Doodle Anxiety, Fear , and Mental Health Issues

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Comment by Kyoko on September 21, 2011 at 6:58pm

I agree with you....Nancy. Charlie was very nervous about little kids and their unpredictale behavior, which caused her to bark, lunge, etc.... We started off from 15 ft away, 12 ft away, etc.... at the school bus stop each morning. They still make her nervous and she always look at them with causion, but we can walk by them and pass the school bus stop now.... It takes time and consistency.... But, that's just for Charlie....I hope method like that works for Willow. Patti, I am telling you.... You should really chec out Leslie McDevitt's website. She is so awesome. http://controlunleashed.net/

Comment by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on September 21, 2011 at 6:05pm

Kyoko, I didn't mean flooding.  I don't agree with that either. I just meant that I think she should expose the dog even if it is afraid.  But baby steps are a good idea.

Comment by Kyoko on September 20, 2011 at 6:50pm

I don't think I would force her... I guess there is a method called flooding, but when it was suggeted to me, I declined. I still like a gradual approach, taking one little baby step at the time, positively reinforcing her to the new situation. The other day, there was this shiny motorcycle parked near my house and Charlie was freaking out, because she did not know what it was. We stop and looked at it from oh, may be 3 ft away at first. She was barking, lunging at it, jumping away from it, etc... and every second when she didnot do any of those, I said "yes" and gave her some kibbles. ( yeah.... I do carry kibbles everywhere I go with her..) then gradually got closer to the motorcycle until she was totally fine with it and sniffing it, etc... it all took about 2 ~ 3 min. I think with consistency and daily practice ( short, like 10 min ), it can get better.... So sorry that she is having this difficulty....

Comment by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on September 20, 2011 at 6:33pm

PS I would not be cooing that it is ok like there is something wrong. I would just stride right out if walking and expect her to follow.  If sitting I would ignore her and watch the activity.

Comment by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on September 20, 2011 at 6:32pm

I would make her go with me but I would be aware of how much I was exposing her to at a time and try to limit it.  When Ned was little, I purposely walked on streets with heavy traffic to get him used to it but I didn't expose him to 25 other things at the same time.  I took him to the park and sat and watched the activity - how close you get to the activity depends upon the fear factor.

Comment by Patti on September 20, 2011 at 1:50pm

Well, what to do? Some of the trainers I have been speaking to about Willow's fear of walking down the street, stranger danger, etc. say....

"just pull her regardless of the situation, she must learn to go where you go" and some say, "never force her to go anywhere that she is afraid."

What would you do?

 

Comment by Ginny Nightingale on May 24, 2011 at 8:14pm

Yup--you gotta stay one step ahead--LD's are sooo smart!

Comment by shelly on May 24, 2011 at 2:39pm

GINNY - what a great idea!!! You sneaky little PIG you! LOL

Comment by F, Calla & Luca on May 24, 2011 at 7:58am

What a sweet cat.

Comment by Ginny Nightingale on May 24, 2011 at 5:04am

awesome picture! How cute! When I was crate training my puppy, he would cry at night. I sat near him without looking at him and was just a presence there--no words. I put a big blanket over myself and after a few minutes, I started slipping out from under the blanket and eventually left. It was dark in the room, so he never realized I left. The blanket kept him company!

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