Boosting A Dogs Confidence

[Happylittlegreensquirrel]

Winnie has been with me nearly 3 years

 

Winnie arrived with me around 10 months of age very fearful of other dogs and did lots of shouting to make them go away , he always liked my dogs and its one of the reasons he came to live here full time. for the first few weeks he would wake up screaming and barking at things that were not there ( I have never heard a dog scream before and it looked like he was having nightmares) and even now when he is half asleep he lunges at the other 2 if they walk past him until he wakes and sees where he is and then is fine

 

about 3 months after he arrived after lots of socialisation he was doing really well and even went to the Gap show and had a fab time in the classes and meeting new dogs ( all good so far )

 

bit of a disaster a few weeks later when in a freak incident he was attacked by an off lead dog that was dog aggressive and had slipped his owner and muzzle , the dog came directly to Winnie and bit him a number of times on his underside requiring a far bit of sewing up

 

Since then 2 things have happened, Winnie now believes he was right and other dogs generally are dangerous so its worth trying to scare them away. On Lead this is even worse and I only let him offlead with dogs and owners we know under controlled conditions.

 

Noah ( who witnessed the attack and did nothing at the time ) now thinks its his job to protect Winnie and when all 3 dogs are together shouts and kicks off at every dog we see , this causes Winnie to bark and reinforces his belief there is something to be scared off and Holly just joins in because she thinks there must something worth shouting for

 

 

At xmas it got so bad ( very bad run of luck meeting offlead dogs whose owners did not call them back ) that I stopped walking all 3 together and started doing lots of one on one walks with Winnie and a clicker. Every thing was going really well until this afternoon when we meet some people walking there dogs , I held back and did lots of clicking and treating with Winnie who focused on me and did not bother with the other dogs ( he was onlead as we were near a road ) and then one of the dogs came back to us off lead and although I called out to the owners to call there dog back and said Winnie would not like the dog approaching him whilst he was still on lead they did not react very quickly and as soon as the offlead dog got close Winnie lost it and started shouting and growling

 

finally the other dog was put back on lead by the owners who gave me the standard "your dog is horrible" look and wandered off saying there dog was just being friendly

 

I am going to carrying on tomorrow and hope Winnie will be okay ( he has been doing so well the last 8 weeks or so ) but I wondered if anyone else has any ideas on increasing his confidence

 

Winnie has come on such a long way in the last 2 years and I really want to help him achieve as much as he can

 

any ideas ?

 

Thanks Sam

[Rudi]

Sounds like you're doing an amazing job, shame other dog owners don't give you a break There's a trainer in Leicester who does small groups for dogs that don't cope with other dogs, maybe somewhere near you does the same?

[jacqui d]

do you know any dog owners locally that you can walk with sam, to buld Winnies confidence up around new dogs?

[melissa]

I have this problem with Roly, leave him alone he is fine but any dogs aggresive or not coming near him he flips. At first he used to just bolt for home, now he just starts the barking etc no real teeth but it it is worrying and I'm not sure he wouldn't really go for it. Last sunday I took them both to a country park, there was a dog on the loose running around - it was friendly but I knew I couldn't get mine out the car with it there as like yours Snoopy gets spooked by Roly & it sets her off....the guy wound his window down (why he wasn't walking the dog is beyond me) & said your ok she is fine, I said sorry but my 2 are very nervous & will react if she is waiting by the car for them ...he huffed & puffed & eventually put his dog in the car...it makes it so much harder when you just think your there with them & someone with no idea lets their dog run at yours and looks at you like your a nut!But on a positive note Roly who is so timid would not even walk with another dog in the vicinity (6 months ago) but is slowly gaining confidence and has made it all the way to the top of the woods & the other side of the field (seems ridiculous but a massive step for him!)- I did socialisation class but it was too much for him dogs on mass. Sorry I can't be much help, I wish I had the answers for him but hope it helps to know its not you, sometimes for reasons we will never know some dogs only trust dogs & people they know & get used to (he is the same with people!)

Sounds like your doing everything you can

[Jemimap]

I have exactly the same issues with Dylan and he too has come a long way with clicker training and is much better than he was before.

 

I've found it easier once i accepted that its unlikely i will get him to tolerate rude dogs belting up to him and barking/jumping at him. If this happens its not his fault if he reacts. Although it can still affect me for days if something like that happens especially when i get 'that look'

 

Secondly, using the clicker to teach him tricks has improved his confidence loads. Its like learning new things gives him self confidence (as it would us i guess).

