Comments on: Helping a Fearful Dog – Part 1 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/ Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists Speak! Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:29:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Suz and Dan http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-361 Suz and Dan Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:36:33 +0000 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/?p=163#comment-361 Dear Pat - our blog is not set up to be able to offer detailed advice on individual problems, especially when they are as complicated as you describe. If your new dog is not eating or drinking well, your first step is to take him to your veterinarian - all kinds of medical problems could be contributing to his behavior. If your dog is afraid of men, then find a female veterinarian, which should not be too hard to do as most practicing veterinarians are women! It sounds as though your dog has had a rough life, and likely has not been well socialized. There may be limits as to how much your dog can change, but that's just speculation on our part based on the thumbnail sketch we have from your comment. See if your veterinarian or local animal shelter can refer you to a certified applied or veterinary behaviorist or a certified professional dog trainer or a KPA (Karen Pryor Academy) graduate who is known to have TONS of experience. In terms of who to listen to - seek out someone with professional credentials. The University of Pennsylvania has a behavior service headed by Dr. Ilana Reisner. If that is too far away from you, call them and see if they can refer you to someone closer. Do NOT attempt any kind of punishment or force-training techniques with this dog. Good luck to you both Suzanne and Dan Dear Pat – our blog is not set up to be able to offer detailed advice on individual problems, especially when they are as complicated as you describe. If your new dog is not eating or drinking well, your first step is to take him to your veterinarian – all kinds of medical problems could be contributing to his behavior. If your dog is afraid of men, then find a female veterinarian, which should not be too hard to do as most practicing veterinarians are women!

It sounds as though your dog has had a rough life, and likely has not been well socialized. There may be limits as to how much your dog can change, but that’s just speculation on our part based on the thumbnail sketch we have from your comment. See if your veterinarian or local animal shelter can refer you to a certified applied or veterinary behaviorist or a certified professional dog trainer or a KPA (Karen Pryor Academy) graduate who is known to have TONS of experience.

In terms of who to listen to – seek out someone with professional credentials. The University of Pennsylvania has a behavior service headed by Dr. Ilana Reisner. If that is too far away from you, call them and see if they can refer you to someone closer. Do NOT attempt any kind of punishment or force-training techniques with this dog.

Good luck to you both
Suzanne and Dan

]]> By: Pat Harris http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-357 Pat Harris Sun, 30 May 2010 19:17:16 +0000 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/?p=163#comment-357 My husband recently adopted a 1 1/2 year old mixed breed (German Shepard and Rotweiller/ Lab mix) The dog came from a young women who adopted him from an animal shelter in Oklahoma and proceeded to drive the dog to her home in New Jersey.  After failing to adapt to the family and being kept out of doors the dog was offered to my husband who wanted a dog very badly.  During the 1/2 ride home to Pa. the dog seemed okay, but it took over and hour to coax him out of the car.  When he finally did come into the house he would not move out of the tv room to even go outside and relieve himself.  The dog will not eat much and over the past few days has increased his water intake.  The dog follows me everywhere and sleeps by my side of the bed.  My husband who actually wanted the dog is unable to even take the dog for a walk unless I go along.  We have 2 cats who seem not be be afraid of the dog, and the dog doesn't show any signs of aggression toward them.  The dog hasn't even barked.  We have had him for 4 days now, but as dog owner novices we are stumped by the amount of information online and who do we listen to. Please let me know if you have any helpful ideas or have had a similar experience.  I like the dog, but am not able to walk long or far due to recent achilles tendon surgery so it is not easy for me to go on long walks, but its the only way to get the dog out of the house.  Please Help! My husband recently adopted a 1 1/2 year old mixed breed (German Shepard and Rotweiller/ Lab mix)
The dog came from a young women who adopted him from an animal shelter in Oklahoma and proceeded to drive the dog to her home in New Jersey.  After failing to adapt to the family and being kept out of doors the dog was offered to my husband who wanted a dog very badly.  During the 1/2 ride home to Pa. the dog seemed okay, but it took over and hour to coax him out of the car.  When he finally did come into the house he would not move out of the tv room to even go outside and relieve himself.  The dog will not eat much and over the past few days has increased his water intake.  The dog follows me everywhere and sleeps by my side of the bed.  My husband who actually wanted the dog is unable to even take the dog for a walk unless I go along.  We have 2 cats who seem not be be afraid of the dog, and the dog doesn't show any signs of aggression toward them.  The dog hasn't even barked.  We have had him for 4 days now, but as dog owner novices we are stumped by the amount of information online and who do we listen to.
Please let me know if you have any helpful ideas or have had a similar experience.  I like the dog, but am not able to walk long or far due to recent achilles tendon surgery so it is not easy for me to go on long walks, but its the only way to get the dog out of the house.  Please Help!

