Forum Post

fear of people in the distance

Last post 04-22-2008 7:27 AM by 2shelties. 12 replies.
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  • 03-30-2008 4:10 PM

    • jenns
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    fear of people in the distance

    So Zack seems to be getting a bit more comfortable around people (most people, anyways), but his main issues seems to be when he sees things, people and dogs at a distance.  When I read about working with fearful dogs the suggestion is to always start with working at a distance and then moving closer.  But what if your main problem IS the distance?  If I take him into a store or walking through a parking lot where there are a number of people all around relatively close, he is still a little nervous but isn't reacting.  But, any time he sees, or hears anything occuring far away he starts barking and growling.  And the barking and growling get worse as it approaches.  Sometimes he reacts even when there is nothing there!  Like when I take him outside to do his business, ifhe saw something that frightened him there within the past day, he starts growling the moment he steps out the door.  What do I do in this case? 

    Zoe - 3 year old chocolate and tan miniature dachshund

    Zack - 10 month old toy manchester terrier

    Ally - 9 year old black and white domestic shorthair cat



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  • 03-31-2008 6:35 PM In reply to jenns

    Re: fear of people in the distance

    Well, I think you'd do the same thing.  If he barks/growls, stop instantly and reverse direction.  When he recovers you can do a wide loop and head back.  Also, another thing to try is get him to concentrate on you.  The "watch me" game is important to teach a dog like Zack as it will re-focus his attention back on you.

    I taught my dogs this by at home holding a treat to my forehead and saying "_________, watch me!"  Then as soon as the dog looked at my face I'd drop the treat to him.  When it was totally reliable at home we started doing it while out and about.  Then you can start adding "sit" etc.  Once you get him concentrating on you while you are out that may help with his getting fixated on things in the distance.

     Have you ever watched Victoria Stillwell's "It's me or the dog" on TV?  It's a pretty good show that can give you some good pointers.

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  • 04-04-2008 6:09 PM In reply to kelliope

    • jenns
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    Re: fear of people in the distance

    I've started teaching him the "watch" command but I think he's getting confused.  When I hold the treat up and say "watch" he thinks he's supposed to do a sit or a down.  He is watching me while he's doing it though.  Am I supposed to give a treat for that?

    Zoe - 3 year old chocolate and tan miniature dachshund

    Zack - 10 month old toy manchester terrier

    Ally - 9 year old black and white domestic shorthair cat



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  • 04-04-2008 6:19 PM In reply to jenns

    Re: fear of people in the distance

    Yes. As soon as he looks at you he gets the treat.  Sitting is a good thing!  It doesn't negate the "watch me" command.  It is kind of like saying please in dog language.  Be glad he's not like mine who jumped up on me when we first started learning "watch me"! LOL!  Thank God she only weighs 3 lbs!

     How is the socializing going?

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  • 04-09-2008 12:26 AM In reply to kelliope

    • 2shelties
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    Re: fear of people in the distance

    I'm late on this, but I have the same issue with Ripley. He barks and growls at people and dogs in the distance on walks, and as we get closer it escalates, but then when we get very near, like actually passing by, he's friendly and will greet dogs and people with no aggression/reactivity. Same in pet stores, like you said, he's fine because everyone is near, and off leash he's fine. Sorry I don't have any suggestions, I'm just beginning to try things myself, just wanted to chime in and say your dog is not the only one out there with this behavior.

    Ripley - Shetland Sheepdog
    Frosty - Shetland Sheepdog
    Shiner - Border Collie
    Muffin and Pookie - the kitties
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  • 04-11-2008 6:58 PM In reply to 2shelties

    • jenns
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    Re: fear of people in the distance

    It's weird, I wonder if they are fine when there are alot of people and dogs close by because the environment is consistent, while an occasional person appearing out of the blue is scary because it is unexpected?  I'd love to know if you are having success with anything you're trying.  Most of the books I've read talk about working with your dog just outside of the "red zone" where he reacts, but that's not really possible in this case, especially since half the time he is reacting to something he hears that I can't.

    Zoe - 3 year old chocolate and tan miniature dachshund

    Zack - 10 month old toy manchester terrier

    Ally - 9 year old black and white domestic shorthair cat



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  • 04-13-2008 8:03 AM In reply to jenns

    • mrv
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    Re: fear of people in the distance

    In addition, I would get his eyes checked.  You never know, it could be the sensory information he is receiving from a fault in his vision system.

