Meet My Foster! = )

[Giselle]

My apologies to Erika if I'm driving this thread down a bumpy road, but I hope you all don't mind if I answer the questions here. Maybe it'll help some other dogs down this road, too

So-Crafty, in fact, I'm a diehard clicker fan and rehabilitate aggressive/reactive dogs using the clicker and real positive reinforcement methodology, which is, contrary to popular opinion, not "ignore the bad, reward the good". That is a common misconception. Positive reinforcement should more appropriately be called +R/-P = positive reinforcement/negative punishment. Negative punishment does not equate to ignoring bad behavior; it means removing the desired stimulus to decrease an animal's behavior. The classic example of negative punishment involves ignoring (i.e. in the case of a dog jumping for attention), but that doesn't mean -P is about ignoring. It's about removing what drives a dog to behave badly in the first place. So if a dog bolts every time you open the door, you close the door, thereby removing what the dog desires and thereby decreasing the bad behavior. It isn't ignoring; it's just -P! =)

I don't believe in either extremes of training, and I think aggressive dogs need training balance. I think a person who is very well versed in non-physical forms of discipline (i.e. NILIF) and who is familiar with clicker training as a means of emotional/behavioral modification would be ideal.

As for structured socialization, this taps into my training preferences. I like using the Look at That game (coined by Leslie McDevitt of "Control Unleashed"). So, with a dog well-versed in LAT, I like working outside the dog park fence, using the dogs within the park as LAT objects. Once the "problem dog" is reliably playing LAT and is no longer interested in the triggers/glued to the handler, I will release the dog to go sniff the others through the fence for about ~5-10 seconds. Any longer will most likely push an aggressive/reactive dog over their threshold. Regain the dog's attention and repeat many times. This is what I mean by structured socialization. Dogs who "fly off the handle" need constant feedback to keep them below their thresholds, and I think techniques like this are imperative in socialization situations.

[bckrazy]

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update... again. I have been really busy, and stressed out, over this situation. But I have read your posts and advice and I appreciate everyone's input and support.

I brought Jemima in to the SPCA yesterday. I know people in Pit Bull rescue, through Flyball, and none of them were able to find a foster for her. A few people were interested, but none of them could take in a possibly DA dog.

I feel so horrible. I will never, ever forget her little, confused face watching us leave.

I know a girl who volunteers at the front desk, and I went and talked to her to get some advice. She told me what to say to make sure they would take Jemima in (as far as the situation/where I found her/etc), and reassured me that they adopt out DA/DR dogs often. They only had a handful of dogs in at the time, and she said she was sure that Jemima would be adopted quickly, especially since she's soooo lovable and cuddly with everyone she meets. I would not have left her anywhere with a chance of being PTS, but I'm worried about the affect that going into a kennel and being abandoned again might have on her.

I had been keeping the dogs completely seperate, 24/7. I moved out of my huge house, with my family home all of the time, and a huge yard, and I now live in an apartment. It's a big apartment, but it's still MUCH more difficult to keep 3 dogs seperate. I was hanging out with Jemima out in the living room, and I had to check something in my room, so I cracked the door to peek in. All of a sudden, Jemima came up behind me, jammed her head into the crack and proceded to lunge/snap at Gonzo, who was standing in the doorway. I had to slam the door practically on her face to keep her from forcing it open. I worry so, so much because if anyone else did anything with Jemima, or with my dogs, and they accidentally met again I honestly don't know whether or not she would hurt them. And I can't exactly stay home all day, every day to ensure that there are no accidents.

I had been doing parallel walking with some one else to help from the get-go, and she was not leash reactive in the slightest. Which is why the whole issue with Fozzie really shocked me. I think there was a huge lack of dog socialization in her life, and I'm sure the time she has spent with other dogs has not been pleasant. I feel so bad for abandoning her, just like her owner did, but I was scared for my dogs and I could tell the situation was upsetting them. Both of them randomly had BAD gastro upsets, which have suddenly disappeared. I had really high hopes, judging by their first encounters, but it became apparent that her issues with other dogs were getting worse, and I am not capable of desensitizing/conditioning/training a DA dog while working with my dogs and keeping them seperate and maintaining everyone's sanity.

I'm going to be updated on Jemima's status, so I'll let you all know what happens. I have high hopes for her. Despite the issues with other dogs, she was a wonderful dog in practically every other way... she was looking beautiful already, she was well-mannered and gentle, and it did not take long at all for her to bond to me and my family and friends.

[caseysmom]

I also sent you a pm but just want to tell you again that you did the right thing. The SPCA is not like animal control, they do a good job of adopting dogs out.

[So-Crafty]

Giselle, thanks for your reply. Can you offer book suggestions or internet sites that describe the type of training you are speaking of? I'd really like to learn more!

And Bckrazy, please don't feel guilty. You had to do what was right for her. I am sure that someone will see her and pick her up really quick. Such a beautiful baby. You should feel proud of yourself for fostering her for the time that you did and making a positive impact on her young life. *hugs*

[Giselle]

Erika, you did the right thing. She will find a good home. Hugs to you and hugs to Fozzie and Gonzo! There is only so much you can do, and it takes a very strong person to admit they cant do/provide everything. You're a very courageous person. You stood up for Fozzie and Gonzo's safety, and that's an amazingly self-sacrificing thing to do
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So-Crafty, I don't necessarily follow a hard line of training, so I'll give you a few names that have shaped my general methodology: Patricia McConnell, Leslie McDevitt, Dr. Karen Overall, Jean Donaldson, etc. AKA, these guys:
http://abrionline.org/experts.php

And I'm a clicker diehard, so I like Clicker Solutions' articles:
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/index.htm

[bckrazy]

Thank you for the kind words.