been beaten, choked, tied up, and almost drowned. But dogs are resilient and those in my pack are once again balanced and fulfilled in the way that nature intended.
I like to say that the dogs of my private clients are my business, but the dogs of shelters and rescue organizations are my karma. People who rescue animals are an amazing group of human beings. Without them, thousands of potential family pets are put to sleep. Some may have extreme beliefs about animal rights and you may or may not agree with them, but right or wrong, animal rescue organizations and their mostly-volunteer members are superheroes to me. I thank them for all the wonderful dogs they have brought into my life.
Choosing an Appropriate Rescue Dog
People often ask me how they can rescue a dog that is going to be "issue-free." First, a dog is in the shelter probably because it has been abandoned by someone, so there's an issue right there. The most important thing to understand is a dog's energy, and if it's compatible with yours. In other words, if you're a laid-back guy, you'll want to look for a passive, calm, and submissive dog. If this is going to be a family pet, it's important that the whole family evaluate the dog together and agree on the dog they want because a dog will immediately sense when one of the family members does not care for it.
In order for people to understand their dog's energy, people need to be more aware of the energy they themselves are projecting. When you enter a shelter, make sure you're relaxed, calm, and assertive. Don't feel pity for the dogs or act excited or emotional. I know it's hard. You may have the biggest heart and best intentions, but to an animal, those are negative energies. If you have a chance to walk the dog, or to go back another day to observe the dog, then I'd also recommend doing either or both of those activities.
If you're adopting a dog into a home with other dogs, the new pet has to have a lesser energy or the same energy as the others. It must be more submissive or in an equal state of mind. That way there is no competition from the newcomer and there isn't tension created for the dogs already there.
Animal grief and the mistakes owners make when replacing a deceased dog
Do animals grieve? The answer is yes, and often very deeply. If you've had a dog die, you mourn the void left by your beloved pet. Its canine companion or mate feels the same sadness. Many animals, including elephants and dolphins, have elaborate "funeral" rituals for members of their packs. They can also experience depression, but for animals in the wild, grief is a natural cycle. They process it and move on. They live in the moment.
In my opinion, humans seem to be afraid to go through the grief cycle. We tend to want to stop the painful feelings quickly, often without fully processing our own grief. To a lot of dog owners, this may mean replacing the pet right away. It's not a coincidence that a disproportionate number of my cases involve a problem that started with this common situation. Bringing a new animal into a household that's still mourning is not a wise thing to do -- for you, or for your remaining pet.
When we do this, the animals become stuck in our grief and depression. If a human isn't finish grieving, the new or remaining animals are going pick up on this "weak" energy. From that very moment, that dog is in control of both of their lives and becomes unbalanced.
What Makes a Dog "Red-Zone" Aggressive
"Red-zone" aggression is created by an extreme imbalance. A dog does not choose to be in the "red zone" because it does not exist in the animal world unless it is sick with a disease, like rabies. A good majority of the time, the behavior is caused by a traumatic experience humans may have inflicted upon the dog. If this is the case, the very least we can do is exhaust all methods in trying to restore the dog's natural balance. I kept this in mind as I worked with Jonbee the Jindo, a "red-zone" case that had the good fortune of being rescued by Scott Lincoln, who thought his troubled, new dog could be rehabilitated and called me in to help.
Unfortunately, a lot of owners listen to advice telling them to put "red-zone" cases to sleep. I don't believe in putting a dog to sleep because his behavior has progressed into the "red zone" because I believe they can almost always be rehabilitated. Now that isn't to say that these dogs aren't dangerous - indeed they are and their behavior modification needs to be handled by professionals.
Only if, after professional intervention and consultation, a "red-zone" dog is still a danger to humans or other dogs, and there is no safe place for the dog to be isolated, should euthanizing remain an option.
The Difference Between Punishing and Correcting Your Dog
The family that owned Matilda the Skateboard-Obsessed Dog reminded me of so many of my clients. They felt that by correcting her, they were punishing her and didn't want to "hurt the dog's feelings." This led to Matilda's unwanted, obsessive behavior.
In my mind, there is a huge difference between correcting and punishing a dog. To me, punishing often comes from frustration and anger. In other words, there is emotion behind a punishment. Correcting the dog is just reminding him that he broke the rules, boundaries, or limitations and setting him back on the right track. It's done simply, instantly, and without emotion.
