Synchronized Swimming and Living with Dog Aggression
The following is a great video one of our Las Vegas dog trainers Lianne put together of her rather larger-than-average-jack-russell-terrier ‘Flip’ and my dog ‘Trell’. Lianne was good enough to watch ‘Trell’ for me while I was out of town that weekend, and ‘Trell’ being as nutty about swimming as she is made this a great arrangement. ‘Trell’ and ‘Flip’ decided they’d have a little fun in the pool and started doing things kind of ‘in sync’ with one another, which then turned into a fully choreographed synchronized swimming display by the two of them. I think all they need now are a couple of pink swimcaps with daisies on them and they’ll be set for the next doggie summer Olympics.
Check out the video below. It’s a short one, but is rather cute.
One of the most amazing things that came into my head when I was watching this video, is just how far ‘Trell’ has come in the time I’ve had her. The day I evaluated ‘Trell’ as a training candidate for myself I was excited at the prospect of getting a Malinois, and was willing to overlook her obvious behavioural problems if she was a strong working dog. I was hopeful but not blind to reality. I was adopting a dog aggressive dog, as well as one that could very well have some tempermental issues with people (it can be hard to tell from a 15 minute interview).
As time would show me and I recount now, ‘Trell’ dog aggression rehabilitation had it’s ups and downs. It really was like a rollercoaster ride for the first 6 months or so. Incredible to see how time, patience and obedience training (structured exposure) have worked to bring her edgy attitude around dogs to a minimum. This video is a great example of where Trell’s dog aggression has gone. She now makes new friends fairly regularly. In a leash free dog park she is under control (this doesn’t change the fact that I can’t control the other dogs there, so having an obedient and watchful dog is incredibly important). My home life has also become less stressful as the outbursts at home between the pack members and her have diminished almost completely. All that remains of Trell’s aggression at home is some typical Alpha-Female tendencies.
Perhaps my favourite moment is watching her make a new friend (they’re few and far between). Seeing her solicit play from another dog is such an entertaining ballet of body language and erratic dips and rolls. Clowns till the end.
