This is blind Mitch, a handsome Husky who came to us a year ago. You haven't heard much about him since then because, to be quite honest, for a while there we weren't sure what we were going to do with him. He arrived with an alpha personality and a dominant "don't mess with me" attitude, and as long as he got his way, he was sweet and playful. But when he didn't get his way, we could have a problem on our hands.
So we enrolled him in Camp Rolling Dog's "attitude adjustment program" -- think Marine boot camp for wayward canines. He had to learn quickly exactly who was the boss around here, and who was the pipsqueak, no-account, mush-for-brains Husky who had to ask permission before he could lift a leg on the nearest fencepost.
What we learned in working with him was that 99% of the time, he's a wonderful dog. It's that other 1% we had to focus on. As a result of his dominance issues, he is in a yard by himself during the day because he has the kind of disposition that is unpredictable with other dogs. He likes to race around with them and play, but he plays rough -- and if another dog growls to tell him "Mitch, back off, that's too much," he'll whip around and pounce on the other dog. So, Mitch has to be in a dog yard by himself, though he has the other dogs all around him in the adjoining yards.
He's a highly strung alpha who had to learn to accept that his person is the real alpha -- and for that to happen, his person needs to be a bossy, dominant alpha. [Alayne says: "Well, guess who had no problem filling that role!"] As a result of working with Mitch, we haven't had any problems with him in a long time ... and now he shows a deferential and respectful attitude towards us. But his social skills with other dogs remain a challenging "work-in-progress."
This just goes to show you that a disability like blindness doesn't prevent an animal's true personality from flourishing -- but nor did his blindness contribute to, or worsen, his dominance issues. It's just who he is.
I originally was going to title this post "Turbocharger," because that's how much energy he has -- this boy is in constant motion:
I would give anything to have 10% of his energy level!
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Please keep voting for the ranch every day in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge. Thanks to your votes, we came in third nationwide and won $3,000 for the animals in the previous contest. Now we have a shot at No. 1 and the $20,000 grand prize! Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana, and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Please ask your family and friends to vote, too. Thank you!
Once again, kudos to you all for hanging in there with Mitch & showing him who is boss. It's wonderful he has come so far to learn to respect you & I hope he may someday learn to play nice w/ other dogs. It's sad to me he is alone in a pen but the bright side of it he is surrounded by other dogs w/ a fence between them to keep the others safe.
I finally got to see the Jack Hanna show. It was so exciting to see you all, hear you talk & see the ranch. My heart swelled with pride knowing such a special place & people were getting this time & exposure. Jack & his wife were truly touched by RDR & the wonderful work you all do. I hope someday to meet you all & your furry family. What an honor it would be for me to finally be able to do that.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | November 12, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Wow....what an amazing job you both have done with Mitch. So glad you didn't give up on him. This is truly a new lease on life for him.
Posted by: Nina | November 11, 2009 at 09:07 PM
I was wondering about the other dogs on the ranch and am glad to hear about one. Thanks for hanging in there with this guy.
Incidentially, my deaf dachshund/chihuahua mix attacked a neighborhood pomeranian on Sunday in the dog run, so we won't be going back. It was such a nice morning and I thought, oh good, six little dogs, and next thing I know we were the skunks at the garden party! They all need boundaries.
Posted by: Adele in the Bronx | November 11, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Thanks for hanging in there with Mitch. You are fortunate to have found each other with your honed "dog smarts" to understand his behavior and help him into the pack.
Posted by: Margaret N. | November 11, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Good for you! I'm impressed, because your FAQ very clearly conveys that you will/cannot accept dogs with behavioral challenges (which I totally understand).
I've learned that there are some dogs who are simply loners and will not ever have a lot of dog friends and that is okay as long as they respect their people. The fact that he now respects you is excellent and I bet you accomplished it without punitive measures.
Another website I read has a training protocol they use called NILIF (nothing in life is free). Sounds like what you're describing you used!
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | November 11, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Wow, the male version of my dog! Challenging but so worth it. How wonderful that you stuck with it and figured out what works for him. You guys are awesome.
Posted by: Ev | November 11, 2009 at 12:41 PM
I was wondering how Mitch was doing. I admire you for working with him instead of just giving him the boot. Commendations to you for finding a solution for Mitch!
Posted by: Moon Rani | November 11, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Alayne and Steve,
Thank you for sticking with Mitch. I know animals with aggression and dominance issues often get short shrift with humans and get little chance at rehabilitation. Thank you so much for fitting in Mitch's very important training on top of EVERYTHING else you have to do at the ranch. You two are simply amazing.
Posted by: Marisa | November 11, 2009 at 12:03 PM
I will preface this with a statement that I really do understand why he has to be alone.
That said, I feel so sad for him, because he doesn't have anyone to play with. If I thought you guys had something called "spare time," I would ask if you could give him short period of supervised play with one or more other dogs, but I don't think you have that. And besides, I'm sure he could do considerable damage before you could break it up, even if you were nearby.
Poor baby.
Posted by: Vicki Small | November 11, 2009 at 11:46 AM
You KNOW you are a dachshund personality Steve. Admit it, you would rather roll up in a blanket with your bum sticking out and sleep all day ;)
Great job in tackling the 'tough' ones. :)
Posted by: Amy A | November 11, 2009 at 11:01 AM
You should contact Cesar Milan about Mitch's domination issues - it would be a great showcase for the ranch on a national level!
Posted by: Jill | November 11, 2009 at 10:49 AM
It's great to see Mitch; I remember when you posted his first appearance. He's certainly making improvements...good boy!! and thanks for sticking with him, animals are good from the core out, sometimes they just need a little RDR tweeking. : )
Posted by: boundforglory | November 11, 2009 at 09:17 AM
I understand how difficult it can be to try to redirect an aplha into a more submissive position in the pack....good work...keep it up. He may never be a 'team player', but you are working with him...for that, and for everything else you do, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Posted by: Debbie | November 11, 2009 at 07:41 AM
Alayne and Steve I just saw the Jack Hanna piece he did on the ranch, it was great. It was so great for me to see the dogs, cats and horses I get to read about. One more time ( oh I'll probably do it many times more...but)Thank you once again for the wonderful plaace you have given these animals to live and the loving & kind way you have with them....Keep up the wonderful work and thank you for taking such good of these great animals. My dream is before I die (hopefully not to soon) is to come and visit the Rolling Dog Ranch and meet the two of you. God Bless...Diane Bowlin
Posted by: Diane Bowlin | November 10, 2009 at 08:21 PM
I love just LOVE seeing this blog on Mitch! Hip Hip Hooray for you hanging in there with him! I let him know who was boss when I met and walked him and he totally respected me. He always got a little extra walk because he is a Husky boy!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | November 10, 2009 at 07:55 PM