The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [26]
It was clear that Strider was the main problem. He went ballistic when a person or dog passed by their home, and Daisy backed him up. Strider vomited every day, licked himself and his bedding excessively, urine-marked in the house, growled at Pat, and slammed his whole body against the door if he heard a noise outside, even if the noise was his owners coming home from work.
A previous trainer’s work with a shock collar was ineffective, since it did not address Strider’s agitated, emotional state. All he learned was to stop barking when the collar was on. Once it came off, he resumed the outward displays of his true emotion: anxiety. Since urine-marking, vomiting, compulsive licking, and aggression can be signs of stress and anxiety, Strider was put on an antianxiety medication by his veterinarian. The medication helped reduce these behaviors, but didn’t completely eliminate them.
We also took steps to make the house safer for everyone. The mailbox was moved from the house to the street. To stop their protective barking, the dogs were no longer permitted to be in the backyard unsupervised. Both dogs were trained to come when called and not to patrol the fence.
They were enrolled in a class designed for dogs who are uncomfortable around other dogs. We worked on changing Strider’s emotional state when he was around people and other dogs from must attack to nice to see you. As he relaxed, we taught him coping behaviors for stressful situations. Instead of lunging and barking when the doorbell rings, Strider now runs to his mat in the kitchen and calmly looks to Marcia for advice on what to do.
Marcia and Pat have resumed hosting dinner parties and cookouts at their home. The dogs no longer lunge and bark at visitors or passersby. Strider’s anxiety behaviors have also abated. While they still exercise caution when their dogs are around other people, Marcia and Pat can see that Strider and Daisy are more relaxed now that they understand that the humans decide whether the person at the front door is friend or foe.
Contributed by Pia Silvani, CPDT
Why All the Whining?
Q I recently adopted Gracie, a four-year-old mixed breed from my local animal shelter. I’m guessing that she is German shepherd, golden retriever, and perhaps collie. She was found as a stray and was a little underweight. I wanted an adult dog and adopted her because of her gentle, sweet nature. I have had dogs all my life, but Gracie ranks as the whiniest critter I’ve ever met. She shadows me around the house and whines all the time. She nudges me. She seems hungry for constant attention. Even when we return from long walks, she whines. I tell her everything is okay. I hug her. Still, she whines. What can I do to curb this whining? I love her very much, but she is driving me crazy!
A Like other canine sounds, whining is unmistakable. Bottom line: dogs whine to seek care. But there are many variations of the canine whine. Pups discover that by whining when they are cold or hungry, they attract their mother’s attention. By the time these pups are old enough to be adopted, they have become very wise about whining. They transfer this whine-for-care behavior onto their new people parents. Some adult dogs also whine for attention. Others whine out of excitement, such as when they eye a squirrel through the kitchen window. Some whine due to pain or illness. Some whine out of frustration, especially when their favorite toy ball gets lodged under the sofa.
Even though Gracie’s puppyhood and early adult years remain a mystery, you have the opportunity to develop a new relationship with her, preferably a whine-free one. First, have Gracie thoroughly examined by your veterinarian to rule out any possible medical reasons for her whining. If she is deemed to be physically