Dog Behaviourist

[Aidan]

She thinks it's a tantrum and something that Elbie's putting on rather than real stress. She popped him in the backyard and he calmed down immediately, which is apparently something that he wouldn't do if he was genuinely stressed.

What's the difference?

[koalathebear]

I got the impression was that a tantrum was him wanting attention and being a brat and the latter was that he was genuinely stressed/upset. In any case, we're still handling the situation carefully but it's a relief to know that he's not terrified or scared or anything

[corvus]

So the behaviourist removed him from a situation that is his trigger and he calmed down straight away and that is an indication that he's not actually stressed? Funniest thing. A couple of weeks ago one of my dogs encountered the Monster Next Door to my mother's house (dog behind an opaque fence) and he completely and utterly lost it. Worse than I had ever seen him. Trying to run, screaming, barking, struggling, lunging... totally out of control. I had to walk him past the fence with my arms wrapped tightly around him and I could feel his heart pounding in his chest and he was just about hyperventilating. Fifteen metres past the neighbour's yard and he was cool as a cucumber. You wouldn't think he was the same dog. It was as if it had never happened.

[persephone]

So the behaviourist removed him from a situation that is his trigger and he calmed down straight away and that is an indication that he's not actually stressed? Funniest thing.

That bit made me wonder as well... I would think he would calm immediately he was removed from the situation that was stressing him .If he didn't - then I would really worry .

Baby puppies in a corner, or trapped behind 'mum' will scream the house down ! put them in the open near mum- instant quiet and calm .....is this not the same sort of thing?

[koalathebear]

She mentioned that she had seen a "truly stressed dog" the day before who had taken some time to settle even after being removed from the stressful situation and so the fact that Elbie immediately looked so placid made her think he was just chucking a tantrum. It's sort of consistent with what the instructor at obedience class (breeds and trials border collies) said to us i.e. that Elbie was just having a tantrum.

For us, we're still going to plod along with our original approach which is to keep working away at desensitising him. I'm even pondering plonking him in the back with a bone (while the car is still parked in the carport) because he loves bones so much and maybe he'll get used to just lying in the backseat.

[poodlefan]

She mentioned that she had seen a "truly stressed dog" the day before who had taken some time to settle even after being removed from the stressful situation and so the fact that Elbie immediately looked so placid made her think he was just chucking a tantrum. It's sort of consistent with what the instructor at obedience class (breeds and trials border collies) said to us i.e. that Elbie was just having a tantrum.

For us, we're still going to plod along with our original approach which is to keep working away at desensitising him. I'm even pondering plonking him in the back with a bone (while the car is still parked in the carport) because he loves bones so much and maybe he'll get used to just lying in the backseat.

Fight/flight reflexes are funny things. A harness removes a dog's capacity to get out of a stressful situation so where does that leave a stressed dog.. with the option of fighting the restraint or shutting down. Remove the restraint or remove the dog from the stressful environment and I'd be expecting an instant improvement.

I'm cautious about ascribing human reactions to dogs. Yes, dogs do chuck tanties but there are other possible explanations for this. I'm also cautious about treating every dog issue as a pack dominance one. I agree that consistency is extremely important so establishing routines and consistent approaches by you should assist.

I think you've got a challenging mix of breeds in this dog who came from a less than ideal background. Keep that in the back of your mind KTB. What you're dealing with is not just down to how you as an owner have handled this pup but also a factor of genes and his early environment. Good on you for tackling your concerns head on and getting help.

Edited July 13, 2010 by poodlefan

[Wazzat Xolo]

Best money I ever have spent was on an Animal behaviourist, I wouldnt have believed what he told me until I actually went to see him with my dogs.

Very basic explanations and solutions and a great plan to follow, they have benefitted immensley from it, and so too have I .

J

Good luck

[corvus]

For us, we're still going to plod along with our original approach which is to keep working away at desensitising him. I'm even pondering plonking him in the back with a bone (while the car is still parked in the carport) because he loves bones so much and maybe he'll get used to just lying in the backseat.

Can't go too far wrong with counter-conditioning.