I would love some advice. I have two Cesky terriers. A female that is nearly five and a male that is nearly two. I have only had my boy for a couple of months and he was badly bullied by the other dogs at the breeders to the point he had to be kept separate from the others. He also hasn't had anything to do with human males and not much socialisation in general.
Once I got him, he coped well with my female and myself and became quite confident with the two of us. However two weeks after I got him my father had to move in with me and my boy is terrified of him.
My father has been ignoring him and hasn't tried to approach him- it's not working.
He has tried placing treats near himself to encourage my dog closer- not working.
Unfortunately my father is a loud person and despite being told to tone it down can't do it for extended periods of time.
My female dog has no issues with my father and will quite happily go to him and play.
My boy does have issues with all strangers but as he is having to live with my father at present, this is the most important one to deal with as I want him to be relaxed and confident in his home.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks, ct2
Fearful cesky terrier
Moderators: emmabeth, BoardHost
Hiya
You'll have to keep trying to get your father to quieten down a bit, it will help in the long run.
Also ask him to try to move slowly, and dont slam doors or anything else like that.
You must absolutely not allow him to force his attentions upon your boy dog, not EVEN calling his name - its too much pressure.
Instead, get him to sort out as many of the dogs needs as he can without being forcefull, ie feeding, handing out toys or treats (just gently lob them in the direction of the boy dog).
I wouldnt particulary reduce the attention from you, except when he is showing fearful behaviour, when he does that, just ignore him.
This may well take WEEKS or even months, but if you can all stay quiet, and if your father is the source of all food and toys and treats, and you arent rewarding him for being fearful, you should get there in the end.
You do need to make sure your boy dog NEVER gets backed into a corner or forced into anything - thats when he may learn to growl or bite to get away from whats frightening him, instead of simply trying to avoid it.
You'll have to keep trying to get your father to quieten down a bit, it will help in the long run.
Also ask him to try to move slowly, and dont slam doors or anything else like that.
You must absolutely not allow him to force his attentions upon your boy dog, not EVEN calling his name - its too much pressure.
Instead, get him to sort out as many of the dogs needs as he can without being forcefull, ie feeding, handing out toys or treats (just gently lob them in the direction of the boy dog).
I wouldnt particulary reduce the attention from you, except when he is showing fearful behaviour, when he does that, just ignore him.
This may well take WEEKS or even months, but if you can all stay quiet, and if your father is the source of all food and toys and treats, and you arent rewarding him for being fearful, you should get there in the end.
You do need to make sure your boy dog NEVER gets backed into a corner or forced into anything - thats when he may learn to growl or bite to get away from whats frightening him, instead of simply trying to avoid it.
Hi Emmabeth,
Thankyou so much for replying so swiftly as I haven't wanted to try anything that may have been too stressful for Harry. I had wondered about getting my dad to feed him but wasn't sure if I should as Harry has refused to eat even his favourite treats if my dad had touched them.
Thankfully he doesn't growl or bite out of fear and I am determined to make sure he isn't placed in a situation that he feels is his only option. Luckily my dad understands that my dogs come first and their wellbeing is my primary concern
As for Harry's fear of other dogs I am hoping that if we join an obedience club it will help him. Ahe only becomes really nervous when they get within a metre. What do you think?
Thanks again, ct2
Thankyou so much for replying so swiftly as I haven't wanted to try anything that may have been too stressful for Harry. I had wondered about getting my dad to feed him but wasn't sure if I should as Harry has refused to eat even his favourite treats if my dad had touched them.
Thankfully he doesn't growl or bite out of fear and I am determined to make sure he isn't placed in a situation that he feels is his only option. Luckily my dad understands that my dogs come first and their wellbeing is my primary concern
As for Harry's fear of other dogs I am hoping that if we join an obedience club it will help him. Ahe only becomes really nervous when they get within a metre. What do you think?
Thanks again, ct2
It could help - he could find it too much, its hard for me to say without seeing him.
Your best bet is to speak to the trainer before, go and see the classes if its not one yo already attend, and see if it would suit, if the trainer is willing to make things a little easier for him etc.
Other thing you could try is have your father spend a few minutes each day sat on the floor, as often big talllllllll humans towering over little dogs can be extremely worrying.
Also, do you do clicker training - you could work on exercises that involve self control to teach the dog to hold onto his feelings a little before reacting. Eventually your father may be able to take over some of the clicker training himself.
