Nervousness- any ideas

[JulieM]

Hi all, I haven't posted in a while but I wondered if anyone can give me some advice please. Florence is now 4.5, we've had her since she was a puppy, she was well socialised and has never had a 'bad' incident with anyone else or another day, but she's just very nervous.

Over time this is getting worse. To start with she was just more of a home bird, but nowadays she's very scared of new people and situations. When we're out on walks she was doing a lot of barking at lots of things to get them away from her. We've done lots of positive reinforcement work and she's now much better and calmer when out of the house.

The problem we're having is with strangers when they come up to her out of the house or in the house. When we're out I tend to tell people not to stroke her as she can snap/ growl at them and generally is uncomfortable. At home when we have house guests it's more of an issue. She likes to come into where-ever I am so if we have guests she's in the same room, but then if they go near her she'll often growl and even snaps if they get too close. Once she gets to know someone then she's as soppy as anything and loves a cuddle and stroke- it's just this first few times she meets them. She's also never snappy/ growly with any of the family.

If I shut her out of where we are (to stop the interactions) she barks, but then when she's in the room is completely on edge (as am I). It's like she wants to be friends, but is too scared.

We've had a couple of behaviourists and they have both said she's a nervous dog but beyond solving the barking issue outside this snapping/ growling at visitors hasn't been addressed.

I wondered if anyone had any books they'd recommend, tricks they'd picked up, behaviourists they might recommend in my area (Hertfordshire) or general words of wisdom. I'm worrying that its getting worse as she gets older and would like to try and help her feel more comfortable with the world.

Thank you wise ones 

Julie and Florie x

[mcinnd]

Could she possibly be going blind or deaf?
I'd get a vet to check.
David

[Pop-Star]

I would suggest that you apply the same rules at home as when you are out - so visitors totally ignore Florence, giving her space, until she comes to them, and even then they should be cautious with their attention to her.  A sprinkling of treats in the area, either by you or the visitor, may also help to calm the situation.

My Poppy also initially struggles with new visitors at home, but using this method, she is usually demanding attention from her new friend, by the end of the visit

I also find that if I am prepared for managing Poppy's experience, before guests arrive, it results in me being calmer and works better.
You say that you are on edge, so I would also think about ways to introduce Florence to visitors that reduces the pressure on you, as it sounds like she is picking up on your stress, which could be making her worse.
So take your time, don't be embarrassed, be strong about how guests should behave, and ultimately remove Florence from the situation if necessary 

[EmmaRose]

Have you tried a thundershirt or zendog jacket?? I've had great success with one to help Pippa cope in stressful situations, she became very nervous following being bitten by 2 other dogs.  It's basically a stretchy jacket which is quite snug to her body, the thinking behind it is that the dogs feel comforted by the feeling and constant pressure.  I was initially sceptical but now Pippa always wears hers if we are going somewhere she might find stressful or if lots of people are due to come round and now copes much better so wouldn't be without it. Introduce it to her when she's calm to get her used to it and then you can put it on when you know people are going to come round.

I agree with pop-star ask visitors to ignore her when they come in if she barks/growls and not to make eye contact with her.  Hopefully when she's ready she will approach them and can be rewarded with a treat for calm and friendly behaviour (I use a clicker to mark this too).  Also try and avoid allowing people leaning over her to try and say hello, Ive found this can make Pippa anxious so encourage visitors to initially sit on the floor /kneel down with her to say hello. 

When your out with her I'd continue to ask people not to stroke her, although I've found some people will still try and think they know better!! You can also get yellow dog jackets which tell people she's a nervous dog and needs space.  Here's a link to the campaign site:

http://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk

As for books I read "click to calm" by Emma Parsons and although it is marketed for reactive dogs you can use the techniques to help with nervousness so try not to be put off by the title. It was useful with Pippa.

Hope that helps, having a dog with a nervous disposition can be exhausting but with consistency and patience things can improve. 

 

[JulieM]

Hi, thanks so much for these thoughts- it's really good to have some ideas. We did have her sight and hearing checked so I don't think it's physical.

I'll look into the jackets she does like to be held (by me) so can imagine that this could work for her.

Thanks
Julie x

[MIN]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1621329768107942&set=a.1617359035171682.1073741829.100006928026980&type=1


Gemma has the yellowdog  jacket which she wears. She does not like dogs putting their face up to hers.
 just a note, i ordered a small size but had to swop it for XS.  Some people still ignore the warning, some ask whether it is me or the dog that needs space. (those I tell it is for me,because  i am liable to smack them one rather than say hello) But we have more people ask were you get them from because it is just what they need.
you do also spend a lot of time explaning why she wears it 

[Mudmagnets]

http://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/

Not sure if this will help you

[JulieM]

Thanks for these thoughts.

She's such a nightmare because she loves other dogs and she'll go up to people when she's out, but then if they go to stroke her she growls at them. I do constantly feel like an idiot saying to people who my dog has gone over to and is wagging her tail at that they shouldn't stroke her. I can see that the yellow coat would help encourage others to leave her be

[lescef]

Bramble is a bit like that with people (but she's not keen on other rude dogs) I usually ask people just tp put their fingertips out so she can sniff them rather than let them stroke her. By doing that people aren't stood over her as I think she  can find that over powering. I also find one greeting is enough and avoid saying hello to anyone else as I think that pushes her over her threshold and she's more likely to react. The trouble is everyone finds spaniels cuddly!

[JulieM]

Yes, I can see that working- thanks for the thought. Yes- Flo is so pretty (obv. biased) and friendly looking that everyone always wants to stroke her. I always feel quite rude when Mums ask if their kids can stroke her and I say no

[zenon_bass]

Yes, I can see that working- thanks for the thought. Yes- Flo is so pretty (obv. biased) and friendly looking that everyone always wants to stroke her. I always feel quite rude when Mums ask if their kids can stroke her and I say no

I sympathise with you as my Millie was incredibly nervous, snappy even, when I first met her, with both dogs and people.
Even now I find its best to be firm with advancing cooing people and ask them to let Millie approach, rather than the other way around.
After all, it's everyone's safety that is at stake, especially your fur baby's.  So dont worry about being 'rude' , you are just doing the best for all concerned.