9 replies to this topic

[Hoss]

Thanks for all your interest and support! I thought I'd tell you all about Kabu since some of you asked.
When I first got her from the Humane Society, she was a very shy, skittish, and wary soul. The service dog trainer who came with me and I spent some time getting to know her a little at the society. She seemed fit per the trainer's assessment, but I seemed to fall in love with her. The trainer didn't last long as she was not a very compassionate person to work with, and as she was unfamiliar with psychiatric service dogs, she even seems biased against my needs and the nature of such training. So I had to take on training myself, due as well to financial ability and the unique nature of her skill set she needed to learn. That was August of '07. Now she is a fully accredited service dog, but wow, what a personality that has emerged. I know nothing of how she was treated before I got her at 10 months, but I don't think it was up to the level she deserved and needed as such a intelligent, intuitive, and loving animal. Her skittishness is not prevalent, and she's confident and comfortable now. She's quite the cuddle hound too, as well as able to stimulate me with her affection when I'm 'checked out.' I've had several dogs during my lifetime, not to mention the ad hoc pack of 7 dogs that ran around our land as a kid. I think I spent more time roaming around with them then I probably spent with my siblings! Anyway, Kabu's level of understanding, sensitivity, and intuition that leads to action is astounding. Due to the nature of her service skill set, her ability to intuit my 'state' is not just a skill, but some kind of medicine she possesses (due to the need for personal privacy, I'm limited in what I can share about what my medical needs/disability is, but her skills basically starts with alerting and guiding me in a personal medical emergency).
Some of our 'weaker' abilities as a dog team are other dogs, and squirrels. Off leash she is quick, listens well, and attentive to ignore distractions. On leash, which is basically a necessity of her service, she wants to meet and play with most dogs we encounter. A quick, soft, correction usually suffices, but the initial urge to meet and greet she has no impulse control. She's never been mean, even to the point of letting other rude dogs growl and bully her, but she shakes it off and moves on easily. I can't take any credit as a trainer as we both have gone through a major learning curve, not unaided in the least by her intelligence. And boy can she play! She pulls off moves I've only seen and heard stories of coyote doing; she's definitely got the 'god dog' mojo.
Well, I'm more than open to questions and conversation about Kabu if anyone else is; there's probably much more to tell.
Thanks,
Hoss

[Debi]

Thank you so much for sharing, Hoss!

I love hearing how our AI's are intuitive and caring. We have only had Soul for a few weeks and yet he has exhibited these traits and as someone who often wants to cuddle down with her canine - he is great for this.

I'm also impressed with you taking on her training yourself. I do believe (from past experience with trainers and as trainer) that if an owner can do this themselves, it builds a much stronger bond. My husband was diagnosed with severe anxiety and panic disorder (lifetime - when he was younger, doctors told his parents he was spoiled) about 8 years ago and we are finding that Soul is VERY much a great therapy tool for him when we are out and about. Brian has lingered in the background here, but listened intently to my talk about AI's and the group. He will talk about Soul and his traits extensively to anyone willing to listen! It brings joy to my heart when this happens. That joy is now extended to know that "Bubby" does that for you too!

I do have one question for you. How quickly was she able to learn off leash restraint? We are frightened to death about Soul's inability to fear ANYTHING and are hoping we can eventually get him used to the fact that high tailing toward the road is NOT a good thing!

Again, thank you so much for sharing. You are a wonderful owner and addition to the group and it is great that you and Kabu found one another!

-Debi

[Hoss]

She first responded to 'leave it' type training. It was easy to transfer that to deer and distractions in general. Alternatively I use a verbal correction, like a throaty 'aaa-aaa' or 'schh-schh.' With consistent and constant repitition she was quick to get that it meant for her to stop doing what she was doing. Once, she was having free time as me and a friend lounged in a yard. A dog across the street caught her attention and started to go very enthusiastically toward the street and the dog. My friend and I, without any prompting, let out a simultaneous 'aaa-aaa' very loud and clear; she nearly stumbled over herself to turn 180 and come full tilt back to us. That command has never had mixed results since!

Along the way though, if she was vacilating after a correction was given, I would immediately go to sit which is a rock solid response from her. I could tell by her whine that she knew she was grounded for the moment, so the message got past her, what must be overwhelming impulse to bolt after something, and brought her attention back to me. Of course nothing is perfect but I find when things aren't smooth for some reason (we all have bad days) it's usually something I'm not being clear and/or consistent about. Hope that is helpful. I always struggled with Kabu retaining her 'free' spirit while being very capable to be spot on as I need it. That may sound like an unrealistic ideal, but she knows when the working protocol is in effect as we start out from the apartment in the same way. But if we get to the dog park, or at a friends where she can have free time, I have her sit, stay as I take off the leash, and wait for my command 'free' and then she knows she's got her own time to do whatever. Inevitably she comes round and has to be within sight of me, which is nice if I'm visiting with friends in a casual environment (not in a restuarant or store, etc.) and we interact on that level until we leave; then it's back to work protocol. This seems to work for us anyway.

