Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Real Retriever alixb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Vancouver B.C.
    Posts
    337
    Thanked: 178

    Over stimulated or scared

    My new Lab, Hope, has only been with me 4 months. She was a hunting dog in Washington. Lived out in the country. Now she is living in the city with me. I have been very careful not to overwhelm her with things, traffic noises, people, long car rides etc.
    Took her to the beach yesterday & she was NUTS!!
    Have been there before but there were a lot of people, picnicking & BBQing, kite boarding ( a new thing to our beach) a lot of dogs, dogs trying to get her toy etc.
    It was a rare time she was not very obedient, she kept jumping up trying to snatch the toys, she also was very pushy with me.
    I took he to a quieter place & she was a bit better.
    she loves the beach, just loves it but I sometimes don't know if she is having fun or just anxiety riddled.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    8,136
    Thanked: 5108
    My bet is she had so much FUN she could barely contain herself. What you describe doesn't seem like being scared to me. Scared would be cowering, hiding behind you, head and tail down, belly low and slinking along the ground, maybe lots of submissive peeing.

  3. #3
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    3,947
    Thanked: 2421
    Some dogs stress up and some dogs stress down. She was probably stressed which can easily be caused by over-stimulation in a dog.

    One thing you can try that seems to work for people...

    When Denise Fenzi came to town she showed us how she lets a dog acclimate to a new environment by using a really nervous dog who had a working spot. While she is geared toward obedience, it was a really simple solution. Basically, you have treats and your dog on a leash. Start in a quiet area near the source of stress. Stand in a spot and let the dog sniff and look. When the dog gets bored and comes to you (not a "drive-by" where the dog quickly kinda glances at you) without your help (you just stand there and ignore the dog -- no praising or talking) and looks at you, praise and treat him. You need to make sure you are boring unless the dog is engaging with you. When the dog finds you more interesting than the whatever it was that was stressing him, you can work a bit, play, engage, treat, etc. You'll know because the dog will likely stand or sit and look at you like, "I'm bored, what's next?". Move closer to the source of stress, then rinse and repeat. If you get to a point where the dog can't come down within a few minutes (five or so), you can then back up, do the exercise successfully, then leave.

    You want to set yourself up for success and make sure that within the timeframe, you are the most interesting choice. That's why you start in the most boring spot and work your way up. Your goal might be to do this exercise successfully in the toy section in Petco, but you'll start in the parking lot. One thing you can do is practice this by going to PetCo, Home Depot, etc., or even a grocery store. Some dogs only make it out the car door into the parking lot the first couple of times. And that's OK. As she is older and was not really a family dog, it's fine to take your time and allow her to acclimate in these situations. You'll find that over time, it'll take less and less time until she is comfortable and happily going into a stressful situation with you. And, it'll really help your relationship and bonding because of the training and the trust factor (you're not forcing her into a stressful situation all the time -- I mean, sometimes we have to, like going to the vet, but this training can help even those situations).

    I've been practicing it with my younger dog who stresses down and it's working really well with him.

    This also works well for a dog that is over-excited because they will learn that they don't get to be where they want to be until they are quiet and paying attention to you, not pulling, etc.

    It can take time, but once the dog figures it out, it'll get easier. My trainer told me it took two years to do a successful heeling pattern in the dog food section of PetSmart with her dog. That said, when she says "successful heeling pattern" she means a top level show obedience heeling pattern that would be a perfect score in Utility B. To get your dog to be quiet and pay attention to you for the most part is going to be much quicker. It's a process for sure, but a super helpful one.
    Last edited by Labradorks; 06-22-2015 at 06:20 PM.

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to Labradorks For This Useful Post:

    barry581 (06-22-2015)

  5. #4
    Real Retriever alixb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Vancouver B.C.
    Posts
    337
    Thanked: 178
    That is very good information. Thanks. I makes perfect sense. she is very praise & food motivated but I think you have to bring out the "big guns"
    cheese in this situation. Great tips.

  6. #5
    Senior Dog Sue-Ram's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,457
    Thanked: 1094
    My suggestion would be to take an obedience class with Hope. Regardless of what she already knows, I think it's helpful to build the bond and relationship from square one.
    Hidden Content

    Ram - Adopted @ 6 y/o - 7/18/2011 - 7/4/2019
    CGN - 6/10/2013


  7. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Sue-Ram For This Useful Post:

    Labradorks (06-23-2015), windycanyon (06-24-2015)

  8. #6
    Real Retriever alixb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Vancouver B.C.
    Posts
    337
    Thanked: 178
    Quote Originally Posted by Sue-Ram View Post
    My suggestion would be to take an obedience class with Hope. Regardless of what she already knows, I think it's helpful to build the bond and relationship from square one.
    Hi: We actually just finished one obedience class & at first I thought it wasn't my thing, as it was leading to competitive obedience, but I have found that it was really good for both of us. I had no idea the challenges I would have with Hope, but everyone one on them has been a great gift to me. I am very patient with her, and patience is not my forte. I have only raised my voice to her a couple of times. She is so eager to please & to do the right thing, I can't bare to get mad at her, so I don't. I think what I have surmised is keeping her focused on me.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to alixb For This Useful Post:

    Sue-Ram (06-24-2015)

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •