Aliens & Puppies Part 2...Take Time
So, why do puppies become like aliens at a certain point? Where suddenly we don't know them as well as we thought we did? Is it fear? Really fear? Or, is it just a developmental stage where they have to stretch their wings or pause so to speak, and we see changes in their focus/behavior/attention/attentiveness-that type of thing? As much as Teg is complete handful, her flip-side puppy that I know well, is the sweetest, friendliest, most outgoing little creature I've encountered in a while. I do not see real fear in any of my young dogs, if I did and had no clue how to work on it, I would be looking for help from a VERY good behavioral trainer who helps build up a dog's confidence, not correct a pup for something they are afraid of or possibly showing fear aggression (growling, barking, lunging, nipping..) towards-especially when they are already stressed out, for whatever reason.
Yes, Teg is tough and single minded and strong and could easily tune me out, but at the same time I see that she has a bond to me, as much as I have one to her. And relationship is really where it all starts, no matter what type of training or life you want to have with a puppy. Last night she wasn't an alien, she was my sweet little falling asleep on my lap puppy. This morning back of the window staring at the sheep and as we head to Maine for a lesson, I only see good things happening with this stuff. For such a small tiny little one, she be fierce as they say, incredible, just incredible.
I think when we see the stage they start to spread their wings it is a heads up to pay attention, that we may have missed something in their foundation socialization (have seen that in a few of my pups elsewhere :( ), not handled it the way a pup needed, or in some cases, they are ready to move onto the next stage-life, training, work, building on what is there-but while some are ready to push on, some need to take a step back-less pressure/stress, more feeling safe, etc.
I think younger dogs always keep us thinking and aware. As much as their awareness shows us a variation and behavior. With Suede, for whatever reason with all the pouring rain and ice we've had, he does not like being toweled off, lies down and shows all kinds of submissive, goofy, deflective behavior-which is fine, but he has broken that down into coming in the back door after it has been raining, means there's going to be a towel involved. So the towel just is nowhere around. And, we are amping up recalls to come back indoors, rain or not. Maybe he was never toweled off as a young baby? Or, it is the visual of it moving towards him right now as he is learning to control motion in stock? Or, as hormones have kicked in his body is just more sensitive? These are the kind of questions I ask myself, trying to figure this stage out. Who knows, just listening to him with this worry he seems to have recently developed-it may just go away. If it doesn't, we will work on it.
Then with Ffin, also a youngun', he knows which door to the closet in the front hall that a vacuum cleaner comes out of. He had tons and tons of early socialization to vacuum cleaners as fun and as predictors of food or play, showed no fear as a tiny baby, but when he hit the first stage of alien-suddenly that was one thing that predicted something scary for him. It's not so big a reaction I think it will get worse, so I let him be or let him outside when using the vacuum(which is often)for now, but it's avoidance which is fear in one form, so I always keep it in mind. Meanwhile, he has no issue with making the Teeter (which is low) bang and move, or riding in the car nausea which can sometimes hit at this age, if it didn't when younger. They all keep me aware and thinking.
So far, I have not seen really specific things that cause any fear in Teg. What I see is actually stronger approach, as in fight vs flight. In most puppies, fear causes flight behavior or freeze. In Teg it appears to create control, advancing to what worries her/fight defense behavior. Which shows me what is at her core, when push comes to shove. So that is very very super interesting to me. The boys maybe a little softer than Teg, so they show avoidance for that is just their way to deal with stress. Whereas this little girl the mighty mite, has a bring it on bitch attitude basically, just love love love them all.
My mantra with puppies is "who they are at that moment, is not who they will always be forever". This is something I also try to remind people of when they hit the wall with their pup, or something bizarre starts happening with the pup. With the one trial learners, or those that pattern quickly-like most herding breeds do, you really do have to be aware. I try to be one step ahead, which also is a personal mantra, but sounds like a broken record when you have to remind others and yourself of that too.
And...starting at the beginning of the circle of the behavior, not the middle or end by reacting to it, really is the only way to change it. But, in some cases, especially in the alien phase, just letting them naturally progress and transform and move through it on their own, whatever "it" is, "it" resolves on its own. Unless, there is a specific event that occurs that they are associating, like a traumatic event in the car ,or another dog attacking them, or being hurt in some way, or looking at something when they're being injured-like with a shock collar for example while looking at a child. For some dogs, kids might predict the owie in the future.
Some "its" they do not naturally get past on their own, and you have to work on it. Waiting to see if they resolve or cope on their own with something, is like shaping a behavior though-rather than stepping in to always redirect, luring (or correcting). It is that much stronger, if they figure it out on their own.
When you have a puppy who seems "naughty" or "out of control" or "reactive", what do you think they are missing in their daily life with you? What were they bred for? In my case primarily stockwork, but what outlets does a pup have? If they are not getting enough age-appropriate exercise, fun, outlets for their instinct, etc...they will pop off into the universe. As much as human ego thinks we are the center of a puppy's universe, we often need to work on that. Too much pressure/training by some people, can send a puppy into orbit. While too little and the pup disappears into a black hole. Balancing what I see in each pup, tells me what we need to do-sometimes it means taking a step back, sometimes it mean all systems GO!
The rest of the Alien stage, I feel is nature's way of protecting them, to be a little bit more cautious, a little bit more careful, as they are growing and maturing. It is also a "hey you" to us to be aware and keep tabs on how they're doing, every pup is different-there is no one size fits all method for working a pup through fear periods. Common sense and having their back, is basically my "method", with a bit of crossed fingers hoping they naturally smooth it out on their own. If not, that is where we learn more about them and what makes them tick....and then they return from Mars. Someday. Still the pup we loved, before they became an Alien.
This morning Teg is back at the window where she can see the sheep-so
1. I am managing it by closing that shade if I can't pay attention to her.
2. we are working call-offs (which she showed yesterday in our lesson were beautiful) and leaving something she wants, she gets a big rewards/game of tug,etc and then she is released back to go "watch". (Premack principle in real life-gimme this, I give you that)
3. Giving her other "work" to do, instead of just staring out a window...and if this stage does not pass, we will work on it more specifically.
PS: We drove home in heavy snow squalls, heavy traffic...so no time to reflect on the amazingness of my dogs. Teg had a HUGE breakthrough on sheep yesterday. Yes. just a wee 6 month old, but her half brother won the International at 17 months, and other half sibs are competing very young (not that I ever will or know enough to start a pup that well so young)...so no, not pushing her too fast, too young. She needs to work! Not only was she able to stop doing her impression of another breed that would not be good to have in on your sheep-but she rated them, worked both directions, moved off them with some help and naturally spun herself out to the edge of the bubble and lay down or stood-amazing! Kestrel and Speck also had some good stuff, out in big field.
