Earlier this year, we worked with Gizmo and his Mom on several things. Crate training, incessant barking, anxiety and being comfortable around men. His Mom was single at the time, so his exposure to men in general was pretty low.
Several months have passed, and his Mom has found love. They moved in together and Gizmo has become their chaperone. If they cuddle on the couch, he finds a way to get in between them. If they hug, he’s maneuvering his position to break them up and barks in disagreement.
When I came to visit Gizmo and family, I realized his new family unit had slacked off on his structure. Gizmo was negotiating all the rules. And each exercise he negotiated the definitions, allowed him a little bit of leeway. Getting the family back on the training wagon was our goal. Tweaking the definitions back to their original meaning was important. Before I left, Gizmo’s family could lay on the couch together, hug and even share a smooch, without the chaperone rolling in to break it up.
If left to figure life out on their own, dogs will find a job to reinforce and fulfill themselves. Like kids, dogs love patterns, routines and structure. Super proud of Gizmo for remembering the work, and even prouder of his family for getting back into the groove.tag
