Neurotic but Loveable
She was owned for the first three years by a couple who was not so good. She was apparently kept in a cage all the time, to the extent that she has gnawed away half of her teeth trying to chew her way out of the cage! She is also desperately scared of any loud or sudden sounds, particularly metalic snaps. This leads us to conclude that she was probably beaten, perhaps with some object. The results are that she will often attack: a) anyone but us, b) any inanimate object that makes a loud sound. For (a) it does not matter how many times you have met her, how nice you have been to her, or anything. Especially if you come into our house, she will always want to kill you. As for (b) she is not even picky about what she bites. If the toaster pops she will attack the fridge door! If I rattle my desk chair she will charge the aquarium! It is rather comical but, I fear, betrays a greater problem. Now, she has improved somewhat over the last two years. She bites far fewer inanimate objects, and hasn't bitten a person for a year and a half, but that is only because I have kept her away from people. She still tries when she can! So far our strategy to work with her has been three-fold: 1) continue to provide a loving and secure environment in hopes of calming her down over the long term. 2) positive re-enforcement when she resists a typical bite situation, i.e. refrains from attacking the microwave when I run the coffee grinder. Positive re-enforcement usually comes in the form of praise and half a dog cookie. 3) negative discouragement after attacks. This includes a stern talking to, especially while grapsing her beard firmly, but in more extreme situations it will involve a tap on the beak. It has, however, been two years now, and I still could never dream of letting her loose amongst my friends. It is such a shame too, because everyone thinks of her as this monster, when in reality I could spend all day describing to you some of her adorable antics. So, any ideas from the trenches? |
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| I am curious. You said she was your second. Do you still have your first one or the cross the rainbow bridge? If you do, how is he with her/him? |
| I would ask my vet for a behavioist recommendation and together they should find something to help. I think she has anxiety problems from her past, there are other sheepies on anti anxiety medication so they can lead a normal life. Wishing you the best |
Our Sofa is a rescued dog that got beaten and very poorly taken care of. She was extremely neurotic and even tough she was not aggresive, you could see that she had some signs of abuse. Once we were going to have burgers for dinner and we got the patties out of the freezer. As soon as I liftem my arm to pound the bag on the floor to loosen some, she started trembling and covered her head with her paws waiting for the blow... Poor thing. We decided to help her out on that and gave her some theraphy. First, we allowed her to smell the bag and them my wife held her and talked to her softly while I hit the bag in the floor very slowly in the start. My wife's job was to calm her down. After a few sessions, she could stand more noise and more strenght, and now every time she seems me lifting my arm to pound something in the floor, she goes to investigate, because she knows it's probably going to be food. 
Her sister Frida was also abused and she was afraid of brooms. Se would attack you or the broom as soon as you moved it to sweep the floor. I took a simmilar approach with her. We let her sniff the broom, then my wife helded her as I started to walk from 10 or 20 feet away hitting the floor softly with the broom, softier as soon as I got closer to her. When I was very close, I let her sniff and then I touched her with the broom as we talked softly to her. We did that for about 2 hours and her problem was cured... Now she chases the broom to play with you 
If your doggie is afraid of very specific noises or sitiations, maybe the approach we used with Sofa and Frida will work. Start with letting her smell the toaster or other simillar device, then make soft noises with it, talk to her nicely and encourage her to come close and examinate the object, praise and give treats. For attacking you when coming home, same thing. Try using the SIT! command and giver her treats and praise when she's quiet. That's how we stopped Lennon and Sofa from jumping into visitors, they still get very exited but at least they do not jump on people any more.
Shaggydog's advise should be considerated too. Is she under some medication, or does she have any medical condition you are aware of? Could she have a condition you may not be aware? Doggies can get very anxious and aggressive when they are in pain or have phisical disconfort. |
| I would definately seek the advice of a Behaviorist! You should also look into a medical condition that is causing this behavior (i.e. hypothyroidism).
http://www.thedogscene.co.uk/articles/h ... oidism.htm Dr. Jean Dodd's is an expert in this area and has done studies involving OES. This just breaks my heart ! I hope you find a solution - you deserve a medal for dealing with this behavior - not many people would put up with this. Thanks for caring about her so much! I wish there were more people like you in this world! Good Luck! Kristen |
| I agree with Saulmr- this works well with many animals who have specific fear issue- get the animal to associate the item with positive experiences- noise = treat, pet, praise, whatever. I've heard and seen it done witt dogs, cats, horses, etc. Although it might be harder if it is any loud noise, and any non family member. A behaviorist would definitely have some ideas for you- as an example of positive results, look at what Heather is doing with Walter! Baby steps, but just keep on going. It's a testament to your love to your dog that you are willing to keep going with it! We are all rooting for you!
Karen  |
| I have nothing to add to the terrific advice already posted. I just want to say thank you for not giving up on this dog who clearly had such a horrendous start to her life. You deserve a cookie too. |
| Well thank you all for your kind advice. Unfortunately, as my wife would say, I have already eaten too many cookies!!
But, it is not hard to love a dog who is so good the 99.999% of the remaining time. She listens carefully to all my boring research, without interuption or anything. There's no human on earth with the patience to do that! Sure, her eyes are closed, but I know she's listening... In any case, I have tried hard to slowly associate the items with her. Particularly the toaster. I unplug it, bring it close to her, let her check it out, gradually make clicking sounds with it. She gives it a bite or two, but then calms down. I actually gave her the toaster to play with; she sniffed it a bit, determined it wasn't food, and then promptly ignored it. I have tried that a good number of times, but sure enough, the next time I actualy go to toast my bagel, the click of the handle makes her jump up from a sound sleep wherever she is in the house and race as if her life depending on it into the kitchen where she desperately jumps up at the general direction of the toaster and bites the fridge! For this reason, I am starting to wonder if the remedial potential of behavioural thereapy like that has perhaps reached its limit. The possibility of hyperthyroidism, however, sounds promising. We have never had her tested, but I do remember, now that you mention it, the breeder (we are in touch with the breeder from time to time, as it was her who rescued the dog back from the bad first owners) telling me that one of burcwen's brothers suffered from hyperthyroidism. I hate to drug a dog up, but if one little pill can help her, it only makes sense! I'm gonna call the vet, thanks! |
| Thyroid problems can lead to other more serious issues - so you definately should look into that - and the treatment is simple! Good Luck! |
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