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Why is he progressing outside, but really regressing inside?

Posted : 4/17/2006 1:48:19 AM

Hey everyone,

I'm stuck in a rut mentally with this one. Outside, his counter-conditioning is going very well, but as soon as we return inside... poof! He's gone. Hiding, at times slightly shaking.

He's a 2-4 year old Black Labrador mix. He was wild for sometime, but for how long is unknown.

He's come to the point of biting. If a stranger approaches him he will run-for-dear-life, but if cornered and forced to move (say, under the bed) he will not hesitate to bite.

Anybody have any advice or feedback, I could really use it.

thanX,

B.B

Firestorm

Posted : 4/17/2006 10:18:40 AM

You cannot let the dog go and hide everytime someone comes in the house to meet him...this is making a potentially dangerous dog. You need to bring him out and allow him to sniff other people whether he wants to or not. I would take this dog to some obediance classes and have a trainer work with you.

willowchow

Posted : 4/17/2006 10:58:27 AM

I'm not a trainer but I think what you're supposed to do is ignore and let him come to you. I don't think you are supposed to make eye contact until he comes to you either. If you force him he might bite. I also wouldn't corner him at all anymore.

Hopefully, Anne or Mic will see this and confirm.

Brian Banks

Posted : 4/20/2006 1:27:42 PM

Anybody elses advice would be GREAT right now.

B.B

schleide

Posted : 4/20/2006 2:31:23 PM

Hi there... Not a trainer - and I hope Anne, Mic or someone who is comes along soon to help you... But, in the meantime, some more details might help?

How long have you had this dog? Does the dog trust you and just not strangers or is the dog fearful of you as well? Who is trying to get the dog from under the bed, you or the strangers? I think it is common for a very fearful dog to bite if it is cornered and does not have the option to flee, I personally would therefore not put a fearful dog in that position.

I haven't gone to search for it, but is there a post that describes what kind of counter-conditioning you are using to rehab this dog?

sooner

Posted : 4/20/2006 3:01:19 PM

Ok, I#%92m not a trainer either, but here#%92s what I think. DO NOT make the dog do anything whether he wants to or not. That#%92s a great way to get yourself or someone else bitten and to really regress on his training.

Completely ignore the dog indoors. When he comes to you praise lavishly (but not too excitedly) and treat. When and if he comes out with strangers in the house have them treat. Don#%92t look at the dog, reach for the dog, or walk toward the dog, let him come to you.

BTW, it took several years before my fearful dog was really comfortable in the home. She still, ten years later, has spells of shyness that I can#%92t figure out the triggers for.

I think they act differently outside because they don#%92t feel as “trapped” but that#%92s just a theory, it could just be that they suffered abuse inside at some point in their lives.

Having a behaviorist visit the house wouldn't be a bad idea either.

sooner

Posted : 4/20/2006 3:15:58 PM

A couple of books that might help:

Help For Your Shy Dog: Turning Your Terrified Dog Into A Terrific Pet by Deborah Wood

The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell

sooner

Posted : 4/20/2006 3:24:57 PM

There is some really good information available in the archives of this board. Go here

[linkhttp://forum.dog.com/cgi-bin/discus/search.pl]http://forum.dog.com/cgi-bin/discus/search.pl[/link]

and search for shy or fear aggressive and you'll get lots of info.

ETA: In answer to your original thread title question, if you are reaching under the bed for him it is probably terrifying him further and causing the regression. The key in this instance is patience.

Mic

Posted : 4/20/2006 5:31:33 PM

If you want very specific help with this I need you to fill out a behavioral questionnaire. But in general the best protocol is intense structure and exercise. A tired dog is a fearless dog.

This dog needs a clear cut regimen of exercise and training.

The schedule should be the same each day, this will help build your dogs confidence.

When I say intense exercise...I mean I would bring the dog to the brink of exhaustion (assuming he is physically healthy) at least 3 times per week. The day in between he should be given light walks and recovery time.

These protocols will help alleviate the fear, build confidence and prevent aggression.

Brian Banks

Posted : 4/20/2006 10:27:45 PM

Thnak you all so very much.

Sometimes you need just need to be reassured your doing the correct thing.

Thanks again.

B.B

p.s anyone with more to share please do so. The more the merrier.