There
are several situations where
it is PREFERABLE to toss a cookie
to a pet instead of having the
pet take the cookie from your
hand. The most common situation
is where the pet might be fearful
or aggressive toward a specific
human, and we want to manage
the pet's perception to
see that person as a cookie
dispenser instead of a
scary monster.
The
most common situation is
where the pet might be fearful
or aggressive toward a specific
human, and we want to manage
the pet's perception
to see that person as a
cookie dispenser
instead of a scary monster. |
Children Cookie Toss
Many
pets are afraid of children.
This might be because a pet
was not socialized to children
when it was young, or some child
might have hurt it. Young children
tend to do many things that
make pets nervous. They squeal,
scream, run, and often are rough
or move awkwardly (think monster
walk).
In
this case, the idea is to introduce
a dog to a specific child, and
after the dog is relaxed with
that child, introduce another
child. Cut up hot dogs into
small bits big enough to toss
and catch. First, practice with
the dog at home. Ask for a "Sit-Stay"
and toss cookies directly into
the dog's mouth. Begin
having the child toss cookies
only after the dog has gotten
pretty good at sitting and catching.
Bring
a Ziploc bag of cookies outside
with you. Generally, children
will enjoy this game. The child
will need to be calm and quite
during the training session.
Your
job is to protect the child,
so have a Head Collar on the
dog, and you stand with the
dog, holding the leash very
loose so the dog can move to
catch the toss - but CANNOT
get free from your control.
The child should stand back
a few feet from the dog, so
there is NO chance the dog could
lunge and reach the child.
With
the dog in a SIT position, the
child tosses a cookie in its
mouth. If the dog accepts the
cookie from you, but ignores
the cookie from the child, it
is a sign of emotional stress.
Try to measure this stress.
Ask the child to back up 3 steps
and toss it again. This lowers
the dog's stress by increasing
the distance. If the cookie
isn't eaten, try 3 more
steps back. See if the dog will
accept the cookie from your
hand. If not, the dog is likely
very stressed by this experience,
and you should seek behavioral
advice.
Guest Cookie Toss
In
this situation you might have
a dog or cat that is afraid
of new people. With visiting
guests, it is ok to allow the
pet to hide in another room.
However, if it is a new roommate
or relative that will visit
often, then it is worth the
effort to teach the pet that
this person is a cookie
dispenser.
Plan
a time when the pet has not
eaten, and you have 5-10 minutes
free with this person and the
pet. If the pet is a cat, use
a plastic portable kennel ,
and allow the person to drop
a tasty morsel inside. Don't
drop another, until the first
is eaten. Move the kennel back
to reduce stress enough for
the pet to eat the cookie. You
may need to withhold food longer
before the next visit so the
cookie is readily accepted.
If
it is a dog, it is helpful to
tether the dog to something
solid, and toss cookies to it
while tied. If the dog is acting
friendly, then tie a long lead
to the collar so you have remote
control, and see if the pet
will accept a tossed cookie.
If so, have the cookie dispenser
person toss the cookies gradually
closer.
After
a while the dog can be allowed
to sniff the person, but that
person SHOULD NOT reach for
the pet, as this might be too
much for this pet at this moment.
People often make the mistake
of thinking all dogs are the
same, and don't realize
that even the same dog might
act differently in different
situations. The best advice
is to ignore the dog,
and act as relaxed as possible,
and if anything, offer another
cookie from an open hand.
Cookies
are tasty treats that your pet
will eat with exuberance.
The dog will need to be accustomed
to wearing a Head Collar prior
to this training session.
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