De-Orbiting

Shelties sometimes have peculiar habits. Many of us spin, some pace, and I happen to orbit. When I'm excited I run around in circles. I run around the dining room table, I run around the yard, and I even run around other shelties. Once I was at the park playing with a fluffy Bichon standing next to a tree, and he kept watching me as I orbited around him. He kept whipping his head around so much to watch me that my foster mom was certain that he was going to get dizzy and fall over.

Since people sometimes comment on my orbiting, and my foster mom has concluded that I run around in circles too much, she has decided to put me on a "de-orbiting program." Here's the information that was given to my foster mom from someone (who wants to make my life miserable!) at Southland Sheltie Rescue.

"Circling/orbiting is a nervous behavior and the best way to get them to stop is to distract and redirect the behavior as soon as it starts every time and then reinforce the replacement behavior. Here's the trick. You cannot reward the dog with a treat, toy, or attention while they are orbiting."

"There are many ways to stop this behavior. Here’s two ideas:"

"When I'm training new dogs I will put them on a leash and teach them how to follow me around all day in the house and outside. They cannot orbit when they are on lead. They become more confident and are rewarded for everything they do in a relaxed and calm state. You can let Clover wear the leash and let it drag as she gets further along in her training. When she starts to orbit you can step on the leash to interrupt her. Do not reward her when she is panting, appeasement licking, or looking off into space."

"Squirt bottle – if the dog can be distracted by squirting water in the air, then when you have their attention, ask them to sit or come, then reward the sit or come response. Watch me, sit, and come are the commands/ behaviors you want to reinforce. Never touch, talk, or give toys & treats to a dog that is not paying attention to you."




Yesterday was my first day "deorbiting." I was on a leash while Jazzy had the freedom to do whatever she wanted. It's sooo unfair! My only consolation is I had nice things to chew. I had this yellow rope tied on my harness that was a gnawing challenge. Also, I was able to reach part of my harness and chew it off when my foster mother was distracted.

But really the best thing about deorbiting is I get to be next to my foster mother all day. Until I get my forever mom, she is my person, and being with my person is the very best thing in all the world.

Except maybe orbiting around my person. That might be the very very best!!!