Coincidentally, just this morning Dezi fixated on a dog (a hundred miles away). I wish a trainer could see this and see all the steps I take to try and engage her. She wouldn't even care if I dangled a jar of peanut butter under her nose lol. It's not easy to physically redirect a 95 lb dog. Today i didn't have my spray so i just let her watch the dog until she realized that it wasn't coming to play with her!
I see the pet corrector as a helpful temporary tool that can break through when a dog is over-threshold and not responding to the handler. That said, my goal as a trainer/coach is always to dig into the root cause of the problem.
When a dog fixates on another dog or wildlife and tunes out their person, it’s often an issue of engagement and value. In your example, the external trigger holds more weight than the handler does at that moment.
Tools like the pet corrector can help “get over the hump,” but ultimately we want to build enough value and clarity in training that the dog chooses to disengage and come back to us, regardless of what the external environment is offering.
That takes reps, relationship, and real work in lower-stakes environments. But it’s worth it!
This post motivated me to write about increasing your value so your dog doesn't blow you off:)
That sounds like a really helpful and safe tool. I had never heard of that. How long does a can last?
But I DO know that an airhorn works very similarly on pipefitters and welders! They always stop whatever shenanigans they are perpetrating and focus on the air-horner.
My red can was recently used to keep a pair of foster cats from bolting through an open door. Two times was all it took for them to think otherwise. The red can of hiss worked with all my other dogs who were sensitive to noises. Shiloh, who sleeps through thunder and fireworks, is not as impressed!
I've never heard of this magick, and I"m going to get myself some to see how it works with Tosha. She is generally very good, but when she fixates on something, getting her to "focus" is impossible. two things come to mind...the rabbits on our walks and the barking that happens when someone comes to our door.
We tried this for a while. After a few successful attempts our pitty adapted. Now she’s like the criminal that’s been pepper sprayed so much they’re immune 🤣
I knew you'd eventually tune into this post 😁
Coincidentally, just this morning Dezi fixated on a dog (a hundred miles away). I wish a trainer could see this and see all the steps I take to try and engage her. She wouldn't even care if I dangled a jar of peanut butter under her nose lol. It's not easy to physically redirect a 95 lb dog. Today i didn't have my spray so i just let her watch the dog until she realized that it wasn't coming to play with her!
Great post, Kristi!
I see the pet corrector as a helpful temporary tool that can break through when a dog is over-threshold and not responding to the handler. That said, my goal as a trainer/coach is always to dig into the root cause of the problem.
When a dog fixates on another dog or wildlife and tunes out their person, it’s often an issue of engagement and value. In your example, the external trigger holds more weight than the handler does at that moment.
Tools like the pet corrector can help “get over the hump,” but ultimately we want to build enough value and clarity in training that the dog chooses to disengage and come back to us, regardless of what the external environment is offering.
That takes reps, relationship, and real work in lower-stakes environments. But it’s worth it!
This post motivated me to write about increasing your value so your dog doesn't blow you off:)
https://open.substack.com/pub/fireteamk9/p/when-your-dog-tunes-you-out-understanding?r=5ozfti&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
That sounds like a really helpful and safe tool. I had never heard of that. How long does a can last?
But I DO know that an airhorn works very similarly on pipefitters and welders! They always stop whatever shenanigans they are perpetrating and focus on the air-horner.
🤣🤣 I would love to use an airhorn, even just walking down the street.
I've had my original air can for almost 2 years.
My red can was recently used to keep a pair of foster cats from bolting through an open door. Two times was all it took for them to think otherwise. The red can of hiss worked with all my other dogs who were sensitive to noises. Shiloh, who sleeps through thunder and fireworks, is not as impressed!
My Maggie is extremely sensitive to noise
Yah I don't suppose it's good for all animals but it's magic for some.
Because of her noise sensitivity I am inclined to think it might be the perfect‘trigger breaker’.
That sounds like a great idea! Need one of those for Maggie when she gets triggered
It's worth a try!
I've never heard of this magick, and I"m going to get myself some to see how it works with Tosha. She is generally very good, but when she fixates on something, getting her to "focus" is impossible. two things come to mind...the rabbits on our walks and the barking that happens when someone comes to our door.
thank you.
Yes, the rabbits!!! Dezi definitely wants more rabbits lol. But it's dogs that she gets hyper-focused at a distance.
Tosha will gaze lovingly at a family of deer as we walk by, but a poor bunny is meant to be banished immediately!
We tried this for a while. After a few successful attempts our pitty adapted. Now she’s like the criminal that’s been pepper sprayed so much they’re immune 🤣
LMAO that was the e-collar with Dezi. The first few times she heard the beep she noticed but after that she was like....Whatever man!! 😆
Sounds humane and effective!
I have not heard of this either. Will check it out.
Thanks, I hadn't heard of this.
Pet "corrector" is a rather pretentious name; the others seem more accurate.
I haven’t heard of this and will look into it. Thank you.
You're welcome! I hadnt either but it was a great find!