I am looking for someone to meet and do some desensitizing work with Loki and I.

It needs to be a smaller dog, like corgi size or smaller that is dog friendly, stable and well mannered. All I need is someone that is willing to stand across a field and hang out with their dog and do some basic training or play or just sit and pet them LOL, I just need them to be present really.

I don't know anyone that fits the bill in my area, all of my friends have big dogs, or small dogs that are way to reactive to work for this purpose.

So I thought I would ask here, and see if anyone had any suggestions to get in contact with someone or knows anyone near tulsa that might be willing to do some training with me.

I wish I could do it, but it would be a long commute. I have a dog whose name should be "Mr. Calming Signals."


Good for you to spread the word!

Thanks Connie!
Puppies would work too, he thinks puppies are the bees knees.

I just figured someone here might know someone who knew someone.
I want to get started with this work right away to get the healing going and really get him back to his happy self as soon as possible.

I do know a totally wonderful german shephard, but he is awfully big and prick eared and might be too much too soon after the attack. He is also recovering from a snake bight to the face, so he needs to be 100% before I even think about doing any work with him.

Ok I think I found a happy, dog friendly, silly 5 month old boston terrier puppy with a great owner who is excited to help. He is also already nuetered so he won't smell like a male.

My plan is to start in a big open space without out a lot of other stuff going on, and a place where off leash dogs aren't likely. I am thinking I will have her just hang out and play with her dog while we do some upbeat marker stuff at a large distance. Then Loki and I can bit by bit close the distance to the point where he is aware of the other dog, but not fixated afraid or concerned.
Then stay there and work until he is relaxed and focused on me and move a little closer etc etc.

After a couple times of this, whenever I think he will recognize the other dog and his person maybe some short happy walks on opposite sides of the street, then us following them, them following us etc.

I realize these steps could take minutes, days or even months to get through. This is all about him and building his confidence so I am in no rush.

My only goal is for him to not be afraid, making a doggy friend in the process would be a big bonus, but just being comfortable by my side with another dog nearby is good enough for me.

she also has a larger female mutt, that she said is very calm and totally dog friendly, but I think we need to start small and work our way up to that.

Also I would like opinions of taking Chad or someone else with me and letting them have Nico meet and hang out with the other dog while Loki is watching.

She is so laid back and stable, at best she thinks other dogs are fantastic, and at worst she just ignores them.

Jennifer,

Too bad, we don't live close because I have a 2 years old american eskimo male who is pretty neutral with dogs. He has a very laid back personality and is not interest in meeting new dogs. He is pretty obsessed with me and follows me everywhere I go even indoor and outdoor. Also, he plays gentle with my pet rat.

Keep us posted on his progress.

I will!
He is such a good boy I hope this works to alleviate some of his fear and boost his confidence.

We went and played on the playground last night, I used bacon and little smokies and lured him on the equipment and after some hesitation he seemed to really enjoy himself.

 Quote: jennifer lee

I will!
He is such a good boy I hope this works to alleviate some of his fear and boost his confidence.

We went and played on the playground last night, I used bacon and little smokies and lured him on the equipment and after some hesitation he seemed to really enjoy himself.

Sounds like a good step!

Also, this Boston Terrier plan sounds perfect to me, to rehab after a dog-attack:

" I am thinking I will have her just hang out and play with her dog while we do some upbeat marker stuff at a large distance. Then Loki and I can bit by bit close the distance to the point where he is aware of the other dog, but not fixated afraid or concerned. ... Then stay there and work until he is relaxed and focused on me and move a little closer etc etc. "


I'd be very leisurely about it. Taking "too long" really isn't possible, IMHO, but rushing it is very possible.

I plan on taking our sweet time, this could take months, so I am going to try to find more people and dogs that are willing to work with me.

I actually have a consult with a local trainer next week that I am really excited about. They are affiliated with the local shutzhound club and her methods seem right on par with my thought process. I can do the work myself, but sometimes an informed outside perspective is worth its weight in gold.

She told me one of her loves is helping dogs with fear and phobias overcome them to live a happy life and totally disagrees with flooding in cases like this.
http://www.clicketysplitdogtraining.com/