Training advice for a fearful, young dog.

[Evey]

You have all been such a help with my Rio, that I thought I'd ask about some issues I'm having with my other, younger dog as well :)

Eko (said just like "echo") is a 2.5year old bichon/havanese/poodle cross who is 17lbs. She is the first puppy I ever raised and, holy smokes, talk about tons of work and no social life! Between socializing her, training her (we went to a beginners agility class with advanced obedience) and exercising her I was exhausted. She's an awesome dog, but unfortunately she has been attacked on four separate occasions by a German Shepherd mix at my park (who is never on leash)... three times between the age of 4.5 - 8months and again earlier this year... which has left her terrified of Shepherds, anything that resembles a Shepherd or any new larger dark dogs she meets (as this dog is mostly black).

I'm unable to bring her to any off leash parks because as soon as a Shepherd or large, dark dog enters the park she sounds the alarm, starts shaking and shuts down. It always becomes worse because the dog(s) she's afraid of tend to be attracted to her weakness and they start chasing her, thinking it's a game. <- for this reason, we haven't been in an off leash dog park since last summer as I fear it does more harm than good. What I have been doing is taking her to off leash parks and walking around outside the perimeter (on the opposite side of the fence from the dogs) and correcting her and trying to help her overcome that fear.

It's absolutely awful. If we are walking someplace new (I love going on hikes with her) and we bump into a dog she's afraid of she doesn't stop barking/howling. People have commented to me saying "you obviously haven't socialized her properly - this is your fault." which really gets to me because I did - I took her places, went to dog socials, tried off leash parks and I'm actually a dog walker, so from 4months on Eko was around large and small dogs constantly.

Some days she listens remarkably well and with a simple glance I can get her to be quiet, but if there is a Shepherd within eyesight (or she smells the dog that attacked her anywhere near) she will not stop howling and shaking. It's quite disheartening because I know how carefree she can be - she has friends up to 120lbs that she plays with and loves (and that are mixed with Shepherds!) so I know she's capable of co-existing with them... and that's all I want. I don't expect miracles, but any tips of how to help her overcome her utter fear of Shepherds/large, dark dogs would be super helpful. All I want is for her to be able to walk by one of these dogs calmly and not have a meltdown.

As an aside, unfortunately all five Shepherds/Shepherd Mixes that live around my area have attacked other dogs (one tearing a small dog open and breaking a couple of it's ribs) - two of which the owners still let off leash - so I don't have any calm/friendly Shepherds at my disposal for her to walk with. :(

[mytil]

She's an awesome dog, but unfortunately she has been attacked on four separate occasions by a German Shepherd mix at my park (who is never on leash)... three times between the age of 4.5 - 8months and again earlier this year... which has left her terrified of Shepherds, anything that resembles a Shepherd or any new larger dark dogs she meets (as this dog is mostly black).

Firstly if it were me, I would find another place for you and Eko. Dog parks are double edged swords - and a lot do not follow the rules and cannot read their own dog's body language before something bad happens. We had similar experiences at our dog park - I informed the manager and we never go back there again.


I'm unable to bring her to any off leash parks because as soon as a Shepherd or large, dark dog enters the park she sounds the alarm, starts shaking and shuts down.

She clearly is petrified and that is a normal survival reaction. And IMO to place her in this situation until she gains more confidence will continue to make it worse and even to correct her is confusing to her. As her pack leader, in her eyes you are to protect her and not correct her for acting in a survival mode.

You need to start from the beginning with Eko. Find a place to walk where she is not threatened and let her gain her confidence back without fearing for her life. You can use your own back yard (or front yard) to start with distractions - meaning as she does her normal business, gently say her name and toss a treat her way when she looks at you.

Does she have a favorite toy you can bring with you on these walks? Or special treats used only during these walks? When you sense there is something ahead that will make her tense, gently call her name and distract her with a treat or her toy and make a big deal about her when she reacts only to you (big good girls and happy smiles from you). This will slowly desensitize her from the threat.

Now, this will take time but during this I would not throw her into situations that include having to face the Shepherds.

And BTW, what did the police say about these dogs attacking others and threatening others? Were their owners fined? This is not acceptable.

Have any of these Shepherds charged you as your were walking Eko or other dogs? This can be very dangerous situation.

Please keep us posted on the progress! There is a great trainer here (Saskia) whom I will contact to offer more advice.

Terry

[Squirt's Mom]

OH, gosh, honey! :eek::( First, I would contact the city attorney and tell them what has happened to you in their park - the city is responsible for the park (or our city is here anyway). Trust me, no city wants a stink raised about any of their facilities NOR do they want a lawsuit. ;) MOST cities have some sort of ordinances concerning dogs who attack other animals as well as humans. Get copies of your cities ordinances and force the city to enforce their own rules. ;) If anything is in writing about situations like this, you have the city over a barrel and they will more than likely act to prevent legal actions.

If you can talk to the owners of those dogs, I would do so asap. If they weren't cooperative, I would take pictures of the dog(s) that have attacked if they still frequent the park and post those pics at the vet offices, pet food stores, etc. warning folks that these dogs have attacked yours, that you have talked with the owners, but no action is apt to be taken (like them keeping their dogs on lead). Other pet parents/owners who go to that/those parks have the right to be aware of dangers to their own pets.

