breaking Ace’s fixation

Note: This is part three of a three-part series on my dog’s tennis sphere obsession. Click these links to checked out part one, My mutt has a fixation as well as part two, 10 indications your pet dog has a fixation.

Just like any type of addiction, rehabilitation takes a long, long time. In Ace’s tennis sphere case, I have two options. I can either continue things the method they are as well as enable him to obsess over a sphere up until he ends up hurting himself, or I can begin the long process of correcting his behavior.

Obviously I am going to right the habits or I wouldn’t have selected to do this series. The issue is getting started since I understand exactly how tough it is going to be to comply with through.

My goal is to have a pet dog that can manage himself around a sphere as well as play in a healthy method where he never becomes fixated. He will respond to all commands even if he has a ball. He will have the capability to stop playing as well as leave a sphere alone without me hiding it or putting it away. a lot of of all, he will be able to play as well as interact socially with other dogs in addition to accept verbal as well as physical interest when there is a sphere in sight.

Here are some policies I have set for Ace to begin ideal away:

1. No fetch playing for 30 days (at least).2. No pet dog park for 30 days (but we’ll stay away as long as needed). The reason for this is there are spheres anywhere as well as I can’t enforce my new policies if Ace is off leash in a huge area surrounded by tennis balls.3. Ace will begin a a lot more regular, intense exercise program of at least one hour of running or walking at least five days a week.4. daily I will have Ace method calm energy by lying on his side in a submissive setting with a sphere next to him. He will lie like that up until he is absolutely kicked back as well as ignoring the ball. depending upon the day, this might take 30 seconds or an hour. He will likewise have to do this any type of time he brings me an item expecting me to throw it for him.

Once Ace has shown some improvements, I will step on to some difficulties for him:

1. When Ace can handle to neglect a sphere while lying down, I will step on to him sitting as well as then just being loose in a space with a ball, ignoring it.2. when Ace can leave a sphere alone in a room, I will work on a lot more mental difficulties with him such as me throwing a sphere while he sits as well as stays at my side. We will method heeling by weaving around a lawn full of spheres with Ace on leash as well as then off leash.3. Ace will get to play with a sphere himself if he is absolutely calm. If he is even close to that fixated specify of mind, the sphere will be put on the ground as well as he will lie next to it.4. I hope to return to typical fetch playing, however Ace need to stay calm as well as in manage of himself the whole time.

I have no concept exactly how long this whole process will take. perhaps six months, perhaps two years. Or perhaps I will never be able to right Ace on my own. It mainly depends upon exactly how well I am able to stay with these rules. If any individual has any type of suggestions, I’d like to hear them. My concepts are influenced by Jon Katz as well as Cesar Millan, however I don’t understand any individual personally who has really tried to break his or her pet dog of an obsession.

Click these links to checked out parts one as well as two of this series, My mutt has a fixation as well as 10 indications your pet dog has a fixation.