Why didn't I think of that?

An excellent example of Brut's tension with food.

Notice Silver slightly leaning to the right.

 Giving treats to the Back Dogs with Brut around can be tricky.  Brut with food can be dangerous.  His entire demeanor changes when he knows I have treats.  It gives him an adrenaline rush, like he is shot up on steroids. 

When I brush the dogs, I incorporate treats with them.  Brut hogs all the attention and makes it difficult for me to brush the other dogs, especially Zappa and Fiona.  I have tried several different techniques to correct Brut and lighten Zappa anxiety while still using the treats with little success. 

I always keep a brush outside next to me on our outdoor table.  One day I notice the dogs are in desperate need of brushing, I have no treats but do it anyways.  It was a miracle.  No tension, no anxiety, no lunging, no possessing.  It had never occurred to me to brush them without treats.  That was how I taught them and I believed they should be rewarded.  I've been doing this for the last month and they still let me brush them.  I am utterly amazed.  I brushed them again tonight and I couldn't believe how calm and happy Brut's eyes were, how relaxed his body was and how easy going his manner was.  This helped the other dogs relax and I had no problem brushing them either.  It was such a joy.  I couldn't believe how easy it had worked.  Why hadn't I ever thought of this before???

I find many of my answers in happy accidents.  Sometimes the harder I try to change something or control it, I find myself with more problems than solutions.  These tend to be some of my best training moments.  When an answer just comes to me or when I do something by accident and find that it works.  This opens up several avenues for my training with Brut and the Back Dogs.  Many times I have had to train Brut and the Back Dogs separately, like using food for agility training but the idea of not using treats so that they can work together opens several possibilities.  There will be some adjustments, but I'm liking the idea especially for Brut and Zappa.  They have bonded significantly over the last two years and I would like to work them as a team for pulling sled together.  They are both strong and would make excellent wheel dogs.  This really opens so many doors and I am so excited at the prospects.  I love finding the answers that work for us.  

A rare moment of Brut and Zappa laying together, touching and not fighting. 

Have you ever found your answers for your pets by accident?