Sorry, Charlie
The continuing story about the rehabilitation of a condemned American Pitbull Terrier.
Here is Charlie's evaluation before he arrived at my house:
March 30, 2009 -- Saint Clair Shores, Day 31
Hello. The other day, I arranged for a friend to shoot some video of Charlie and Peanut and their training progress. I gave brief instructions on how my camera worked and drew a map to show where we would walk and sent my pal on his way. We started with Peanut and shot a lot of video of her heeling around a city park, including off leash, which is pretty good considering she's somewhere around 9 months old.
Unfortunately, when I went to download it onto the computer, I had nothing. I guess I should've taken some more time and given better instructions for my camera. It seems as though my bud thought the camera was recording when it wasn't and wasn't recording when it was. So we are going to have to do all of that again. But the training is going well for both dogs. Charlie is much calmer and more under control.
Yesterday I had a friend and his 7 year old daughter over. Her name is Alexis and she seemed quite fearful of dogs when she arrived. She asked me to put the dogs away, so I did to try and make her comfortable. Then we had a conversation during which I talked about dogs and that she shouldn't allow herself to feel fear around dogs and why. She seemed to listen, showed interest, and took what I said to heart. So I asked her if I could let Peanut out and have them meet. She agreed and was still a little skittish, mostly because Peanut was excited and hyper - a puppy, after being locked up, and new people in the house, etc.
But after a while she calmed down and they became friends.
So then I asked my friend if I could let Charlie out and have them meet Charlie - of course I detailed Charlie's history and past acts of aggression. I wanted him to know the truth and any possible risks before exposing his daughter to Charlie. I told him about the training and how far Charlie has come and that I was sure nothing bad would happen. If Alexis or Charlie was having a bad go of it, I would simply put Charlie back in my bedroom. So he trusted me, and Charlie, and they all met. Charlie was very good, no signs of aggression whatsoever. In fact, in short order my friend and his daughter became fond of Charlie.
After a while, she asked about if they knew any tricks and did I have any treats for the dogs. So I grabbed some treats and showed her a few things and the next thing I knew she was putting both dogs through their paces.
I had a flash of inspiration and grabbed my video camera and got the following videos. Forgive my lousy video editing ability and just watch a kid and a pitbull.
Here is Alexis with Peanut, acting like a seasoned pitbull handler.
Here is Alexis with Charlie.
It was a joy to me to see her fear disappear and be replaced with confidence. Before my eyes she became a calm, confident and assertive pack leader. And she is so cute, and such a nice person, I could have watched her handle the dogs all day long. Thanks to Chris and Alexis, I really enjoyed yesterday. Not only was it good for Alexis, it was great for Charlie and Peanut as well. By the time they left, Alexis had the basics of dog psychology down pat and was reciting and demonstrating for anyone who would listen. I could make a career out of this, and I think we have a future dog training expert here.
I saved my favorite clip for last, so here it is, enjoy!!
Alexis, Charlie and Chris 3-29-2009
More videos of Charlie and Peanut and their training on the way!!
April 7, 2009 -- Saint Clair Shores, Day 39
Sorry for the delay since the last post. Really not much going on, we have all sort of settled into a routine. I am keeping up on my training and he is learning a lot, and in some areas is doing quite well. But in other areas his head seems to be thick as a brick, his thinking and decision making are still off from a normal dog. I am leaving for the Easter weekend and Charlie is going to a kennel. I need a break from him just as I'm sure he could use a break from me.
This past Sunday I finally had someone offer to help and got some viewable video of Charlie and Peanut. I made sure to give good instructions on the operation of my cheap little camera!! Good thing, too, because it seems like it has been snowing nonstop since - looking outside right now it is snowing hard.
So here are some videos of Charlie and Peanut in training. A little explanation beforehand: I break their walks down to 3 parts and their training into 5 parts or so. First, they are confined in a cage or kennel for an hour or 2 before we begin. This is to calm them down, and hopefully they appreciate being outside of the cage and outside the yard all the more. It kind of gets their mind ready for training.
