|
|
Post by marc on Nov 29, 2010 13:02:09 GMT -5
Hi folks-
We've had Jackie for a bout a week now and are working with a trainer.
However, just curious to see if there is a good protocol or reference material for calming a nervous dog.
She's pretty much afraid of everything...her shadow, the mailbox, leaves, my trashcans, wont go in the basement.
|
|
|
|
Post by adoptapitbull on Nov 29, 2010 13:24:43 GMT -5
Marc, a week is definitely not enough time for any dog, with any trainer, to get over all fears. Don't rush her. Give her some time to adapt to everything. She will most likely become less afraid as time goes on. Let her gain trust from her new family first. If in a few months she still has fear issues, then work with her. You don't want to accidentally make the fears worse by trying to fix them too soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by marc on Nov 29, 2010 13:41:25 GMT -5
thanks. should've mentioned we're working on greeting and basic obedience skills.
your point about too much too fast is kind of where i'm heading. looking for the balance between knowing what to ignore and not letting things reinforce themselves into potential problem behaviors.
|
|
|
|
Post by maryellen on Nov 29, 2010 13:57:48 GMT -5
do a 2 week shutdown.. the link is here somewhere on the forum
|
|
|
|
Post by sugar on Nov 29, 2010 14:11:10 GMT -5
I can attest to the 2-week shutdown (although it was closer to a month for my dog). Works wonders if you give it a shot!
|
|
|
|
Post by michele5611 on Nov 29, 2010 14:14:33 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by michele5611 on Nov 29, 2010 14:21:39 GMT -5
Marc...I am sure Mary will have some good advice for you seeing as she knows Jackie (Patsy as I still call her)
|
|
|
|
Post by RealPitBull on Nov 29, 2010 14:26:38 GMT -5
Marc, this is a big adjustment period for Jackie, so just be patient. Usually ignoring fearful behavior/pretending it didn't happen, is the way to go. You can also make a "joke" of the situation - when she acts fearful, of an object for instance, try using a peppy, high pitched, happy voice, encourage her to be happy and bounce around (just be careful you do not startle her further). Never force her to interact with an object, but encourage her to sniff things she is fearful of. Bring food and clicker with you everywhere you go, just click/treat - doesn't have to be for anything. Limit the outings. Don't force. You may want to consider this product to help her get over the adjustment hump: www.herbsmithinc.com/canine_calmshen.asp |
|
|
|
Post by marc on Nov 29, 2010 14:29:21 GMT -5
thanks for the link! Tried search on the forum but found it on the net.
Certainly not forcing anything. We started doing just what you said with the joking.
The walks we are doing though....she loves them and is very good on the leash.
We're slowly building the crating based on the protocol you sent me Mary.
Do you'll still suggest the tethering to me?
|
|
|
|
Post by RealPitBull on Nov 29, 2010 14:37:50 GMT -5
If she is enjoying the walks, that is great! Keep those up!
Tethering, when you are there to monitor, is a great way to a) keep the dog from getting into trouble and contained in a safe space, and b) practice teaching the dog to be separated from their person.
|
|
|
|
Post by marc on Nov 29, 2010 14:41:51 GMT -5
how does tethering teach her to be "separated from their person"?
when she barks at all sorts of new outside noises I can & can't hear, do i ignore those?
