Hey, pretty cool... my dog training website

[Juke99]

is up and running.

www.johnvisconti.com

[Bob Sacamano]

Dude, I must say. Barring playing football and being a trust-fund baby, you have the coolest job...

[fannypack]

Looks like a good place to send a few posters here to.

[ZeroClub]

Very nice. Is that your guitar in the Pepper snow clip?

[Juke99]

Originally Posted by Bob Sacamano

Dude, I must say. Barring playing football and being a trust-fund baby, you have the coolest job...

It's part time right now...but the goal is to make it full time.

The dogs are the easy part. The owners aren't.

I don't spend much time teaching the dogs. Most of the time is spent with the owners.

[Juke99]

Originally Posted by fannypack

Looks like a good place to send a few posters here to.

I'm a trainer, not a miracle worker.

[Juke99]

Originally Posted by ZeroClub

Very nice. Is that your guitar in the Pepper snow clip?

Thanks.

Yep, that's one of my songs in the background of that clip.

[ZeroClub]

Originally Posted by Juke99

Thanks.

Yep, that's one of my songs in the background of that clip.

The dog is cute. The guitar, exquisite.

[Juke99]

Originally Posted by ZeroClub

The dog is cute. The guitar, exquisite.

Thanks very much.

That cute dog was a shelter disaster. 2 years. Every problem behavior one could imagine...and getting worse.

She's still got a bit of junkyard dog in her but for the most part, she's as sweet as can be now.



www.johnviscontimusic.com

[Arch Stanton]

Originally Posted by Juke99

is up and running.

www.johnvisconti.com

Nice site. Pepper looks like a lovely dog.

Any tips for a 9 year old Dalmation rescue? Roly's always been scared of Thunder and Fireworks. We've tried everything. Other than that he's a bundle of fun.

[Juke99]

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

Nice site. Pepper looks like a lovely dog.

Any tips for a 9 year old Dalmation rescue? Roly's always been scared of Thunder and Fireworks. We've tried everything. Other than that he's a bundle of fun.

I have the same problem with Pepper.

Here's what I'd suggest (but keep in mind, it's really a tough one to condition out of them)

You can start off with non prescription stuff.

Check out the "anxiety wrap" You can pick it up at amazon.

You can add "DAP" Dog Appeasing Pheremones as well.

Benadryl might do the trick. 1 mg per 1lb...so if your dog is 50lbs, 50mgs (I'd start with a smaller dose, just to see the reaction)

Also, I add rescue remedy to her water.

In order to drown out the thunder, you might want to crank up the washing machine and dryer....also, a white noise machine could help.

Finally, there's drugs...Acepromazine, Chlomicalm, and Valium.

I've managed to counter condition my pooch with many things, resource guarding, reactive to strangers, reactive to dogs, pulling on leash, etc etc. Thunder and noise phobia is a tough one because it's strikes them at a very primal level.

Don't listen to the crap about "Don't be kind to the dog because you're reinforcing it" IT's way to primal for that.

Let the dog find its comfort zone, bathroom, basement, close space...use the white noise machine there...also a few bones (if the dog isn't way too distracted) And ride it out.

If you've got any questions, lemme know.

[Arch Stanton]

Originally Posted by Juke99

I have the same problem with Pepper.

Here's what I'd suggest (but keep in mind, it's really a tough one to condition out of them)

You can start off with non prescription stuff.

Check out the "anxiety wrap" You can pick it up at amazon.

You can add "DAP" Dog Appeasing Pheremones as well.

Benadryl might do the trick. 1 mg per 1lb...so if your dog is 50lbs, 50mgs (I'd start with a smaller dose, just to see the reaction)

Also, I add rescue remedy to her water.

In order to drown out the thunder, you might want to crank up the washing machine and dryer....also, a white noise machine could help.

Finally, there's drugs...Acepromazine, Chlomicalm, and Valium.

[View Full Quote]I've managed to counter condition my pooch with many things, resource guarding, reactive to strangers, reactive to dogs, pulling on leash, etc etc. Thunder and noise phobia is a tough one because it's strikes them at a very primal level.

Don't listen to the crap about "Don't be kind to the dog because you're reinforcing it" IT's way to primal for that.

Let the dog find its comfort zone, bathroom, basement, close space...use the white noise machine there...also a few bones (if the dog isn't way too distracted) And ride it out.

If you've got any questions, lemme know.

Thanks for tips. We've tried DAP and a Homeopathic remedy to no avail. Even used a CD of Thunder and fireworks, but he seems to know it's not real.

We have a few Acepromazine tablets. He gets half a tablet, just enough to reduce the anxiety.
We've also been told "Don't be kind to the dog because you're reinforcing it".
I guess we should try the reverse approach. I'm sure #1 will be happy to hear this.

Again, thanks for the tips. Good luck with the new business. I hope you get your wish and it becomes full time.

[Juke99]

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

Thanks for tips. We've tried DAP and a Homeopathic remedy to no avail. Even used a CD of Thunder and fireworks, but he seems to know it's not real.

We have a few Acepromazine tablets. He gets half a tablet, just enough to reduce the anxiety.
We've also been told "Don't be kind to the dog because you're reinforcing it".
I guess we should try the reverse approach. I'm sure #1 will be happy to hear this.

Again, thanks for the tips. Good luck with the new business. I hope you get your wish and it becomes full time.

Yep, the CD is kinda pointless. They get cranked up due to the electricity in the air, barometric pressure, scents, etc...I tell customers and other trainers, "Yep, I can counter condition my dog not to react to a CD of thunder"

That's about it.

The "don't be kind because you're reinforcing it" is pure old school, cesar milan garbage.

Think of it this way...

If you're kind to the dog when he's reacting with bad manners to another dog, yes, then you're reinforcing that behavior.

But with thunderstorms, their entire body is changing, like a Pavlov experiment. They're actually undergoing physical changes which they can't control.

Ya can't reinforce that. You can only comfort it in order to get the dog down a few levels.

The other thing for those who preach the philosphy of "don't be kind because you'll reinforce it" Does it make a difference? Is your dog getting better with that approach? Nope.

The Ace might be helpful...in that if you can get your pooch down a few levels, you might be able to comfort.

Try the anxiety wrap. It definitely brings my dog down a few levels. BUT don't only use it when there's a storm because you'll trigger the dog to "Uh, oh, the wrap is on...storm must be coming..time to freak out" So occasionally put it on just for the heck of it and take it off five minutes later.

Thanks for the well wishes.

[Sarge]

Very cool site and I must say it is VERY cool do do a job that you truly love. Good luck with it all Sally.

[justbob]

Still think you are totally confused Jukester --but cool site