Rooster Faces His Squirrels... and Triumphs

Today was Rooster's play date with children. Pat, aunt and mom, came with computer and materials we needed to complete before school starts. The girls came equipped with pizza, pool stuff and girlie things like Kens, Barbies and Pink Jeeps. They also had a clear mission... to help train Rooster.

The Goal

For Rooster to remain below threshold around children.

The Set - Up

• The situation was totally controlled
• When the girls arrived Rooster was in his crate
• They knew to ignore him, not even look in his direction
• He would remain invisible until he could be quiet and calm
• The girls would reward his good manners with treats (while he remained crated)
• What followed would be determined by his threshold level

The girls were wonderful, Rooster was wonderful..... another step (giant) in the right direction.

Rooster did bark when the girls came in and as instructed they didn't even look in his direction...nobody did. It didn't take but a few moments for Rooster to realize barking would not get him attention. He first learned this on the tennis courts with Hannah. It is a lesson we practice often. When you bark you are invisible.

Rooster quickly quieted. He did not bark again all afternoon. After a bit the girls went up one by one, said Hi, gave him a treat but he still remained in his crate while the party continued. When he came out he was ready to greet his guests and the day progressed from there.

Rooster exits his crate and meets the girls

After watching Rooster do "his thing" Level 1 behaviors, Abby and Ryland walked him around the kitchen. Rooster was loving the whole thing and so were the girls.

While Pat and I got some work done, the girls, the Kens, the Barbies, and two pink Jeeps went swimming. Rooster crashed on the floor, leaving the pool to the girls. Afterwards, Ryland wanted to take Rooster for a final walk, so off they went.

Again some valuable lessons learned. Control the situation, if you can, set things up for success, and move forward in little steps. Rooster could/would not have behaved this way a few months ago. We have been taking baby steps in this direction at OH, Balboa Park, Coronado, Mission AH, OTR, and at home. Today it started to come together. We still have a lot to do but we have put a few more squirrels to rest. The girls have promised to return to help train and there are classrooms of kids waiting at school for when the time is right.