The Enzo Experiment

We’ve been diligently working with our trainer, Emily Stoddard of mycaninesports.com. I am like a sponge, I learn everything very quick; sit, down, leave it, drop it, recall, stay, loose leash walking, settle on a blankie….hitting the easy button…but the one thing I’ve still had trouble with is going into “attack” mode when we are out walking and I’m on leash.

Yesterday we had 13 people meet me at my training class – the experiment was to see how I would do meeting people – the huge number of people gave us the opportunity to train, reinforce and repeat….but no one expected my good behavior.

When I was off leash and I met people, I was fine – a bit agitated/aroused, my fur went up and tail puffed out but I was able to settle, let it go, listen and sit or down.

There are two other videos my mom will post on her youtube channel tonight. In one I am on leash and someone approaches me without food, I have to quiet down before they can leave…but in the third video people approach me with food and I am on leash. Well food makes all the difference in the world, I will be nice to anyone with food!

So the outcome of this experiment is that I am “leash reactive” – but if you drop the leash I am fine. My trainer thinks I must have been a tethered (tie-out) dog at some point in Puerto Rico – because my reaction to people when I am on leash is one of frustration and fear from being restrained.

This experiment was initiated after an incident at the vet office. I had to go for my check up and to update my vaccines. The vet walked in the room and my mom was holding the leash I lost my mind I was acting crazy aggressive.  My vet was un-phased. She told my mom she wanted to take the leash, take me in back and exam/vaccinate me. She told my mom that dogs like me change their tune when they are removed from their humans. My mom handed her my leash, I went from tough boy to scared boy. My tail went from high and puffed to low and between my legs, I gave my mom an “oh no” look as the vet took my leash and walked out of the room with me. I was quiet and well behaved during the exam, blood draw and vaccines…then the vet took me back to the room with my mom, as soon as she handed over the leash to my mom I turned around to try and get the vet – I was muzzled and unsuccessful.

I am signed up for a class with Janice Triptow next – we will focus on my leash reactivity since we’ve narrowed down my behavior problems.

Oh, and one more thing we learned is that I am a resource guarder – my parents don’t think this is a big problem at all, because I only do it with strangers.