Romanian rescue Violet has been with them since August. Her fearful reactivity to anything or anybody outside the house is increasing. She was found with nine puppies. No doubt she believed that their survival had depended upon her chasing danger away. What causes here fearful reactivity? Nothing in the Read more…
Feeling insecure is at the root of little Jasper’s problems.
Outside, he barks and lunges at other dogs, rearing up on his hind legs with all his tiny weight.
When left alone, he cries and barks. It has got so bad the lady, who lives in a flat, even wondered whether she could keep him.
She has had the dear little Yorkie for six months now. His first owner had died, he ended up in a pound and then he spent time in a rescue before coming to the lovely home he now has. It’s little wonder he feels insecure. (more…)
Yesterday I met Max, a twenty-one-month-old German Shepherd who was very pleased to see me. It’s a treat for me to go to a friendly GSD that shows neither aggression nor fear.
With the family having a couple of teenage sons, he has no doubt been used to plenty of comings and goings, probably why he’s so well socialised.
Recent problems however are arising when he encounters other dogs on walks. (more…)
Distraction is helpful if the dog is taken by surprise. Distraction however doesn’t help him to cope with the appearance of another dog.
Oaky is a sensitive little Border Terrier. He has lived with the lady for a couple of years and not too much is known about his past. A perfect dog in his loving home, the lady isn’t enjoying her walks with him due to his barking and pulling towards any other dog he sees.
Oaky wears a half-check collar. The lady pulls him to the side and holds onto him tightly as the dog passes. She may say ‘Watch Me’ as a distraction. She admits to feeling both anxious and embarrassed; he will doubtless feel this down the lead to his sensitive neck. (more…)
Reduce arousal. Stress and excitement are at the root of their problems with Kevin and being alert, energetic and reactive is simply part of his basic nature, I’m sure.
Kevin is Kevin – and he’s wonderful! As an adolescent he will be at a difficult stage anyway.
One-year-old Kevin was born in kennels in Romania then had probably been adopted by someone over here who couldn’t cope with his boisterous nature. He ended up in rescue kennels again.
They found him online. The kennels simply brought him out and handed him over. (more…)
There are two aims to achieve with little Cavachon, Milo. One is for him to be more tolerant of dogs coming near him. The other is to ensure that no other person coming to the door is bitten by him. In both cases he barks Go Away. This is constantly Read more…
The story of Indie, a nervous dog I met yesterday, is a very common one. Her behaviour illustrates my belief that reactivity due to fearfulness out on walks has roots at home too. Concentrating solely on walks is missing a big part of the picture. Indie is generally a nervous dog. Read more…
The importance of consistency. I sat with the family – parents with late-teens son and daughter – and their dear little Tibetan Terrier, Archie. My first question was, as always, ‘What would you like to achieve from my help?’ The answer was for Archie to be more relaxed around other dogs Read more…
Two absolutely adorable little dogs! Shih Tzu Coco on the left, now seventeen months, has been with the lady from five months old, and Titch, a Yorkie cross she has had for four weeks. He is two years old. They are friendly little dogs, very good with all people. Titch Read more…
Look at this for a face! Hector is an eight month old Miniature Schnauzer who looks like a teddy bear. He is a remarkably calm pup most of the time. He is intelligent and biddable. He has been given sensible boundaries from the start, but is now quietly testing them Read more…