Physical Rehabilitation
T-Touch and yoga
What are the services you provide at Balanced Dog Pack in Oahu?
We offer pack training for severely aggressive dogs, as well as board and train programs for moderately aggressive and fearful dogs. Our most recent program is our main focus which is our Dog Owner Education programs, where the owners participate in their dog’s rehabilitation with our guidance.
Can you tell us more about your Dog Owner Education programs?
We believe all dog owners should be educated in the basics of dog psychology and behavior. We try to encourage dog owners to establish structure, routine, rules and boundaries, especially around the home, for their dog, helping to control excitement and anxiety. We also help to implement an exercise regime for the dog, whether it is biking, treadmill, swimming, some type of cardio. All these tools can help in the rehabilitation of aggressive and fearful dogs when used as controlled exercises that establish leadership.
You have achieved great success in rehabbing aggressive dogs. Why are some dogs aggressive?
We believe aggression happens for many reasons. Too much excitement with no proper outlet is the main cause. Also dogs learn from people and from other fearful dogs that they can create space with their teeth by barking, lunging and snarling, sometimes even biting. When owners or other dogs show fear and retreat from this behavior the dog learns to be aggressive. Abuse and neglect can also cause aggression and fear due to lack of proper need fulfillment and lack of socialization.
There seems to be some similarity with Cesar Milan, for instance, using a pack to help rehab the dogs. Cesar is a controversial figure in dog training. What is your take on Cesar?
We believe Cesar’s philosophy of Exercises, Discipline, Affection, wholeheartedly. I think that sometimes his use of energy work with dogs is lost on dog owners who cannot understand or don’t know how to project positive and powerful energy. We try to explain this theory to dog owners in a tactile way, something they can put to use immediately. Our partner, Meleana Zales of Canine Healing Touch serves a major part in helping to control the energy of the dogs and their owners alike with her call assertive, positive energy.
You use a lot of physical work, i.e. T-touch and yoga. What are the benefits of these modalities when working with fearful, aggressive or injured dogs?
Some of the benefits have been seen with many of the dogs we have trained and treated that came from rescue situation. The many behavioral issues that lie with the rescue dogs can be addressed with physical massage and stretching, to help the animal’s brain relax, and start healing. Results can vary, and are being directed towards relaxation for aggressive dogs and reassurance for fearful dogs. In injury cases the modalities help dogs heal faster, and bond deeper with the owner or trainer they are working with. That is when the emotional rehabilitation can start.
Is it dangerous to put your hands on fearful and aggressive dogs?
Absolutely it is dangerous! As part of our rehabilitation program we only allow owners and our training team to interact with an extremely aggressive or fearful dog. And you do not want to attempt to break up a dog fight unless you are a professional, as you could easily lose a finger. Special care must be taken when dealing with a frightened or aggressive dog. Patience and positive energy is key to achieve success.
Do you encounter dog problems that are specific to Hawaii?
Hawaii has a high rate of homeless pit bulls, due to the breed popularity here. Overcoming breed bashing of pit bulls is a major concern of ours…many of the pit bulls we rescue from euthanasia are not aggressive, just acting out from lack of socialization, exercise and rules.
Thank you Lisa. Readers can learn more about Lisa and Meleana at www.balancedogpack.com
Enjoy this informative video of Lisa and Meleana on KHON Channel 2
Related Articles:
Canine Healing Touch…first dog rehabilitation facility in Hawaii , by Liz Rizzo - Honolulu Pets Examiner
The 10 great contributions of Cesar Millan
What is rehabilitation and how does it differ from training?
CAT training for fearful and aggressive animals
Comments
Interesting. The comment about dogs snapping and snarling to create space made me think of humans on an elevator for some reason. Most of the time here in the US we respect a persons need for that 12" area that is needed around us. (And most dogs world wide respect each other's need for this as well.) I have seen people bare teeth on an elevator and I have sometimes thought that people dress odd as a way of getting other folks to leave them alone. I think that's the while point of cropped ears, to make a dog look intimidating - a bit like a leather jacket and a pireced eyebrow perhaps.
Wonderful article, Eve. First you profiled Steve Markwell's work at his sanctuary in Washington. Now you've highlighted very important work being done in Hawaii. It's great to know that we have people around the country pioneering this rehab work with dogs shelters ALWAYS kill.
I hope you'll consider highlighting Brandi Tracy's work at Braveheart Rescue. She's further along than both these rescue groups, as she has a formal shelter, as well as 5 acres of wooded land and trails for her healing center. And her dogs are successfully adopted out at the end of their rehab.
And then there's Dave Baron out of California. He's very skilled at the initial taming process of an aggressive dog.
Now the real question is - why aren't name-brand large shelters utilizing these skilled people to design programs to train their foster networks? Think of how many more dogs could be saved if we asked these people to pass on their skills and knowledge? Just a thought.
The article touches on some of the problems here in Hawaii regarding dogs - violence. The other problem is too many dogs with owners who have absolutely no idea what they are signing up for in terms of time and effort when taking on a dog. I would like to see a program like this made mandatory when people get a dog. Basic training on how to silence a constantly barking dog and obedience training would go a long way towards relieving some of the problems we deal with on a daily basis. Many seem to think beating a dog equals training. Then even more believe it is normal for a dog to bark 8 hours out of the day.
While the humane society here does an admirable job with the animals on the island there needs to be more done on educating potential dog owners especially considering the upward trend of dog ownership.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!