My 6 month old Malinois has been showing symptoms of what I would diagnose as weak nerves. The main symptoms from which I have drawn this conclusion are as follows:
1.) He is easily aroused when sighting new people, raises his hackles and barks defensively even if they are far away (25m+)
2.) His lower jaw quivers in anticipation for the prey item, food, etc.
If my diagnosis is correct, and his arousal upon seeing new people is caused by his genetics, I feel somewhat torn between correcting this behavior. I don't want to blame his behavior on genetics, but I know I don't want him acting inappropriately towards strangers either. Usually he begins with a muffled "pfft" when he sees someone but will begin a gutteral defensive bark as he gets closer. Flat collar corrections and a stern "Pfui" isn't working. This behavior only applies to people. He is unaffected by loud noises, i.e. gun fire, explosions, and F16s taking off and landing.
Anyone have any experience with dealing with this particular problem?
Howard Knauf Webboard User Reg: 09-24-2003
Posts: 1555
Loc: Melbourne, Florida
Offline
Kurt,
I wouldn't blame this on bad nerves just yet. I had a Mal the same exact way and it was just a serious lack of socialization on the part of the previous owner. The dog was completely converted in about 2 months wherein a stranger could approach with absolutely no aggression displayed. He was corrected for for the unwanted aggression with no ill affects. If anything, it helped him through the problem quicker.
Interesting... well that's encouraging. I've been taking him to as many places as I can, i.e. parks, strip malls, walks around the Air Force Base, the dog club, etc. It's curious though that he doesn't show this behavior at PetSmart when I walk him through there.
However, it seems like the hackles coming up behind his neck all the time is an involuntary reaction to stress, rather than just inappropriate aggression.
But I'll bring on the corrections and see what happens.
Thanks, Howard.
v/r
Kurt
But I'll bring on the corrections and see what happens.
Thanks, Howard.
I'm not disagreeing with Howard here...but it seems to me it would make sense to work with your Mal from a counter conditioning/desensitization perspective first and only bring on the corrections when your very young dog understands how you want him to behave, first.
Kurt: we are having the same problem with our dog cody who really loves people once he gets to know them. We found that he is high energy and needs to be exposed to everything, a little at a time. Before a month ago, he was unafraid, this is just something new starting. Taking him around where other people are is helpful, but we are starting from a distance and just walking him around the new people and slowly working closer as he becomes comfortable. It has worked well. Last week he was even able to get right next to this lady at Lowe's. She has dogs and understands to ignore and not make eye contact. Don't give up, you probably have to undo his other experiences. Remember sometimes being in a shelter is unnerving and you never know what other people have actually done to scare or hurt the dog.
But mine seem to have come out of it pretty well. So, don't give up yet.
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Weak Nerves and Correcting Aggression
#217947 - 11/28/2008 06:16 PM 
Top
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic.jpg)
.jpg)