Then I hook them up to a leash and head out for heel training. I try to be as silent as possible while they are on leash so they have to pay attention to me to see what we are doing and where we are going. Through the use of silence, I condition them to look to me first before deciding what to do in any given situation. When I stop, they are supposed to sit, without any command given or any hesitation.
If they are good, I allow them some free time off leash to run around. This is good for several reasons. I am able to work on the recall while they are off leash, it is good motivation for the next day's walk because they know if they are good, they get free time. If they don't behave, they get no time off leash out somewhere in public - a school or park. It allows them some great exercise and completely drains their energy. Finally, they get really excited when we come to the places they get to run free. That is the BEST training, when they are all sparked up, and I use it to my advantage. It translates to other situations when they get excited and are distracted.
Then they have to behave on leash all the way back home. Once home, they get some free time in the back yard to unwind and decompress. If all that goes well, a little while later I let them go at it in the back yard or with a rope toy. While this is pure play, it also allows me to do some training as well. They can get all revved up and then I can take control and bring them back down again. It also lets them get all fired up and going at it hard, but they learn that they have to keep a little bit of control and they can only bite the toy, not each other or my hands when I grab it.
Charlie's heeling is coming along pretty well, if a little slower than I'm used to. His OUT is now really good, a 100% change from when I got him and I'm starting to be able to use that control in other situations.
So without much more delay, here is a bunch of video shot Sunday afternoon. Keep in mind this is a public park, with lots of people and lots and lots of distractions. There were several softball games going on and a big basketball game. Right next to the sidewalk we're walking on is a batting cage, which provided lots of distractions. You'll hear the ball converyor squeaking, guys chatting it up and the 'ping' of aluminum bats. Distractions are important to training so you can control the dog in any situation.
Here is Peanut on leash.
Here is Peanut off leash. I must say I am impressed with her and her ability to learn. She is just nearing 9 months old, usually dogs are 18 months to 2 years old at least before they behave this well off lead.
Here is Peanut's free time, with the occasional recall. Her recall is great, even with people and dogs around. I purposely had my buddy who was filming call her over to distract her so I could call her back.
Here is Charlie on leash.
Charlie is still much too easily distracted for my liking, but we are certainly working on it.
Here is Charlie's free time with the occasional recall. He is a great athlete who can run really fast and jump really high. Obviously, he has more work to do on coming back when called, but he is learning.
Here is Charlie meeting up with his friend, if only he'd greet everyone like this!! A few things to note here: I try to get Charlie used to as many people as possible. I hand the leash to as many people as possible to get Charlie used to being handled by other people. And finally note that Charlie doesn't like to listen to other people, so far it seems like I'm the only person he completely respects.
Here is their play time after a day of training.
You'll have to forgive me, but there won't be any updates until after Easter. Hopefully the break will do both Charlie and me some good and we'll come back with batteries fully charged and ready to take our training to the next level. The next level in my mind is to get Charlie socialized and get rid of his sometimes aggressive and violent reactions to strangers.
April 16, 2009 -- Saint Clair Shores, Day 48
Yesterday was an interesting day for me and Charlie. I got back into town Monday afternoon and went to the kennel to pick up Charlie. I spoke to the nice lady there and asked about Charlie before I went back to get him. She said he was usually pretty angry, barking and snapping at the cage when she would go by with a mop or broom, but that this morning he was pretty happy and in a good mood. He didn't even bark at her. I think dogs sometimes have a sixth sense - I could go on about this, but briefly my last dog used to know when I was coming - either coming home from work or coming to pick him up from somewhere.
I think Charlie was really happy to see me, joy and relief were evident on his face. We walked the guantlet of cages full of barking dogs on both sides as we walked out - great for training. When we got home, Charlie seemed very happy, maybe even a little relieved. He went room to room and every inch of the back yard, seemingly really happy, checking everything out. He also seemed to be a little more respectful of things and under control.
