Doodle Anxiety, Fear , and Mental Health Issues

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Comment by Patti on January 6, 2012 at 11:01am

Thanks Ginny, 

It is very hard, my husband and I wanted to travel somewhat now that our kids are grown, and we are 60ish.  That is another reason we got, what was supposed to be a dog from service dog stock. We have always had well adjusted dogs, two or three at a time and never thought we would run into this problem.

Comment by Ginny Nightingale on January 6, 2012 at 10:12am

How sad for you--I know you love her but it is a real struggle that must be causing you so much stress. I had a dog for 11 years that had a fear issue but he would act aggressively--I couldn't travel with him, could not have people over without crating him and had just one friend that he knew from puppyhood  as his groomer that would take him when I was away. When she moved away when he was 7, I had to learn how to groom him myself and we would leave one person in the family home with him when we travelled--luckily, I had college aged kids at that time.

I loved him too, but once he passed away, I realized how much I had gone through to keep him happy while keeping others safe--a different situation than yours, but the point is while I can see why you are making so many changes to live with your sweet Willow's fears, it is very hard on you. I wish there was an answer for her problems--keep trying!

Comment by Patti on January 6, 2012 at 10:04am

Update on Willow.  No change after taking “Reconcile” for 5 months.  We are slowly taking her off the meds and the next step is to see a behavioral specialist at UC Davis Veterinary Hospital.  A two-hour; one-way drive for us, but worth every moment if the can help our precious little girl.

Again, she is as happy as a pup can be at home, park etc., but out in public, even with tons of experience from the age of 10 weeks, she is terrified of other people. 

We are starting her 5^th training classes on Monday, just to keep her around other people and dogs without the stress of going into town, and praying that someday she will outgrow this fear.

For now we are living as prisoner’s, we can’t travel with her and we have always taken our dogs with us on vacation, could never and never would kennel her, can’t have someone in the house to care for her (stranger danger), breeder hasn’t offered to take her back, nor have I heard from them, and don’t know if we could give her up even if they did, as she is loved so much. So as you can see we are in a “catch twenty-two” situation, trying to keep our hopes up. 

The good news is that I found a harness that is wonderful, escape proof, well made and fits her to the tee. It is the “RUFF WEAR WEB MASTER™ HARNESS”, I tried so many and wasted so much money on ones that she simply pulled out of, over her head when she encountered people and pulled away.

This one is incredibly great, got it at Zappos, online with free shipping.

Now at least I don’t have to live in fear that she will run off while we are walking.

Comment by Charlotte and Bo on December 1, 2011 at 9:16pm

Thanks for the info.  I'll look around for a class and check out the training group.

Comment by Joanne ~ Spud* on December 1, 2011 at 5:39pm

Charlotte, I tried to leave a message on your page but your profile is set to private.  

Another group you may want to join is the TRAINING GROUP.  Lots of help and great information in that group on handling special situations.

Comment by Joanne ~ Spud* on December 1, 2011 at 5:37pm

Charlotte, for some reason I don't get any notices for this group, however it is a group I started.  Sorry it has taken me so long to respond.

I have the EXACT same situation you have.  I have begun using a squirt bottle instead of grabbing a collar for redirection unless my doodle is on a leash--then it seems to be fine.

I do though, recommend attending a training course with this type of doodle.  Even though I had been to training with other dogs, we have a special situation!  I learned a lot, I learned different in handling a different dog --such as the ones we have.

So my other suggestion is find a class where they teach " Special Situations"

If you need me or more information, leave a message on my page too.  

Comment by Amy, Cubbie & Ollie on November 17, 2011 at 10:21am

Charlotte, you might want to start a discussion on this either in this group (above) or in The Doodle Whispers group.  Starting a discussion will allow people to respond to your question and will keep the responses all together in one place.

Comment by Charlotte and Bo on November 16, 2011 at 10:26pm

Bo is a 2+1/2 yr old (lab or golden)doodle that I adopted from the DRC.  They rescued him from a situation where he was crated pretty much 24/7.  He is friendly and loving most of the time but he is also fear aggressive ( especially at the vet).  He is also a thief.  When I first got him he would destroy what ever struck his fancy when I left him alone.  The vet suggested anti-anxiety meds and those along with me hiding what I value and pulling the shades up when I leave have improved this problem.  When he steals something he will not give it up.  I have to trap him to get it back.  If I lose my temper and yell and try to grab his collar he will bite ( not to draw blood but it still hurts).  It appears I am not respected as the leader here.  When he is in normal mode he will come when he is called , sit, stay, give you a paw and so forth.  When he hits that level of excitement where he grabs something he shouldn't have and takes off with it all bets are off. It is like having a 60+ pound puppy. Any suggestions?

Comment by F, Calla & Luca on September 26, 2011 at 11:14am

That's an awful lot of trainers. I use and love prong collars.

Comment by Patti on September 26, 2011 at 10:14am

Thanks Adina, and what do you think?

Yesterday, took Willow and her brother, 90 Lab to a very quite neighborhood for a walk. It was Sunday and very little traffic, maybe three cars went by.

 

Walking was a nightmare, Willow pulled back when she saw a parked car, and a man standing in his garage, with such force she almost pulled out of her harness, this is what she does. She pulls away in the direction she wants to go. If she is trying to get away forward, she will walk on her back legs. I went to a harness so that she would not hurt her little neck, but I think I have less control with the harness. With a flat collar, or her Martingale training collar she chokes really bad because she pulls so hard. 

 

I know a lot of trainers are using the prong collar, and during our training classes there were many very loving owners who were using them, loved them, and felt they were wonderful for their dog and research shows they are much more humane. 

 

Do you think, that if I were to try this prong collar, that Willow would realize that I was in control, and that she was coming with me regardless of what she wanted to do?  Or at this stage it might freak her out even more?

 

I am working with basically 4 different trainers and the Vet.  The trainers all work with tons of treats, and clicker training. This works well for Willow while indoors, however while outdoors nothing so far works.

 

 

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