Fear Period?

[W Sibs]

Has Emmy hit her fear stage? (i didn't think this was possible because she is usually VERY fearless)

This morning, I took her for a walk (alone), and we saw Kodi (the neighbours huge malamute and the most sweetest and most placid dog I've met)... and Emmy suddenly got scared and got into a real panic state. We have met Kodi before, Charlie and Kodi are good friends. Kodi is HUGE, so I wonder if it's the size that freaked her out (because when i first met this girl, i nearly had a heart attack because she is so big and decided to come for a jog with me!). Or could it be that Kodi was off leash and Emmy was on the leash?

Anyway, I end up taking Emmy away, made her focus on me, and when she completely calm, we walked across the road to ignore Kodi, and walked home. She was fine after that.

Which now I'm second guessing myself that I shouldn't of done that? Is that the right way to handle it? hmmm...

Any suggestions how I can help her through this?

Should next time I see Kodi, I bring Charlie along, so she can how Charlie meets Kodi, so she can realise that Kodi is no threat?

Yes, I know she still a puppy but I've never seen her in that much of a panic state before!! My little girl usually takes things face on and don't back down!

Edited May 28, 2010 by CW EW

[corvus]

To be honest, I haven't paid much mind to fear periods. Are they in a fear period? Who really knows? It doesn't matter. If you have a scared puppy, you reassure them. I'm always ready for a puppy to act weird and unpredictably. Every novel item or situation is approached with the expectation that it might scare the puppy. Just because they were okay with it once doesn't mean they will be okay with it next time. That's where having food on you helps. Scared puppies usually overcome their fears pretty quickly if there's food involved. Unless they are too scared to eat, of course.

I figure, as long as I can put distance between us and the scary thing if I have to, and have the means to do some on-the-spot counter-conditioning, then we're all good.

[W Sibs]

thanks... I usually don't bring treats with me on walks (sometimes to the dog parks but if i remember), but I think I should from now on with Em.

I never paid attention to fear period either... Charlie never went through it. I still not sure what he is scared of because he either ignores stuff or he is oblivious to it.

But, Emmy is different and reacts a lot more than Charlie... so it makes me wonder.

Edited May 28, 2010 by CW EW

[Steve K9Pro]

K9: Fear periods are very real and are quite well documented.

I would not be taking my dog too many places when in a fear period, the chance to do long term temperament damage is high and there are no benefits to the risk.

I dont reassure (coddle) fear responses from dogs, this can act as reinforcement and make the situation worse.

[W Sibs]

K9: Fear periods are very real and are quite well documented.

I would not be taking my dog too many places when in a fear period, the chance to do long term temperament damage is high and there are no benefits to the risk.

I dont reassure (coddle) fear responses from dogs, this can act as reinforcement and make the situation worse.

This was just a walk down the street (actually 2 houses down from my house). Should I walk her in a different direction? She has to be walked or else she will destroy my house!

Yeah, I didn't coddle her or anything... just pulled her away and made her focus on me, while she calmed down. Then continued walking home (on the other side of the road)... or was that bad thing to do?

[Steve K9Pro]

C: This was just a walk down the street (actually 2 houses down from my house). Should I walk her in a different direction? She has to be walked or else she will destroy my house!

K9: Maybe that is another thing you need to look at... lol

Yeah, I didn't coddle her or anything... just pulled her away and made her focus on me, while she calmed down. Then continued walking home (on the other side of the road)... or was that bad thing to do?

K9: No not really, but I wouldnt use it as a safe guard and feel safe that nothing can go wrong. Many dogs that come to see me for behaviour problems that have been life long problems were created in a fear period.

[W Sibs]

C: This was just a walk down the street (actually 2 houses down from my house). Should I walk her in a different direction? She has to be walked or else she will destroy my house!

K9: Maybe that is another thing you need to look at... lol

Yeah, I didn't coddle her or anything... just pulled her away and made her focus on me, while she calmed down. Then continued walking home (on the other side of the road)... or was that bad thing to do?

K9: No not really, but I wouldnt use it as a safe guard and feel safe that nothing can go wrong. Many dogs that come to see me for behaviour problems that have been life long problems were created in a fear period.

So, any suggestion on how I can deal with this problem before it becomes a bigger issue? LOL

My next idea is organise with my neighbour so Kodi can come over to the front yard, and she can see Charlie and Kodi playing with each other and she will realise that Kodi is friendly and it's ok not to be scared of her?

[Steve K9Pro]

C: So, any suggestion on how I can deal with this problem before it becomes a bigger issue? LOL

K9: If you mean the destroying your house, some thought provoking training can have some great effects, as can interactive toys etc.

If you mean the fear period, it will pass pretty soon.

My next idea is organise with my neighbour so Kodi can come over to the front yard, and she can see Charlie and Kodi playing with each other and she will realise that Kodi is friendly and it's ok not to be scared of her?

K9: I would not be exposing your pup to anything new in this period. Too much to go wrong.

[W Sibs]

C: So, any suggestion on how I can deal with this problem before it becomes a bigger issue? LOL

K9: If you mean the destroying your house, some thought provoking training can have some great effects, as can interactive toys etc.

If you mean the fear period, it will pass pretty soon.

My next idea is organise with my neighbour so Kodi can come over to the front yard, and she can see Charlie and Kodi playing with each other and she will realise that Kodi is friendly and it's ok not to be scared of her?

K9: I would not be exposing your pup to anything new in this period. Too much to go wrong.

Thanks K9Pro!!

How long does it last for? Anything else should i look out for?

[Steve K9Pro]

K9: They dont start and end like say a calendar event but most times 2 - 4 weeks, with a peak at the 2/3 point.

I dont do any socialising in this period because it can be too easy to cloud a dogs socialisation values when fear periods are having an influence, other than that there is not much else to worry about.