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not so toy biting

19 16:56:39

Question
QUESTION: Well thanks very much for the answer, earlier this week, concerning if I
should go for it  or not.

I went to the dog pound - brrr, good people doing their best, but those
places are always so sad - and took out a one year old spayed bitch for a
while to see how she felt.

She was a delight, mad as a March hair for the first 15 mins then I slowed
things down and worked with her a bit and she was/is responsive, sensitive,
still remembers her house training, after four weeks in the pound. She knows
her new name, Molly, (who calls a cocker puppy 'Dragon'?) was a delight on
the way back in a challenging situation (had to take a bus). Very affectionate
and needs the lightest touch for training, even a heavy 'No' makes the light
go out behind her eyes.

So, a delight, but... and this is a huge but, so pls pls help... she's snappy. Yes
I know she is traumatized. But.... here are the incidents. Twice yesterday men
came over to say hello to her, sticking out their hands into her face and she
went for them, meaning lunged with intention.

I put it down to fear, wasn't happy about it but she has been through hell and
everything around her was strange and hyper stimulating. Then, later in the
day, a very relaxed woman went to touch her back and she twisted round on
her hand, aggressively, not at the woman, but at her hand, which I thought
was better at least than going for the woman.

But today, genuinely distressing, we went to the park. It has smaller, almost
enclosed areas and I decided to risk letting her off the lead, because she has
been sitting and staying and coming very well around the house and, as I said
is very responsive and desperate to please.

I took her out hungry and let her know I had the treats she liked in my
pocket, and let her off - she was great. Interacted with other dogs, left them
when I called her, no trouble to joggers, cyclists, ran like a mad thing for ten
mins in circles and then just had a blast walking and rolling and being a
happy dawwwg. Never went more than four meters radius away from me, if I
moved off she followed. She came and sat to call. Just perfect, and I noticed I
had a realy moment of distress when she went out of view, so I have bonded
with her as much as she has with me. We like each other.

Then we left, she'd had a good hour, i sat her down, put her lead on, we
walked back doing some 'walking to heel' work - and she was pushier than
normal so I was firm and clear, she was allowed some slack but no mad
cavorting or really wild pulling when on the lead -  and I, tired by now, went
into a terraced cafe for a coffee.

Which is when we had the latest and worst incident. she was happy, bouncy
but exercised - confident. This time she went over to sniff someone and when
he reached out to say 'Hi' back, she tried to bite his hand. So here I can't say
it was fear. It was straight aggression.

Each time I whisk her round to face me, sit her down immediately, eye ball her
and say 'No' in a very clearly, deeply angry voice. and she crumbles, just wilts.
Tries to head butt me for attention. I ignore her for five mins or so, and then I
more or less behave normally.

What can I do? any ideas? Now I fear that it is just a matter of time before she
takes a chunk out of someone. I know it is less than 24 hours and she is spot
on in all other ways, but for her to initiate an approach gently and tentatively
and then turn on the person who responds slowly and kindly, is really really a
problem. Again, he just did what anyone would do, including a child (!),
reached out to pat her head.

I'd really appreciate some help. she's not in good condition, wormy, eye
infection, she's been sterilized at the pound - so its been a bumpy ride and
she is softer than butter with me. She let me cut through her matted hair,
even around her ears, which took over an hour yesterday. She lets me put in
her eye drops, although she hates it, she tolerates it patiently. I left her alone
for an hour and a half yesterday evening and she was perfect, just very very
happy to see I came back. The neighbors yapping dogs don't set her off, she
barely pays them attention.

I take her to the professional groomer tomorrow (earliest appointment - she
is absolutely filthy), and I'm genuinely worried she'll snap at the woman.

Hmmmm......i really and truly don't want to have to give her back but a biter
is a no go, unless I can bring her out of it.

hope you can help, think you probably can - should I carry a water spritzer
around with me?

Oh, and she is very hungry. She doesn't like the interim food I bought, and I
don't blame her. Today is a public holiday so everything is shut. Her tummy is
upset, she can hold it but it comes out, as one other writer said 'soupy'
(accurate if a little icky). I'm going to try her on your egg and rice idea,
cooked egg since the last thing I want is a stinky, snappy cocker with
salmonella in a garden less flat!!! Ha
Many thanks,
Abigail




ANSWER: This girl is being exposed to too much, too fast.  Of course, you`re right to be concerned but think about it - it`s always a stranger trying to touch her...sticking their hands in her face.

The key to eliminating this is to anticipate and not allow it to happen.  My own 3 year old Rescue(Oliver) was terribly anxious when I first got him and although a sweet boy had a bad reaction to any man trying to pet him.  Which told me a lot about the previous owners.

So...first I didn`t allow that to happen and would just say to please not pet him but I would stop and make him sit while I chatted and kept him on a short leash.  He gradually understood men were not going to hurt him and I wouldn`t allow him to react.  Today he`s fine.

At the groomer - see if you can be with her this first time and express your concern.  And don`t let her off leash.

This is very specific - it`s strangers trying to pet her - and the more specific the behavior, the easier it is to change.

And yes, cooked egg - scrambled only (no milk and no oil).
Use plain white rice - extra water and overcook.
4 eggs - 1 cup rice.

I do hope you`ll work with her on this.  This is anxiety.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, yes, I shall definitely work on it. Its men in this case as well. I'll do as
you did and certainly will stay with her tomorrow when she finally gets a thorough wash and clip.
Yes, there was a lot of stimuli but she was in such a state that taxies wouldn't
take her. And yes, only strangers get that reaction. I had to get her to swallow
a worming tab today and was around her teeth without the slightest problem.
I was in a shop where there were young kids, and also a cafe, and in both
cases explained the situation which made everyone more comfortable
straight away. Me included and so, also Mollie (dog).
Although it is a shock to see her snap into a different persona (snap literally)
like that, it is easier now, knowing it is something that I need to take into
account.
Cleaner dog tomorrow, so no doubt happier, her ears weigh a ton even after I
did my best with them.
And thanks also for advice on the food - did eggs and rice today and she
much preferred it.
I most certainly will stick with her - but you are right, the key is anticipation
and calm.
Thanks for replying so quickly to this looong post....  =  )
Clemence

Answer
Most rescue dogs take a good two weeks to calm down.  Considering all she's been through and the number of new things she's being exposed to now - really, she's doing quite well.

Right now you simply don't allow anyone to pet her.  After awhile you can allow someone to come close and say hello to her but still no petting.  Step 3 will be to have someone just offer their hand to sniff - still no petting.

Today you took charge and everything was fine :)

Clemence, the next few weeks will be a learning curve for both of you so do feel free to write me direct at DeeBeck7765@aol.com.

Anytime you need to say NO - do it in a quiet calm voice and if possible look right into her eyes.  This isn't punishment - just a correction and heaven only knows what the previous owners did to create this.  Calm authority is best.

When she responds by stopping whatever she's doing - praise and reward.  I'd find the best food you can and slowly add it to her egg and rice.

If you can call a store and find out what brands they carry I'd be happy to help you choose by taking a look.
Delores