I'm not alpha rolling my dog, BUT....

Annamarie · 03-23-2008, 01:29 AM

I'm probably going to get lambasted for this, but lately out of desperation I've had to physically put my dog upside down in my lap and "cradle" him like a baby to make him calm down. I did it one day when my SO got out of the truck and there was a lady with a dog in the car beside us barking at him and the whining and barking loud enough to actually hurt my ears just would not stop. When he gets into that mode, nothing makes him stop. Not ignoring him, not giving him a command, not trying to correct him with a tug on the leash, not talking to him calmly, a treat distraction, nothing. I've never done this with any other dog I've owned, and I'm not a fan of alpha rolling, but I wouldn't call this alpha rolling really. I just put him on his back on my lap and said "enough!" and he stopped.

But you know what? It works. As soon as I put him upside down, he looks at me, his heartbeat slows down, his breathing slows down, and he relaxes. Today less than a minute after I put him in my lap like this because in 2 hours in the car he would NOT STOP WHINING he fell asleep in my arms and stayed like that for a good 30 minutes before he rolled over and went back to sleep on his stomach.

Am I horrible??

Elana55 · 03-23-2008, 08:02 AM

While there may be BETTER ways to deal with a dog that loses focus and goes nutz, and while doing what you do MIGHT result in you getting bitten (but you know YOUR dog) I will give you my $.02.

NO I do not think you are horrible because what you are doing is not:

1.) frightening the dog (the "thing" out there is what is likely frightening you dog).

2.) what you are doing apparently reduces your dog's Stress Level and gets him calm.

Alpha rolling is a conftontational thing and what you are doing seems to not be confrontational.

I hope that Curbside Prophet chimes in here with some alternative advice on what to do.. certainly training in an increasingly distracting environment may help. However, you have a very wired dog to begin with, so solutions that result in a decreased stress level would seem positive.

wvasko · 03-23-2008, 12:17 PM

I have to agree with e55, I've never done an alpha roll, I don't use them. The last place I want to be if I have a 110 lb large breed aggressive dog dropped off for training is rolling around on the ground with him. (I'm funny that way) But I am a believer in doing something to a dog that accomplishes what you want and especially since no physical harm is done. It's a win-win situation. This may not work with the next dog or it may work with the next 10 dogs, (then you have it patented) and you have entered the world of dog training.

Annamarie · 03-23-2008, 02:12 PM

He'd never bite for sure. But if someone could offer some solutions that actually do work (based on the fact that this has been the only thing that could interrupt his behavior so far) I'm open to them!

4dogs3cats · 03-23-2008, 02:22 PM

I will let you know next Saturday!! I have a behaviorist coming for this problem. When kody sees a dog, he gots nuts. He gave me some nasty leash burn on my arm from getting so tangled and nuts. He doesnt howl like a beagle- he SCREAM!! (dont believe me, watch these two videos)

Kody howling and playing

Kody when he sees another dog

Nothing calms him down. I have tried bringing treats and making him work when we are on a walk and he sees a dog. I have tried picking him up, he screams louder. I have tried walking away with him, he gets mad because he knows the dog is there and screams more. i have tried making him sit BEFORE he SEES the dog. Nothing works. Hopefully the behaviorist will.

I dont think what youre doing is bad. Agreed it would be best to correct the behavior instead of just finding a way to stop it when it starts- but that can be very hard. You arent challenging your dog, so i think youre okay.

Annamarie · 03-23-2008, 02:39 PM

we were supposed to have a behaviorist out MONTHS ago! not just for this, for some of his other problems like fear/aggression towards strangers (he's getting over it but it takes a LONG time for him to trust people...). my SO's union went on strike from aug to jan and it really put us in the red. $200 is not easy to come by when the mortgage is due and you're overdrawn

4dogs3cats · 03-23-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annamarie

we were supposed to have a behaviorist out MONTHS ago! not just for this, for some of his other problems like fear/aggression towards strangers (he's getting over it but it takes a LONG time for him to trust people...). my SO's union went on strike from aug to jan and it really put us in the red. $200 is not easy to come by when the mortgage is due and you're overdrawn

Oh i hear you. I luckilly got a bonus at work so I am using that for the bahaviorist. She charges by the hour, so I hope she is a fast talker!