]]> By: Suz and Dan http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-191 Suz and Dan Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:04:42 +0000 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/?p=163#comment-191 If you acquired him at 8 months, it could also be a lack of socialization during the sensitive period for socialization. There is no way to parcel out with any accuracy how much different factors contributed to his fear. The role of genetics can only be quantified in a population of animals whose genetic history is known - these are called heritability quotients (the portion of variability within a trait that can be attributed to genetic factors ). Requires well controlled research to arrive at these numbers. Doesn't really matter from a practical sense - we work with fear related problems very similarly, regardless of what contributed to them. Suzanne If you acquired him at 8 months, it could also be a lack of socialization during the sensitive period for socialization. There is no way to parcel out with any accuracy how much different factors contributed to his fear. The role of genetics can only be quantified in a population of animals whose genetic history is known – these are called heritability quotients (the portion of variability within a trait that can be attributed to genetic factors ). Requires well controlled research to arrive at these numbers.
Doesn’t really matter from a practical sense – we work with fear related problems very similarly, regardless of what contributed to them.
Suzanne

]]> By: Suz and Dan http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-190 Suz and Dan Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:00:17 +0000 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/?p=163#comment-190 I agree that "shyness" doesn't always have to be a problem. It depends on whether it is affecting the dog's quality of life and/or is combined with threatening behavior. Not that you are, but I've heard many people describe their dogs as "shy" when in fact they were defensively aggressive. I do not know of any studies about shyness and stress hormones. I think you may have misinterpreted the affect on females of being positioned between males in the womb. According to Dr. Ben Hart's book (a veterinary behaviorist at UC Davis), masculinzation of females under those conditions has been demonstrated in some mammals - can't remember if it is cattle or sheep, but the effect to my knowlege has not been documented in dogs - only speculation that if it happens in some mammals, it can happen in others. suzanne I agree that “shyness” doesn’t always have to be a problem. It depends on whether it is affecting the dog’s quality of life and/or is combined with threatening behavior. Not that you are, but I’ve heard many people describe their dogs as “shy” when in fact they were defensively aggressive. I do not know of any studies about shyness and stress hormones. I think you may have misinterpreted the affect on females of being positioned between males in the womb. According to Dr. Ben Hart’s book (a veterinary behaviorist at UC Davis), masculinzation of females under those conditions has been demonstrated in some mammals – can’t remember if it is cattle or sheep, but the effect to my knowlege has not been documented in dogs – only speculation that if it happens in some mammals, it can happen in others.
suzanne

]]> By: Suz and Dan http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-189 Suz and Dan Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:56:33 +0000 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/?p=163#comment-189 No matter about they "why" - whether it's inadequate socialization, predispositions, a 'bad' experience, or any other factor - not all dogs are going to love everyone. Just like some people are much more social butterflies than others, who would be more content to curl up with a good book than go to a party, dogs vary in their socialiability. Suzanne No matter about they “why” – whether it’s inadequate socialization, predispositions, a ‘bad’ experience, or any other factor – not all dogs are going to love everyone. Just like some people are much more social butterflies than others, who would be more content to curl up with a good book than go to a party, dogs vary in their socialiability.
Suzanne

]]> By: Suz and Dan http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-188 Suz and Dan Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:54:48 +0000 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/?p=163#comment-188 Some dogs find doorways "mysterious". A calming cap might be an option for your dog, as well as investigating a bit more why this is a problem for him. A good cat behaviorist should be able to help you sort through this, and come up with some way to "bridge" the doorway so it isn't as frightening for your dog Suzanne Some dogs find doorways “mysterious”. A calming cap might be an option for your dog, as well as investigating a bit more why this is a problem for him. A good cat behaviorist should be able to help you sort through this, and come up with some way to “bridge” the doorway so it isn’t as frightening for your dog
Suzanne