[Allison]

I really look forward to hearing more about Kabu. That is an excellent story. I hope you'll come to our IIDOBA Gathering, this year, in Oregon, and meet a few of us. We are trying to pin down the date.

[Debi]

Thank you! I know what you mean about the "sit" being rock solid. Soul has picked that up VERY quickly. I will try the leave it as we practice in the back yard. Yesterday he realized he could look up and see the birds as they flew and that was hilarious as he tried to jump straight up in the air to catch the little robin!

[Hoss]

Well I most certainly could make a gathering in Oregon. I'd love to be kept in the loop as far as when and where too. Kabu also loves birdwatching; more so than any other dog I've seen. She'll track them above her, sometimes getting a little clumsy in her stride as she's doing it. If something really has her attention, I've actually seen her bump into stationary objects and get all goofy-footed.

[Debi]

Hoss, on Jun 5 2009, 01:13 PM, said:

Well I most certainly could make a gathering in Oregon. I'd love to be kept in the loop as far as when and where too. Kabu also loves birdwatching; more so than any other dog I've seen. She'll track them above her, sometimes getting a little clumsy in her stride as she's doing it. If something really has her attention, I've actually seen her bump into stationary objects and get all goofy-footed.

Bwahahaha Soul does that too! It is so funny when he runs into things - he turns around and looks at us like it was our fault! Right now he is all worn out from a day outside chasing birds, sticks, and bumble bees. He's underneath my chair on his back with his tongue hanging out dead asleep! Have I mentioned lately...I LOVE MY AID!!!

[Karen]

I try not to get a little sad when I read the comments about other owners' dogs being so cuddly and intuitive, because that is not my dog. But she is still very young, and she has been a slow grower in many ways, and she has so many other wonderful qualities. But her brain goes 100 MPH all of the time, she has no room to divine the thoughts or feelings of others at present. And she has the capacity to pay attention to me when I tell her to, which is obviously very important. But I cannot imagine her being a therapy dog. She is rarely calm, only tired. She is affectionate on her terms, and never for very long. But she is without a doubt one of the happiest dogs I've ever known - she is full of joy in every situation. She is thrilled to death to meet every new person and wags her whole body in her desire to be pet by them. For two seconds. Then she is off to the next thing.

I'm confident this is going to change as she gets older, but her essential nature is plain to see. Intuition will come over years, not months.

[Debi]

Karen, on Jun 5 2009, 09:56 PM, said:

I try not to get a little sad when I read the comments about other owners' dogs being so cuddly and intuitive, because that is not my dog. But she is still very young, and she has been a slow grower in many ways, and she has so many other wonderful qualities. But her brain goes 100 MPH all of the time, she has no room to divine the thoughts or feelings of others at present. And she has the capacity to pay attention to me when I tell her to, which is obviously very important. But I cannot imagine her being a therapy dog. She is rarely calm, only tired. She is affectionate on her terms, and never for very long. But she is without a doubt one of the happiest dogs I've ever known - she is full of joy in every situation. She is thrilled to death to meet every new person and wags her whole body in her desire to be pet by them. For two seconds. Then she is off to the next thing.

I'm confident this is going to change as she gets older, but her essential nature is plain to see. Intuition will come over years, not months.

Don't get me wrong, Karen - Soul is VERY much like your dog. He loves people, loves to play - but cuddle time is on HIS terms. Although he does recognize our moods very well and wants to be near one of us at all times, it is often hard to get him to stop nibbling! We have been working on the relax/be nice and it seems to be working. Put him on his back though and all hell breaks loose! :-)

The 100 mph brain is sounding familiar too. Have you ever seen the look on her face where she is plotting and planning? I swear Soul is plotting to take over the world - one cat and bird at a time! Hee hee...

She will get it - as you said - she is young yet. Some are so independent that they need sage age to realize you need them too!

[Hoss]

Karen, on Jun 5 2009, 07:56 PM, said:

I try not to get a little sad when I read the comments about other owners' dogs being so cuddly and intuitive, because that is not my dog. But she is still very young, and she has been a slow grower in many ways, and she has so many other wonderful qualities. But her brain goes 100 MPH all of the time, she has no room to divine the thoughts or feelings of others at present. And she has the capacity to pay attention to me when I tell her to, which is obviously very important. But I cannot imagine her being a therapy dog. She is rarely calm, only tired. She is affectionate on her terms, and never for very long. But she is without a doubt one of the happiest dogs I've ever known - she is full of joy in every situation. She is thrilled to death to meet every new person and wags her whole body in her desire to be pet by them. For two seconds. Then she is off to the next thing.

I'm confident this is going to change as she gets older, but her essential nature is plain to see. Intuition will come over years, not months.

How old is your dog? What you're describing is close to how Kabu was when I first got her. She was so sensitive to the point of being completely insecure though, as well. I wouldn't be surprised if your dog changes with time. I've found not only does Kabu respond to loving attention, it's the only thing she responds well to. This facet has really shaped the nature of our training. We have focused a lot on basic self-confidence and affection and she is a very different dog today. Not that you would want to 'make' your dog be different, but again I wouldn't be surprised if she changes some.