[nagdu] Doggie spazziness/unfocus?

[Raven Tolliver]

Daryl,
All of our dogs have moments of weakness, and so do we. Sometimes, our
dogs act in ways that are totally out of left field, and our reactions
are not always the most helpful. We have all been there.
Here are some options for future instances of this particular
behavior, or something similar where Jenny just seems to be
overexcited.
1. Stay chill. This might seem like common sense, but sometimes, we
react in a knee-jerk way, rather than in a calm, collected manner.
What was your first reaction when Jenny got so out of control? Were
you frustrated? Fretting? Yelling, or even speaking in a frustrated,
higher pitched voice? Did you address her in a firm voice?
Obviously, the tone that works with each dog is different. But
sometimes, it benefits just to have a very relaxed tone of voice. No
frustration, no excitement, no firmness, just calm.
2. Cue her to do something she knows. What different things did you
try to get her to do? Did you ask her to sit? Use the touch command?
Asking her to perform a command she is familiar with can remind her to
behave herself and focus on you.
3. Stand your ground. Literally, you just stand there, holding the
leash, and allow the dog to go nuts and calm down on their own, or
with calming words/signals from you. I did this too many times to
count at the animal shelter. This is called negative punishment, where
you don't react to a dog's nonsense at all. Turn your back on the dog,
and let them realize that they are not getting anything positive out
of going berserk. Negative punishment can be used to train a number of
behaviors, but it seems like it might be a plausible option in your
particular circumstance. Reacting to a dog's nonsense can encourage
them and get them more excited, so instead, ignore it and wait for it
to stop, or give conservative calming signals. Whatever happens, be
sure to give a reward, physical or verbal praise, or a couple treats
when she gets herself together.
And never leave home without your Halti! I've been with the Golden Guy
for nearly three years, and in some situations with dog distractions,
it still comes in handy.
-- 
Raven
You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you
have or what you do.

Naturally-reared guide dogs
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs

On 2/17/15, Daryl Marie via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hello!
>
> Just looking for input.
>
> I take Jenny to an off-leash park regularly.  We have very few problems
> walking there, but when my husband and I drive there with her, she gets so
> excited.  She starts happily whining when we're pulling in to the parking
> lot, and we have had some success working with her on not pulling when we
> get out of the car.
>
> Last night, we went to visit my mother-in-law at a house she moved into a
> couple of months ago.  We have never taken Jenny there before, and last
> night she just completely lost her head - pulling, whining, not listening,
> even in harness.  The first thing out of my husband's mouth when we got out
> of the car was "She thinks we're at the park," accented by dogs barking from
> yards in every direction.  I will admit I lost my head, too, and got
> frustrated with my chowder-headed dog.  It got to the point that nearly
> wrestling her to the ground didn't even seem to get her focused.  What
> really sucks is that leaving the house, I thought I should bring her Halti,
> and decided not to... a decision I regretted upon exiting the car.
>
> In the end, she calmed down once we got inside, she sniffed my
> Mother-in-law's Yorkie, stole a bone, and laid down calmly for two hours;
> getting back to the car was much better.
>
> Any advice on dealing with this?  I admit I need to roll with this better,
> but Jenn needs to know that this behavior is not acceptable, PERIOD!
>
> Daryl and the normally well-behaved Jenny
>
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