Dogs don't punish each other. When one dog does something out of line, the others don't get emotional about it, they simply correct each other or they snap each other out of the offending state-of-mind. Again, it's the natural consequence of a follower that's not respecting the rules, boundaries, or limitations.
Are Dogs Natural Predators
Here in the United States, we often refer to our dogs as our children, our brothers and sisters, and even our soulmates! So if they ever display severe aggression towards another animal, we're shocked, sad, or may even feel betrayed. We think of that dog as a "bad seed."
My French bulldog Scarlett was once very animal aggressive. She once severely injured a Chihuahua and maimed a pet rabbit. Her previous owners were aghast--if a person committed these acts, they would have been sent to prison. However, after her rehabilitation, she is now my loyal companion and I take her everywhere. She helps me rehabilitate other dogs.
The truth is we tend to forget that dogs are natural predators; that is why so many dogs have the desire to hunt and we need to remember that when we bring the dog into our homes and families. It's up to us to be strong and consistent pack leaders who set very clear rules and boundaries. Good pack leaders make those rules clear from the beginning, before things get out of control. It's fine for him to run and retrieve a tennis ball, after all, that predatory energy must be released somewhere. However, it's not fine for him to run and retrieve the family cat.
Who's walking whom
Recently I was in New York City to appear on the Live With Regis and Kelly show. I'm not a city guy, and I was missing my wife and kids like crazy, so I took to the streets to walk off my blues. Everywhere I looked, I saw people with dogs - and nine out of ten of those dogs were walking their owners.
Walking with our dogs is the most important activity we can do with them, but if your dog is running ahead of you on the leash, then he is walking you, not the other way around. In a dog's natural habitat, a pack leader never allows his followers to be in front of him. This is very, very important to dogs and as their owners, we always have to remind the dog who the pack leader is.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, such as with search and rescue dogs, some service dogs, and sled dogs. They all walk in front of their human handlers, but that is because the handler gave them the order to go out in front. If the dog just decided to go out in front on its own, the human has just become the follower, and the dog becomes unbalanced.
It was frustrating to watch the dogs in the city. It was all I could do to hold myself back from stopping these total strangers and correct their techniques. Once again, if we are not the pack leaders, we are going to create instability for our dogs.
When Dogs are Afraid of Humans
I just returned Pinky, one of the dogs visiting my center, to her owner. She had some "fear of people" issues prior to being adopted by her new owner, a fireman. This guy was a strong pack leader on the job; used to making people feel safe in the most extreme, dangerous situations. However, he couldn't get Pinky to relax. When she came to me, this pretty female pitbull-mix was so fearful of humans, she would curl into a comma-shape and tremble so hard she could hardly hold up her own weight. Her tail seemed to be permanently stuck between her legs.
As humans, we tend to feel sorry for animals that seem scared. It's our natural inclination to try and make a frightened dog feel safe. Unfortunately, that sometimes results in the dog lashing out and causing serious injury. Our coddling can nurture unwanted behavior. The "energy" of pity and guilt can be perceived by the dog as weak. In this episode, you'll meet Sonny the Scared Shepherd, an example of a dog like Pinky. He's still got a ways to go in his rehabilitation.
Pinky on the other hand, has thrived at the Dog Psychology Center. She designated herself an official "greeter," welcoming and licking the faces of all human visitors to the compound. She's proof that the only way to relieve an animal of its timidity is for a strong pack leader to calmly and assertively move it through its fears.
***Breaking News!*** Cesar will be in New York City, Friday, January 13
Attention New York City-area residents, here's your chance to meet The Dog Whisperer! He will be making a rare East Coast appearance tomorrow, Friday, January 13, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Petco at Union Square, 860 Broadway at 17th Street. Cesar will be joined by some canine companions looking for a new home and anyone who adopts a homeless pooch will also receive the first season of NGC's award-winning Dog Whisperer series on DVD (adoption application process required).
He'll also be answering questions and signing autographs. Don't miss your chance to meet the "Leader of the Pack!"
