Ah, poor Ginger! The re-education of Mom’s dog
By Liz Palika
November 11, 2009
I posted several months ago that my Mom had added a new puppy to her family. After my Dad passed away last December, she realized their dog, Cosmo, was 13 years old and not doing well. Not wanting to be alone, she wanted a new dog. So Ginger, a ginger-colored Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix joined the household.
Yesterday Mom had a knee replaced (her second) and will be in the hospital for a few more days so Ginger is in my house. Cosmo sleeps most of the time now so is still at Mom’s house — two streets from mine — and I will go over there to care for him.
But Ginger, oh poor Ginger. She’s in my house with three Aussies and cats. Cats!!! Ginger has had no exposure to cats and these cats don’t run from dogs – they are in charge of the dogs. So she’s already been swatted on the nose, batted on the butt and growled at in cat language — four letter words, I’m sure.
The Aussies don’t respect her, either, and when she’s in the way, they go right over the top of her. When she took her time chewing on her chewie, they took it away from her. When she got pushy and nosy, Bashir lifted a lip at her. Just one lip over one canine, but she got the message.
And then there’s me. I do not allow dogs to run away from me, and she did that twice yesterday. So, we had a training session yesterday and will have another one today. I used lots of praise and treats – things my Mom will and can follow through with later – but I also put a long leash on Ginger so she couldn’t run from me. By last night she was running towards me when I called and didn’t run past me: She stopped in front of me. Good girl!
Ginger is good in the house. She would like to chew, but I have dog toys and chewies available. Her housetraining is good — no accidents — and she’s crate-trained.
There is one thing I am concerned about, though, that I will have to work on with her. Somehow my Mom has taught Ginger, or allowed her to become, helpless. She doesn’t try new things; she doesn’t get creative; and she doesn’t try to solve problems.
I like my dogs to solve problems. I want them to use their brains and think. And I’m not used to a dog in my home who doesn’t. Ginger’s response is to sit in place, not move, and then whine and cry. Perhaps my Mom has saved her every time something hard happens. Or somehow Ginger has learned not to try. I’m not quite sure what has caused this but I find it very sad.
I’ll dig out my Nina Ottosson toys tonight and introduce her to those. They encourage the dog to think and try. And I’ll play some find it games and hide and seek games. We’ll also do some trick training == I’ll have her train with the Aussies. I’ll get this little dog to use her brain!
Image: Ginger as a puppy, visiting with Archer.
Best wishes on Veterans Day to you and your husband, Liz. Thank you for your service to our country!
And best wishes to Mom! My Mom is five months post-knee replacement … what a huge improvement in her life. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 11, 2009 @ 7:10 am
I just ordered three of the Nina O toys! I wonder who will have the most fun working them out. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 11, 2009 @ 7:32 am
It’s also very likely that Ginger and the Aussies don’t have exactly the same body language, so there may be some issues of translation issues. I know that the Jack Russells I know have a hard time reading my golden retriever, even though I’m sure she can read them fine.
Of course, dogs that aren’t raised around cats also don’t understand their signals either. And as someone who was raised around dogs, I have a hard time reading cats. I can only imagine what a dog would be like.
Comment by retrieverman — November 11, 2009 @ 7:53 am
BTW, my grandmother allowed her 7 pound red smooth mini dachshund to get exactly this same way. She was most insecure little thing. And she was a bad biter, too.
Comment by retrieverman — November 11, 2009 @ 7:54 am
Sometimes the “sit there and pity myself” response is just part of the dog’s temperament.
Sure, it can get worse or better with experience, but not all helplessness is learned. I’ve seen it in a pup as young as four weeks — one from strong working breeding whose ancestors and siblings were all go-getters.
Unfortunately, this is a trait I see a lot in American cockers — moreso than with other small, spoiled dogs — so I have to figure it is common in their genetics, rather than wholly a result of owner influence. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a poodle like this, so maybe you need to reach that inner poodle.
In dealing with this mindset, I’ve found that the best approach is to completely ignore the pup whenever she’s throwing herself a pity party, and pay lots of attention when she’s active and engaged, even just a little.
Comment by H. Houlahan — November 11, 2009 @ 8:05 am
I get that it might be in part a genetic temperament issue, I do. But I also wonder about those first few weeks again.
When the ZinKuties growing here got themselves in a jam from time to time — stuck somewhere, mostly — my desire was to swoop in and “save” them.
But I resisted. As long as they were in no physical danger, I let puppies work themselves out of the problems they got into.
I remember in particular one of the pups getting worked into a spot between the X-pen and the wall. I think it was one of the girls, but I don’t really remember now. The puppy got squeezed in there, couldn’t go forward and just started to cry. I watched from my desk a few feet away. So hard to just watch!!
After about 30-45 seconds, the puppy stopped crying. Another half-minute or so, and the puppy BACKED UP and GOT OUT.
Problem solved. And puppy learned to be a problem-solver. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 11, 2009 @ 8:13 am
What we need to get rid of, then, is “helicopter puppy parenting.”
Comment by retrieverman — November 11, 2009 @ 8:49 am
Little dogs have often been selectively (accidentally) bred to be helpless.
Also, like humans, intelligence levels vary between individuals, but are somewhat genetic as well.
Social skills can be learned. Sounds like Ginger is getting just what she needs!
Comment by LynnO — November 11, 2009 @ 10:47 am
Be careful what you wish for. A problem solving puppy is sometimes …… a problem.
Verde- Who loves her little problem solver most of the time :)
Comment by Verde — November 11, 2009 @ 11:27 am
I spent EXTRA time teaching the former Blaze Orange Boy (a/k/a BOB) to be a problem-solving PITA.
You’re welcome. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 11, 2009 @ 11:55 am
Nina Ottosson’s toys are a great way to get her mind solving puzzles. We sell tons of them…we can hardly keep them in stock. So, I know there are lots of thinking dogs out there!
Comment by BestFriends Mom — November 11, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
I don’t doubt that some of it is genetic. But, I’ve seen a huge difference in just two days. She’s thinking more now and has realized that screaming, whining, and acting pitiful doesn’t work with me. She’s already beginning to think a little more.
I don’t think there’s a communication problem between the Aussies and Ginger. First of all, they known Ginger since she was a baby - the photo is her and Archer - and she responds to their body language and other communications.
The cats? Yes, since she didn’t grow up with cats, there is definately a lack there. But again, she’s no longer chasing and barking at the cats. So she’s learning.
And she soaks training up like a sponge! A happy “Good girl!” turns her into a wiggling ball of cream colored coat!
Comment by Liz Palika — November 11, 2009 @ 1:32 pm