We went for a long walk and Charlie was back into the routine within a few minutes.
Tuesday was 2 long training sessions for Charlie. The first, in the early morning, was a little rough. In the afternoon, Charlie behaved much better. I even got some compliments from complete strangers as to what a beautiful and well behaved dog he is.
So them came yesterday, which started out interesting, and ended with more of the same. First thing in the morning, I let Charlie out to go potty. He took off like a shot as soon as he got in the back yard. I walked out to see what was up, Charlie had caught a squirrel and had it in his mouth. He was just getting ready to really give it the good news, I screamed OUT at the top of my lungs and took off running toward Charlie. I had to get Charlie to let go ASAP, hopefully, before he killed it. Attacking and killing are no longer part of acceptable behavior, and I have been hoping and thinking that Charlie was getting the message.
To my amazement, Charlie dropped the squirrel after my first "OUT" - he hesitated and looked at me for maybe 2 or 3 seconds - I was almost to the point of yelling again, I could tell he was weighing his options . I was happy to see Charlie surrender to the situation and open his mouth. Mr. Unlucky Squirrel immediately went up and over the fence, maybe a bit of limp but definitely not injured badly. I've never seen a dog catch a squirrel before, so Charlie showed me something new. He also reacted very well and dropped the squirrel right away. I called him to me and he sunk to the ground and started to slink over. A good sign, he felt some type of remorse or regret for his actions, he thought I was really upset. He came to me, and I gave him praise and affection - not for attacking a squirrel, but for dropping it and coming to me when I called him.
Our walk in the morning was a little rough - by that I mean Charlie was easily excited and distracted. In the early afternoon, he was much much better.
We walked to the park and as luck would have it, a high school baseball game was about to start.
As we approached, a school bus disgorged a group of baseball players. So I heeled Charlie around the area and generally kept him under control. The ball players started to play catch and warm up, so again I approached and heeled Charlie around the area. Once the game was close to starting, we walked over the bleacher area, which was filling up with people. I zigzagged through all the people with Charlie. He was pretty good, not perfect, but pretty darn good. I got a few compliments from people. Then I saw a guy a ways away seeming to be talking to me. I had my MP3 player in my ears and couldn't hear anything. I gradually walked over and he was still talking to me, a little more animated this time. I got close and pulled a speaker out of my ear.
"Dogs aren't allowed in here, man." He said in an aggressive sort of manner, saying it louder than necessary so anyone within earshot would hear it.
"If you behave, and don't bark or pee or bite anyone, I bet know one even realizes you're a dog. I certainly won't tattle on you." I maintained tight eye contact as I said it, wondering where this might go.
The guy just gritted his teeth - he was funny looking character in a ratty old winter coat and one of those bright, blaze orange knit deer hunting hats on his head.
I decided to push his buttons a little more, so I took a step closer and said, "Nice hat bud, you look like a match stick."
By now I was 2 feet away and just watching for Charlie's reaction. Seeing that this was going nowhere, the guy said what he wanted, and then wanted no more of Charlie or me. His eyes worked and he looked in deep thought but remained silent. So I turned to leave, as I was putting my ear bud back in I said, "Have a nice day!" and walked the other way with Charlie.
Charlie's reactions are much better, he is calming down and confident enough to start looking to me first and letting me handle most of the situations we encounter. His fear has dropped as his training and experiences have gone up.
We walked to the other side of the park where a big basketball game was going on. Charlie gets excited but does not get completely out of control. He will sit when I tell him, and watch, but he is still revved up and shakes a little bit. That's ok as long as he doesn't try to lunge.
I walk right up to the edge of the court and ask Charlie to sit. I back off a bit, circle the court and approach again. I repeat this for as long as necessary until Charlie completely calms down. A guy was watching as I worked Charlie around the area. He was sitting on a bench and I approached and retreated several times with Charlie - who behaved very well, did not lung or 'break' from the heel as I call it. He is by no means perfect, but he is much much better. He really tries to stay calm and always looks at me now before trying anything.
