Fear Aggression

Fearful behavior and fear aggression is a common observation in our hospital.  Studies have shown that dogs exhibiting this type of behavior are 580 times more likely than a control group with owner-directed aggression to have been raised with little or not contact to people during their greatest socialization period of 3-12 weeks of age.  Pups raised without the benefit of positive interactions with a variety of people, places and other dogs may become fearful in other novel situations as adults.  Shyness (which can also have a hereditary factor) can be compounded into out right fear when during their sensitive socialization period the pup had some negative experiences., such as being shouted at or handled roughly.

Once the seeds of fear have been sown in a pup from a dysfunctional background, it can permeate all aspects of the dog's life.  What determines the progression of fear aggression is the gradually increasing confidence that comes with age, coupled with distrust of strangers and the learned behavior of the dog that growling, barking, snapping and/or biting works to drive away the stranger.

Fear aggression is not easily treated, but with proper training, control/restraint, counterconditioning and often behavioral medications, some degree of improvement is possible.  It is unlikely that your fearful dog will ever be 100% cured of his anxieties, because once learned, it never goes away.  However, it can be possible to lessen their fear intensity.

If you have a dog that is fearful of strangers or has exhibited what you believe is fear aggression behaviors, please consult your veterinarian and/or a certified animal behavioralist.  Any aggressive behavior is a serious problem and should be taken seriously.

Walking the Dog

I love this picture.  Notice the dog is on a loose leash and walking in a happy easy manner at his owner's side.  What a great pack!

Some of my facebook friends will attest that I often make posts about my almost daily walks with Meade and Hannah, and recently a new pack member, Jake.  With rare exception, we always walk on Sunday mornings around Gunn Park and through the wooded trails there.  Why do we walk? (Besides the fact that I need to loose 20#)

My dogs and yours need not only exercise to keep them fit and burn energy (a tired dog is a quiet one!), but they also need mental stimulation, and nothing does that better than a good walk.  Most of our dog breeds were bred for a specific job, i.e., sporting dogs, herding dogs, etc, however, adult household dogs (some of which are working breeds) do not have a job (other than being huggable).  This lack of a job leads to a very sedentary life...and quite frankly boring!  Even if you have a closed in yard where you turn your dog out, it usually provides the same scents and sights day after day.  I would liken it to your being shut in your house for days on end with only one t.v. channel and no internet, how boring is that!

Dogs like to go for walks to get outdoors, sniff, engage with their environment, exercise, and socialize.  Walking is a training opportunity to teach walking nicely on a leash, stopping to smell the flowers and working on sit's and down's on breaks.  It can allow for exploration of their world, an opportunity to meet new people in a friendly way.  While walking with my dogs, we practice/reinforce different command words, such as no sniff, watch me, heel, 'going out', etc.  This doesn't mean we don't have fun.  I take lots of treats and a favorite toy to play with too.  After a nice purposeful pack walk, with me as the leader,  we finish with some off leash play and/or a run through the woods.  While they are playing and running off leash, we get to practice our recall (aka come when called), fetch, etc.  Off leash they can sniff and roll in whatever suits their fancy.  If you have a dog that does not have the skills to be trusted off leash, try using a 30' foot lead.  When Meade was younger, I would let her drag it behind her, until I was sure that she would always come to me when I called her.  Now when off leash Meade goes out about 30 feet and stops and turns to look at me to see if I am coming or have new instructions for her.

I have been working with an Australian Shepherd named Jake.  Jake has some anxiety issues.  Jake walks with his family during the week and joins my pack on Sunday.  Jake is still anxious, but his family reports that he has been easier to handle at home since he has started walking.  Just as exercise is recommended for stress in people, walking as a team with your dog can reduce his anxiety as well.  Jake has a job and he has been eager for the work.

If you have problems with walking your dog, i.e., pulling on the leash, poor recalls or sits. Feel free to contact me for some helpful hints.

I enjoy the outings as much as the dogs.  I love seeing their happy faces, with their tongues wagging in the air as they walk beside me and retrieve their favorite toy in a game of fetch.  Hannah likes chasing the squirrels.  We stop and visit with others walking or riding bikes, and just breathe in the scents of the day.

Fulfilling your dog's needs isn't just about food, water and providing good veterinary care, it's also about engaging him in the world around him...your world too.  Put on your tennis shoes and let's go for a walk!  I'd love to meet you on the trail!