Mabel and I went for one of our short walks this morning. In the distance was a guy with two huskies and a greyhound. At the moment Mabel goes completely over the threshold when she sees another dog. She sits and doesn't move. I try everything I can but nothing works. If I obscure her view she moves round me it ends up like some kind of weird dance. I have found the best thing to do is wait until the distraction has gone I've never had an issue before, I also know that things aren't helped by restricted exercise in fact they are made 10 times worse. As the guy approaches she doesn't lunge her body language is relaxed and friendly. The guy stops why I don't know I say she's had surgery she can't play. He then says I don't trust mine anyway! Suddenly the 2 huskies lunge and Mabel barking really aggressively she is absolutely terrified and to be fair so am I. She cowers trebling behind me. I turn to see where she is and she literally tries to jump in my arms. I turn back round the guy has walked off. Although we should be turning back to the car we would be going in the same direction as the guy so I walk a little further and then turn round. I'm crying my heart by now in the street I'm so upset. On the way back to the car we meet 3 people and she just lunges for them. Arrive home and she gets out the car but refuses to move from the end of the drive. I've had this puppy sitting malarkey before and found the best option is just to wait. Suddenly she just begins to bark I can't see anything then realise she has heard my neighbours sister. We can't see her as there is a tall hedge dividing our two house. She has never ever done this before and I presume it is a reaction to the walk. I'm now at my wits end that she is going to be completely traumatised. We have just done some reading and other little games just wanted to have some positive moments. I'm going to keep my eye on her and see how she interacts with other dogs if necessary I'll email my trainer but I'm hoping it won't come to that. Truly one of the worst moments of my life
I think maybe a good dog behaviourist would be useful to you and her. I also think that your reactions may be feeding her nervousness, it will be hard, but 'toughening up' your own feelings will help her. She must wonder what you are upset and crying about. If you can show no fear/nearves/anxiety then it will help her enormously. ((many hugs)) it must be so hard
I have huge sympathy for the situation you find yourself in - while some dogs seem to be unaffected by the isolation and restrictions, other dogs do start showing that they can't cope very quickly. I can't begin to tell you how many alarming behaviours Charlie has started to show over the months and months he was isolated from other dogs and people. Luckily, most I have managed to tackle and deal with and they have been resolved. Some, mainly the escalation of things that were already present in his personality, I haven't cracked yet (extreme excitability, lack of impulse control and inability to manage frustration) but I feel I have controlled them at least. My own approach is that I do deal with all of them - head on, with professional help where I need it, and with a written plan. Other people might be a great deal more relaxed than I am, or they might have a different dog. But when I saw how Charlie could change, I decided I would take no chances, and I'm onto everything. I would seek advice, right away. Even if it allows you to plan how to react yourself, it is likely to help you. Wishing you the very best of luck with it.
Thank you for your advice I'm just sitting here with a coffee, thinking it's so difficult getting to grips with her ED is still such early days. I used to be so tough and not bothered by anything I now feel she is going to break she's so fragile.
Wish I could give you a hug. I read your post because I was feeling upset upset with my dog. She had just chased my cat who was already scared of Chepi. I too am feeling a bit shell-shocked, got a cup of tea and trying not to let my annoyance linger because it won't do training any good. I think I might have to give the local positive reward trainer a tinkle (after pay day). I think Boogie is right about not showing negative emotions but I also felt like crying. Have calmed down now. How are you doing?
Poor you and poor Mabel. I expect you were badly shaken as well as Mabel which has led to the problems at the end of the walk. As Boogie said try to put your feelings on one side and be positive and upbeat for Mabel and just see how she is for her next walk, perhaps somewhere different. If she still shows signs of distress or barking seek some professional help to overcome. I've found when a dog growls and lunges at Juno, and we seem to have had more than our fair share, I try not to fuss her or be over protective but carry on as normal and I know it's hard when your pup is recovering from surgery for ED. Mabel will be fine, she was just a bit shaken this morning and so will you be. Hugs from me and licks from Juno.
Big hugs to you, I am much better we have just got back from our walk, we actually went to the same place. She was fine wanted to play with a little terrier and ignored 2 staffies completely and one man walking fairly fast. I've waited years for my girl, never expected to feel this emotional I'm sure I wasn't like it with the kids. I had my "yay, isn't life exciting" voice on. We did a little bit of training all good. Mabel sends Labrador licks xx
Just seen you post Julie, thank you so much I'm with you I like to tackle everything I'm always training looking for opportunities that may arise that I can train against. I was paid a massive compliment yesterday I decided the walk would be post a letter and go to the cash point and pet shop. All close together as we are not quite on 10 mins walks yet. She was such a star the guy in the pet shop couldn't believe she was only 8 months he couldn't believe how she listened to me and ignored distractions. . I'll email my trainer this afternoon I'll feel better with a plan.
Plans are good. Plans help a lot - they put you in control, they let you think through what you are going to do in any situation, and they help you work through things. I'd say I just coped with Charlie the first round of restrictions. Things got really bad with his frustration at one point, it became nearly impossible to walk him. And he ended up lunging at other dogs so very badly he was seriously going to hurt either or both of him or me. We got over it, with an awful lot of training. This time, because he is older, he hasn't been so bad. He is not great around other dogs, and will pull towards them and not walk away. And he whines a lot now, prompted by frustration and it seems to have become a habit. But, I count myself lucky, I think I got off lightly really. I hope it's the same for you.
I've emailed my trainer, with the finer points plus a plan I have in mind. I've suddenly realised I like to be in control and for those brief minutes this morning I wasn't. I feel much better now. I love reading about Charlie and yes like you I think I actually do feel I get off lightly. As they say onwards and upwards not only for you and I but our adorable chocolate labs xx
Thank you, I'd had some advice from my trainer, which was on a par with my plan of action which was comforting to know. Mabel has been absolutely fine since. We went to the garden centre yesterday for coffee and she looked completely indifferently at all the people. Today at the pub she was great, there were four dogs and she was fine. She did bark really loudly at this little four year old much to my horror. It all ended well as the little girl wanted to stroke and play. Mabel did a beautiful sit while the girl patted her head. Big licks from Mabel. Xx
Really pleased that Mabel is fine after yesterday's scare and making friends with a little girl. Our girls do tend to be a bit of a magnet
They do don't they, today there was a little girl screaming but she sounded like a squeaky dog toy. Her dad said she was 16 months old and loved dogs. Mabel loved her
It always surprises me that considering our girls aren't that used to children that they take it all in their stride and show really good manners
