tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post4940973886064051717..comments2023-09-26T12:09:29.433-07:00Comments on Q&A: The Dogs Today Think Tank: Help me get my friendly dog backBeverley Cuddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03544804932989118884noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-7277086533128077342012-01-24T01:45:09.355-08:002012-01-24T01:45:09.355-08:00Hi Lyndon.
I have just spotted this problem in th...Hi Lyndon.<br /><br />I have just spotted this problem in the magazine. I am an APDT UK Trainer based in Corby. It seems that you are managing the situation at the moment but if you need any further help please call me.<br /><br />Olwen Turns MAPDT 1093<br />Cloverleaf<br />www.olwenturns.co.ukCloverleafk9https://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-29469160437820000742011-11-16T02:44:17.273-08:002011-11-16T02:44:17.273-08:00With behavioural problems we should consider the d...With behavioural problems we should consider the dog's mental health as well as training needs. There is always the potential that allergy/intolerance to something in the diet can cause mental health issues as well as problems with physical health. Although you are seeing improvements already, it may be useful to feed him on a hypoallergenic-type diet with low protein and fat and free from chemicals.<br />Best wishes<br />John Burns BVMS MRCVS<br />Burns Pet Nutritionjohn burnsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-13986258239109731022011-11-14T07:34:44.091-08:002011-11-14T07:34:44.091-08:00Bless him, I'm glad I could help. Keep up the...Bless him, I'm glad I could help. Keep up the good work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-55445227216871697702011-11-11T11:37:13.071-08:002011-11-11T11:37:13.071-08:00Thank you so much for your help. I took your advic...Thank you so much for your help. I took your advice and kept Max at a distance from other dogs and made a serious effort to remain calm myself. We had to pass a lively labrador yesterday but Max remained calm and would probably had gone to play had he had the chance. <br /><br />Regarding the training classes- I took him last week and stood outside talking to one of the trainers whilst all the other dogs came and went, each of them stopping to say hello to him. The first week I had to carry him inside where he calmed down and wanted to join in. The second week he happily followed one of the puppies inside, head up and tail wagging, and took part in the class, even walking round the other dogs whilst off the lead (that was probably more to do with the piece of liver in my hand than anything else).<br /><br /> As a result his whole attitude has changed and the only time he became aggressive in the past week or so was after a Shii Tzu who barks at him incessantly was finally caught about 3ft from where Max was lying and was safely on its lead. I have found that a firm hand on the scruff of his neck helps to calm him down more quickly.<br /><br />I am very grateful for the detailed help you gave me, the results are already noticeable.Lyngardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16949589137247838988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-5362380733440609852011-11-02T08:10:14.438-07:002011-11-02T08:10:14.438-07:00I'm sorry you're having this trouble, I ha...I'm sorry you're having this trouble, I had a very similar issue with one of my dogs a few years back when he was attacked three times in very quick succession by two pairs and one trio of staffies. He became firstly frightened and would hide or be visibly scared of groups of dogs and staffies, particularly on the canal tow path where one of the attacks occurred. This fear led to him starting to aggress first to ward off the attacks that he assumed were coming. I have a BSc in Dog Training and Behaviour and run my own classes, so could see what was happening and resolved the situation using intensive clicker training and food. It actually didn't take him long to change back into the lovely socialised dog he'd been before.<br /><br />It sounds as though your dog is going through exactly the same thing. I would surmise that during the period when all dogs seemed to attack him that as they came towards him he was staring at them and giving direct eye contact? This would be seen as a threat by the other dogs and could lead to their 'normal' behaviour leading to aggression. Is the lying down that Max is now exhibiting helping? This is a calming signal to other dogs and should help the situation somewhat. <br /><br />I don't think you should be taking him to training classes, he clearly can't cope with the close proximity of many other dogs, particularly in an enclosed space, and needs to be helped on a one-to-one basis. You do need a qualified behaviourist who can read your dog and help you.<br /><br />In the meantime, you could try some natural supplements to try and calm your dog. Dorwest Herbs Scullcap and Valerian may help, as may some of the Bach Flower Remedies, including Rescue Remedy in his drinking water. I have had great success over the firework period with a new product called PhytoForce Relax, a herbal mixture that you squirt onto their food. Bear in mind that DAP can on rare occasions actually increase aggression because it breaks down a dog's inhibitions.<br /><br />Also, look at the way you are walking your dog. I am assuming you have him on a lead, you are probably tightening up substantially on the lead as soon as you see other dogs approaching. This signals to your dog that there is 'trouble coming' and instantly puts him on the offensive. Try to keep your lead loose. Are you walking in fields where you can keep your distance from other dogs or down tracks or roads where there is no escape for him? He will be more reactive in close proximity to other dogs. Reactive dogs usually have a 'critical distance', the distance at which they will start reacting or aggressing and you need to keep outside that distance so your dog reacts as little as possible. <br /><br />Your dog is rewarded, in his mind, by the removal of other dogs from his proximity when he behaves in an aggressive manner, so currently is being rewarded every time he aggresses and the longer this goes on, the more the behaviour will become 'learned' and more ingrained.<br /><br />While looking for a behaviourist you could try taking food out on walks with you and rewarding your dog for sitting and looking at other dogs as they pass, but the dogs must be outside the critical distance and your dog should not be reacting. If your dog refuses to eat, he is too stressed and you are too close. <br /><br />I must stress again though, you DO need a behaviourist, someone who will use kind techniques on your dog, no pinning or pack leader nonsense. <br /><br />Hope this helps, good luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-7463104334557997612011-11-02T03:35:31.227-07:002011-11-02T03:35:31.227-07:00Thank you for your advice. In fact I never shout a...Thank you for your advice. In fact I never shout at Max, just use a VERY firm tone and insist on him sitting until he calms down - and I would certainly never hit him. I know that part of the problem is my nervousness after all the past incidents and I am trying to be more positive too.Lyngardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16949589137247838988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-84741589813166834212011-11-01T02:56:01.734-07:002011-11-01T02:56:01.734-07:00You need to stop chastising him! Poor little lad,...You need to stop chastising him! Poor little lad, he is already scared silly by the actions of other dogs, and then he has to deal with you shouting at him! I certainly hope it's been nothing more than shouting!<br /><br />He needs to know he is supported by you,at the moment he likely feels that you shout at him when there are other dogs around, so if he can fend them off, you wont shout at him.<br /><br />Try looking for an Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) registered trainer, and sit in on a few of their classes before you decide to go with them. They may want to offer you one-to-one assistance, before placing you in a class situation, especially if your dog is not comfortable around other dogs.<br /><br />Another thing to try is Leslie McDevitt's "Control Unleashed" - I got it recently for my anxious rescue dog, she uses lots of different "games" to teach dogs that things that currently worry them are nothing to fret about. I use her "look at that!" game with Inka, as well as the "there's a dog in your face!" game, both of these have really helped him feel comfortable around other dogs, as well as going to a kind & supportive training class, and learning that I, as his owner, "have his back", and will take him away from, other otherwise help him with, or hide him from situations which he cannot yet cope with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com