Fearful/anxious puppy (NOT MINE)

[persephone]

A friend has a small fluffy puppy @almost 6 mths old . Pup was born at the friend's home and was the most chilled , gorgeous little thing . Friend then took puppy into her work (cafe/gift shop) to be the 'manager'- to greet customers outside and be cuddled . Pup loved it . 
Then things changed 
Pup started to dash under the ramp by the front  door when people came ..or hide elsewhere. she was reluctant to be caught- but once in someone's lap was the dear  sweet and relaxed 'ragdoll'  we all know & love.
Things have now worsened to her jumping/running at home if shoes get kicked off/a tissue gets dropped/ there is a loud noise...  
She is never going back to the shop .
I spoke with my friend and there have been two instances which I feel have pushed this darling girl into this state - 
1: a group of kids - all wanting a cuddle , chasing puppy into the fishpond! 
2 about 6 weeks ago , a golden retriever who was not on leash as is recommended cornered and stood over puppy who then ran for safety ...
Pup is settled at home , barring sudden happenings ..and loves her cuddles immensely - plays with her mum & dad ..

A behaviourist is out of the question- small country town. Friend doesn't want pup zombie'd out on drugs (her words) 
is there anything that can be done to help this baby with her fears? owner is kind of dog savvy - but not wonderful .She has been frantically googling. 
Any ideas, folks? the thought is there to give pup to a couple who love the look of her - an older couple ... owner is wondering if this might help?
 

Thank you 

[Papillon Kisses]

I know some excellent, force free trainers who do online consults. Creative Animal Solutions is both a VB and an animal trainer who does online consults and competitive in price compared to others.

 

The pup would only be doped up if it were on the wrong medication or dose for her. Maybe show her these? The longer anxiety goes untreated or under-treated the more ingrained it becomes... treating as a pup/adolescent can mean a less anxious adult who doesn’t need to be on any medication, or at least be on lower doses of it. I understand some people get really stuck on medication myths or negative anecdotal reports though (or their own negative experiences) and can be resistant to consider it.  

https://www.subthresholdtraining.com/this-article-wont-change-your-mind-on-anti-anxiety-medication/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=SubThreshold+Training&fbclid=IwAR1PRTWnnTzC94se0Ep1mhDDQVMfGKB4eZwDJE_fbLk0co8D_BpAuWutweE

 

http://www.drjensdogblog.com/behavior-medication-first-line-therapy-or-last-resort/

 

Poor little love.

 

Edited to add, if she’s on Facebook direct her to the Complicated Canines of Australia group. 

Edited April 13, 2021 by Papillon Kisses

[Dogsfevr]

Problem is owner isn’t savvy otherwise they would have better understood the overwhelming expectations they placed on a pup that would not have been managed or monitored in the pups best interests.

 

It know has reached a limit off not having the coping skills to deal with happenings that weren’t managed .

 

I doubt she was relaxed but just compliant to what it was made to do .

 

I agree drugs have there place .

 

 

Owner needs to decide what they expect from this dog in regards to the effort they want to do .

If they want it to be a cafe dog it’s not going to happen without them putting the training in and learning to understand the dogs body language and mannerisms for needing time out and time at home .

it needs a safe zone at work 

 

[persephone]

Thanks, folks ! I will pass all this on. ! the reason this pup was chosen is that at around 8 weeks old she was bomb proof - like a ragdoll cat - would happily go to/with anyone - would sleep in strangers' arms - was happy to be picked up , would just "drape" ...this then continued for a couple of months , too ! She was just one absolute sweetheart - carrying things, fine with kids..perfect .She was fine when first taken into the shop- thought she was in heaven ...this shop/cafe isn't terribly busy - some days there may be 3 people , some days 30 .Open from 10 -4  There is a puppy pen with kennel for time out periods .

At home the dogs have a doggie door that allows them 24/7access to a section of the living room that is 'theirs'..it is fenced off, and has all their beds/toys in . Outside is lawn and garden and more toys , chooks to watch  through the fence....They are allowed into the main living room of an evening for cuddles, and there is a warm weather /outdoor sitting area they are allowed in  when their Mum is there too .They love being visited/talked to  and are lovely friendly dogs . This poor mite is just so different to any of her previous dogs !

[Dogsfevr]

9 hours ago, persephone said:

Thanks, folks ! I will pass all this on. ! the reason this pup was chosen is that at around 8 weeks old she was bomb proof - like a ragdoll cat - would happily go to/with anyone - would sleep in strangers' arms - was happy to be picked up , would just "drape" ...this then continued for a couple of months , too ! She was just one absolute sweetheart - carrying things, fine with kids..perfect .She was fine when first taken into the shop- thought she was in heaven ...this shop/cafe isn't terribly busy - some days there may be 3 people , some days 30 .Open from 10 -4  There is a puppy pen with kennel for time out periods .

