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News from those with Dialogue

We want to hear from all of you who have developed Dialogue with your dogs! Updates on your progress and success, your fun and delight, with your dogs in your life and practice will encourage others as they devote themselves to giving the gift of Dialogue to their dogs.

I've told you about Jake and how he tends to go down like a Hollywood horse "acting" like he's been hit. Well, he actually goes down with LOTS of help. Tonight, we are doing the usual practice while watching a taping of West wing. Jake and I are playing. He's sitting there. And I, for about the millionth time, say "down" with the palm to the floor. He's sitting about 2 feet away from me. He looks at my hand, and slowly, starting with his shoulder, followed by his head and FINALLY by his butt, he goes down, without my ever touching him. Jim and I lept from our places and yelled "HALLELUJAH" and rewarded him with a few cat food morsels.

Juliana, Denver

Thank you very much for your speedy reply to my message regarding the possibility of training for my dog, Betty (4 year old lab/rot mix), and myself. I've written to you out of desperation more than anything else. I adopted Betty 8 months ago from the county humane shelter. She was on death row and her number was just about up. She seemed to have some nice qualities, so I brought her home. Since then we've fallen in love with each other, of course. I have had her in a number of training schemes--first in a class with about 8 other dogs; she then worked with a private trainer one-on-one; then she had a third trainer for about 2 months, twice a week, and Judy, nothing seems to have worked. All three trainers have told me that they can't understand what the problem might be. Betty is very timid, and she gets very agitated when any training begins. She hyperventilates, sniffs the ground like a maniac, and eventually runs back to the front door of the house if she can get away. It's pathetic. It's obvious that she has had some training in her past as she will sit, lie down, and roll over on command. But she can't separate those commands, and the concept of "stay" is totally foreign to her. This is really my greatest concern because ultimately it could represent a real security risk to us. Over time I've more or less given up because I felt so sorry for her that she had to go through such trauma every time somebody tried to work with her. But then a friend told me she had read about your work, and I thought perhaps you might be able to help us. I could accept Betty just as she is now, but I would love for her to have a full and happy life, and I think she needs more training if she's going to start moving in that direction.

(Another note soon after receiving the book and video..)

I did.try one of your techniques right away with Betty and I saw a dramatic improvement... which really just confirmed that I am the problem, not Betty. Before, when Betty would come into the house after spending time out in the rain, I would have towels down by the door. I'd say "sit" about 1000 times, grab her collar and try to restrain her on the towels while I dried her paws. After seeing your technique using praise and not repeating the command over and over, I tried it on this one simple exercise. Wow, Betty responded the first time. I said "sit" once and started praising her before she even did it as I pressed lightly on her rear end... then I continued to praise her as she stayed for me while I cleaned her paws. Fabulous... I was very surprised. I hope this is a sign of things to come. Thanks Judy, for your work..

Diana, California

I just wanted to let you know how Maddie and I are coming along. Maddie was still very anxious and jumping and biting me for awhile. She does not do that very often now. We practice 10 min. every day and sometimes twice a day. I can say that I have already noticed changes. One evening we were at the laundromat washing clothes and we were playing outside and there was a man she was dying to go jump on, but I kept praising her and she didn't move away from me. I was thrilled. She has been more attentive when we play off-leash at the park and has not run after passersby as she used to. The most rewarding evidence of our new dialogue came one evening when a neighbor did not shut our gate and Maddie wandered out and down the block. I didn't realize it for maybe 10 or 15 minutes. I went outside and said "Maddie, that's a good girl," and began praising her--though I had no idea where she was. In a flash, she darted out and came sprinting-yes, sprinting--to me. It was so wonderful as she usually keeps running away once she is out.

The biggest thing I am finding is changing my mindset. Although I believe wholeheartedly in your concept, I was surprised to find myself at times thinking she is just being stubborn, trying to resist me, etc. I try to catch myself immediately and remember she is behaving according to instincts and former misdirection from me.

Tina, Denver

We are enjoying your book and have seen the video. Sounds great and we are very early in the steps, but they seem to be working. By the way, while we watched the video, Henry sat on my wife's lap and watched the entire tape intently!----and this is a puppy with a normally short attention span!!!! Either your voice, or the dogs on the screen or both were captivating.................truly amazing!!!!!!!

Gordon, Ohio

I have to tell you about Harry's debut. I am so proud of him. On Saturday we had a surprise party for my husband. I was not home when about 16 people arrived for the surprise. Our sons (Harry knows them) were there and they were given instructions, by me, to put Harry in his kennel if he was misbehaving before we got home for the surprise. I was a little nervous about all these people and Harry. Harry was a perfect dog. He was happy to see everyone and was friendly but he did not make a nuisance of himself and did not jump on people. I am so proud of him. I kept praising him all evening. He kept looking at me as if to say, "Am I doing good now?"

Is this a coincidence that we had our training with you 3 weeks ago? Somehow I don't think so....

Thanks so much for helping us with Harry. He seems to be more settled down than before. Almost like he has been going to a "shrink" and feels better about himself. I am talking to everyone about you and the wonders you work with dogs.

Barb, Denver