Formal Case Study: Leo

Consult #1 (virtual)

This occurred about 4 months after initial contact. Leo has had 2 normal range hematocrit readings and has decreased prednisone to a lower maintenance dose.

Client’s long-term goals

• For Leo to be comfortable when guests come over to his home.
• Leo walking past people on walks.
• To be able to take Leo for trips in the RV. – Leo being comfortable in the RV while owners manage proximity to strangers.
• Improve training and management on walks to the point that owners are comfortable discontinuing using a prong collar.

Discussion

• Management protocols – xxx
• Dog body language xxx
• Thresholds and how they affect a dog’s ability to learn
• Possible triggers and recommendation to create a behavioral diary and trigger log (both known and common triggers noted)
• Expectations given age, socialization history, and bite history.
• Modified the clients’ goals during this conversation

Homework

• Determine Leo’s “hierarchy of rewards”
• Begin marker training, mechanics, and reinforcement strategies.
• Train a positive interrupter for when/if Leo shows tension/arousal
• Teach some behaviors which we will be able to use in the future.

Because Leo has bitten and been quarantined, Kayla and Kira know the liability surrounding the dog’s behavior. Due to Leo’s sensitivity to children playing, they installed an 8-foot wooden privacy fence. We discussed the level of bite, bite history, and Dangerous Dog info for our state.

Resources

• (2021) American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement on Humane Dog Training
• (2008) American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement on Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals
• (2000) XX General Statutes – Chapter 67 Article 1A “Dangerous Dog” info for our state
• (2020) Thornburg, “Enrichment Now!” Enrichment e-book

At this time, they are not walking Leo in the neighborhood. I have recommended a couple of SniffSpots locally where he can be walked safely. They are also considering walking Leo in a large cemetery nearby. Since Leo is not being walked, we added a personalized enrichment plan based on species/breed/Leo specific behaviors.

Observations

Before our first in-person consultation, I spoke to the clients to make a plan for 2 layers of safety. I met the family outside. Kira had Leo back-tied and harnessed in the backyard, and I stood with Kayla outside the fence.

Leo was aware of my approach; his ears went up, his mouth shut, and he became very still but did not bark.

[details removed]

He approached me and began sniffing the ground about 10′ from the fence.

Dogs use displacement activities as a distraction when confronted with unfamiliar or unpleasant situations, specifically when they are “unable to cope,” Aloff, B (2002) “Aggression in Dogs.”

Assessment

Leo was very young to have been taken from his litter and also did not receive sufficient socialization in the critical socialization periods and limited socialization until 5 months when he came to live with Kira and Kayla. Leo is a large dog and has been exhibiting signs of “aggression” since he was approximately a year old. Kayla and Kira have been cautious about exposing him to situations that would make him uncomfortable.

Leo begins to show signs of tension (orientation, staring, stillness, mouth snapping shut) at 50′. He can be redirected and engaged at that point as long as the stranger does not give him any attention or progress forward.

First incident:

Distant antecedents: Leo was uncomfortable around the contractor in the home
Immediate antecedent: Adding a stimulus to a tense situation. The contractor put out a hand, and Kayla pulled him back, and he redirected and bit her on the leg.

Second incident

Distant antecedents: Based on weight loss and vet diagnosis for IMHA, Leo likely did not feel well at this time, which may have lowered his threshold for proximity.
Immediate antecedents: Stranger in the yard, stranger’s attention to him, presumed orientation, and eye contact. He barked and charged at her, and she ran from him, which may have increased arousal.

Arousal – a heightened emotional and/or physical state. The individual may seem more alert, more focused, more intense, and/or more active than they normally are.

Positive Indicators

• Clients are dedicated to management and setting Leo up for success.
• Triggers are reasonably predictable (unknown humans approaching) and manageable (sturdy fenced yard).
• Clients have the means to continue training.

Negative indicators

• Leo is a large dog and not easily restrained.
• He has shown us that he will bite humans at Level 2 (possibly Level 3) when he’s over his threshold.
• Limited social history.
• Clients have a history of using aversive training methods.
• We can not expect significant behavior change in a 6-year-old dog.
• His health has been poor.

Intervention Recommendations

Safety

• Continue working on muzzle training using resources provided
• Walking in areas where the likelihood of seeing another dog is low.
• Continue to put Leo in another part of the house when visitors arrive with pb kong and music.

