I’ve had my 3-year-old rescue for 6 months now. I now believe there is some sort of “little dog” syndrome. The vet’s office calls him “spicy” a nice way of saying, “Please put a muzzle on your dog.” It’s partially fear, anxiety, and a one-person-dog mindset that creates the issue (my theory). And yes, it’s very constraining on a person’s life.
Our rescue puppy was fearful from the day we adopted him. He was 4 months old, came up from Alabama, and clearly missed out on that important early socialization. He glommed onto me but feared going for walks with my husband. We wound up putting him in a 21-day board and train program, which helped immensely. Still, he’s afraid of strangers and some dogs, baths, going to the vet, etc.
We have never tried board and train, but we have hired more trainers / behaviorists than I can easily recall. Good for you taking him on knowing his issues from the first day. We had three months to fall in love with Angus before his reactivity became known.
The “why” is biology—-his mother was a stray, and she had elevated cortisol from being under stress. The developing puppies were then born with very high cortisol levels, which make them reactive. But of course at the time we didn’t know any of that. He was just a puppy!
Our dog Tilde is a barky little girl! We live in a condo and the elevator is really difficult for her. She has had behaviour training but she is inconsistent. I used to feel like “that mum” at daycare whose child is undisciplined. Tilde is 11 and still has bathroom issues. We love her anyway.
Of course you love her anyway! These dogs, they get under our skin… maybe the more difficult ones more than any other. Our Rosie (age 14) is much more of a typical dog than Angus, but when we went through puppy training she did NOT like being held. At the end of every session, the instructor asked us to put our dogs into the “soothing hold,” and everyone’s dogs immediately conked out after that hour of play and training. Every dog except Rosie, who thrashed and fought and bucked and wanted to NOT BE HELD. The instructor said, “Control your dog!” and i thought—-well, you can guess what i thought. Not all dogs like the same things. Good luck with Tilde, who sounds very lucky to be with you.
I’ve had my 3-year-old rescue for 6 months now. I now believe there is some sort of “little dog” syndrome. The vet’s office calls him “spicy” a nice way of saying, “Please put a muzzle on your dog.” It’s partially fear, anxiety, and a one-person-dog mindset that creates the issue (my theory). And yes, it’s very constraining on a person’s life.
Our rescue puppy was fearful from the day we adopted him. He was 4 months old, came up from Alabama, and clearly missed out on that important early socialization. He glommed onto me but feared going for walks with my husband. We wound up putting him in a 21-day board and train program, which helped immensely. Still, he’s afraid of strangers and some dogs, baths, going to the vet, etc.
We have never tried board and train, but we have hired more trainers / behaviorists than I can easily recall. Good for you taking him on knowing his issues from the first day. We had three months to fall in love with Angus before his reactivity became known.
oh Laurie, i’m so sorry his personality changed and it’s so difficult to figure out why.
The “why” is biology—-his mother was a stray, and she had elevated cortisol from being under stress. The developing puppies were then born with very high cortisol levels, which make them reactive. But of course at the time we didn’t know any of that. He was just a puppy!
oh my!
Our dog Tilde is a barky little girl! We live in a condo and the elevator is really difficult for her. She has had behaviour training but she is inconsistent. I used to feel like “that mum” at daycare whose child is undisciplined. Tilde is 11 and still has bathroom issues. We love her anyway.
Of course you love her anyway! These dogs, they get under our skin… maybe the more difficult ones more than any other. Our Rosie (age 14) is much more of a typical dog than Angus, but when we went through puppy training she did NOT like being held. At the end of every session, the instructor asked us to put our dogs into the “soothing hold,” and everyone’s dogs immediately conked out after that hour of play and training. Every dog except Rosie, who thrashed and fought and bucked and wanted to NOT BE HELD. The instructor said, “Control your dog!” and i thought—-well, you can guess what i thought. Not all dogs like the same things. Good luck with Tilde, who sounds very lucky to be with you.