The Annual Beach Vacation...There ARE Miracles!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Each year we rent a beach house on the CT shore with our entire extended family (no we're not all in the same house).  Of course, the Doodles come with us along with the other "family dogs".  In 2011 we experienced what I call "the vacation from hell" because of the behavior of Murphy.  I did a discussion about it, and here's the link http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/the-vacation-from-hell.  Murphy's behavior was really frightening, and we spent the entire vacation trying to keep him from attacking other dogs or the grandkids.  He barked and paced most of the time....it was just awful.  Each year has been a little better as his training progressed, but I really had to share that this year was truly awesome.  He has come so far and we now know how to manage him so that he remains calm.  He is and will always be a reactive dog, but this year there were people coming and going from the cottage, with no response from him.  He was gentle and loving with the kids.  There was absolutely NO barking.  He has learned how to remove himself from stressful situations.  When there were too many people in the cottage he would go upstairs, lay under the ceiling fan and take a nap.

Many of you DK friends have been on this journey with us.  I hope that knowing that it is possible to turn a nervous, highly reactive dog around helps others who find themselves on this same journey.  Murphy will always be in training...for the rest of his life...it can work and they can be trained to be happy and adjusted.  It takes work, consistency and commitment....but it can happen!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I couldn't be happier or prouder to hear this if Murphy was my own dog! 

We know how much time, patience, and hard work you've put into achieving this, Jane, and it's so uplifting to know that it's paid off. I hope this will encourage others who are struggling with their dogs. 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Wonderful news Jane and so happy for Murphy too!  How nice that he feels more comfortable and safe and enjoyed the Family Beach Vacation!  All your hard work and love has paid off.

[Gail and Bailey]

Kudos to Murphy and to you! You are a wonderful doodle mom! It is great to hear that Murphy has come so far!!

[Deborah Brown]

Thanks for sharing a success story!  We've found that improvement comes from both training and maturity.  We recently attended a doodle pool party which was overcrowded and a bit insane and my reactive doods did fine.  :)  I have a dream of taking all three doodles on vacation.  We're having trouble finding a place that will actually welcome three large dogs.

[Lois Ehrenfeld de Buren]

Thank you for this, & how awesome that you didn't give up on your dog! Our beloved Rajah is a wonderful dog, but has his moments, & I believe that a lot of people might get doodles without realizing that they require a lot of attention & training.

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

I remember reading about Murphy a few years ago.  So nice to hear how far he's come!  My pups are due for a little training tune up, so I'd love to hear some of the techniques that eventually worked to help him learn to remove himself from the situation.  I'd love to be able to take my "kids" on a vacation and feel confident that they would behave like that.  I'm so used to our little world and our monthly doodle romps where they do fine, but I'm not certain how they would be outside of our bubble. They are still reactive to the mailman every day and the neighbor's kitty who sits and taunts them outside of the window, so those two situations are a place to start.  (Fortunately, they LOVE their walks and the children and people they meet along the way, so they aren't reactive to the vast majority of humans.  Just that mailman that they are convinced is a murderer or something and they must warn me.  :-)  )

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

If the only reactions you're getting now are to the mailman or the cat next door, I think you're in good shape and have done a great job with training.  I think I'd use treats with the mailman as a way of desensitizing.  If you know what time he will come, have a high value treat in your pocket and the second you notice the mailman let them see him but quickly treat BEFORE they bark.  Praise but without excitement.  My guys get one bark with the landscapers in the yard or someone coming to the door and then they come running straight to me for their "reward".  I really wouldn't worry much about their reaction to the "taunting kitty".  That seems pretty normal.  With Murphy the main "technique" was telling him what I want him to do all the time.  That may sound strange, but I really don't let him make many decisions.  There have been lots of "down stays" away from things that I know will get him stressed.  Even now when we're having the whole family for dinner I put him in a down/stay in another room and gate the door....he can see everyone arrive but he's not in the middle of it.  That kind of noise and confusion is something he can't handle...I call him out when everyone is there.  The minute I see excitement that looks like he could be getting stressed he goes right back in the other room.  Because we have always done that, he now will do it on his own.  When he's laying calmly in the other room, I'll go in and pet and praise him  and give him a treat as a reinforcement.

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

Thank you!  I'll try anticipating the mailman ruckus earlier.  I've used the shaking can of coins to redirect their attention to me, but only with marginal success.  I haven't done a treat reward, so that is a good reminder.  My dood is pretty good with most visitors immediately since he just wants to be loved and cuddled by any human.  But my little sheepdog mix takes about 5 minutes to accept someone into the house without barking.  I'll try your suggestions on her.  She's not aggressive with lunging, but she definitely feels she has a job to do to let me know there is a new human in my house.  I'll work more on "down stay" with her when greeting new people.  Good reminders.  Thank you for coming in and giving us an update.  It reminds me to get back to some of those corrections I did in the beginning so consistently. 

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Such wonderful news! You have worked so hard for him and it shows! So happy for you!

[charlotte bednarsh]

Jane, your love and determination has truly paid off!  You are amazing and I hope you recognize it's your hard work that has made this possible.  Big hugs from me and Paz!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, You are and will always be my training hero :) Murphy was SO LUCKY to end up with you. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Jane ~ I believe Murphy ended up the forever home in which he truly belonged.  Your patience and kindness has helped him be the best doodle he can be!  So happy to hear the vacation was a blast for all!