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Newbie - Anyone up for a chat about animals?

Good_Vibes365

Hello everyone, how are you doing?

I am new to the community, and this is my first post. As a huge dog-lover and avid National Geographic fan, I would love to have a conversation about animals, particularly dogs and the recent Reality TV show Dog Impossible.

In this show, dog trainer Matt Beisner spots hyper-anxious dogs who may have endured trauma during puppyhood and come with many unmet needs.

He takes them to his super Zen Zen Dog Centre. With his mates, he introduces them to new canine companions, and interacts with them through love, patience, trust, and respect to help them enjoy life with their loved ones again, including other dogs around the neighbourhood. He also gives people new tips and exercises to help them meet their dogs needs better and enjoy safer, more trusting and rewarding interactions with them (e.g., petting your dog when they are calm, to motivate more calm behaviour, and not touching them when your dog turns away, to allow them enjoy some barking 'me time' that they have asked for). 

I found both seasons super inspiring, watching the dogs improve their confidence, coping skills, and openness to different situations. I also loved seeing the families coming to understand their dogs better and develop stronger relationships with them (and each other) Slight smile

Have any of you guys watched Dog Impossible or any similar cool animal shows? If not no worries. Do you have any funny memories featuring any animals in your own life? 

Parents

  • Welcome here from another newbie. I haven't seen Dog Impossible but being the child of a canine behavioural expert, it's safe to say I grew up with dogs. Over the years I got more involved with anything equine though, especially the sort of "natural horsemanship" where it's about a two-way communication and where you listen to the horse rather than to tell them what you want them to do. I came to notice some similarities between my character and the hyper vigilance that prey animals like horses need to stay alive. Just think of the typical autistic (at least, with me) noticing of the smallest of details, like the other day a balloon floating in the rehearsal room of my orchestra.   

  • in reply to TwiJack

    Hello TwiJack 

    Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with dogs and horses. I especially like your point about the importance of '2 way communication' where you really 'listen to your animal, rather than telling them what to do'. This is exactly Mat Beisner's main principle he shows in all his episodes Slight smile

    For instance, in one season 2 episode, he worked with a couple who were fearful of their own hyper-anxious pug, because they could not read his signals. However, with Matt's guidance, they learnt to be more patient, and observe the 'smallest of details' and start to glean what they might mean. For example, finally learnt that when their pug slightly lifts their left leg in response to their extended hand, it is a sign that they want to be left alone, and will BITE or SCRATCH when they get the unwanted petting. Before the training, they MISSED these small signals, and got punished with the dog's aggression, hence really appreciated how Matt gave the dog a 'voice' to express his needs (and them a 'manual' to interpret his signals). As a result of Matt's training, they felt braver living with their pug, and safer to invite people to their house, without fear for everyone's safety Slight smile

    Unfortunately, dogs can become anxious, because they can be hyper-vigilant towards environmental stressors including sounds and strangers, so Matt likes to schedule regular walking and play sessions in different environments so they can feel more confident and comfortable with different people and dogs. I never get dog-worn, seeing dogs make new friends, reconnect with old friends, and rebound through life with newfound hope, resilience, energy and enthusiasm Slight smile

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