Here is Bertie today!! Transformed from an aggressive 'horror' on four legs, who bit me several times in the first few months after his Adoption and was a potential danger to everyone else !!The hand in the photo belongs to Alice aged 10....my French Grandchild.
At one time, it would never have been possible to touch this Dog without an aggressive reaction but after one year he enjoys having his tummy rubbed!!
As some of you may have read, my policy has been ' non reaction'. The idea was to give Bertie Psychological Space to discover who he is....this involved completely non reactive behaviour on my part and I taught Alice the same.
To give an example, if he growled and prepared to attack, I would simply get up and turn my back busying myself with some other activity. This does not mean that I am or was a ' walk over'!!! ! if Bertie stepped out of line in other ways, I would give a stern ( not violent ) command that he has come to respect and understand BUT for the defensive ' I'm going to bite scenario' ...turning away has cured him. What actually happened is that he lost his fear of being hit when approached.....by the way, it works with Humans too ...smile!!!!
I always maintain the same thing... that Human Ego has no place in the Life with Animals. ...My experience is that a calm atmosphere and cheerful detached attitude on our part , achieves the most. Bertie has learned a new way of Being in the World from this approach as well as to be off the lead for the majority of the time on our long walks.
He has come to understand that when I say 'stop, there's a car coming ' ( in french of course ) he does it without question.
I see so many Dog Friends every day in my town, being yanked away from communication with another Dog because of the Owners Fear!!!! Small Dogs being carried everywhere for the same reason. Old ladies with young dogs who hold the lead so short and restrain the Dog to the point of choking because of their Fear!!
I always make a point of approaching these ' Old Dears' ( since I'm technically one myself ) to encourage a meeting between Nanette and now Bertie .To my surprise ....but perhaps not!... Bertie has transformed into a really good Therapist for these Dogs and the 'Old Dears'.....They well remember his aggressive stance a year ago and can't believe the change in him and the freedom he is allowed.
I must give Nanette most of the credit for this development because her extraordinary Graciousness and Calm generally have given Bertie the Canine Model he so much needed. Bravo Nanette!!! xx