Fear
Scared of hands. Snaps if touched. Resource guards.
Jack Russell Chihuahua mix Rollo is scared of hands. Until a couple of years ago he was a friendly little dog who enjoyed gentle petting from most people.
Then something happened. (more…)
barking
Barks outside in the garden. Ignores them when they call him.
Harvey barks outside in the garden.
Like many people, they have felt it kindest to allow their gorgeous one-year-old Cockerpoo Harvey free access to the garden via a permanently open dog flap. He may need to toilet.
Unwittingly given the role of guard duty
However, Harvey’s use of the dog flap has been to charge out looking for trouble.
Then he barks at any sound he hears.
barking
Large Hand Over her Head. She Barks at People
Rusti is a tiny 13-month-old Miniature Daschund. She is wary of people. Too often an approaching person means a large hand over her head.
She looks so cute people feel compelled to touch her.[divider type=”white”]
A looming person. A large hand.
Fear
Feels insecure at home. Friendly with people when out.
Ethel can be two different dogs.
She is friendly and confident around people when out of the house whether she knows them or not. She enjoys visits to a cafe and days at daycare.
At home the young Cockerpoo is a different dog. (more…)
Fear
Never left all alone. Follows them everywhere.
Soon after they fetched Barney at twelve weeks of age, they went out for a short while. They had shut him safely in his crate where he seemed happy.
They came home to a distraught and terrified puppy. Urine and faeces everywhere. They, too, were extremely upset.
Never all alone since.
Fear
Won’t walk on shiny floor. Slippery floor phobia.
What a joy to meet these three dogs. Ten-week-old Jack Russell Ozzy was asleep in his crate. Milo, 7 – a Patterdale Border Terrier mix – greeted me politely at the door. Labrador Scooby was in the open kitchen doorway, tail wagging in a friendly fashion. An invisible barrier? Why Read more…
Aggression
Dominance fallout – aggression, fear or both.
I’m starting Johnny’s story with a little rant on dominance from my soap box.
As a force-free, modern trainer/behaviourist I don’t need to dominate a dog to get compliance.
I won’t say that dominance – being very firm and overpowering – doesn’t work. It can and it does. Sometimes.
In the old days I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know better and that is what I did until I learnt how inefficient it was. I have been there. I know what I’m talking about. Being kind and allowing the dog choices does not mean being permissive. I apply rules also. I don’t use force.
Many people still believe that being what they erroneously think is ‘being the Alpha’ is the right way to train and control their dog. It’s not helped by certain TV trainers who make a lot of money using old-fashioned techniques that look like quick fixes.
Unsuitable for ‘Alphadom’
Few dog owners psychologically would make effective ‘Alphas’ anyway. (more…)
Fear
A big dog attacked him. Psychological fallout.
coat to protect his wound
Poor little Marley. The other day a dog attacked him.
The young gentleman was walking him at the time.
Instead of enjoying his walks with the little dog, he’s now anxious and constantly on the lookout for larger dogs. He had been unable to save his little Chihuahua.
He had been walking with Marley in a field near home where the little dog regularly plays off-lead with his doggy friends.
The big dog attacked him
Without warning, an off-lead Weimaraner appeared from nowhere and had Marley in his mouth. (more…)
barking
Barks at People, Distant or Near
I love happy endings so I have brought this story of three years ago to the front. Robbie’s hackles rise and he barks at people. People often don’t see things from their dog’s point of view until it’s pointed out. There seems no alternative but to keep walking towards the thing the dog Read more…
barking
His Fear of People is Puzzling
I have just met another Henry – a Miniature Schnauzer age two. He is quite unusual to look at, being brown and with a poodle-like curly coat. Cute! Henry was barking behind a door when I arrived. Let out after I had sat down, he came charging up to me, barking Read more…