Introducing a New Dog Into Your Home
I just returned from another case where a new dog was brought into a home with an existing dog. The initial introduction of the two was disasterous. Too many well-intentioned people bring a new dog into their homes expecting that the dog will figure it all out on its own. My number one rule when introducing a new dog into a household is the humans have to know more than the dogs. We have to have basic common sense and be informed about dog behavior before we bring them home. Dogs are able to sense our state-of-mind and confidence levels and if they sense that we aren't in control, they will perceive us as weak.
Scarlett, my French bulldog, was once also dog-aggressive. Before she became a member of my family, she was adopted into a home with animals that had no rules, boundaries, or limitations. Because there was no balance in the pack, Scarlett ended up acting out and got blamed for her "bad" behavior. Really, the problems existed before she even arrived.
Owners need to develop a healthy, connected relationship with all their dogs, especially if a new dog is introduced into a home with existing dogs. They don't need a pal; they need a leader, someone who can act as an authority figure and the dominant source of alpha energy. If you are a strong pack leader, a happy home will come naturally.
The Runaway Dog: Sonny, Chocolate & Cinnamon, and Boo
There are dogs who could give Houdini or David Blaine a run for their money. You know what I'm talking about -- those dogs who are unbelievable escape artists. They'll run away at the drop of a hat! Some of them are truly Vegas-quality magicians. I've known dogs to unlock doors, open gates, unbolt locked doggie doorways, and even leap out of moving cars! Most owners of "escape artist" dogs admit their secret fear is that their dog doesn't like them.
But their actions have nothing to do with dogs' feelings for its owners. It may just mean that the dog is bored and frustrated. Most of the "escape artist" dogs that I have dealt with are active breeds that don't have enough to do. Dogs like this need day-to-day activity and I try and remind owners who have these problems that no matter how beautiful or luxurious their homes and backyards, it's still just a big kennel to a dog - a fancier jail. All dogs, particularly active ones, need to be mentally and physically exercised every day. If they're not given healthy outlets for their energy, they will find unhealthy ones.
Kid-Aggressive Canines
You may wonder why some dogs are very comfortable around adults, but exhibit aggressive behavior towards kids. The truth is that many dogs perceive children differently from the way they see adults. They move differently, walk differently, smell differently, and sound differently. It's in their nature to react to any energy that to them, seems unbalanced or unstable.
The reality is that most parents don't teach their children the correct way to act around dogs. We teach our kids that it's okay to get excited when they see a dog. Children often run to the dog and look him square in the eye, invading its physical space before the dog is ready. Remember, in their natural world, animals attack instability and excitement can be perceived by a dog as instability.
I often bring my sons Andre, 11, and Calvin, 7, on the job with me when dealing with a child-aggressive dog. Mind you, I'd never, ever put my kids in even a remotely dangerous situation. Any dog allowed near my boys has to be under my control. Growing up around my pack, my boys know that it's vital to always project calm, assertive energy when they are around animals. That's why Andre and Calvin are such assets to our family business! They also turned out to be valuable assistants when I dealt with Hootie, the kid-phobic agility dog.
Do "mean" and "vicious" dog breeds exist
Let's get one thing straight. There is no such thing as a "vicious" dog breed. The truth is that ANY breed of dog, big or small, can develop aggression. Aggression is a symptom of an unsatisfied dog; a dog whose life is not being fulfilled. Some breeds, including "pit bulls," Rottweilers, and German Shepherds, are more powerful than other breeds, so if they become aggressive, they can almost always do much more damage. Smaller dogs, like Chihuahuas, can often be defensive when fearful or nervous - you'd be a little surly too if you were constantly being treated like a purse! But when dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds are treated and cared for properly, they have the potential to be calm and balanced pets.
You may remember "NuNu," from the first season of Dog Whisperer. He was very human-aggressive, so much so that my producers dubbed him the "Demon Chihuahua." This episode I'll introduce you to Bandit, or "Nunu, II," as my crew called him. I've met a lot of "demon" Chihuahuas in my career; in fact, Coco, the Chihuahua in my pack, was once one of them. Like Nunu and Bandit, Coco was very human-aggressive and much of her hostility was directed towards kids. Now rehabilitated, Coco not only helps with the rehabilitation of other unstable dogs, she is one of my family's most trusted family pets - and the special dog of my youngest son, Calvin.
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