Comments on: Biography Becomes Biology http://www.wilddingo.com/2009/05/14/biography-becomes-biology/ It started with a dingo...committed to quadrapeds who are not evil, just misunderstood. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 05:20:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Karen http://www.wilddingo.com/2009/05/14/biography-becomes-biology/comment-page-1/#comment-4122 Karen Thu, 14 May 2009 23:34:58 +0000 http://www.wilddingo.com/?p=1219#comment-4122 Wow, what a wonderful & insightful post! Your experiences with Loki and Juno remind me of the early days with Sugar. I had zero experience with shy dogs, but too much experience working with abused kids. I told Sugar's foster parent that I was going to treat her like one of the kids-- create a safe and predictable environment, and redirect any negative behavior into positive behavior with easy rewards. It has taken time, but I would no longer describe Sugar as a "shy dog." Of course-- as you know-- new behaviors can appear, without warning. The latest with Sugar? Her fear of my feet on the bed. I have no clue why this fear is new, but it appeared 18 months after her adoption. So, we start with positive associations (peanut butter on toes works nicely); and then we move to catching cues before the fear escalates (her ears twitch, first). I redirect her attention to her favorite froggy toy while I use my feet to stroke her back and tummy. Weird, but it works. The fear is starting to dissipate. You got it right: Once you understand the behavior & biology connection, working with a rescue dog is one of the most rewarding things in life. Wow, what a wonderful & insightful post! Your experiences with Loki and Juno remind me of the early days with Sugar. I had zero experience with shy dogs, but too much experience working with abused kids. I told Sugar’s foster parent that I was going to treat her like one of the kids– create a safe and predictable environment, and redirect any negative behavior into positive behavior with easy rewards. It has taken time, but I would no longer describe Sugar as a “shy dog.” Of course– as you know– new behaviors can appear, without warning. The latest with Sugar? Her fear of my feet on the bed. I have no clue why this fear is new, but it appeared 18 months after her adoption. So, we start with positive associations (peanut butter on toes works nicely); and then we move to catching cues before the fear escalates (her ears twitch, first). I redirect her attention to her favorite froggy toy while I use my feet to stroke her back and tummy. Weird, but it works. The fear is starting to dissipate.

You got it right: Once you understand the behavior & biology connection, working with a rescue dog is one of the most rewarding things in life.

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