When a dog is frightened of traffic, people and new places, how do you know whether exposure is helping or making things worse? Is it desensitising or is it over-exposure? Ellie, her siblings and other Tibetan Terriers were picked up from a breeder in a dreadful state of neglect, with matted Read more
But it’s a tricky case of finding a compromise between two approaches – what the gentleman himself calls ‘carrot and stick’. The man is the stick and the lady the carrot
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 can a dog become more nervous even when his new owners are doing everything they can to help him? ‘Wary’ is the word I would use to best describe little two-year-old working Cocker Spaniel, Nico. He has lived with the couple in his new home for three months now. Read more
It’s sad when a dog that has been so conscientiously reared from a puppy, well-trained and socialised, starts to develop antagonistic behaviour towards other dogs. What could have gone wrong? I feel really sorry for the young couple with beautiful Hungarian Vizsla Mac. The best life possible They took him Read more
Without this vital habituation from an early age, other dogs were scary enemies and traffic terrifying. The couple have worked hard at getting her used to traffic – but the ‘other dog’ situation gets worse.
Eight-year-old Robbie spent the first seven and a half years of his life never outside a utility room and garden, with virtually no human company.