Bender/BBQ

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Happy Tuesday DK!

 Well we are throwing a little celebration on behalf of one of our friends.  I have a guest count of 16 adults, 7 kids, and 2 babies.  We are pretty excited as this is our first DAY time event at our house with friends since we moved in 2 years ago (usually we have gatherings at night) and we just got new patio furniture on our deck!

My dog Bender really doesn't like crowds, loud noises, chaos, and all things out of the ordinary...especially if its loud.  I would like suggestions on how to give him the best experience without him getting too stressed out.

He really doesn't do anything except follow me around.  He literally stays about an inch away from me.  Last time some kids came over and there was a problem with him growling at them but I really think it was due to their animal hats.  We went out every week and saw so many kids after this day and he had no issues with kids what-so-ever.  It might've been their hats and because he was home.  Here is the discussion.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/trainingmindsets/forum/topics/gro...

I was thinking that maybe he can start out in the backyard when people arrive.  And then he can greet them when every one is more scattered around the house so it doesn't seem like a big crowd all in at once.  Since it's daylight I'm thinking most people will stay in the yard and our yard is big so it won't be so overwhelming for him.  I'm pretty sure he will still stick close to me but I want him to have a pleasant experience.  I was even thinking maybe I should go out and get one of those calming scents (it couldn't hurt right?).

Please let me know if you have any ideas for my very sweet and gentle but scared and nervous baby Bender. 

Thank you!!!!

 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

You might find the administering challenging as it is a liquid and comes with a dropper. We put the dose in a Pill Pocket (Oscar just gobbled it up!) . They say you can put it in their water, but your dog has to drink every last drop of it's water to get the full dose. Good luck!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Hi All... See update above on our Saturday BBQ and Bender's reactions and our conclusion.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I have had a similar problem with Murphy with little girls and also with strollers. How I handled it was desensitize him by having a little girl in the family work with me to teach him girls are ok and it was NOT ok to bark or growl at them. Strollers, I taught him by walking him with my grandson in his stroller so he could learn the big bad stroller wasn't going to get him. Oh and there was a period we thought the color pink upset him, but usually only girls wear pink, so I doubt it was that.
Murphy does growl and bark sometimes at other dogs at the dog park, if they come close to me or Bella. He is then put into a sit stay, told "no bark" and to "wait" until the other dog is petted by me or sniffed by Bella. He still does it occasionally, and training is forever, but usually a firm "uh-oh" gets him to walk away quietly. You will figure out what pushes his buttons and as he gets used to more people I hope it gets better for you. But training is important. Sending him to a sitter is fine until you get the opportunity to work with him, but eventually you will want him to be a happy part of the family celebrations I'd think.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We had an issue with Sophie and a baby stroller when they were younger.  Our trainer told us to use the "touch it" command.  We would walk up and touch the item, allowing them a little room away from it.  We would then encourage her/them to come up and touch the item with their nose.  Took one time with a stroller and then she was fine and we also used it on a bulldozer one time when she was afraid of it.  Worked them as well. 

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

 thanks Sherri!  Now that I think about it...when he sniffed Carter his nose touched him.  After that he was ok with Carter.  Maybe I can try the "touch it" command as well.  thank you so much!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Thanks so much for the support Sue.  I really appreciate it.  I do think he is trainable in this area since he eventually was ok with Carter (the first kid that came over).  I held Carters hand, played with him and Ben, ran around together, petted both of them.  it was all the other boys after that I couldnt help him get used to that he barked at.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am glad things went relatively well but a pet sitter might be good for large gatherings in he future.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

thanks F!

[Wendy and Myla]

Maybe boys come off as more aggressive to him and he's defending territory?  I think it's great that he was okay with the crowd -that's huge!  I really think you can work with him with boys - If you know Carter well, maybe start with him and have Bender spend more time with him to the point of rough-housing if that seems safe and then slowly introduce more boys.  I think it's good that you've narrowed down what sets him off and now can find ways to work with that - even with a trainer if necessary.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Thanks Wendy and Myla! That's a good idea. DH was saying that Ben can sense the fear and it freaks him out. When boys were nonchalant and just walked or ran by Ben was ok. We will work on it but with smaller kid groups :)

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Glad to hear the BBQ party went well, with few hiccups. Boys might put off a different energy than girls and Bender feels challenged/threatened by it. I like what Lucy and Sophie's Mom said about the 'touch it' command. Never needed anything like that with my doods, but still, its good to know. We have done a kind of slow investigating of unfamiliar objects to make whichever dog comfortable. Never needed to touch it, but I can see how that would be a good next step.

Do you think the Rescue Remedy helped at all?

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Debb... I really do think it helped! He's usually more close to me and really doesn't leave my side. He was more relaxed with the group as a whole and did walk around by himself or sat next to others that gave him attention. The rescue remedy said "give as needed" so I gave him 4 drops on a small piece of bread every 4 hours. Thank you for the suggestion :)