Doodle Anxiety, Fear , and Mental Health Issues

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Comment by Adina P on September 25, 2011 at 10:15am

Patti, I don't agree that just because a dog has fears/anxiety or is more 'fragile' seeming that an all-treat-and-only-reward based training is the only way.  I also don't think the dog needs to be flooded either.  I think training that offers FAIR consequences and rewards can work for a dog of any temperament.  In fact GOOD training that is FAIR and CONSISTENT and offers corrections for 'wrong' choices/behavior and reward for correct responses/behavior can actually be excellent because then the dog has very clear expectations about life.  A black/white life where the dog feels like she has control over what happens because she can trust the results of her actions...that can really work very well.  I don't know any trainers near you to recommend, however.

Comment by Patti on September 25, 2011 at 9:03am

I park right next to the curb, next to the tables, she will very re luc tantly - tail between the legs, walk to a table. However that is it.  She will walk back to the car, or should I say pull me back to the car.

 

She will come to me if I kneel down and call her, as she wants protection. She has always been "treat trained" however, in this situation she pays no attention to treats. She could care less. She just wants to get away, from what I don't know. Maybe from the movement around her.

 

With all the tremendous love from "everyone", affection, caring, training, vet's, med's, etc. I see no change.  

Comment by Kyoko on September 24, 2011 at 9:43pm

I am trying to picture Willow.... Sorry if I am asking silly obious question....Does she walk TO the coffee shop? if she does, I wonder why she wont walk AWAY from the coffee shop?  If she will not walk away from the coffee shop at all and sat there, can you walk away and call her? Or will she be nervous to come to you in that situation? Or can start form 3 steps, stop. pet, treat whatever and then 3 more steps? Can you carry some treat and sort of coax her to walk?

When Charlie and I go to festival or something where there will be a lot of unpredictable people and distructions, I carry high value treat to keep her focus on me. And I starts off from the skirts of the event, and gradually get close to where I want to be.... Charlie is same as Willow. she is very very obedient and well trained in the predictable situation but in unpredictable situation, unfamiliar situations, I still have to keep a close attention to her body language and assess her stress level. ( I wish I didn't have to do that! I thought ALL dogs are easy going! hahaha!) May be Willow just want to stay home and wait for you while you are out in town?

Comment by Patti on September 24, 2011 at 8:30am

Kyoko,

Yes she will come, she is very smart and well trained. I can have her off leash at the park when all is clear, she runs and plays, she can be 200 feet away from me and as soon as I say "front", she turns on a dime, runs, and sit's at my feet.

 

She has passed all her training classes.  Yesterday I went to a local coffee stop, where she has sat outside from the age of 10 weeks.  However I couldn't get her to walk 10 steps in either direction. I had to carry her back to the car.

Comment by Kyoko on September 23, 2011 at 9:09pm

@ Shelly I knoow!!! Isn't she awesome? her Yahoo group is awesome too!

Comment by Kyoko on September 23, 2011 at 9:08pm

Patti, a lot of people who goes to Leslie or use her book does Agility and Rally, because they require higher level of obedience and attentiveness. Also if you are doing agility and rally, you cannot have your dog nervous or fearful. But, training to help them focus on you and totally trust you so that they do not have to be fearful or nervous about the distruction apply to all situation, I think.

This is just a thought, ( Again, I just happen to have a dog who is nervous and fearful, and I am not a trainer) what if when you guys are at the park, and when Willow is happy and settled, you move a couple of steps away ( possibly with her on long leash) and call her from where you are at with hot dog or cheese or whatever she likes rather than trying to walk with her? Will she come? if not shorten the distance to may be a step away. If she come consistently 8 out of 10 times, and may be increase the distance?  Or cn she stay home while you go to the town? May be she is not a town kind of a girl?

Comment by shelly on September 23, 2011 at 5:23pm

OMD, Kyoko!  i have been going back and forth with Leslie through e-mail all day!  SHE is such a nice and knowledgeable person... I hate to say that she has stirred up by ill feelings about how Tori behaves when people come near to our house.  And with out even SPEAKING to her, she has truly pinpointed many things.  she is going to try and locate someone here on Long Island....

Comment by Patti on September 23, 2011 at 9:38am

Hi, I went to her web-site and she looks wonderful, however it looks like her training is more in line with agility.  I don’t have anyone who teaches agility anywhere near me.

 

However, after reading the reviews on Amazon and with your recommendation I will be getting her book.

 

We have been in training classes for 5 months now, at the moment we are in K9 nose classes.  While in class Willow does well after she becomes familiar with the room/people/ etc.

 

For example, I have spent the last 5 months going to one location in our town, I take Willow out of the car, we sit and watch, she lays down, acts OK while staying put, but I still can’t walk down that street that she has observed at least 60 times.  I moment I start walking, she starts pulling me back, in a total panic.

 

She is fine at parks, as long as there are no people, cars, bikes, etc. She runs, plays, has a grand old time at home and at the park. But try to take her into town and forget it!

 

I’m getting tried.

Comment by Kyoko on September 22, 2011 at 6:01pm

I exchanged several e~mails with her and she is soooo good! She also has a yahoo group and she will invite you to it which is helpful. I planned to take a trip to Philly for the private this summer, however it did not work out due to my scheduling. Even with that she was really nice and down to earth about it. She can do distance lessons with your videos as well. I have her book, and I really like the positive reinforcement style....

Comment by shelly on September 22, 2011 at 2:27pm

Kyoko... I just looked at the website.... did you use her?  (Still struggling with Tori and her visitor 'issues' at times)

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