An Anxious Staffy - Looking For Advice

[Greytmate]

It doesn't sound like it has anything to do with wanting to please you. Trembling and running off to bed or hiding is a nervous reaction.

She probably doesn't like yelling, even if it's not aimed at her. Some dogs are just like that.

[Sandra777]

The back door is always open.

Shut the back door on wet days. Make a concious and concerted effort to re-train her to pee specifically in the rain. Take her outside, treats, praise, all the stuff you did before to train her in the first place. It's really important you praise her for doing what you want her to do now you've discovered this quirk in her nature to avoid getting it any more ingrained than it already is.

Yes I have had Staffords that dislike raised voices but I doubt it's specifically linked to the breed, a lot of different dogs are especially sensitive to the moods or actions of their owners - a lot also couldn't care less

The very first time she did this retreat to the bed thing what did you do?

[corvus]

Maybe irrelevant would be a better word than possible? Speculating on an unknown history doesn't assist in solving the problem.

I disagree irrelevant would not be a better word. I believe being open to all possible scenarios gives a greater understanding and better chance for solving this problem. In the world of both animal and humans medicine history gives you 90% of the answer to any presenting problem. If history is unknown all possible scenarios are considered.

But as Greytmate pointed out, this is speculation, not a known history. All possible scenarios may be considered all you like, but as long as you're speculating what are you going to do about it? To me, it doesn't matter why a trigger is a trigger. It just matters that we treat it as such. I don't treat a trigger differently if I know how it became a trigger. The best that knowledge might give me is a more detailed understanding of exactly what the trigger is. If I have to guess at that I'm no better off than if I didn't know at all.

[scolly]

The back door is always open.

Shut the back door on wet days. Make a concious and concerted effort to re-train her to pee specifically in the rain. Take her outside, treats, praise, all the stuff you did before to train her in the first place. It's really important you praise her for doing what you want her to do now you've discovered this quirk in her nature to avoid getting it any more ingrained than it already is.

Yes I have had Staffords that dislike raised voices but I doubt it's specifically linked to the breed, a lot of different dogs are especially sensitive to the moods or actions of their owners - a lot also couldn't care less

The very first time she did this retreat to the bed thing what did you do?

We reassured her by talking ,patting and encouraging her to come out of the laundry which she did.

[cmkelpie]

Maybe irrelevant would be a better word than possible? Speculating on an unknown history doesn't assist in solving the problem.

I disagree irrelevant would not be a better word. I believe being open to all possible scenarios gives a greater understanding and better chance for solving this problem. In the world of both animal and humans medicine history gives you 90% of the answer to any presenting problem. If history is unknown all possible scenarios are considered.

But as Greytmate pointed out, this is speculation, not a known history. All possible scenarios may be considered all you like, but as long as you're speculating what are you going to do about it? To me, it doesn't matter why a trigger is a trigger. It just matters that we treat it as such. I don't treat a trigger differently if I know how it became a trigger. The best that knowledge might give me is a more detailed understanding of exactly what the trigger is. If I have to guess at that I'm no better off than if I didn't know at all.

I agree a trigger is a trigger, however I find it helps to understand why a trigger may be occurring. No big deal, it is simply a difference of opinion.

[Nic.B]

The back door is always open.

Shut the back door on wet days. Make a concious and concerted effort to re-train her to pee specifically in the rain. Take her outside, treats, praise, all the stuff you did before to train her in the first place. It's really important you praise her for doing what you want her to do now you've discovered this quirk in her nature to avoid getting it any more ingrained than it already is.

Yes I have had Staffords that dislike raised voices but I doubt it's specifically linked to the breed, a lot of different dogs are especially sensitive to the moods or actions of their owners - a lot also couldn't care less

The very first time she did this retreat to the bed thing what did you do?

We reassured her by talking ,patting and encouraging her to come out of the laundry which she did.

Sadly when you praise, pat and let her know she is a 'good girl' while she is feeling nervous or frightened you are reinforcing her fear. Basicly you are telling her that it's good to feel and respond the way she is.

I learnt the hard way many years ago with my Goldie (before I knew better) he was terrified of storms and fireworks.

I reinforced his fear for years It was a nightmare to deal with. He did improve with the right training and approach, though never fully recovered, we just had to manage Russ's fear of storms etc for the rest of his life.

[Monah]

Many staffies have these issues. You could turn cartwheels and things may not change.