 

Lastly lots and lots of t touch. Have you tried this?

 

I've also heard heelwork to music is good for confidence.

 

[celeste]

I have the same thing with Spud with people who don't bother to put their dogs on lead, I think your doing all the right things with the clicker, unfortunatly your always going to get people who either ignore the fact your dog is on lead for a reason or not be quick enough to react, what I'v started doing is taking a walking pole with me on walks, I got one that has a T shaped handle which is the perfect shape for keeping stray's at bay Leki this is a bit like the one I got, as you can see the handle is a good shape to fit into either the chest or neck area and keep the on coming dog at a distance, and you can have the pole at any length you want.

[Happylittlegreensquirrel]

Thanks Chaps

 

 

we do walk Winnie with known dogs under control ( mums fosters for example ) because I can trust mum 100 % to ensure that the new dog is not allowed to crowd Winnie or stress him ( all her fosters are walked on lead ) but it does mean Winnie gets to meet new dogs and have positive experiences with them

 

the major problem is meeting off lead dogs when we are out, I know that 99 % of the off lead dogs that do run over are friendly but Winnie does not and he is genuinely scared they are going to attack him.

 

I was looking back at a post I wrote around new years

 

the other day someone came over and shoved a puppy in winnies face ( which Winnie then tried to eat ) regularly I have offload dogs running over despite me calling out to owners to call them back because mine don't like it ( owners call out that its okay there dogs are friendly ! ) few weeks we had a very large breed dog run over and circle around my 3 and Winnie panicked so much he managed to slip his hound collar ( by twisting and turning so violently I thought he was going to break his neck ) in the end I had to tie Holly and Noah to a bench and not only catch Winnie but help the other lady get her dog back

 

 

I now have Winnie on a lovely soft harness that is safe and secure so we have fixed that problem , I really really thought he was going to break his neck the day the large dog was running around ( and the look of panic on his face was heartbreaking )

 

The other problem and its mine rather than the dogs is that some people locally have commented on my 3 "out of control" dogs and I find it very hard to know that people are being negative about them ( and me ) but I accept they do look and sound dreadful when they are being walked together and they see another dog ( on or off lead )

 

I know its a dreadful thing to say but somedays I really wish I had dogs that I could just take out any where without having to plan a military style operation in advance.

[sanrossscot]

Thanks Chaps .....

The other problem and its mine rather than the dogs is that some people locally have commented on my 3 "out of control" dogs and I find it very hard to know that people are being negative about them ( and me ) but I accept they do look and sound dreadful when they are being walked together and they see another dog ( on or off lead )

 

I know its a dreadful thing to say but somedays I really wish I had dogs that I could just take out any where without having to plan a military style operation in advance.

 

I know where you are coming from with that Sam, I have Glen who is a joy to take out and it is so much easier when it's just him rather than adding fear agg Tia and when my 3 are in the car the racket the two girls make is dreadful

[celeste]

I know its a dreadful thing to say but somedays I really wish I had dogs that I could just take out any where without having to plan a military style operation in advance.

Amen to that, I don't know if I will have two Staffs at the same time again, they do seem to work each other up and some walks aren't very tranquil, I've even seen myself turn the car around if there are a lot of other cars at a walk

[krusewalker]

Hi Sam. you are welcopme to walk with us, of course.

you could try more Ttouch leading techniques.

for example, Ttouch trainers walk dogs with 2 leads, but without checking the book, i cant remember if its head and harness or head and collar.

but if we see you tomorrow i can bring the book.

or using the long training lead looped around in front of the chest.

that one has a similar effect to the Ttouch swaddling t-shirt idea.

there are some exercises in The Ttouch book regarding the 2 lead walking technique.

using the 2 leads, the handler leads the dog thru an obstacle course.

this is meant to improve the dogs congition and confidence and teach him to relax.

 

anne and i also use a treat scent game when we let our lot off. we throw treats behind us and say "sog" which is danish for search. this focusses 3 noses on the ground nicely. then 3 dogs come back when done in the anticipation the game gets repeated, which it is quite a lot.

usually the dogs are pretty tunnelled focusses by the time any other dogs turn up.

 

i would use rescue remedy for the next week or so as well.

