New Blog

[C_phillips]

Hi everyone

Don't know if anyone is interested in this sort of thing, but myself and my partner have decided to do a weekly blog about our journey with our fearful-reactive Spaniel, Jake.

We are hoping it gives other people with similar issues hope, see that they are not alone, and HOPEFULLY will have a happy conclusion when we get him fixed

Weekly updates will be the good, the bad, what we are doing/have done, and how we are feeling.

I hope some of you will check it out!

https://snappyspaniel.wordpress.com/

Chaz and Ashleigh

[bmthmark]

Great idea, I will definitely follow.

Quick question you mentioned that he started this at 12 months, what do you think triggered him to be like this?

[ejp]

Excellent, will follow this with interest.

[C_phillips]

Great idea, I will definitely follow.

Quick question you mentioned that he started this at 12 months, what do you think triggered him to be like this?

It's been a gradual process I think, he's always been very anxious and then when he was about 11 months old he gave me a little growl and a snap when I touched him in his crate and I think it esculated from there. He learned that if he confronts the threat with aggression (snapping, lunging etc.) that the threat goes away so whenever he's feeling anxious (which is quite often!) this is his go to.

I'm hoping that if we can work with a behaviourist to confront the situations where he feels anxious, then he wont feel the need to bite and will be cured fingers crossed.

[bmthmark]

Great idea, I will definitely follow.

Quick question you mentioned that he started this at 12 months, what do you think triggered him to be like this?

It's been a gradual process I think, he's always been very anxious and then when he was about 11 months old he gave me a little growl and a snap when I touched him in his crate and I think it esculated from there. He learned that if he confronts the threat with aggression (snapping, lunging etc.) that the threat goes away so whenever he's feeling anxious (which is quite often!) this is his go to.

I'm hoping that if we can work with a behaviourist to confront the situations where he feels anxious, then he wont feel the need to bite and will be cured fingers crossed.

Thanks - the reason for asking is because I have a 17 month old boy, he is my first dog and i'm constantly thinking am I doing the right thing. I worry that I may do something the wrong way and it may have a bad affect on him.
For example, he likes to play fight with me, what I mean is that he goes on his back and he makes funny noises and tries to bite my hand. Its not hard at all, its more like mouthing. He seems to really enjoy doing it, as his tail is wagging away, but I think should I do this? is this encouraging him to attack?

I will follow your blog.

[C_phillips]

Great idea, I will definitely follow.

Quick question you mentioned that he started this at 12 months, what do you think triggered him to be like this?

It's been a gradual process I think, he's always been very anxious and then when he was about 11 months old he gave me a little growl and a snap when I touched him in his crate and I think it esculated from there. He learned that if he confronts the threat with aggression (snapping, lunging etc.) that the threat goes away so whenever he's feeling anxious (which is quite often!) this is his go to.

I'm hoping that if we can work with a behaviourist to confront the situations where he feels anxious, then he wont feel the need to bite and will be cured fingers crossed.

Thanks - the reason for asking is because I have a 17 month old boy, he is my first dog and i'm constantly thinking am I doing the right thing. I worry that I may do something the wrong way and it may have a bad affect on him.
For example, he likes to play fight with me, what I mean is that he goes on his back and he makes funny noises and tries to bite my hand. Its not hard at all, its more like mouthing. He seems to really enjoy doing it, as his tail is wagging away, but I think should I do this? is this encouraging him to attack?

I will follow your blog.

I think if you've got to 17 months with no issues, then you are doing a great job =)

I think our one is just ultra sensitive, the slightest thing can make him anxious.
My advice is don't over think things and carry on as you are! If your dog play bites, it's a sign that he has good bite inhibition just maybe stop play if his bites are a bit harder than usual.

Just keep things positive, reward him often for behaviours you like and to keep his confidence up in new situations and take him to lots of different places to make sure he is well socialised!

[bizzylizzy]

Great idea, I will definitely follow.

Quick question you mentioned that he started this at 12 months, what do you think triggered him to be like this?