If all else has failed, get the dog vet checked properly and see about some meds to help her. Often (not always) temp meds can assist the dog to be more open to training and help by helping them keep calm. It is very difficult to train and help a dog when they are in the 'zone'.

I know this is not a popular way with many people, but I have seen it help a dog many times (often staffies!) and if it comes down to the dog living in mental agony (and we dont allow humans to) compared with a better quality of life, then its worth a try.

Often you can do all the right things, but if the dog is genetically hardwired to behave this way, it is hard to overcome on your own. Behaviourists are terrific, the right one, and with a combination of assistance and time I'm sure things will improve.

Most dogs dont like toileting in the rain/wet but the reactions of your dog need addressing. Good luck, it must be upsetting to see yourr staffie so distressed.xxxxxxxxxxx

everyone on here has terrific advice to try. great posts. I'm not going to repeat what others have advised.

[corvus]

Sadly when you praise, pat and let her know she is a 'good girl' while she is feeling nervous or frightened you are reinforcing her fear. Basicly you are telling her that it's good to feel and respond the way she is.

This is not technically true. You can't "reinforce fear". Fear is an emotion that drives behaviour. Reinforcement acts on behaviour only. It's kind of a two-way street between behaviour and emotion, but we know for a fact that you generally can't reinforce fearful states because of counter-conditioning. I'm pretty sure it was Pavlov who paired electric shocks with food with dogs and they eventually came to like electric shocks. Loopy, but that's classical conditioning for you. It is very powerful. It works on emotional states where operant conditioning does not. Unless there is an element of classical conditioning in the operant conditioning, of course, but that's starting to get complicated. Suffice to say you can't be fearful and happy at the same time. One wins out. That's why counter-conditioning works. When you make the association positive, positive emotional state follows. Fear is most certainly not a positive emotional state.

"Coddling" is not necessarily a reward. If you make a fuss of a dog that is scared, they are all together likely to interpret your fuss as another sign that they are right to be worried because you sound worried to them. I like some easy training exercises for jollying a dog out of anxiety. It gives them something to focus on and a sense that they are in control. Fear comes from not being able to control things.

[Tim'sMum]

Our back door is always open...and yes, our Staffy despises getting her little tootsies wet when it is raining and has been known to do a piddle inside during extended periods of rain.

I make a point of taking her outside periodically if it is raining. I would suggest you do the same, using a food treat to reinforce good behaviour if she does wee outside.

[SoL]

Our staffords will move hell and high water NOT to go outside in teh rain - you can actually see them tip-toeing on the wet grass if you make them However, not having opposible thumbs means then can't open the toilet door and flush teh loo, so for a small moment they have to pretend to be dogs again and go to the loo outside - under sufference! A lot of Staffords are also afraid of storms, loud noises, door slamming etc, which can trigger anxious behaviour. Don't give her free reign of the house - close doors and watch her so you can see the signs before she's going to toilet inside - just like you would a puppy. Reinforce the good behaviour. There's no use telling her off because she doesn't know she's doing wrong. The only other thing I can't recommend highly enough is training her to accept a crate. A large crate draped with a blanket over the top with snuggly blankets inside can become a dog's number one safe haven - a place for her to feel safe and secure in, a place where she can go if she's feeling anxious. This can also help in toiletting issues as well.

[poodlefan]

Got a Toy Poodle at my place who thinks just inside the back door is close enough in the rain. She gets escorted out.

Scolly, you've got two issues:

1. Where your dog toilets in the rain. You can solve that one by taking her out after eating and at regular intervals. Praise for the desired behaviour.

2. Your dog's response to reprimands. Some dogs are very soft. You may find that you won't get much success telling her off. In this case, revert to my advice at 1 above. It's not a breed thing, its an individual temperament thing.

[Greytmate]

I agree a trigger is a trigger, however I find it helps to understand why a trigger may be occurring. No big deal, it is simply a difference of opinion.

I don't understand what you are trying to say.

How does imagining that a dog has been 'mistreated' tell you anything about why a trigger may be occurring? How does it help solve the problem? How does it help you? How does it change the way the problem should be tackled?

This dog is actually being inadvertently 'mistreated' right now. Being frightened by people yelling, and then having nervous behaviour reactions reinforced. Me saying that isn't really helpful to the situation at all, even if it might be a valid opinion.

The only helpful thing is to alter or manage the behaviour that is occurring now, not to imagine what might have been happening over a year ago.

