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11-19-2010, 01:10 PM | #1 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama
Posts: 941
| Helping Beemer overcome justified fear I started to post this when it happened and the whole thing got deleted before I hit submit. I'm ready to try again. I'll warn you it's going to be long. The week after Halloween we were at Beemer's obedience class. We were working on target. A target is basically a plastic lid that they put their nose on. Beemer is still learning target so the teacher was loading the target (with a treat) and I was releasing him with the command target. There was a border collie that was further along. She was in a stay waiting for her target command. Her handler was not holding the end of her leash. When I sent Beemer to the target she released herself and went for the same target. This dog is resource aggressive and they got to the target at the same time. She attacked him. I mean really attacked him with him in her mouth. I instantly tackled her and laid on her. She released him really quickly. His only injury was that he bit his own tongue. Everyone went on about how well I handled the situation but I completely fell apart when I left. I just can't erase that image in my mind. Beemer only weighs 3 1/2 pounds and that dog was probably 40 or so pounds. The good news is - my stepson is living with us right now with his lab mix. Beemer has not shown any fear of her. He still steals her toys whenever he gets a chance. Anyway - we went back to class the next week. With my approval they gave the other dog another chance. As soon as she walked in the door Beemer started shaking and backed into a corner. It broke my heart seeing my little fearless bugger so scared. We put up a barrier so that he couldn't see her but he never did relax enough to participate in class. After class when everyone was gone we let him play in the room without the other dogs and he seemed fine. As it turns out they still had to remind the other handler several times to keep hold of the leash. So after that they did tell her that she couldn't bring her dog back. Move forward another week. We went to class this week and Beemer was freaked out even without the other dog there. There are only little dogs left in the class now. I think he's developed a fear of the room. I'm not sure what to do. The teachers at the school are working with me on it and here's what we've decided to do so far. There's only one more class in this session. Next week when there is no class going on I'm going to take Beemer, Sadie (my other yorkie) and my stepson's lab and just let the three of them play in the room. Also, I'm going to bring Sadie to the next class. She also takes classes there and is very comfortable. We're hoping that she can help him realize that it's still a good place. We're also going to move Beemer back a class next time so that he can build back up his confidence. I've also spoken to my groomer and asked her to give him as much positive interaction with the other dogs as she can. It's a great "spa" and they will really work with me. Does anyone have any other ideas? I'm open to suggestions. I think this is just going to be a long road but I really hope he can get past this. Fear is usually not part of his personality. It breaks my heart to see it. On a side note - I'm going to begin teaching at this school (as an assistant) in January. My ultimate goal for both of my kids is to be a therapy dog. They need every bit of their confidence for this. If you've read this whole book - thanks for taking the time! Karen |
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11-19-2010, 01:26 PM | #2 |
www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County
Posts: 17,408
| Well I read it. I don't know what advice to give, but training out of fear is really hard and takes a lot of time. I'm so sorry your baby got attacked! Glad that he wasn't seriously injured. I think bringing him there with his friends for playtime would be a really good idea.
__________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12 |
11-19-2010, 04:33 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama
Posts: 941
| Thanks for reading it! I know it was long but I wanted to tell the whole story. I know it's going to be a long haul to get him over this. The program director said we have to replace his bad memories with good ones. They are willing to help me however needed to make that happen. He went to the groomers today and they said he didn't show any fear or stress there. I really think it's that one room. Problem is - that's where his classes are! |
11-19-2010, 05:30 PM | #4 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | It sounds like a good plan you have put in place. If the scheduled play date could be after they gave the room a good clean out that would be great. Also to rearrange the mat placements and types of agility equipment up.
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
11-19-2010, 05:37 PM | #5 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SoCA
Posts: 1,895
| I'm sorry this happened to your little one. My Gina was about 5 months old and I took her to a class. There were pups of all sizes. Again, the instructor said to keep hold of your dog. A yellow lab pup - 50 times bigger than Gina pounced on her. Gina never forgot and didn't like dogs the rest of her life. She hated the dog park and would look away when another dog approached her. This was very sad and I was never able to help her out of this fear. I hope you can find an answer to help your little one. I feel like letting go of my fist in someone's face when they don't pay attention to what their dog is doing.
__________________ RIP my darling little Gina |
11-19-2010, 06:44 PM | #6 |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| I did read the whole 'book' and unfortunately, I don't really have any advice. Fear is such a tricky thing and I'm sooo glad little Beemer was okay, what a scary thing! I honestly don't know what I'd do in that situation. But I think time and patience is key. I got into a bad car accident in June in my Jeep where my car was totaled and Jackson was in the car with me and it's now November and he's still VERY paranoid in the car. He's often stressed and pants a lot, and sometimes will shake, whereas he used to looooveee the car. He's better in other peoples vehicles but my Jeep he is the most cautious about (new Jeep is exactly like totaled one) so he associates the Jeep with the accident, whereas I got a rental car and he was fine in it. But we've just taken things slow. I didn't force him into it and used a lot of praise and treats, etc, and now he seems to like riding in it better.