And, for the time being until something is done about the danger in the park(s), I would walk my baby elsewhere where no other dogs are around if possible. I am so sorry this happened to your baby! How awful for you both. :(

[Evey]

Hi Terry and Squirt's Mom :) Thanks for the responses!

Unfortunately the park where the attacks took place is our neighbourhood park which is the central hub for Eko's friends in my area - it's not an off leash park and that's why these attacks literally come out of no where, because that dang dog is always off leash and beelines for certain dogs. I've learned to scope out the park before we go in and at the first sign of her we now leave immediately. We've been lucky that we actually haven't seen some of the "attack dogs" for a couple months.

The long part of the story is that I called Animal Control on them back in March (after trying to talk to the owners, who waved me off), I was threatened by the daughter who owns the dog (she said she'd press charges against me for "spreading rumours" about her dog and that my dog was the issue - my on leash, petrified dog that has never in her life shown any signs of aggression vs. her dog that has attacked 6 different dogs that I know of), and her dad tried to ask my clients where I live to report me (on what, I don't know)... so unfortunately talking to them isn't going to solve that issue :( The city also is really lacking in resources and I've not heard back from them in regards to how they've handled the situation even though they said the would keep me updated. I plan on calling this week for a follow up and I've warned all the dog owners I come into contact with about these dogs - some listen, some don't, but at least I've let them know! Smart idea to try and get pictures. I will do!

We've started hitting up new parks, meeting lovely dogs and not visiting off leash parks (except to walk around the perimeter outside the park as I said). She kind of halfheartedly responds to treats when she gets into a "barky/afraid" state and she's not much for toys outside of the house. I worked on the command "look" and she's very good at looking at me while walking as long as the other dog isn't a shepherd. I'm going to definitely try and tweak her "look" command with your suggestion of tossing her a treat each time!

It's so unfortunate that one dog has traumatized my pup so much. It's been a constant battle all because of one irresponsible owner and now because others are following in their footsteps. :(

[Squirt's Mom]

At the beginning of this year, a friend's Bichon was killed in front of her by a Mastiff. Her Bichon was on lead, the Mastiff loose - this was the second time the Mastiff had come after her Bichon on lead. The first time the Mastiff owner saw it and laughed it off with "he wouldn't hurt a flea!" Her reaction was to confront our city gov't and take on a revision of our city animal control ordinances. After many long hours spent studying ordinances from other cities, we realized our existing laws were much better than most - but still needed improving. So my friend formed a little committee of her friends and we spent months revamping our city ordinances that pertain to animals. We made an impact. Our city has taken our recommendations seriously and they are tightening up our ordinances based on our recommendations. Another reason they took us seriously was because the attack violated existing laws and nothing was done about it when my friend reported the first charge by the loose Mastiff - the city did NOT want to be sued and my friend had a strong case against them.

It got VERY nasty. A reporter misrepresented the first council meeting in which my friend addressed the council about what had happened and what she wanted. As a result of the lies in the paper from the reporter, a petition was started by the Mastiff supporters that went viral - tens of thousands of signatures by folks who did not know the truth of the situation. The Mastiff owners and supporters kept the animosity high. My friend, Animal Control and the city council members were threatened - but not one of the Mastiff supporters or family ever came to a sub-committee meeting nor the formal council meetings. Because of my friends' decision to take on the city animal laws, folks came out of the woodwork with similar tales of attacks on both their animals and themselves / family members / friends and the city could easily see we had a problem that needed addressed. So it might be something you could look into as well. It is hard work and quite frustrating dealing with gov't but I think our work will be worth it in the long run for everyone living in our town. ;)

[Evey]

WOW! That's absolutely amazing and I could not have more respect for your friend!! That is heartbreaking about her little bichon... :(

Wow... just wow... that kind of gets the wheels in my head spinning. As a start, I have kept track of all the days that the dog went after my dog (I don't know why I did this, I thought it may be important) and I do know that there is now a file started at the animal services in regards to her. I don't want another attack to occur, but I've also told other concerned dog owners in the area that if they see that dog off leash they should call and report her. The more people that "speak up" about her the better... it could save a dog's life!

Having a bit of a tough evening with Eko tonight. We were out on a walk and one of the shepherd's came into the park and Eko flipped out. Another dog owner even came over to me to ask if she was okay. Eko was shaking and howling with her tail plastered to her bum and the dog was halfway across the park. Granted, it was off leash, but it wasn't even close to use and we left as soon as we could. :(

In good news, I've started reworking the "look" with her. She's a pro at that if there aren't any distractioins :p

[Budsters Mom]

I have a friend who's prize-winning agility dog was attacked and killed in it's front yard by a unleashed large dog. :eek: My friends poodle wasn't leashed either, because it was in her own yard!!! It is appalling that this stuff keeps happening! Our leashed fur babies should not have to be terrorized by these bullies! The owners are to blame, not the dogs! They are the ones that are ultimately responsible and should be made accountable. Buddy was charged by a dog on my own street while we were walking. I snatched him up when I saw the dog running at us. The dog jumped up and grabbed his rear leg. He was not physically hurt but was traumatized for a long time. It took months before we were able to walk by that house without him freezing and refusing to move. I did go back and talk to the owner after it happened, warning her that I would contact animal control if I ever saw that dog unleashed again. That was about five years ago. I have never seen her dog loose again!! I was a mother bear protecting her cub. I think that owner knew that I meant what I said!

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool: