it's the small things that make the difference...

ljowen123ljowen123
edited March 2009 in Behavior & Training
Many of you know that Jazz is reactive to soooo much (gunshots, firecrackers, loud noices, dogs, and so much more). Tonight, we had a good thing happen. I have a recording of muffled fireworks that I've been playing at odd times to help de-sensitize her. Well, tonight somebody in the subdivision next door set off firecrackers. Instead of going into full tremble and laying on my feet. Jazz jumped up on her perch to look out the window and uttered a soft bark. That was it - no freaking out.

Better yet was the fact that today was a no melatonin day. There are times (at meetups) when I feel like I'm never going to have a breakthrough, then something like this happens and hope is regenerated. I just wanted to share this with you guys - especially those that have some of the"special" dogs like Jazz.
«13

Comments

  • CaliaCalia
    edited November -1
    Wow, that is so great...Firecrackers and thunder in general gets a big reaction from most dogs. I remember when Tetsu was 2.5 months old and he heard his first fire works, and bolted almost running into the darkness.

    That's another great thing about shibas, they don't bark their heads off at every little noise. If something they hear bugs them, just light buffs are made. It's great that Jazz is learning to be braver.
  • Darwin67Darwin67
    edited November -1
    good job! It's so sad to see pups stressed to the hilt because of thunder and big bangs...I used to dread the 4th of July. I just recently learned about the CD's you can buy and will be investing in those for both fireworks and thunder! Glad to know they work!!!
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Yeah, thunder is a major stressor - summer just isn't the same anymore - I used to love thunderstorms. Now, not so much. My brave doggie is all pooped out right now. We played a good portion of the day since it was so pretty outside and that may have played a part in her not being as reactive.
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    Yeah for Jazz, good job and good progress. What a brave girl.
  • santuzzasantuzza
    edited November -1
    Yeah, Jazz! You tell those firecrackers who's boss!
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    w00t w00t go Jazz!
  • ZinjaZinja
    edited November -1
    That's a great idea with the recording of firecrackers. Congrats on Jazz's breakthrough!

    Sasuke would not stop barking at firecrackers. At New Years, he kept running around the lanai. Ninja, on the other hand, always run to my parent's room.
  • RomiRomi
    edited November -1
    Great news LJ! That is a HUGE step for Jazz!
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Thanks! I'm pretty happy about it.
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    That is definitely not a small thing, it's huge! And such great news!
    Congratulations to you and Jazz on a breakthrough that I'm sure is due to loads of good work on your side!
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Thanks, Rui! I'm considering it small until I get a repeat. My scientific background won't consider it a success unless it's repeatable. I was thrilled last night and I'm hoping that this continues. My next step is the thunderstorms CD that I used to listen to go to bed - I don't know how close that will come for Jazz, but knowing that it's working has given me a renewed hope.
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    That sounds like really good progress. Working through issues like these are difficult things to do.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    YAY JAZZ! Great work LJ!
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Thanks!
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    LJ! That is fabulous progress, a real breakthrough indeed! How exciting will a repeat be, huh!?

    Its just an indescribably beautiful moment in time when a damaged dog just acts like a regular ol' dog...
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    I know - although most dogs that I know freak out at thunder & fireworks. The idea that she can get past these items gives me so much hope that one day we'll get to an acceptable point with other dogs.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Just keep up the great work LJ. It's obviously paying off! Jazz will get there!
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    Sorry I am so late on this, but WOW! Congrats to both you and Jazz. It is no small thing when a dog like Jazz can deal with such a stressful noise in such a calm manner. Keep up the great work. And maybe the sound of fireworks will transfer over to the sound of thunder.
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Thanks! It's great to be able to share on this - most of my friends would just not get this. My curiosity on the thunder is if it involves the pressure of the air. The CD that I used to listen to (prior to Jazz) were pretty violent thunderstorms - there are a few tracks that had minor storms, so I'l start with those. The key on those will be not falling to sleep while observing Jazz. If there is no reaction then I'll assume the thunderstorm problems include the pressure.
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    YAY! GO JAZZ!!!!!


    SO happy for you LJ :) ~
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Update - it's turkey season down here which means we got guns again. Good news is Jazz is not responding to them unless it is a volley of shots. She goes to her perch to look outside and then goes back to what she's doing. I'm thrilled, but trying not make to big of a deal. It looks like it wasn't a fluke. I haven't started the thunderstorms cd because I wanted to make sure that she was making progress.

    Thunderstorm season is coming up and I really want her to get past this, so...tonight we sleep with storms.
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    That's great LJ!
    It's awesome that she is improving and even curious about the shots.
    Good luck for the stormy night! (or maybe it has already happened or is happening by now, it's 8:41am here)
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Well, the storm cd didn't seem to have any effect. I had it on a very low setting - I could barely hear it. We'll slowly increase the volume and see if there is any response.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    That is really, really great news! I agree with Rui - the fact that she's curious and not frantic is an awesome improvement!
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    I am so proud of Jazz! It is so great that she seems to be more curious about the gunshots. There is hope that she will be able to enjoy those thunderstorms with you after all!
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    w00t w00t go Jazz!
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    I'm hoping! According to the weather reports, we'll be having thunderstorms this weekend. Hopefully, we'll have some success this week.

    By the way, a big thank you goes out to this forum. You guys were the ones that encouraged the idea to use a recording to help numb the sensitivity. I know that much of the improvements that I've had with Jazz are a direct result of the knowledge of this forum.
  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited March 2009
    That's great news! Now that she is in control, I would have a thunderstorm play party and when it rains and thunders run around with treats and play tag in the house. I have used orbee dice or orbee cue and filled up like five to roll around. You can also set up a mini agility run with a broom two chairs and play tunnel.
    Anything that makes it fun. Invite some folks over.....whatever works as long as guests are stable with storms themeselves.

    Snf
  • cmmookiecmmookie
    edited November -1
    Yay for Jazz! Kudos to you too, LJ, for helping her work through her fear!!
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    This is really, really great LJ! :D ~
Sign In or Register to comment.

© Vanilla Keystone Theme 2024