NeylasMom Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I was going to share this in C&F, but then figured I'd share here instead. For years Zuri was your typical greyhound, grumpy about his space. He'd growl or snap when another dog got into his space, would sleep startle in bed with me, and even reacted toward a few humans when completely caught off guard (including a small child who crawled head on onto his bed while he was sleeping ). It was the last incident that made me realize I really needed to do something about the issue, especially if I was going to take him places where I couldn't manage his environment well enough to prevent something like that. So we started basic classical counter-conditioning. Any time he got touched/startled/woken up while sleeping or laying down, he got a treat. Initially I did it intentionally a lot as well. I'd wait for him to be asleep, then I'd poke his butt and stick the food in his mouth immediately, later on being rougher or touching him closer to or on his face. Eventually he started to look at me expectantly for his treat when it happened and I knew it was working. Now I tend to verbally praise him the majority of the time and occasionally use a food reward when it's convenient, when I've done it on purpose, or when something particularly "unpleasant" has happened (like Skye running over top of him sleeping soundly on the couch while playing when she apparently wasn't aware he was there ). This is the result: They've been sleeping like that for about an hour, and at times Violet's legs have been moving as she dreams or stretches and repositions a bit. So this is your PSA - you can get rid of sleep startle aggression. I know other people on here have done it as well. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schultzlc Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Good boy, Zuri!! Quote Laura, mom to Luna (Boc's Duchess) and Nova (Atascocita Venus).Forever in my heart, Phantom (Tequila Nights) and Zippy (Iruska Monte). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RMarie Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lochshumans Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 That is great! And they look adorable :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acadianarose Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Thanks for sharing! That is my ultimate goal. I am so glad to know it can be done! Quote Payton, The Greyhound (Palm City Pelton) and Toby, The LabAnnabella and Julietta, The CatsAt the Bridge - Abby, The GSD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted September 16, 2013 Author Share Posted September 16, 2013 This is tonight Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Al it takes is patience and time. Good for you and super for Zuri. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted September 16, 2013 Author Share Posted September 16, 2013 Al it takes is patience and time. Good for you and super for Zuri.Patience and time and counter-conditioning. One more. I can't help myself. They've been sleeping like this for hrs now. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracegirl Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Hello, lover! Quote Poppy the lurcher 11/24/23 Gabby the Airedale 7/1/18 Forever missing Grace (RT's Grace), Fenway (not registered, def a greyhound), Jackson (airedale terrier, honorary greyhound), and Tessie (PK's Cat Island) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dancer Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Good work! Such cute pics...they look like angels when they are sleeping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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