At home the dogs have a doggie door that allows them 24/7access to a section of the living room that is 'theirs'..it is fenced off, and has all their beds/toys in . Outside is lawn and garden and more toys , chooks to watch  through the fence....They are allowed into the main living room of an evening for cuddles, and there is a warm weather /outdoor sitting area they are allowed in  when their Mum is there too .They love being visited/talked to  and are lovely friendly dogs . This poor mite is just so different to any of her previous dogs !

30 people is busy,loud and overwhelming to a pup and this is where people don’t think from a dog perspective.

If this was a baby/toddler you wouldn’t expect it to be cuddled,carried,hugged by 3 or 30 people who are strangers .

You would be more guarded and manage.

 

The most bomb proof pups can go pear shaped without direction,respect .

in fact it makes owners some what slack in presuming bomb proof means ready to deal with what the world offers .

 

People who smoke,smell,strong perfumes/aftershave,people with health issues that a dog can sense and smell.People who aren’t dog savvy,no knowledge on how to pat,behave properly .

These things can greatly alter a pup that’s left on its own to cope .

All these aspects develop with age and that’s when owners need to teach the next stage or feed the brain .

 

Evem with our bomb proof showdogs we have to keep educating to the world and things that aren’t really normal expectations 

[Loving my Oldies]

Poor little pup.  She must wonder what the heck happened to her lovely life.  Makes me want to cry and wring that owner’s neck.  

[persephone]

8 hours ago, Loving my Oldies said:

 Makes me want to cry and wring that owner’s neck.  

If it's any consolation, the owner's in tears as well - she is devastated.I know, it doesn't help ....

[Diva]

Some behaviouralists do video consults, so I wouldn’t dismiss that option. If they are on fb there is a group called something like anxious dogs australia which has lists of certified  professionals and knows who does remote consults. 
I wouldn’t dismiss medication in the short term either - if they pair it with behaviour modification it is just a transitional tool to get the dog’s brain to a place where it can learn new responses. Fearful dogs don’t learn well. 

[Papillon Kisses]

1 hour ago, Diva said:

Some behaviouralists do video consults, so I wouldn’t dismiss that option. If they are on fb there is a group called something like anxious dogs australia which has lists of certified  professionals and knows who does remote consults. 
I wouldn’t dismiss medication in the short term either - if they pair it with behaviour modification it is just a transitional tool to get the dog’s brain to a place where it can learn new responses. Fearful dogs don’t learn well. 

Anxious Dogs of Australia Support Group was permanently archived, and Complicated Canines of Australia has taken its place.

 

The ADOA website pages listing VBs, trainers, etc was taken down by the owner of the previous group. However, Vet Behaviourists can be found on the ANZCVS Behaviour Chapter website. ANZCVS don’t specifically list who does online consults, but you can trawl through all the links. Or just ask me for details of others who do it as I know of most of them (and also who I would personally avoid but I won’t say that here!).

 

For trainers, Pet Professional Guild of Australia or Delta Institute are good places to look but if they have a VB, which would be my firm recommendation if they are open to the idea, then that VB will be able to recommend a trainer with whom they have a good working relationship if they themselves don’t cover that piece. There are occasionally issues with a VB not being able to consult in a particular state or territory due to state licensing issues but it’s getting better.

 

https://www.anzcvs.org.au/chapters/veterinary+behaviour+chapter

Side note, the vet behaviour specialists got upset about those with their memberships in behaviour being called Veterinary Behaviourists, so you’ll hear the word Behaviour Vet more often now. I’ve used VB as that’s what most here are familiar with.

Edited April 13, 2021 by Papillon Kisses

[Osza]

The old saying, some people shouldn’t have Dogs. Shop near where I live, the owners had a little fluffy super friendly Dog on a leash, it sat at he front door &  greeted everyone who walked into the shop (it’s bed was next to it). I did mention to the owners what if a large Dog attacked it, they were on the other side of he counter. They laughed & said everyone loves her!   I hadn’t been near the shop for a few months, & walked into the shop….No Dog …. I saw it at the back of the shop…. I walked toward it….it went crazy barking…terrified. The owner came over & said she has become frightened of everyone ever since the big dog attacked her. I walked out fuming at the stupidity of the little Dogs owners…

Edited July 1, 2021 by Osza