Nic  Offline
Joeys Doting Mummy
Joined: Sep 12, 2005
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8510 LabPounds
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No.of Labs: 1
Lab Names: Joey
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Location: Glossop
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 Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 10:42 am Post subject: GETTING DESPERATE!!! - Joey's fear of two Alsations!!! |
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Following on from our little episode the other day;
http://www.labradorforums.co.uk/ftopic-12922-days0-orderasc- 0.html
the plot thickens!
It appears that a guy whose house we have to walk past on our morning walk has adopted 2 Alsations who Joey is terrified of.
As far as I know he's never had a bad experience with these dogs, and they seem very friendly. The guy who has adopted them has kids and another dog as well so they must be fairly placid. The dogs are often in the garden and run over to the gate when we walk past.
So this is now what happens on our walks.....
Joey happily trots along on his walk. Then as we approach the house (on the way there or on the way back) he pricks up his ears, slows down and walks very close to me. Then as we get to it he slinks along, ears back and drags me away from the house so we go past it on the other side of the road. As we go past the dogs either run up to the gate to say hello, or if they aren't in the garden they howl and bark as we walk past. Once past the house Joey pulls to get away as quickly as possibly, constantly looking over his shoulder until he feels he is a safe distance away.
He is also very wary of the field still but once he's in and knows the other dogs aren't they he is fine.
So far I have been carrying on as normal, which unfortunately involves me dragging him past this house in the jolliest way possible. But its horrible to see his wild eyes and terrified look as I'm doing this, and I think I'm starting to traumatise him. 
How can I deal with this so he learns not to be scared?
Last edited by Nic on Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:56 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Sonia Offline
Leader of the loopy lot
Joined: Nov 18, 2005
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23599 LabPounds
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No.of Labs: 3
Lab Names: Doobie, Millie, Gracie (Heinz Lab) and Finlay - Sundown Persuader (FCR)
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Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 10:58 am Post subject: |
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Hi Nic
Does Joey have a fave toy you could take with you and you just bring it out for him as you are approaching this place. This way you could get him to concentrate on you and the toy rather than the place. This is what I had to do when Doobs went through a stage at barking at almost anyone who walked past us. But this didn't last long as I learned the art of distraction (I used food) and I still do it now on the odd occasion!
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Nic Offline
Joeys Doting Mummy
Joined: Sep 12, 2005
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Posts: 1950
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8510 LabPounds
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No.of Labs: 1
Lab Names: Joey
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Location: Glossop
Gender:
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:10 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Sonia. 
I've tried food though and he's so terrified that he actually spat a treat out that I gave him to distract him!!! And this is from a dog who barks at us if his meal is a second late!!!
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Sonia Offline
Leader of the loopy lot
Joined: Nov 18, 2005
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Posts: 7533
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23599 LabPounds
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No.of Labs: 3
Lab Names: Doobie, Millie, Gracie (Heinz Lab) and Finlay - Sundown Persuader (FCR)
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Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire
Gender:
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:15 am Post subject: |
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Yes, I gree it took a while for Doobs to have treat from me as when dogs are really that scared they will not eat. Hence why I suggested a toy - a squeaky ball perhaps? Start squeaking way before you approach the place and start with the distractions there. Then as soon as you have passed, then offer a really tasty treat! If you can, could you try and go past this place as much as poss?
Another thought is to NOT go past this place for a couple of days, say over the weekend, and start again Monday. Just to give him a chance to recover from his worries a bit!
Poor Joey, I am sure he will get over it. But if you are confident, he will be too!!! 
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LauraJane Offline
has a handful
Joined: Apr 13, 2006
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:19 am Post subject: |
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Poor Joey feeling a bit sheepish.
If Jansen is scared going past somewhere, I talk to him in the most embarrising high picthed voice i can manage, he loves it... and quickly speeds up... im sure he does it to make me look silly !
good luck.
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