It's been a gradual process I think, he's always been very anxious and then when he was about 11 months old he gave me a little growl and a snap when I touched him in his crate and I think it esculated from there. He learned that if he confronts the threat with aggression (snapping, lunging etc.) that the threat goes away so whenever he's feeling anxious (which is quite often!) this is his go to.

I'm hoping that if we can work with a behaviourist to confront the situations where he feels anxious, then he wont feel the need to bite and will be cured fingers crossed.

Thanks - the reason for asking is because I have a 17 month old boy, he is my first dog and i'm constantly thinking am I doing the right thing. I worry that I may do something the wrong way and it may have a bad affect on him.
For example, he likes to play fight with me, what I mean is that he goes on his back and he makes funny noises and tries to bite my hand. Its not hard at all, its more like mouthing. He seems to really enjoy doing it, as his tail is wagging away, but I think should I do this? is this encouraging him to attack?

I will follow your blog.

If he‘s lying on his back to play, I‘d interpret that as him having wholehearted trust in you! In that position he‘s at his most vulnerable , it sounds as if he‘s just enjoying a bit of ruff and tumble with you, I wouldn‘t read too much into it. Lunging and snapping are a different issue but what you have described sounds like just play biting.I always play with a ball or one of  those knotted rope things, it saves my hands getting accidently bitten!! 

[Jaysmumagain]

Fantastic idea..........got a 10 yearold who has had some issues most of his life....but I admit a more loving and intelligent dog you could not wish for,  just watched Julie Bradbury walking the Sandstone trail and I burst into tears as it showed the village my late cousin lived in....then she sat and a had a drink where we three including Ollie sat.  My little love just smoothered me in kisses.

I wish you all the best for your blog and look forward to reading it.

It's a great looking site

[bmthmark]

Thank you c_Philips & bizzylizzy 

[C_phillips]

First blog is up, biography and a page with information on the problems we are having

[bizzylizzy]

Just visited the blog and wanted to say well done! I‘m sure it will be very helpful for anyone with similar issues and in particular highlights the difficulties but importance of finding good and appropriate advice.  Its obvious to anyone reading it how dedicated you and your partner are to helping Jake and  I really hope you‘ll find the help you need soon. Very best of luck!
Jayne

[ejp]

Thank you. Hope the behaviourist can offer some good solutions.

[C_phillips]

Couple of new posts up

[Jaysmumagain]

In a word I am horrified at what I just read, better off without her me thinks .

I had a westie who had problems, in the main after my Dad died he decided he was upping the dominence thing, if he was on the bed and my Mum brought me a drink he would fly at her, I went to the vet convinced I needed to have him PTS, she convinced that we could try things and got a police dog trainer to see me, within 10 mins of me being at his place he had the westie sitting and recall to pick up a treat, he even boarded with him when I was away. This guy sadly no longer around trained German Sheperds and dog handlers,  he said my dog was a quick learner

His answer was that the westie was so intelligent - and dominant, he was not understanding the signals/commands and we had to get him to understand he was a dog and never let him be higher or level with us, so no sitting on lap, no being on settee or bed, no thinking he was human, hard work and felt so cruel, but I wanted my dog!!

On a slightly funny note(sorry about my humour) some years later, when I met my hubby, he sat on the rug infront of the fire and the dog went for him, so off we went to the out of hours GP clinic - out of all the GP's in our area the one I worked for was on duty that night and you can imagine work on the Monday morning, in I walked to 'The Dog bit her boyfriend' 

Do hope things improve

[bmthmark]

Can't believe she suggested getting rid of him 

From reading your blog, its clear you are making great improvements and this will only get better and easier.

Also there is no 'perfect' dog (like she suggests). Every dog has their own problems, some maybe bigger than others but none are perfect.

I liked reading about 'no fetch', very interesting and I can see how it could affect the mental state of a dog. My Jett has never been interested in fetching a ball, he prefers to get the ball and run off. It did frustrate me that he never gave it back, but from reading your post - i'm not that concerned now.

It sounds like you are doing a great job!

Thanks for the read