Dog Community

ARRRGH--who the heck do I go to?

Posted : 3/6/2006 11:24:35 AM

Somebody help me. Please. I am trying to find a trainer or behaviorist to help us with Sally's issues. Her biggest issue is that she is timid with strangers, especially men. We have been working on this for a year. We have been socializing her, having strangers give her treats, praising her for social behaviorist and ignoring her when she backs away from a person, giving her treats as strangers pass when we walk, and not forcing her into things. She has been through basic obedience. Another issue, though not as serious as the timidness is her reactivity to other dogs (not really aggressive, but reactive if that makes sense), which we are also working on. She is NOT fear agressive.

My question is this--I am trying to do research on whether to find her a trainer or a behaviorist, and I'm having some trouble. I have read that it is best to take a dog like her to a behaviorist, yet have also read that behaviorists do not specialize in dogs, many do not own dogs, and if the dog does not respond to clickers and haltis just say "put the dog to sleep." The on the trainer side of things I have read that trainers are not equpt to deal with such issues, and to be honest the last "experienced" trainer I spoke to said an e collar is good for fearful dogs.

I just don't know. I'm so confused I'm ready to tear my hair out, and quite frankly am on the verge of packing Sally up and pitching a tent in Anne S.'s yard so that we can have daily sessions.

So, yes, any advice would be appreciated.

willowchow

Posted : 3/6/2006 11:47:14 AM

Christina-I don't really have any advice but just wanted to say I've been there too.

It's just my opinion, but I would probably try to locate a trainer who is not afraid of her, for one. Second, that uses positive training methods.

I don't think she really needs a behaviorist. To me, they are more for if she's getting really aggressive and she's already been trained and there is no medical reason for it. Or, if she's obsessed with something, those kinds of behaviors that may need medication. I kind of relate them to a doggie shrink! LOL! Sometimes though, you find one that's both trainer and behavorist.

I wish I could be of more help, Anne did help me a lot and I ended up having to do ALL the training myself. I also had to accept some of her behaviors (like reacting to dogs) and just manage them and not fix them. That was just me though, not saying Sally couldn't work with someone.

forpaws

Posted : 3/6/2006 1:36:12 PM

Sally,

I know a fearful dog can be frustrating. Have you tried to make yourself as small as possible to the dog and any of the males that approach her?

I once had a dog that was fearful of men. B/c she had been abused primarily by men. Anyway, before this forum I didn't know how to handle and approached it like this.

I would get onto my knee's bend my head down ish, lick my lips and dart looking at her. Not staring her in the eyes. With a treat in my hand, palms up with treat in hand and speak to her very softly and even toned. I also would yawn at her. What this does is say to them you are NOT a threat to her.
Eventually I gained her trust, and was able to stroke her. When you get that far, the first touch should be on the chest and not above thier heads. I would suggest something like this with your dog and men. I also got the book Fearful dog by Jean Donaldson I believe. That helped so much.
If you do get a trainer. Which most of them do know the language( Behavior) of the dog and how to handle same. I hired a trainer who helped me with her in training and he seemed to know the behavior and what the causes of that behavior and how to modify that behavior for the better. I am sure if you email Anne S. She would be glad to be of help to you in more suggestions. She has yet to fail me. Awesome lady!

Mic

Posted : 3/6/2006 1:43:45 PM

Have your veterinarian assess the situation.

When looking for a behaviorist I would try and find an Applied Animal Behaviorist (with a Masters) or a DVM behaviorist. Both will have extensive k9 experience.

sillysally

Posted : 3/6/2006 7:10:53 PM

So what sort of questions should I be asking the person to make sure they are right for us?

spiritdogs

Posted : 3/6/2006 7:24:46 PM

A behaviorist who is worth their salt will not tell you to put a reactive or shy dog to sleep, especially one that is unlikely to bite except in extreme circumstances. If you have worked on this for a long time, but have not had good results, consider getting a referral to a veterinary behaviorist or applied animal behaviorist. Some very experienced (and competent) trainers do behavioral consultations as well, but it's harder to sort the really good ones out, since they have no degree credential. Plus, you may be looking at medication, and a trainer cannot prescribe.

dyan

Posted : 3/6/2006 7:57:56 PM

I just want to wish you luck. When we got Bubblegum a year and a half ago, she was already three years old, she came from the breeder after having 18 puppies in November. She either doesn't like men, is afraid of them or is shy of them,,,not sure what she is. BUT we just keep walking her and she is getting friendlier and friendlier to everyone, especially men because they are the ones that usually stop to remark about her. Just last week the mailman said "Its amazing how far she has come around from last summer!" We took her to a small shopping center (last week) where we let her run in the back when no one is around and a guy walked out the back door and she barked at him for a second and he came to her to pet her. I was leary and holding her collar. She was slobbering from running and he ended up wiping her mouth with a tissue. THAT is REALLY coming a long way!

sillysally

Posted : 3/6/2006 8:06:27 PM

Yeah, it's not like we have not made any progress. Everything I've read says that something like this goes slowly, and I have noticed a difference since we've gotten her. We too have had people who have seen her from the start comment on how much better she's doing. I just want to see if there is anything more we can be doing to help her. Ultimately I would have liked to do agility with her, but I don't think that is going to happen, at least not competatively. We just want to concentrate on making her walk through life more comfortabley.