Panicing already :(

lolz_k · #1 01-09-11, 11:23 PM

We have a 2yr old white male shepherd who is really nervous around people and doesn't really take to strangers. We've got to go to a family event in a couple of weeks and we have to take him with us...this would be fine if the entire family weren't planning on staying at mother-in-laws tiny house.
He doesn't know my partners brother, sis-in-law or neice/nephews and the kids are wild! In my mind this is just an accident waiting to happen and not fair on our dog as I know he's going to be stressed out. My partner doesn't think it's a problem and really thinks that i'm the problem!
We don't really have the option of leaving him at home as no-one to look after him and can't get him into his usual kennel.
So i feel bad about this...but i'm thinking muzzle is the only way to ensure that no one gets hurt. He's also crate trained so considering taking that with us and setting it up in the garden to give him time out (don't want to leave him out there all day). I've also read that giving dogs rescue remedy can also help with nervousness and anxiety - has anyone any experience of this type of treatment?
PS. He's never bitten anyone but in my mind...there's always a first time and I don't want to set him up to fail (if you know what I mean).

Stuart · #2 02-09-11, 06:46 AM

I would certainly do the two things that you yourself suggested, the crate and the rescue remedy,..I havent used it myself, but know others have, I am sure thy will give their views

I dont suppose you can meet any of these people before hand?

I am sure you have read other threads, but do you take him to places where there are alot of people, sit on a bench and watch the world go by,... and progress to walking down busy streets,.. the saturation usualy works if you start off slowly

zetstaff · #3 02-09-11, 07:49 AM

Sometimes when we're stressed about something they pick up on this + it makes them worse. I do it often, work in progress with me

It's easy for others to say 'relax' but you can't. Having said that it's better if you can. There's nothing worse than anticipating that something will happen, if you're totally relaxed your doggie will be too.

It's awful being on pins all the time, I really do know how this feels. I've been working on making myself less stressed, sometimes it's like an ordeal taking 2 SBTs for a walk

but the more I'm relaxed the less likely there's a problem if we meet other dogs.

Perhaps you'll feel better if you tried a muzzle, although you can't leave it on all day. Go for little walks often + take it off then, can you have an area where it's off limits to everyone except the dog so he's not getting upset at loads of people in his face? Don't allow little people to run around near him

I'm sure you'll have a good time, the main thing is to relax yourself

Good luck x

Caryll · #4 02-09-11, 07:51 AM

I'd take the crate & the rescue remedy! By all means leave the crate outside during the day if the weather's nice, but I'd also move it into the room you're sleeping in at night to give him some peace of mind (and you!). I think you're being very responsible to try and avoid what could end up an explosive situation!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart

I dont suppose you can meet any of these people before hand?

I am sure you have read other threads, but do you take him to places where there are alot of people, sit on a bench and watch the world go by,... and progress to walking down busy streets,.. the saturation usualy works if you start off slowly

I'd also agree with the above. You might not get him 100% by the time you go, but it will certainly help.

Also, try your hardest to stay calm yourself (not easy, I know) because he'll pick up on your anxiety & it'll make him worse. You might want to take some rescue remedy yourself!

wildmoor · #5 02-09-11, 07:57 AM

I dont think I would be using a flooding technique on a realy insecure frightened dog has without knowledge of canine behaviour and done sensitively you can enhance the fear making the dog worse

Is there a problem with distance ie are you going to be staying at the property overnight? if not I would leave the dog at home

lolz_k · #6 02-09-11, 08:27 AM

Unfortunately none of our family live close by so there's no way to introduce him to them before we go or to leave him at home.

He's really good with people he knows and mother-in-law and one sister-in-law he knows and is OK with will be there. It's the others that he doesn't know and the kids can be a bit of nightmare.

There will be other dogs there, which he's totally fine with so we will be taking them all on walks together and putting them in the garden out of the way at various points.

We take him out and about and generally he's fine in crowds, just very aware of everything/everyone and so long as no-one approaches him...then he tends to hide behind us! It does infuriate me how so many people have no idea about how to approach a nervous dog, lost count how many times I say - ignore him, let him come to you, go under his chin not over his head....!!!

I know that i'm a massive part of the problem and my energy influences his behaviour but it's so hard to switch off...I grew up with dogs and was never like this but then they were my parents dogs and they were totally balanced/no issues! Think I may be trying the rescue remedy myself - thanks for that suggestion!

Beki · #7 02-09-11, 03:14 PM

i would use a baskerville muzzle so he can keep it on n still pant and drink we use one with our nervous white shep, like urs she has never bitten but i dnt want to give her the opertunity lol. also people can give him treats thru them (esp their nre design the ultra) to help warm him to them or to reward him for being good.

defo rescue remedy for everyone!!!! lol

Beki · #8 02-09-11, 03:14 PM

i would use a baskerville muzzle so he can keep it on n still pant and drink we use one with our nervous white shep, like urs she has never bitten but i dnt want to give her the opertunity lol. also people can give him treats thru them (esp their nre design the ultra) to help warm him to them or to reward him for being good.

defo rescue remedy for everyone!!!! lol

Stuart · #9 02-09-11, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildmoor

I dont think I would be using a flooding technique on a realy insecure frightened dog has without knowledge of canine behaviour and done sensitively you can enhance the fear making the dog worse

Is there a problem with distance ie are you going to be staying at the property overnight? if not I would leave the dog at home

Pam, what about if it was done more gradualy, and build up?, the reason I said that is because Sam was not too keen on people at one time, so I kept taking him to town and walking the high street, admittingly keeping him away from people at first.

Now I would feel happy to walk him in a crowded street with no problem

paulsuzy1991 · #10 03-09-11, 09:15 PM

hi,

Our 2 year old white Sienna is exactly the same with strangers but fine with other dogs. I tell people to completely ignore her and act as if she wasnt there and it seems to work.
If someone has a treat she will go and get it as long as the person doesnt stare at her or make sudden movements!
I know exactly how you feel , trying not to be nervous so they dont feed off you, but it is hard.
I have tried the rescue remedy but it did not work at all.
I tell people to ignore her and not put their hand out to her and she is fine with this.
I tried the flooding technique but this didnt work either.
The gradual approach together with training every week has worked wonders though.
Hope this helps