[scolly]

Once again,thank you for your excellent advice.I will start the toilet training again and observe more closely the other behaviour.She is such a happy soul and we love her dearly!

the beagles hate the rain as well,but will go outside to wee.You can see them tiptoe on the wet grass hoping they won't wet their paws wet!!!

[TessiesTracey]

Once again,thank you for your excellent advice.I will start the toilet training again and observe more closely the other behaviour.She is such a happy soul and we love her dearly!

the beagles hate the rain as well,but will go outside to wee.You can see them tiptoe on the wet grass hoping they won't wet their paws wet!!!

Scolly.. does she only seem to behave this way when it's raining or is it at other times too?

Sorry if you've already said, and I've missed it!

I have a female Stafford here who is 'funny' when it rains.. (aside from the precious 'not wanting to get wet' scenario).. she seems to be worse when we have very heavy rain. I'm fairly sure this is due to the fact that she then expects thunder too which she's petrified of.

[Clyde]

People might be more open to the very real possibility that a dog might have a genetic or inherent temperament fault if people weren't so quick to suggest 'mistreatment' every time a dog of unknown history displays a behavioural problem.

Yep, my Stafford bitch is weak nerved and trembles if there's yelling in the house. She's not ever been mistreated, apparently her sire is the same. I love her to pieces but wonder why the sire was bred from when he is renowned for being very soft. The breed should be game and confident.

[Animal House]

People might be more open to the very real possibility that a dog might have a genetic or inherent temperament fault if people weren't so quick to suggest 'mistreatment' every time a dog of unknown history displays a behavioural problem.

Yep, my Stafford bitch is weak nerved and trembles if there's yelling in the house. She's not ever been mistreated, apparently her sire is the same. I love her to pieces but wonder why the sire was bred from when he is renowned for being very soft. The breed should be game and confident.

Mine too. Any yelling and she's hiding under my computer desk or trying to get into my lap. Drives me batty. I have a soft crate for her and if she's really anxious (she walks around, looks miserable and won't settle) I put her in that with a blanket/sheet over the top.

ETA: She is 5 and has never been mistreated, I've had her since she was 11 weeks old.

Edited January 10, 2011 by Cazablanca

[Greytmate]

There are a lot of staffies which have a really intense temperament, which I think is part of the breed.

You get intense happiness, intense excitedness, but if the dog is anxious, you can get intense anxiety.

The breed that likes to give you 110%.

[scolly]

People might be more open to the very real possibility that a dog might have a genetic or inherent temperament fault if people weren't so quick to suggest 'mistreatment' every time a dog of unknown history displays a behavioural problem.

Yep, my Stafford bitch is weak nerved and trembles if there's yelling in the house. She's not ever been mistreated, apparently her sire is the same. I love her to pieces but wonder why the sire was bred from when he is renowned for being very soft. The breed should be game and confident.

Hi Clyde and Casablanca...do your staffies whimper or make any sound at all because ours doesn't she leaves the scene and we find her later on trembling.She isn't scared of thunder or fireworks! do they get a bit startled by some objects you pass whilst out for a walk?

Edited January 10, 2011 by scolly

[TessiesTracey]

People might be more open to the very real possibility that a dog might have a genetic or inherent temperament fault if people weren't so quick to suggest 'mistreatment' every time a dog of unknown history displays a behavioural problem.

Yep, my Stafford bitch is weak nerved and trembles if there's yelling in the house. She's not ever been mistreated, apparently her sire is the same. I love her to pieces but wonder why the sire was bred from when he is renowned for being very soft. The breed should be game and confident.

Hi Clyde and Casablanca...do your staffies whimper or make any sound at all because ours doesn't she leaves the scene and we find her later on trembling.She isn't scared of thunder or fireworks! do they get a bit startled by some objects you pass whilst out for a walk?

sounds like she could be going through her 'skeletons in the closet' phase??

have heard this mentioned a few times with Staffords (my own male went through it)... whereby they become wary and skittish with anything that takes their fancy really..

Alfie didnt' show any of this behaviour until he was around 2 - 2½ years old.. he then became extremely scared of the noise of car tyres on a wet road...

he's fine again now.. but we had a good 6 months of him being petrified..

he'd been fine previously..

[geo]

I have one who is very well bred, plenty of drive and balls of steal to go with it. She won;t take two steps off the back verandah to toilet when it's raining and given a chance she'll go in the house too, rather than get her percious feet wet.

They are soooo precious!! poor little staffies, they're just so hard done by

The only time my boy ever peed inside was whilst looking straight at me after i had told him to get off the couch! I swear it was his was of giving me the middle finger.