Sometimes very innocent-looking dogs can develop some nasty habits. It’s hard to tell how these habits have formed without opinion from experts. The following paragraphs describe a dog with unexplained aggression.
Kong is a Maltese with anger issues. She’s hard to pet and feed. Her owner had resorted to wearing gloves when handling her because she would often bite.
The only time Kong was calm is when she’s out on a stroll. She can’t be groomed without her putting a fight. Due to the mentioned difficulties, an expert dog trainer had to come and help the owner.
Professional dog trainer Chan Jong observed Kong and did some tests. This is the first thing he usually does to see what type of training the dog needs. The trainer discovered that Kong’s sense of smell was dull, and she wasn’t using it.
According to Chan Jong, Kong’s reliance on sight had affected her mental health. Since she’s not doing what dogs naturally do, it affected her temperament. Kong has also been very fond of chasing a spotlight reflected by a mirror. The owner was greatly saddened when she heard this explanation.
Just like always, Chan Jong proposed a creative and effective solution. He used a laser pointer to get Kong’s attention. The trainer suggested using the pointer as a reward for good behavior.
If Kong allows her owner to put a harness on her, the owner turns the laser on, and she can play. The owner also has the power to control the duration of the playtime. This practice took advantage of the fact that Kong was relying more on her sense of sight.
The owner was also encouraged to slowly train Kong to recover her sense of smell. For example, treats were hidden inside the folds of a fluffy and clean rug. Kong had to practice sniffing to locate the treats.
Video courtesy of SBS TV Animals via YouTube.