I’m sorry that I do not have a photo to illustrate this story but it was the first night of a Clicks and Tricks class that I was teaching and there was just too much to do. I wish I had a video camera to record every class I teach and, then, if something unusual happens, I would have a visual record of it. Anyways, here’s the tale as witnessed by the entire class, not just me. I brought Vida to class as a demo dog because I knew that the dogs in the class all had some type of behavioral issue that would preclude me using them to demonstrate any how-to’s to the class. Rather than putting Vida on a long, boring down-stay, I asked a student’s elderly friend if they would like to work Vida in the class. They said yes and Vida was comfortable training with a frail stranger and responded well to their sometimes clumsy commands. He focused on the person and did not whine or stress to get back to me. I was very proud of him for making the rookie trainer look so good and have so much fun.
This isn’t the whole story, however. After the tricks class, we did a bit of continuing behavior modification with a fear/dog – aggressive rescue Border Collie, Jet. Vida and Jet were both off-leash and Jet started escalating some snarky behavior towards Vida. He was exhibiting excellent calming signals but Jet couldn’t deal with him not running away so she grabbed his facial cheek and held on in a firm bite. In one smooth movement, Vida broke her grip by whipping his big body around, and presenting his rear in her face. She seemed surprised to be staring at his big furry rear, but immediately went for his face again. Vida repeated his butt flip dance three more times, until finally, Jet stopped aggressing and biting, and just stood there calmly sniffing his rear. Jet has been in a few previous classes with me but had never met Vida before. He was able to get her into a non-reactive state within minutes and they actually played together after that. He is only the second dog that she has ever been able to be friendly towards.
I think Vida has been studying his Bible because this tale dramatically illustrates the parable of turning the other cheek, don’t you think?
Margot! That was a great story—I laughed out loud at your ending. You are just too much! Hugs to you & Mr. Vida!
I know working with aggressive/reactive dogs is serious business, but, you and Vida made it very entertaining and you had me laughing out loud!!!
Vida thanks you both for your kind words. He lives to please!
I think Bauer is also a natural at calming signals. I’m beginning to believe that this is why my tiny terrorist Chevy is so captivated by only him outside her family and no other.
This is an update on Vida and Jet. Week 2 of tricks class and the students were all working with their dogs to put a tail wag on cue. Typically, it is pretty easy to do this but Jet wasn’t very happy and kept her tail tucked between her legs. Vida was on a long, boring down by himself at the other end of the room. Jet’s owner started moving Jet closer and closer to Vida and Jet’s tail started to wag harder and harder the nearer she came. She was able to shape a lovely tail wag on cue with Vida’s help.
Jet began doing something I’ve never seen a dog do before. She would stand beside Vida and plunge her border collie snout as deep as she could into Vida’s fur and stand motionless like that for a minute at a time. Vida was fine with it, of course. It almost seemed like she was inhaling his calm essence and calming herself.
I will say one thing about border collies – they are never boring!!