Veterinary and Wellness

• Referral to vet behaviorist. [vet prescribed] was stopped 4 months ago due to illness.
• Clients are reaching out to VB and possibly a virtual consultation.
• Make sure Leo is getting plenty of rest in a quiet area.
• Continue wellness checks with the primary vet and specialist.

Environmental Modification

Enrichment daily, both calming and confidence-building. Adding a portion of meals to interactive toys.

Clients have resumed walks and have been using a prong collar. They use positive methods for training. We discussed how aversives/punishment perpetuate the issue, and clients understand.

This was a touchy issue since they felt sending him away for training 4 years ago exacerbated this issue, and they feel very guilty. He is gaining weight and feeling better; both clients are small in frame. Using a prong is not ideal, but has given him a chance for walks.

Continuing some walks at off-times with the goal of discontinuing the use of the prong collar.

Discussion of possible triggers and recommendation to create a behavioral diary and trigger log (both known and common triggers noted)

Homework:

[details removed]

Consult #3 (in-person) the following week

Leo was not muzzled for this visit but was back-tied to a tree. He first barked at me and came up off his front legs but reoriented to Kayla when cued. We worked on training exercises outside of the fence at a distance of about 20′.

[details removed]

Homework:

[details removed]

Update:

They got a vet appointment with the vet behaviorist. (my behavior plan and session notes were submitted to the vet behaviorist before a meeting)

The new plan from the vet/VB

Vet recommendations:

• Change food and add more whole food nutrition, such as sardines and eggs.
• [vet prescribed] and [vet prescribed] to bridge.

Consult #4 (in person) the following month

Owners have taken time to make diet changes, teach some behaviors, and muzzle train. [Vet prescribed] may not have taken effect yet, but they see positive behavioral changes through training.

Goals

Begin getting Leo comfortable with a new person.

Environmental Modification and Safety Precautions

During this session, we walked together with Leo muzzled and no prong collar. They have a well-fitting harness and a walking belt with additional leash and both walk as a family.

Skill Building & Behavior Modification:

We worked on better leash walking and handling/strategic reinforcement skills. Leo was comfortable with all of us walking in the same direction, and I could take the leash.

We made a management plan for anyone involved in Leo’s care, which we will practice during the next session.

Talked about counterconditioning Leo to known, unavoidable triggers:

• Doorbell/knocking
• Skateboarders

Lesson 5 (in person) the following week

Goal

Practice non-interactive greetings

We went through the following non-interactive greeting plan in the home so that Kira and Kayla can practice with their A group (guests who can take instructions well).

Guests are enlisted for this exercise.

[details removed]

We successfully went through the protocol- just a little barking when I entered the house, but quickly oriented to Kira for training exercises. After about 10 minutes, Leo could lay in a relaxed position on his mat while we conversed. I remained seated on the couch about 15′ away.

Lesson 6 (in person) 1 month later

Kayla and Kira have noticed that Leo is less agitated by the children playing in the yard next door and skateboarders when he is inside the house.

His coat looks better, and his eyes look brighter.

Goal

After having a few guests over and several successful non-interactive greetings, we were ready to try a little more interaction.

Environmental Modification and Safety Precautions

The baby gate was removed, and Leo was muzzled and leashed while I came in and sat on the couch. He did not attempt an approach and instead chose to orient the handler for treats. He settled on his mat and fewer treats were needed to keep his attention.

Because he looked very comfortable, Kayla took him behind the gate and removed his muzzle so he could enjoy chewing a Benebone, which is an activity he often does and enjoys. This was added for the next steps during training sessions with a second meeting of a new person. If he remains behind a gate or leashed and looks comfortable, his muzzle can be removed for this.

Lesson 7 (in person) about 2 months later

Goal

Spring is coming, and clients want to make a plan for taking Leo in an RV.

Safety and Management

Though Leo has become more relaxed around me, he was leashed and muzzled since I was closer to me than he had been during prior visits.

Skill Building and Behavior Modification

[details removed]

Conclusion

All is going well with walks and guests in the home. Leo has a few people he recognizes and can interact with. Clients always use at least 1 layer of safety (muzzle and/or leash/babygate)

Goals are being reached (expecting RV trips to be 100%!) Very happy with the progress and client compliance!