In this episode of Ruff Around the Edges, I get interviewed by previous podcast guest Leana Mayzlina about my dog Rusty, the Mascotte of the podcast.
One of the few selfies that have us both facing forward. Team Rusty, doing what we love most, hiking in the mountains.
We discuss why I decided to get a puppy from a breeder rather than a rescue.
We talk about starting out with positive reinforcement dog training and all the doubts that go with it, and how I wish I would have had more practical advice in the beginning stages.
We also look at why regular puppy classes might not have worked as well for Rusty.
Rusty and I training in one of our puppy classes. Rusty is 12 weeks old here.
We talk about the doubts I had after Rusty had bitten another dog and got kicked out of his dog walking service. I explain what management tactics we employ whilst out on walks now, and of course, I also answer the “expectation, frustration and celebration”-questions.
Rusty is the best backpacking buddy in the world. Here he is, not quite ready to start the next hiking day yet.
Knockout after a 20km day with a full doggy backpack
Vanessa & her and her boyfriend’s gorgeous Black Mouth Cur Darwin
After several years an MRI finally reveals brain abnormalities in Black Mouth Cur Darwin’s brain. Rather than give up and accept the status quo, Vanessa keeps trying out new training ideas and management strategies to improve quality of life for everyone in the multi-dog (and cat!) household.
The gang, left to right: Sputnik, Darwin and Sonic
Strap in for another long episode people. Follow along as Vanessa recounts how a perfectly behaved puppy changed to an anxious adult dog after puberty.
Back in the US still
We discuss how assumptions can lead to blind spots. For the longest time, Vanessa and Ryan had assumed that the move from the US to The Netherlands and the plane ride over had been the triggering event for the decline in Darwin’s behavior.
Going through old photographs looking for clues in Darwin’s body posture, they realized that assumption was false as the signs had been there earlier. Vanessa tells us what it took for her to gain confidence in her own knowledge of dog behavior.
A short improvement in behavior after quitting Darwin’s anxiety medication gave them hope briefly, as did the possibility of maybe being able to participate in an RTMS trial at the Belgian University of Ghent, but none of it was meant to be.
Made it onto the couch!
Darwin’s anxiety is such that having to make simple decisions such as “Should I get on the couch?” are stress inducing for him.
Darwin all comfy in his Baskerville muzzle
Muzzle training turned out to be a blessing in disguise. As a bonus side effect to the muzzle training, it became a tool to help Darwin relax.
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