Whatever you do, do try to have an air of 'no big deal' about everything, dont make eye contact with the dog, dont speak to the dog or ask the dog to do anything yet.
Other things to try are a DAP diffuser, and Bach Flower Remedies, there are BFR's for such things as anxiety, stress, distrust etc.
Hth
Em
Your best bet is to speak to the trainer before, go and see the classes if its not one yo already attend, and see if it would suit, if the trainer is willing to make things a little easier for him etc.
Other thing you could try is have your father spend a few minutes each day sat on the floor, as often big talllllllll humans towering over little dogs can be extremely worrying.
Also, do you do clicker training - you could work on exercises that involve self control to teach the dog to hold onto his feelings a little before reacting. Eventually your father may be able to take over some of the clicker training himself.
Whatever you do, do try to have an air of 'no big deal' about everything, dont make eye contact with the dog, dont speak to the dog or ask the dog to do anything yet.
Other things to try are a DAP diffuser, and Bach Flower Remedies, there are BFR's for such things as anxiety, stress, distrust etc.
Hth
Em
Something that I've had a lot of success with in this sort of situation is "targetting". It's very easy to teach, and seems to cut through a whole lot of fears. It appears to work like "magic" but it's not inexplicable.
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/289
When you've taught your dog to follow the target stick in your father's hand, see if you can get him to follow the stick towards your father. Then see if you can get him to touch the target stick when it's touching your father. Build confidence at your dog's pace, using the target stick to guide.
Keep your dog "thinking", rather than "reacting". Make his focus the target stick, and not your father.
Imagine you've got a horse who is afraid of being trailered. You want the horse to follow the target stick up the ramp and into the trailer. You don't want that horse to think about the trailer, you want it to only think about the target stick. Your father should be like that trailer - just a thing that happens to be in the room. The focus is the target stick.
Don't try to get your dog to interact with your father, or your father to interact with your dog. Don't stop training with the target stick half way through the exercise. Lead your dog to and from your father with the target stick. If you pause or put the target stick away, make the pause very brief, then re-present the target stick.
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/289
When you've taught your dog to follow the target stick in your father's hand, see if you can get him to follow the stick towards your father. Then see if you can get him to touch the target stick when it's touching your father. Build confidence at your dog's pace, using the target stick to guide.
Keep your dog "thinking", rather than "reacting". Make his focus the target stick, and not your father.
Imagine you've got a horse who is afraid of being trailered. You want the horse to follow the target stick up the ramp and into the trailer. You don't want that horse to think about the trailer, you want it to only think about the target stick. Your father should be like that trailer - just a thing that happens to be in the room. The focus is the target stick.
Don't try to get your dog to interact with your father, or your father to interact with your dog. Don't stop training with the target stick half way through the exercise. Lead your dog to and from your father with the target stick. If you pause or put the target stick away, make the pause very brief, then re-present the target stick.
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.PositivePetzine.com
Aidan
http://www.PositivePetzine.com
Thanks Aidan. I'll definately check that out.
I have found a trainer to help me who has 30years in the industry, does obedience and agility, is a judge, does clicker training, works with rescue dogs and trains sea creatures, elephants etc. She also doesn't believe in aversive training.
I haven't discussed targetting with her but shall do so now, after I read up on it.
Thankyou so much for giving another suggestion as I need all the help I can get to make sure I don't ruin this sweet little boy.
I will post updates to let you know how we are going,
Bye, ct2
I have found a trainer to help me who has 30years in the industry, does obedience and agility, is a judge, does clicker training, works with rescue dogs and trains sea creatures, elephants etc. She also doesn't believe in aversive training.
I haven't discussed targetting with her but shall do so now, after I read up on it.
Thankyou so much for giving another suggestion as I need all the help I can get to make sure I don't ruin this sweet little boy.
I will post updates to let you know how we are going,
Bye, ct2
I found this excellent article by Dee Ganley which might help:
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/546
"How the Upper Valley Humane Society Uses Targetting to Help Shy Dogs Blossom"
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/546
"How the Upper Valley Humane Society Uses Targetting to Help Shy Dogs Blossom"
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.PositivePetzine.com
Aidan
http://www.PositivePetzine.com
Thanks Aidan. I immediately read the article and it sounds perfect to help my little boy.He loves treats, so will work quite well for them. In situations that he is confidant he is so bold and cheeky and I can't wait (I am not pushing him though!!) for him to be that way consistently.
Thanks again for the help from myself and Harry!!
ct2