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  • 04-15-2008 7:47 AM In reply to jenns

    Re: fear of people in the distance

    jenns:

    I've started teaching him the "watch" command but I think he's getting confused.  When I hold the treat up and say "watch" he thinks he's supposed to do a sit or a down.  He is watching me while he's doing it though.  Am I supposed to give a treat for that?

     

    Try holding the treat out at arm's length.  He may stare at it for quite a while;-))  But, as soon as he makes eye contact with you, even for a millisecond, catch it by clicking, or saying "watch" and give him a treat from your other hand.  (If you step on his leash instead of holding it, you won't feel like an octopus LOL.   

    Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association
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    "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George

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  • 04-15-2008 9:02 AM In reply to spiritdogs

    Re: fear of people in the distance

     Lily does this. I have been working with her clicking and treating her for actually looking at the person/thing and not barking at it. So, she looks - I click and treat. She looks again, I click and treat. Soon she realizes that looking at the person gets her treats. It has really helped a lot.

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  • 04-20-2008 5:21 PM In reply to Jewlieee

    • jenns
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    Re: fear of people in the distance

    Jewlieee:

     Lily does this. I have been working with her clicking and treating her for actually looking at the person/thing and not barking at it. So, she looks - I click and treat. She looks again, I click and treat. Soon she realizes that looking at the person gets her treats. It has really helped a lot.

     

    I've been doing this and it's helping a bit.  The only problem is that the constant anticipation of the possibly of seeing or hearing someone or something so that I can *do* the exercise creates anxiety for me... and I'm sure the dog is picking up on it. Tongue Tied

    Zoe - 3 year old chocolate and tan miniature dachshund

    Zack - 10 month old toy manchester terrier

    Ally - 9 year old black and white domestic shorthair cat



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  • 04-20-2008 8:53 PM In reply to jenns

    • jenns
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    Re: fear of people in the distance

    Well we had a bit of setback, as usual.  Just took both dogs out for a short potty walk in the neighborhood, and Zack spent the entire walk growling and barking at every single sight and sound.    This tends to happen more at night than during the day.  I don't even see the things he's vocalizing at until he's already started.  So what am I supposed to do once he's already started reacting? 

     I don't understand why he's so stressed during our walks, we walk several times a day for the month that I've had him, and nothing bad has happened to him.  I thought he'd figure out by now that all those sights and sounds in the distance are nothing to worry about, especially since he's still a puppy, not an older dog already set in their ways.  And he's had many instances in which most we approach the person he's growling at, he starts jumping on them and demanding attention, quickly realizing there is no threat.

    Zoe - 3 year old chocolate and tan miniature dachshund

    Zack - 10 month old toy manchester terrier

    Ally - 9 year old black and white domestic shorthair cat



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  • 04-21-2008 2:31 PM In reply to jenns

    Re: fear of people in the distance

    Here's what I would do:

     First, I'd take a deep breath and remember I'm working with these dogs and it takes a long time and a lot of patience to overcome fear and reactivity in a dog.  It's not a reflection on me, it just is what it is and at least I'm doing something to resolve it.

     Then, I'd take the dogs out seperately until both were reliable alone on their walk.  I'd make sure they were calm before going outside (sitting, not jumping up and down, etc.)

     During the walk, I'd concentrate on the "look at me" command and "sit".  If something or someone appears I'd tell the dog to "sit" and have his concentration on me.  I'd carry treats and treat for any calm behavior or for "look at me".  I would not approach people or their dogs or let them approach us until the dogs are able to be calm on their walk.  After a few weeks of calm walks I might try letting people approach and give treats, but that's it - no petting.  Then later allow petting if the dogs seems comfortable, etc. 

     Once the dogs were both calm on their seperate walks, I'd try walking them together.

    I know this sounds like a lot of work and a lot of time, but even if the walks were shorter I think it's important to only concentrate on one dog at a time.

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  • 04-22-2008 7:27 AM In reply to kelliope

    • 2shelties
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    Re: fear of people in the distance

    I was origionally trying the turn and walk the other way with Ripley, but it was having no effect and it was taking forever to get through a walk. We are working on "watch me" and "quiet" when we see people/dogs now, it helps if I spot them first, so our walks arent very relaxing, but we'll get there I guess. Oddly we had a very nice walk the other night, and the difference was toads.....yup, there were tons of toads out on the sidewalk, and he was so focused on nosing every toad and checking every rock and leaf to see if it was a toad that we walked right past several things that normally would have set him off. That was encouraging because at least I know now he can be distracted.

    Ripley - Shetland Sheepdog
    Frosty - Shetland Sheepdog
    Shiner - Border Collie
    Muffin and Pookie - the kitties
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