 Dog
Fears |
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Dear Deborah: We have two Yorkshire Terriers, a male and female, both middle-aged. About two month ago, the male started acting strangely. He seems terrified of my husband. He pants a lot and seems afraid most of the time. One day, he ran away from my husband during a walk - the only times he's ever wanted to be more than a few feet from us. He won't come or sit with me if my husband is around. My husband says he's done nothing and I believe him. Is there anything we can do? Husband Hater |
| Dear Husband Hater:
You can teach him that your husband is safe but it will take patience. Every evening, wrap you dog in a blanket so that his legs are secured and his head is peeking out. This will force him to give up the struggle and allow you to prove to him that he is safe. Carry him like a baby for about 10 minutes, caressing, cooing and rewarding him. Make sure you deny him these perks the rest of the day so he is hungry for your attention. Have you husband enter and stay in the room for five minutes. Start slowly. Do not force contact. Praise him and reward him when he's calm: hold him securely when he's nervous. Keep your voice calm. You dog will get used to this routine and, eventually, stay relaxed when your husband is in the room. Then you will be able to have your husband come closer and sit beside you, and at some point you won't need the blanket anymore. Have your husband feed him all meals and give him all treats for now. The last step is to repeat cuddle time steps and pass the dog to your husband for a few minutes, keep the blanket on tightly, and insist he stay calm and let your husband hold him. Pass him back and end with him in your arms for a few minutes. |
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Dear Deborah: My dog "Tika", is very jealous of my fiancé.
She is very devoted to me and extremely lovable, but she growls and
barks whenever he comes over. I know Tika is afraid of many things - airplanes, cars, people - but she's little, only 14 pounds, and the rest of the world is so big. I manage to protect her from everything she's afraid of without too much trouble. My fiancé is 220 pounds and six-feet two. He refuses to talk baby talk to her. It is no wonder she is scared of him. How can I get her to like my fiancé? Tiny Tika |
| Dear Tika: Your letter is full of details about the vet's opinion, the good grades your dog got at obedience school and the trainer's assessment, and that helps me a great deal to focus on the problem and understand the history. Your letter was also full of excuses. If you make excuses for Tika's bad behavior, you are signalling her that being naughty is okay with you. Tika may be small, but she can learn that she is safe when in your company. Instead, overprotecting her has made her rely on protection. Start with her on a leash to heel properly like she did in obedience class, beside and behind your left leg. Praise her for good behavior, correct her and redirect her when she's pulling. She should heel no matter how many cars or dogs pass. Approach situations she fears, at first at a distance, and later, when she's more confident, close up. Practise and reward a good heel. Eventually, you'll ready to let her meet and greet another dog. Now that we have addressed Tika's fear habits, let's deal with her attitude toward your fiancé. Tika is not afraid of him: she's trying to be in charge of him, controlling you and everyone else in HER home. She should be scolded and redirected or kennelled for such awful manners. You are the ruler of the home and that means your guests are welcome. She must behave in order to earn the right to visit with you and your company. Once you have shown Tika she must be nice to your guests, she will learn to accept them. Your fiancé does not have to use baby talk to win Tika over. Instead, see if he'll agree to a ritual evening walk, just the two of them, or a late night snack after you've gone to bed. |
| For more tips, get Deborah's
book, Good Dog! from your local book store. Deborah also writes for the Family Dog Magazine. Available at Save-On Foods, London Drugs, and in Free boxes everywhere. Send your pet questions to: Fax 604-732-2088 |