After a while, I went to leave the area. I walked right up to the guy with Charlie and said thanks for staying calm and allowing me to train my dog. I turned on my heel and started walking the other way. The walk had been going on for 2 and half hours or so - around the neighborhood, to the park, the baseball game, then the baskeball game. I was going to drop Charlie off and walk Peanut. I noticed out the corner of my eye that the guy got up and started to follow. He got near, so I removed my ear buds, just curious if he had something to say, and he got close and started to ask about Charlie.
What kind of dog, how old, etc. So we started to chat and I gave him a brief run down of Charlie and his history. He was very intersted and was a little bit in awe of Charlie. When he would look at Charlie, his eyes would get wide. For his part, Charlie completely ignored the guy and stayed on his heel as we walked along the sidewalk. That is a good thing, by the way, I am asking Charlie to ignore strangers and let me handle it, rather than try to approach or worse. As we reached the end of the park, and I was about to leave I mentioned that Charlie is available to a good home.
He immediately said he was interested and asked for my phone number. We were near the corner store, and I mentioned I was friendly with the owners and that the owner's son loved Charlie and was trying to talk his dad into letting him take Charlie. We arranged to talk later. I walked by the door of the corner store, hoping Charlie's friend would see him and come out. Instead, his father came out and approached. Great, I thought, Charlie gets to meet another stranger. The younger one, the son, kept saying if his dad would just meet Charlie, he'd like him and want to keep him.
To keep things, especially Charlie, under control, I said, "Start walking right next to me and ignore Charlie, let him get used to your presence."
He said ok and fell into step next to me. Then he quietly started to talk. He explained to me that every time his son sees Charlie they spend the rest of the day fighting about it. He also said he couldn't take Charlie due to the amount of time they were at the store and that he didn't trust Charlie to be at the store with them all day.
I completely understood all this and said so. I told him I didn't think his son was ever going to take Charlie but that was ok and I was just working with Charlie and trying to socialize him by bringing him around. I said he was right, Charlie would be a lawsuit waiting to happen if he spent all day every day at a store. I also explained that his son was one of the first people Charlie made friends with out in public. He understood and said that it was nothing against Charlie, but he felt it would be unfair because Charlie obviously still needed a lot of attention and training and he didn't think either he or his son could do it. It was about as I expected, and we parted on what seemed like very friendly terms, I completely understood where he was coming from and vice versa.
So I went to leave and looked and the other guy, from the park, was standing there watching the whole thing, he had followed us over to the store. I left for home.
A few hours later the phone rang, and it was the guy from the park - I'll call him B - asking about Charlie. He said he lived with his uncle and they would like to come and meet Charlie and see about possibly taking him into their home.
He said he was back up at the basketball court and asked if I wouldn't mind walking Charlie up there. So I took Charlie and Peanut and walked over. He really liked Charlie, and Charlie never tried to bite him! He said he talked to my other friend, at the corner store, about Charlie. Turns out this guy and the other guy (the one in the red hat in the video above) are also friends. He also said he really wanted to take Charlie in.
Wonderful news!!
I was and will continue to be completely honest about Charlie and his background. Where he came from, the state of mind he was in. How his training has progressed and where his mind is at now. And most important, what I think he needs in the future to continue his rehabilitation.
I intend to spend as much time as possible with them to show them the best way to deal with Charlie and continue his path to being a good citizen. I also intend to let them read this entire history of Charlie's time with me and watch all the videos.
I asked about what kind of life Charlie would have - I didn't come out and say it, but I do not want Charlie to wind up in a bad situation, or worse, like being put into the fighting ring. I do not want to put Charlie into a situation setup for failure. I got assurances that Charlie would have a good life as a household dog and companion. Fortunately, they live near me so I offered to help anytime they might have a problem with Charlie and need assistance. It may work out and it may not, but at least Charlie will get to meet more people.
So I'm looking forward to tomorrow afternoon and will do an update here to let you know how it goes.
