How to "react" to a "reaction out of fear"?

Anthony8858 · 02-01-2013, 10:45 AM

I was walking Kira this morning, and we passed another person walking his young (about 7 months) GSD. We were maybe 20 feet apart, and his dog was clearly barking out of fear. Kira listened to her "leave it", and didn't even acknowledge the dog.
It was barking, lunging, hacks up, then retreating behind its owner as we continued to pass. He appeared very skittish.

My question has to do with the owner of that dog....

What is the best way to calm that dog down, without validating his fear?

Jax08 · 02-01-2013, 10:51 AM

Is this a question on what YOU can do? You can't do anything except not react and keep your dog under control.

If this is a question on what the owner can do....
By breaking his focus, retreating to a safe distance and using behavior modification. Teach him LAT, or another method, and work on it before the dog is put in a position to react.

Be PROACTIVE...NOT REACTIVE...as an owner.

onyx'girl · 02-01-2013, 10:52 AM

Keep calm and carry on. Let the dog know you have the situation controlled so they don't feel the need to. And yes, proactive is best.

carmspack · 02-01-2013, 10:55 AM

don't fuel the fear by reacting yourself (the owner not you Anthony) -- remain neutral , be calm and carry on .

Anthony8858 · 02-01-2013, 11:01 AM

OK, maybe I should have explained further..

The owner was clearly embarrassed by his dog's behavior, and IMO could easily have lost control of his dog. It was almost a wrestling match.
He saw Kira ignore his dog 100%, and asked for help controlling his dog. I honestly didn't want to stop, or get involved because I have Kira in such a good place right now. The last thing I wanted, was another setback. I told him I had a meeting, and kept walking.

If I see him again, (without Kira), I may want to offer a suggestion.

What would you say to an inexperienced handler, wrestling with a young, apparently fearful dog?

I wear my heart on my sleeve, and always try to help. It's my #1 weakness.

Jax08 · 02-01-2013, 11:36 AM

Tell him to find a positive based trainer who can help him with behavior modification for fear.

Anthony8858 · 02-01-2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jax08

Tell him to find a positive based trainer who can help him with behavior modification for fear.

Probably the best advice.

Whether or not he listens... well that's another story.

Lilie · 02-01-2013, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony8858

I wear my heart on my sleeve, and always try to help. It's my #1 weakness.

Not a weakness Anthony. It is a strength.

Jax08 · 02-01-2013, 11:45 AM

Fixing fearful behavior just can not be done in one conversation. It takes time, training at a distance, desensitization, behavior modification. Tell him to look up LAT (Look At That) or BAT. Teach Leave It. Learn to catch the reaction before it starts. There is just so much to it.

debbiebrown · 02-01-2013, 05:47 PM

i agree to tell the guy he should find a private trainer to help him with his dog.

02-01-2013, 10:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Anthony8858 Knighted Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,702	How to "react" to a "reaction out of fear"? I was walking Kira this morning, and we passed another person walking his young (about 7 months) GSD. We were maybe 20 feet apart, and his dog was clearly barking out of fear. Kira listened to her "leave it", and didn't even acknowledge the dog. It was barking, lunging, hacks up, then retreating behind its owner as we continued to pass. He appeared very skittish. My question has to do with the owner of that dog.... What is the best way to calm that dog down, without validating his fear?

02-01-2013, 10:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 19,014	Is this a question on what YOU can do? You can't do anything except not react and keep your dog under control. If this is a question on what the owner can do.... By breaking his focus, retreating to a safe distance and using behavior modification. Teach him LAT, or another method, and work on it before the dog is put in a position to react. Be PROACTIVE...NOT REACTIVE...as an owner. __________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

02-01-2013, 10:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 21,182	Keep calm and carry on. Let the dog know you have the situation controlled so they don't feel the need to. And yes, proactive is best. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

02-01-2013, 10:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
carmspack Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ontario - Posts: 5,524	don't fuel the fear by reacting yourself (the owner not you Anthony) -- remain neutral , be calm and carry on . __________________ Carmen ******** Carmspack**

02-01-2013, 11:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 19,014	Tell him to find a positive based trainer who can help him with behavior modification for fear. __________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

02-01-2013, 11:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
Anthony8858 Knighted Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,702	OK, maybe I should have explained further.. The owner was clearly embarrassed by his dog's behavior, and IMO could easily have lost control of his dog. It was almost a wrestling match. He saw Kira ignore his dog 100%, and asked for help controlling his dog. I honestly didn't want to stop, or get involved because I have Kira in such a good place right now. The last thing I wanted, was another setback. I told him I had a meeting, and kept walking. If I see him again, (without Kira), I may want to offer a suggestion. What would you say to an inexperienced handler, wrestling with a young, apparently fearful dog? I wear my heart on my sleeve, and always try to help. It's my #1 weakness.

02-01-2013, 11:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 19,014	Fixing fearful behavior just can not be done in one conversation. It takes time, training at a distance, desensitization, behavior modification. Tell him to look up LAT (Look At That) or BAT. Teach Leave It. Learn to catch the reaction before it starts. There is just so much to it. __________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

02-01-2013, 05:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
debbiebrown Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: maine Posts: 7,735	i agree to tell the guy he should find a private trainer to help him with his dog. __________________ url

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