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier |
11-20-2010, 12:23 PM | #7 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama
Posts: 941
| Gail - That's a good idea. I'm taking them in next week and there aren't any classes all week. It should be good and clean. I think I'll get them to move some things around. I'm willing to try anything. Cherie6446 - I'm sorry about your Gina. I really hope that we can work with this and get him past it. Brittany - I had surgery in June and I wasn't on much this summer. I'm sorry about your accident. It's encouraging to me that Jackson is slowly doing better. I expect it to take a long time - I just want to get there someday! Thanks to all of you for responding. I'll let you know if we make any progress. |
11-20-2010, 02:52 PM | #8 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 5,891
| I am so sorry that this happened to both you and Beemer and relieved that he wasn't physically harmed. I agree that it is going to take him time to overcome his fear, but I think you have a great plan in place. I know how difficult it is for you to see your precious little boy so terrified. I'm so happy that he hasn't transferred his fear to other places. I still think you are doing the right thing and including Sadie and your stepson's lab is a great idea. With a little time and your love and devotion, I believe Beemer will be able to get beyond his justified fear. I really hope it happens sooner rather than later, and I will be thinking of both of you.
__________________ Lisa and Katie Ashley 6/10, Gracie 2/04, Kiwi 10/03, and Jolie 7/93 . |
11-21-2010, 07:34 PM | #9 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama
Posts: 941
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11-23-2010, 11:18 AM | #10 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama
Posts: 941
| We went this morning and had the play date at the school. We brought the dogs in through the office instead of the regular door. Beemer was fine. His tail was happy and he played with Sadie and Marley (my stepson's lab). Everything went perfect. The next step is to bring Sadie to class next Tuesday and see if he can be more comfortable in a class setting if she's along. I think we've decided that the issue is a combination of the room and dogs he doesn't know/trust. He's fine in that room as long as there are no strange dogs and he's fine around other dogs as long as it isn't in that room. It will be interesting to see what happens next week. If he's still scared we're going to have another play date at the school and after a time when he's already comfortable bring in another dog. My teacher has a small well behaved dog that we're going to use if it comes to it. I'm encouraged! This morning they said that we need to replace the bad memories of that room with happy ones. We may need more happy memories first but I believe it can happen. |
11-23-2010, 02:13 PM | #11 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ball Ground, GA
Posts: 1,262
| The only advice I can add is that when you go to the class, act as normal as possible, don't baby him or in any way reinforce is "fear" behavior. Take exceptionally good treats, get to class early and if he has a favorite trick, have him do it as the other dogs come in and tell him how good he is and give him the great treat. TRY, to act normal and unworried, even though I know it's hard, and to jackpot him when he does the trick or tricks in a confident manner. I'd even make sure he was hungry, and not feed him before the class. This could be a problem that takes some time to resolve, unfortunately. I hope not, but please let us know how things go and what works.
__________________ Kristan Lizzy's mom |
11-23-2010, 03:24 PM | #12 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 5,891
| You are a wonderful mother to your babies. It is so obvious by reading your posts. I'm really glad that it went well today, Kristan is right about trying not to reinforce the "fear" behavior. I always had a difficult time trying to balance giving a little extra love and encouragement to help my girls in time that might cause them anxiety and not reinforcing the fear. I'm sure you are doing a great job, and I hope your little one enjoys his training.
__________________ Lisa and Katie Ashley 6/10, Gracie 2/04, Kiwi 10/03, and Jolie 7/93 . |
11-23-2010, 04:25 PM | #13 | ||
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama
Posts: 941
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Funny - one of the mistakes I made was getting there early last week to try and get him settled before the other dogs got there. The class before ours was just over and all the dogs hadn't left yet. There were some big dogs in there and of course on seeing a "stranger" come in had to bark. We decided that next week I should come closer to time so the other dogs are gone and it's just the small dogs in his class. I'm not under any illusion that this is magically over but I do see enough positive things that I believe we can get through it. I'm up for the challenge! Last edited by salazark; 11-23-2010 at 04:27 PM. | ||
11-23-2010, 08:35 PM | #14 | |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 881
| Dogs don't think like people. Dogs think like dogs, right? 3 lbs or 300, he doesn't know it. This is you. You know it, you worry. He is going to be a baby and milk it as long as you do. He won't ever train as long as you cater to the baby being scared. If another handler took him to class without you, he would be different. Divorce the event. As long as you cater to it you will be overcoming it. They read and feel body language. You must stop the uncertainty if you want him to. Drop it. It happened and it is over. Get to class, boom he's out you are on. Happy handler in action. He has a job, you do to. He can't do his if you aren't 100%. You must believe in yourself and mean it. Check back in. Let me know how it goes. Very positive rewarding. Laughing, no stress. Stop the negative energy, he's reading it. I would not suggest the groomer doing this. If you don't make the changes it won't matter when she passes him back to you. He will revert with you. He will be okay with another person. They're all better with a different mom. Get some toys, treats and enjoy your dog. Quote:
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11-23-2010, 10:51 PM | #15 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama
Posts: 941
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