How it Works

There's no magic to helping a dog like Willow, but there are some basic foundations that really come in handy:
1) a well-behaved existing pack that includes humans, dogs and at least one cat
2) a willingness to be bitten (and take other risks)
3) an open mind about training methods
4) lots of walks

At our house, we have:
1) Iggy the Keeshonden, who barks for help when small dogs or puppies come near him;
2) Ginny, the world's best foster mom, who knows instinctively how to respond to each foster;
3) Murphy the King Charles-Pekingese who is dense but loving; and
4) Alfie and Simon, cats who think dogs are just more toys.

It also helps that Patient Husband Don, as much as he complains about 'too many animals', is wonderful with them. Both of us work at home quite a bit so we rarely need to crate the fosters. We also have a collection of teenagers who come and go without making a fuss over the animals.

For dogs like Willow, I try to establish three understandings right off the bat; I love you, you can trust me, and I am in charge. I do give them more love than is recommended (okay, I baby them) but I also turf them off my lap the second they show a hint of aggression. For the first day or two, dogs like Willow are never off the leash unless they're in the crate, and the leash is attached to my belt loop. I don't invite them to come with me - I just do whatever I want to do and they have no choice but to follow. This also means they're always close by and can be corrected instantly.

I try to keep them tired - long walks, off-leash whenever possible. And then whatever brings out their bad behavior is what I expose them to. If they tend to run away, I drop the leash (a very long one so I can step on it or have someone else step on it). I reward them every time they come to me (but I don't try to 'catch' them) and soon they'll come each time I call. If they fight with dogs, I take them to the busiest dog park I can find and correct them each time they try to lunge. If they bite when being handled, I cut their toe-nails (or maybe just one) and as soon as I cut one without a bite they get a treat and then we're done until next time.

This is all much easier with small dogs, because you can physically control them and they can't kill you. Also, small dogs tend to become attached to a human very quickly and then they won't bite you no matter what and you're safe to interrupt any behavior.

I read a lot of dog-training books because every dog is unique. Sometimes I break the rules because I just feel like it's the right thing to do. Willow, for example, 'should' sleep in a crate on the floor or in another room because she has 'aggression' problems and should never feel like she's the boss. But she's so nervous that she barks if she hears a sound. So she sleeps borrowed into our blankets and if she hears a sound she says nothing at all because she's well hidden and right beside me. She has also bonded with Don (who she should be be afraid of) because she shares his den. I think that once Willow has more confidence and realizes she isn't in charge, she'll be able to sleep anywhere without a fuss.

Oh, I did take away Willow's 'babies' (little stuffed toys). It was cute to watch her, I admit - she carried both of them at a time and would curl up in her bed and tuck them in. But I think it also encouraged her sense of needing to protect something which is what I want to correct. Maybe I'll give them back at some point, I'm not sure yet.

And that's about it. I have no use for dog professionals who try to discredit other dog professionals. I believe everyone has something to teach. Short of cruelty, I will do whatever it takes to make a dog feel loved, happy, confident and Not the Boss.