When it's your dog, part 2

​After realizing we had a behavior challenge that needed to be addressed right away, the first thing we did was discontinue walks off property to avoid practicing that behavior.  Increasing enrichment activities to help offset this was an important addition.  We added more box puzzles, snuffle time and new trick training.
 
The next thing we did was close observation while on property and in the yard.  Our home is on a corner, with a busy road on one side and a quieter (neighbors only) road on the other.  While in the yard, behind the barrier of the fence, as a vehicle would approach he again would lock on to the sound, freeze and stare as the vehicle passed, but no lunging or chasing.

---

To diagnose what was going on, used the LEGS® assessment.  LEGS Applied Ethology® course taught me to look at and understand the entire dog.
                                                                                                                                          L-Learning  What has he learned, how has he learned and how does he learn?
E-Environment  Physical environment, where he lives, who he lives with.
G-Genetics  What is his genetic grouping (breed(s)) and characteristics of that breed(s)?
S-Self The things that makes this dog unique. Age, sex, health and how everything comes together
 
LEGS as was applied to Jeepers in this situation:
L- His learning history was reinforcement based training, no traumas. He learns quickly and problem solves easily.
E- He lives with his two humans, 2 other Great Danes, on 4 acres that he gets to explore. A fenced yard for daily routine activities that is cornered by two roads.  He enjoys play time with one dane while the other is a senior and prefers to watch.
G- He is a Great Dane, which falls under the Guardian Dogs. These dogs were originally bred to guard and defend.   This would include guarding against intruders chasing off predators. 
S- He is a healthy, intact adolescent.  A common age for genetic predisposition to certain behaviors to emerge. 
 
How does this come together to allow a diagnosis what was happening?  His guardian instincts were kicking in to protect against and pursue what he is perceiving as intruders, kicking his predatory sequence into play as the vehicles approached.  In the yard the barrier of the fence interrupted the ‘need’ to actually go after those vehicles (what he was seeing as intruders or predators).  Off property, though, there was no barrier to interrupt that sequence and guard the property (and probably me) from the possible intruders. Sequence was initiated. The predatory sequence for guardian dogs goes like this:  SEARCH*ORIENT*EYE*STALK*CHASE*GRAB-BITE*KILL-BITE*DISSECT.  When he heard the vehicle, he began searching for and orienting to the sound.
When he locked eyes on to the vehicle (Eyeing it) he would then initiate a Stalking as he followed it’s path.  As it came close he would then lunge forward as he tried to initiate the Chase. Only his leash and harness prevented him from follow thru.
 
Moving forward we would need to focus on teaching him the skills needed to interrupt the sequence, teaching him that he doesn’t have pursue the intruder. In addition, we would need to add something that would give him an alternative activity to improve his total welfare, and make sure we met his need to chase. This is sort of a check and balance system. If you are saying “don’t do this behavior that is in your genes” you have to give him the opportunity to do that something in a different, healthier (and safer) way. Another example is teaching herding dogs to play treble, where they herd tribble balls, rather than people and kids.  

In part 3 I lay out the behavior plan and how it was incorporated into our everyday life without just some minor adjustments to his daily routine while adding a few extra minutes of training. It didn’t require any major schedule changes or costly equipment. You will even see videos of the exercises in real life.  

If you missed part 1, you can find it here ​