tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post5797335042462051880..comments2024-03-04T06:54:50.622-06:00Comments on Reactive Champion: Reactivity is a SpectrumCrystal (Thompson) Barrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-59194235263072856432020-10-17T01:53:43.538-05:002020-10-17T01:53:43.538-05:00I’ve always said my girl is on the spectrum. I lov...I’ve always said my girl is on the spectrum. I love her & wish we could get that reactivity out of her. Until then we will keep to our 4:am walks & going to deselect lakes/beaches where we can keep our distance. On the plus side C19 did not impact our habits 😆 CAANUFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15066995056079485984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-41202517690832019572020-10-17T01:53:40.820-05:002020-10-17T01:53:40.820-05:00I’ve always said my girl is on the spectrum. I lov...I’ve always said my girl is on the spectrum. I love her & wish we could get that reactivity out of her. Until then we will keep to our 4:am walks & going to deselect lakes/beaches where we can keep our distance. On the plus side C19 did not impact our habits 😆 CAANUFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15066995056079485984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-91682600881076579032012-04-08T20:11:42.124-05:002012-04-08T20:11:42.124-05:00I recognize the name, but can't say why. So......I recognize the name, but can't say why. So... I half remember you, lol. You should DEFINITELY start a blog. I really enjoy it. :)Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-35887709650183137842012-04-08T07:00:25.734-05:002012-04-08T07:00:25.734-05:00My LJ name is into_focus, though I haven't use...My LJ name is into_focus, though I haven't used LJ in quite some time! You can add me on facebook if you use it: www.facebook.com/smarthund<br /><br />I've been meaning to start an e-blogger. Maybe I should get on that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-26167258214411750722012-04-04T21:55:40.081-05:002012-04-04T21:55:40.081-05:00Second anonymous,
YES! You raise SUCH an importan...Second anonymous,<br /><br />YES! You raise SUCH an important point. Our dogs change over time, especially as we work with them. That was very hard for me to adjust to as Maisy started to improve- I kept expecting her to be the same and she... wasn't.Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-85609031175714245792012-04-04T21:51:11.147-05:002012-04-04T21:51:11.147-05:00I might remember you if I saw a picture, anonymous...I might remember you if I saw a picture, anonymous! Or knew your LJ name... my memory is hit or miss, to be honest. :)Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-20835788212851566192012-04-04T18:07:48.959-05:002012-04-04T18:07:48.959-05:00Such a great article; I loved it. I might also ad...Such a great article; I loved it. I might also add that with my own "Reactive" boy, he is ever changing. What upset his "applecart" one day might not cause any problem two weeks later. Moral of the story - stay tuned in and go with what is safe, makes you both happy, and continue to learn. Thank you so much for your wisdom!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-23631358824949416012012-04-04T08:40:21.279-05:002012-04-04T08:40:21.279-05:00I saw your blog linked onto facebook and I instant...I saw your blog linked onto facebook and I instantly remembered your avatar from LJ! Funny, we're both dog trainers now. :-) You probably don't remember me - I have a really freaky-good memory. So cool to see how far you've come with your dog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-16363402612830824722012-04-04T07:27:25.495-05:002012-04-04T07:27:25.495-05:00Thanks Michael. I find SO MUCH crossover between w...Thanks Michael. I find SO MUCH crossover between what I do in my day job and in my night job. Learning to listen to your client and respect what they're telling you is key. :)Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-68158021909135222872012-04-04T02:56:12.306-05:002012-04-04T02:56:12.306-05:00Hi Crystal,
Excellent article. I too can relate h...Hi Crystal,<br /><br />Excellent article. I too can relate having been a former social worker (and law enforcement officer) and now full time trainer. Behavior flows in that spectrum and our job is to be an advocate for the dog and a consultant, coach, educator, listener, etc. to the human companion. <br /><br />I feel that this is where the profession many times fails the client by blaming the client or insisting on a certain course of action or tool that does not help the client. <br /><br />We as trainers would do better by our clients to seek to understand their position and help them come up with solutions that are workable for them. We must remember we are not the ones who lives with their dog and their skill set is not one of a trainer.<br /><br />Thanks again. Great article!...Michael : )Michael Burkeyhttp://www.michigandogtrainer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-49396232991579392122012-04-02T07:13:06.681-05:002012-04-02T07:13:06.681-05:00I think I wrote about that once, Susanna- describi...I think I wrote about that once, Susanna- describing the behavior you see, not making assumptions. It's definitely better to say, "I'm seeing lip licks/head turns/tucked tail/etc., which is typically a sign of a fearful dog," than to say, "Your dog is scared." The first educates. The second- even if correct- does not.Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-51820063169955716462012-04-02T06:29:53.795-05:002012-04-02T06:29:53.795-05:00I so agree that reactivity is a spectrum. Differen...I <i>so</i> agree that reactivity is a spectrum. Different dogs react to different stimuli, in different circumstances, and/or for different reasons. To refer back to an earlier thread -- this is one reason I think it's so important, especially for relatively inexperienced owners, to focus on the behavior rather than try to interpret it: "My leashed dog lunges at other dogs when they get too close" is more useful than "My dog doesn't like other dogs," not least because it suggests some things the owner/handler can do to help the dog manage his reactions.Susannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12859415775307390408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-57913546466060683832012-04-01T22:16:49.521-05:002012-04-01T22:16:49.521-05:00Absolutely. I meet parents and pet owners alike wh...Absolutely. I meet parents and pet owners alike who are clearly not seeing things about their child/dog... but then, that is usually why they've asked for my services. They know they need the help, and I absolutely LOVE having the opportunity to educate them. <br /><br />I typically find that if I ask the right questions, the people already know the answers. Things like... "So, I noticed that Fido's behavior just changed. Can you tell me other times he's started licking his lips around other dogs?" <br /><br />...and... "Typically, when dogs do that, it indicates stress. I think that might be the case here. What do you think?" <br /><br />...and... "Can you watch for this behavior over the next week and let me know what other contexts you see it in?"<br /><br />...tend to work well for me. I like to balance education and my professional assessments with respect and acknowledgement of their role as parent/owner. Most of the time, the owners/parents have (or will find) the answers if you give them the tools they need.Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-5418051256106879222012-04-01T21:09:20.296-05:002012-04-01T21:09:20.296-05:00Crystal, you do so well relating your everyday-lif...Crystal, you do so well relating your everyday-life to your dog-life.<br /><br />I really like the take home message of this post, being that owners know their dogs best. It's something I always say, "You know your dog best and so only you can truly assess..." whatever the case may be.<br /><br />That being said, some owners really don't know their dog very well at all. Just yesterday I was doing a meet with a rescue dog. The rescue and the existing resident met at the park, and we walked back to the existing dog's house. As soon as we went through the gate, the existing dog's behaviour changed. I commented on this, and the owner hadn't noticed. All was okay, and it seems like my rescue will be a match for their household (yay), but sometimes we may give owners a bit too much credit, too. ;)Teganhttp://leemakennels.com/blognoreply@blogger.com