May 7, 2009 -- Saint Clair Shores, Day 64
Hello again. Sorry for the long delay between posts. As usual, I looked at the date of the last post and was surprised at how much time had passed, it seems like I posted just a few days ago.
So anyway, since it's been so long a I have a few things I can update. Unfortunately, the situation with the people who were interested in Charlie did not pan out, so Charlie is still here and still available to the right situation.
The progress since my last update has been great. Charlie now acts like a regular, calm dog 99% of the time. When he gets excited or agitated, he is easily brought back under control. He is able to meet people now without any issues and the last bunch of people that have met him usually say something like, "Wow, not what I expected at all. What a nice, mellow dog." Our walks and leash training have progressed to the point where I can comfortably walk Charlie and Peanut together and have a relaxing walk, without a constant struggle or pulling. While Charlie still gets somewhat excited when he sees other dogs or animals, he does not lose control or flip out. He looks, lets me know there's another animal around, then calms down when I let him know I see it too, and that it is off limits to him. In short, he acts like a normal dog of his breed. Also, we are able to walk around basketball and softball games with Charlie under control.
I let Charlie and Peanut run free for a half hour or so a day after a long walk. Charlie's recall is fantastic and if other people or dogs come around while he is off leash, Charlie comes right back to me when I call. I never have to worry about him charging or other nonsense. Again, he lets me know there's another dog or person around, then he comes trotting back to me. His personality and temperament are very good. He is now confident and self assured. He trusts me to handle the situations we encounter and I no longer get the feeling he is out of control or fearful. Every day I get compliments on how good looking and well behaved Charlie is. The other day we were walking around a soccer game being played by young girls. Several parents commented on how well behaved Charlie was and could I get their kids to behave as well as he does! We are beginning advanced work on such things as heeling off leash and sit-stay and down-stay in public situations.
Lately I have been working on the finer details. Such as being able to leave Charlie in the house unsupervised when I leave. I used to have to put him in a cage because he would chew and destroy seemingly anything he could get his teeth on, while barking and crying very loudly. I have worked on him staying quiet and directing his chewing to acceptable things, chews, rawhides, toys, etc. I can now say with confidence that Charlie is trustworthy when I leave and I do not have to put him in a cage. He chews acceptable things and doesn't destroy anything he's not supposed to touch. His separation anxiety now is very low and completely under control. For the last 2 weeks or so I can leave and come home with the house just as I left it. He no longer digs in the back yard, either, or attempts to escape. Through work and repetition, he no longer tries to bolt through any open door or gate. He will sit and make eye contact with me, waiting for me to give him permission (or not). He lets me go through first and then follows.
I need to shoot some new video of Charlie playing with the rope toy and his response to the OUT command. He no longer gets out of control playing tug and drops the toy immediately on command. A complete 180 from when I first met him. His possessiveness over food and toys is gone as well. I routinely give him a treat and take it away and give it back several times just to test him. He especially loves pig ears, so I after I give him one I take it back and handle it several times before letting him eat it. He is completely submissive in those situations. I also go near his food bowl, put my hands in his food while he is eating, etc, for the same reason. I see absolutely no food aggression whatsoever.
Alexis has made several visits since I shot the video posted earlier, and she puts Charlie and Peanut through their paces, with treats and without. Charlie behaves well for her and they have a good relationship. I trust him completely and 100% with her.
I am to the point where I feel Charlie can be placed into the right home. Much more confident then even 2 weeks ago. Preferably someone who can spend at least an hour a day with him and has some experience with pitbulls or other muscular dogs. Very lazy or submissive people need not inquire, Charlie requires a solid pack leader who is assertive and confident and can meet his high level of energy. I will spend as much time as necessary with prospective new owners until they are 100% confident they can handle Charlie in all situations.
Here is Charlie's page on petfinder.com:
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11106675
If you or anyone you know is interested in possibly adopting Charlie, email me and we can discuss it.
brian@detroitdogtrainer.com