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by RealPitBull on Nov 29, 2010 14:41:53 GMT -5
Oh, I also wanted to mention, just so you are aware, Jackie is at the age where a second fear period may emerge. Part of the fear you are seeing may just be typical fear period stuff. Here is a nice short article on fear: www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/fear-dogs |
|
|
|
Post by RealPitBull on Nov 29, 2010 14:48:19 GMT -5
how does tethering teach her to be "separated from their person"? when she barks at all sorts of new outside noises I can & can't hear, do i ignore those? Thanks! Tethering prevents her from approaching you, but she can still see you and feel to some degree like she has some freedom (as opposed to being in a crate with four walls, a floor and a top). The barking in general should be ignored, unless it becomes progressive. For instance, a bark or two at a noise outside should be ignored. But if she progresses to persistent barking, you should interrupt that behavior because barking can be self-reinforcing behavior (just the act of barking is reinforcing for the dog). Interrupt the behavior be calling her name, touching her, distracting her with food, toys, play, etc. Don't forget to click/treat, or offer attention/play, etc, when she is quiet. A big mistake people make is paying attention to the dog when they are noisy, but ignoring the dog when they are quiet. Don't be afraid to "interrupt" Jackie's silence with a click/treat, randomly throughout the day. Also, if you know there is a specific time of day that tends to be more noisy, be prepared - start clicking/treating before the barking. The goal with clicking/treating for silence, is to C/T rapidly enough in the beginning that the dog doesn't have the chance to bark, and then gradually increase the time between C/T's. For instance, I will click/treat every 5 seconds for one session. Then the next session, I will click treat every 10 seconds. Then 20 seconds, and so on (decrease the rate as long as you are successful at your current rate). |
|
|
|
Post by sugar on Nov 29, 2010 15:22:30 GMT -5
Mary, I think Marc is talking about tethering the dog to his person (like what you had me do with Chubby, where he was attached to my belt loop).
Then again, I may have read that wrong, lol. Sometimes happens in my 3pm slump
|
|
|
|
Post by marc on Nov 29, 2010 15:45:21 GMT -5
yes. meant tethering to me  Mary -we seem to be settling on everything but crating when i'm home and/or away. We've managed to get her to not sleep in the bed..and in a closed crate when we go to sleep for the night. no whining. just looking to how much whining/vocalizing, etc in the crate is good (shld be ignored) and when it will be destructive to her. |
|
|
|
Post by RealPitBull on Nov 29, 2010 15:52:24 GMT -5
Ah, ok, tethering to you - gotcha! (I call it the 'umbilical cord method LOL - did Renee suggest this to you?) What I would do for the whining in the crate is try completely ignoring her. Time how long she whines - if the whining is getting longer day by day, it may be time to start interupting her. Most of the time it is just a matter of waiting out the dog. Also, the method I described for C/T'ing silence outside of the crate, works for inside, too. Like, 5 minutes of quiet in the crate = you get C/T'd. Rinse, repeat. If she is panic-barking in the crate, that is a matter that requires desensitization. But sounds like she is just doing some normal adjustment whining. yes. meant tethering to me Mary -we seem to be settling on everything but crating when i'm home and/or away. We've managed to get her to not sleep in the bed..and in a closed crate when we go to sleep for the night. no whining. just looking to how much whining/vocalizing, etc in the crate is good (shld be ignored) and when it will be destructive to her. |
|
|
|
Post by marc on Nov 29, 2010 17:17:44 GMT -5
Ah, ok, tethering to you - gotcha! (I call it the 'umbilical cord method LOL - did Renee suggest this to you?) NO, I read it in the 2 weeks shutdown you sent. What I would do for the whining in the crate is try completely ignoring her. Time how long she whines - if the whining is getting longer day by day, it may be time to start interupting her. Most of the time it is just a matter of waiting out the dog. Also, the method I described for C/T'ing silence outside of the crate, works for inside, too. Like, 5 minutes of quiet in the crate = you get C/T'd. Rinse, repeat. If she is panic-barking in the crate, that is a matter that requires desensitization. But sounds like she is just doing some normal adjustment whining. How do you define panic barking? She will whine..then sometimes escalate to what sounds like a panic bark...then she'll sometimes yawn/whine...then sit there quiet [hope she isnt shutting down]..and at other times fall asleep. Sometimes she'll paw at the crate door once or twice in the very beginning. I can post videos if you would like to see them. |
|
|
|
Post by michele5611 on Nov 29, 2010 18:11:19 GMT -5
Marc think posting videos is a good idea.
|
|
|
|
Post by RealPitBull on Nov 29, 2010 18:50:30 GMT -5
Sounds normal, and I would continue with ignoring her.
|
|
|
|
Post by emilys on Nov 29, 2010 18:52:00 GMT -5
... How do you define panic barking? She will whine..then sometimes escalate to what sounds like a panic bark...then she'll sometimes yawn/whine...then sit there quiet [hope she isnt shutting down]..and at other times fall asleep. yawning is often a "calming" signal.. it may be she is actually yawning to calm herself! and it seems to work for her, based on that description |
|
I look forward to learning much here