Biofeedback and relaxatio technique - cross posting

[Kyoko]

This is a cross posting from another group. But later I thought it belongs here better...

 

OK, so, this is what I do for living, right? So why not apply to my nervous/autistic/ADHD dog?

Charlie is reactive, nervous, and easily stressed. She does not like direct eye contact and changes in the environment. So, I am trying to teacher her some relaxation techniques to reduce her anxiety and nervousness... Don't laugh!! It is my little experiment!!! ( I know it may seems silly )

 

1) Look at her in her eyes and blink very very slowly with heavy eye lid. ------- failed. no reponse.

2) Look at her and pretend to yawn to see if I can get her to yawn.--------------  failed. no response.

3) Blow warm breath in her face slowly. ---------------------------------------------------- YES! She closed her eyes with heavy eye lids!!! ( Heavy eye lids meaning looking sleepy )

4) Mock her high pitch yawning noise -------------------------------------------------------- YES! She put her head down on the floor!!

 

If the muscle relaxes, individuals cannot stay worked up or angry emtionally. ( Try smiling when you are mad. You cannot stay mad!! ) So, my thinking is that, if I can get her muscle to relax, then her anxiety level will reduce. I think I should clicker train this, and click when she closes her eyes, or relaxes her head.... What do you think? Do yo think it will work?

[shelly]

KYOKO! Great idea.. It's worth a try for us! If you saw my post today in forum... you'll know by now that Tori regressed big time with the 'friend' visitor outside.... she got so worked up, not even her leash stopped her... she was relentless trying to get back to the window...I'm going to try it! Like the clicker idea with it too!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I can't figure out why I am not getting notice of postings in this group--but I can not stop getting puppy madness notices no matter how hard I try. Maybe, I need to read the directions.

I see this discussion made it here!
I did not see it arrive, or see any of our new members.

I'm yawning at Starlit now. Her butt wiggles when she is excited so she really has a wiggle on...... she walked away.

Do you know how hard it is to stop yawning once you start? Yawn

[Kyoko]

Hahaha!! When I was yawning at Charlie, she tried to stuck her nose on my mouth!! But she seem to like that Kong Zoon Groom. I just run that up and down her body, and talk softly to her..... The thing is that somehow, the kong zoom groom to become a cue to the relaxation.....Blinks are good. If we can get them to blink on cues. Becaue blink itself slows down out breathing and heart rate, causeing relaxing effect.