Moving forward involves a ‘jigsaw’ of stress-reducing pieces which also include better diet and working on both dogs’ reaction to a knock on the door. When she has put the various bits in place, greatly lowering Jock’s arousal levels will also reduce his need to bark.
Why would a dog that is friendly off lead become frantic and fearful on walks?
Belle was found with her siblings, at just a few weeks old, by the roadside. From the beginning,, in her loving home, the Whippet mix was a scared and nervous puppy – in total contrast to their two Labradors.
When someone comes into the house the scared dog will leap onto the lady’s lap for reassurance.
Belle is now three years old and the behaviours her fear generates are hard for her family to deal with. She is extremely jumpy and scared of many everyday household things.
It’s easy to get cross with too much barking when one seems powerless to stop it.
The main message for helping Belle is for them to consider the emotions that cause her behaviours and deal with them instead of trying to stop the actions themselves. It can help to translate it into human terms. For instance, they wouldn’t scold a child who was crying due to fear. They would address the fear itself. (more…)
Even dogs who are mostly fine with other dogs have their moments. Then the owner can be affected out of all proportion, making walks a worry instead of a joy.
Why would a young Dachshund seem antisocial with dogs and people, yet suddenly switch to being friendly?
His young lady owner refers to him as antisocial – towards other dogs in particular.
Gunther is yet another young dog that has lacked the right kind of early socialisation or sufficient habituation. He should have encountered a variety of people, other dogs and been exposed to life in general during the second, third and fourth months of his life – before he came. It’s little wonder he’s antisocial at times.
The 8-month-old Dachshund I met wanted to be friendly but he’s torn between friendliness and fearfulness. He barked at me for a while before, quite suddenly, becoming my best friend. (more…)
Why would a friendly young German Shepherd suddenly start barking at dogs and nipping people at home? The problems they want to resolve are for Shadow to stop nipping them and to stop barking at other dogs. Both issues are really just symptoms. The nipping is a symptom of over-excitement. The Read more
The chance dog to dog encounter was simply at the wrong time and in the wrong place.
This has set off a chain reaction leading to Paz now barking at other dogs she sees and her anxious owner’s walks ruined.
His issues are all due to over-stimulation, sensory overload and lack of self control. It’s understandable as in effect he’s been released from prison.
How do you raise two sibling puppies together while preventing toilet training issues, rough play and future behaviour problems? When I go to a family who simply want to bring their puppies up right with my Puppy Parenting programme, I feel truly blessed in my job. Four-month-old brothers Ronnie and Read more
She is ready to have a go at anything and the lady, slight in build, has trouble holding her back. She has been pulled over at least two times. I saw Tia’s transformation for myself. It was amazing to see how a dog who is so relaxed and friendly in the house could change to being so reactive outside, only a few feet from the front door.
Then, last summer, he was sent away for dog training for three whole weeks, to boot camp. They advocated a choke chain and old-fashioned training methods. All was OK while he was there – he had no choice – but when he came home and his lady walked him, there was no improvement at all – in fact, if anything, he was worse.