[Happylittlegreensquirrel]

Thanks guys , I tend not to say anything normally as I don't want to be negative about him as really he has come on such a long way in the last few years so I try and focus on the positives

 

inside the house he is a very happy boy and he clearly loves Noah and Holly ( although I think he relies on them for confidence ) his very best friend in the world is Salem the cat whom he adores

 

 

 

 

I think he feels safe in our house ( which is a good thing ) and I need to help him feel as safe outside and also try to explain to Noah that looking after Winnie outside is a human job not a Noah job ( I suspect the 2 things are equally important )

 

 

Martin thanks for the suggestion about T Touch , its not something I had thought of for Winnie but actually I think it could be a good idea for him I will also get some Rescue Remedy today

 

( I won't be bringing Winnie tomorrow as he would not enjoy it at the moment so he will stay at home with Holly and the cats )

[safneo]

The other problem and its mine rather than the dogs is that some people locally have commented on my 3 "out of control" dogs and I find it very hard to know that people are being negative about them ( and me ) but I accept they do look and sound dreadful when they are being walked together and they see another dog ( on or off lead )

 

I know its a dreadful thing to say but somedays I really wish I had dogs that I could just take out any where without having to plan a military style operation in advance.

 

Oh how I know that feeling. Oh how I wish for at least one easy dog Sam, Just look on it that you have a problem child that you are trying to help overcome his demons. Maybe you could try speaking to these people when you have only one dog with you so that you can explain that he is a rescue and you are trying to rehabilitate him.

 

Hi Sam. you are welcopme to walk with us, of course.

you could try more Ttouch leading techniques.

for example, Ttouch trainers walk dogs with 2 leads, but without checking the book, i cant remember if its head and harness or head and collar.

but if we see you tomorrow i can bring the book.

or using the long training lead looped around in front of the chest.

that one has a similar effect to the Ttouch swaddling t-shirt idea.

there are some exercises in The Ttouch book regarding the 2 lead walking technique.

using the 2 leads, the handler leads the dog thru an obstacle course.

this is meant to improve the dogs congition and confidence and teach him to relax.

 

anne and i also use a treat scent game when we let our lot off. we throw treats behind us and say "sog" which is danish for search. this focusses 3 noses on the ground nicely. then 3 dogs come back when done in the anticipation the game gets repeated, which it is quite a lot.

usually the dogs are pretty tunnelled focusses by the time any other dogs turn up.

 

That would be the confidence course. We did one of those at the TTouch course that we went on Sam. I was going to suggest that too.

You can use ladders laid down in the garden, a few kiddy hoops layed over lapping each other so they move, get some different texture floor tile samples (carpet, lino, laminate, metal, rushing etc.) maybe a plank with a small block under to make a tiny seesaw. Also, does he wear a tee shirt? If not, try it and see if that helps.

Edited March 15, 2008 by safneo

[Happylittlegreensquirrel]

I shall get him a little dog tee shirt from Cafe Press with the Dogstar Logo on

 

 

does any one know if there are any T Touch days coming up per chance ?

[Karen]

I shall get him a little dog tee shirt from Cafe Press with the Dogstar Logo on

 

 

does any one know if there are any T Touch days coming up per chance ?

 

There's a list of courses here on the TTouch website and you can subscribe to a Yahoo group thing somewhere which will email you with details of new courses as they are added. You might be able to find a practitioner near you to give Winnie some intensive attention and teach you some follow up T Touches. There is a fabulous lady in Reading but that's probably miles from you.

 

If Winnie will also wear a bandana, you can get dap spray which is worth a try.

 

I've worked really hard for almost two years with Rosie's phobia of puppies and we've had two incidents of dogs invading her space this week, culminating in her chasing and barking at a manic spaniel yesterday. In that two years I haven't seen Rosie's hackles up and I didn't even know that the hair on her bottom could also stand on end! Anyway, it's upsetting and confidence sapping and we are going back to basics of trying to avoid head on contact with bouncy dogs as recommended by the behaviourist.

[melissa]

I know it is easier to have a dog that loves all other dogs...I have had dogs fosters & my own like that and know what you mean about wishing for that relaxed feeling! but I wouldn't be without Roly despite his problems & I'm sure you feel the same about yours. That panic & fear in their eyes is heartbreaking though and it is so hard to get across to them that it is ok, I tell all visitors to ignore Roly now & he usually slinks off upstairs until they have gone he only growls when he feels threatened. He is getting better with people & has even made a few friends, hopefully one day he will be the same with dogs - I might try the TT myself!

Your doing a great job & you haven't given up on him,he looks so contented in the house with his cat buddy (love the name Salem!) I have had people say to me my dog is only trying to say hello as it is hurtling at Roly who is terrified, so annoying!