]]> By: Suz and Dan http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-184 Suz and Dan Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:48:01 +0000 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/?p=163#comment-184 It's understandable your husband would feel bad about how your dog behaves around him, since he loves her and has never done anything to harm her. Sometimes strangers do better because they don't try as hard. If your husband, especially early on, tried too hard to coax your dog into approaching him and 'making friends', it could have actually had the opposite effect - "turned her off" so to speak. Similar to what we said in a related comment - too much too soon for some dogs can have a detrimental effect. You have a number of options, but we'd need a private consult to know what would be best for you and your dog. Target training often helps. If you are really stuck and her behavior is really interfering with her quality of life - (and your husband's :)) , you could talk to your veterinarian about a short term course of anti-anxiety medication combined with a new and improved behavior modification program. Suzanne It’s understandable your husband would feel bad about how your dog behaves around him, since he loves her and has never done anything to harm her. Sometimes strangers do better because they don’t try as hard. If your husband, especially early on, tried too hard to coax your dog into approaching him and ‘making friends’, it could have actually had the opposite effect – “turned her off” so to speak. Similar to what we said in a related comment – too much too soon for some dogs can have a detrimental effect.

You have a number of options, but we’d need a private consult to know what would be best for you and your dog. Target training often helps. If you are really stuck and her behavior is really interfering with her quality of life – (and your husband’s :) ) , you could talk to your veterinarian about a short term course of anti-anxiety medication combined with a new and improved behavior modification program.
Suzanne

]]> By: Suz and Dan http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-183 Suz and Dan Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:43:02 +0000 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/?p=163#comment-183 Glad your B.C. has improved Tracy. It's of note that you waited a year after you acquired her before enrolling her in agility. Too much too soon can overwhelm fearful dogs and actually contribute to their fear, but it sounds like you timed your "interventions" just right. Suzanne Glad your B.C. has improved Tracy. It’s of note that you waited a year after you acquired her before enrolling her in agility. Too much too soon can overwhelm fearful dogs and actually contribute to their fear, but it sounds like you timed your “interventions” just right.
Suzanne

]]> By: Tracy Schneider http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-180 Tracy Schneider Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:17:00 +0000 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/?p=163#comment-180 One year after I adopted a fearful border collie (she was a little over a year when I got her), we enrolled in a agility class which has helped her enormously.  In a normal day prior to the class, we just couldn't introduce her to enough people.  I did use clicker training with her initially which helped her relax around people.  The class introduced her to new dogs and people, all in a positive environment (lots of treats and praise).  Thanks for the article.  Very useful and helpful. One year after I adopted a fearful border collie (she was a little over a year when I got her), we enrolled in a agility class which has helped her enormously.  In a normal day prior to the class, we just couldn't introduce her to enough people.  I did use clicker training with her initially which helped her relax around people.  The class introduced her to new dogs and people, all in a positive environment (lots of treats and praise). 
Thanks for the article.  Very useful and helpful.

]]> By: barb welsh http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/163/dog-behavior-problems/fearful-behavior/helping-a-fearful-dog-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-179 barb welsh Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:46:04 +0000 http://animalbehaviorassociates.com/blog/?p=163#comment-179 I look forward to part 2.  We adopted a "shy" dog from the shelter 1 1/2 years ago.  She has bonded to me but is afraid of my husband - a real dog lover.  She was warmed up to even strangers more than she has to JD with whom she lives.  We've consulted a dog rehabilitator and taken her to obedience classes.  All has helped but she still scurries away from JD whenever he walks in a room, watches him and remains on alert if he is even in the house but a differnt room.  Needless to say, her fear bothers him and he feels terrible when she avoids him. I look forward to part 2.  We adopted a "shy" dog from the shelter 1 1/2 years ago.  She has bonded to me but is afraid of my husband – a real dog lover.  She was warmed up to even strangers more than she has to JD with whom she lives.  We've consulted a dog rehabilitator and taken her to obedience classes.  All has helped but she still scurries away from JD whenever he walks in a room, watches him and remains on alert if he is even in the house but a differnt room.  Needless to say, her fear bothers him and he feels terrible when she avoids him.

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