Hello,
my pup had an awful reaction to lepto (this was pre-Leerburg). After that her behavior completely changed. She was an easy going puppy, loved everyone and everything, and was very inquisitive. Now she has major fear issues and barks at everything and everybody. How do I handle the fear? I looked up different threads and I am kind of confused about what to do. People had different suggestions that sometimes seemed contradictory. Do I use the dominant dog collar or do I redirect her with treats? I tried redirecting with a piece of high value treat and it did no go that well. We saw a kid from may be 50 ft distance. I got the treat out and she was doing fine first but then she happened to see the kid and forget it. She would briefly focus on the treat and then bark her head of, I tried to engage her again but she would not give me the time of the day. She seriously dislikes kids and dogs. Maybe I'm doing this wrong. I am afraid to make any more mistakes with my guys, I am sick and tired of not knowing what to do and doing the wrong thing so that's why I keep asking these questions. It has been over a year since the vacs, things have calmed down a little bit but she definitely is not what she was before. After the vaccine she also used to growl at me every time I would take her leash off and every time I got anywhere near her head and shoulders. Thank God that just stopped after we started with groundwork! It is very stressful to see her suffer knowing this could have completely been prevented. How do I get her to ignore people and other dogs? How do I make her more comfortable with new surroundings? She cowers and refuses to go any further if things are too much for her. When people approach us completely ignoring her she will still cower and bark like crazy. Also if it's too windy she will just lie down and refuse to even go to the bathroom.

thanks for any suggestions,

Lenka

I don't think that dominant dog collar or a prong collar is the right option for your dog who is fearful with everything. Have you done any OB with her? Have you done marker training? Have you considered bringing in professional trainer to help you show how to handle things in a positive way?

In my opinion, a good way to start with this nervous dog is to work on teaching her new commands, socialization, and desensitization. A good place is where you don't want people and dogs get too close. She is able to hear them far, but is comfortable with the distance. You use this opportunity to train and desensitize her.

Also, if she is not interested in the treats, have her miss breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Make her VERY VERY hungry... Also, you want to use a high value treat if you go somewhere like in a big open in public place/park. Chop up yummy steak, chicken, hot dogs, and others. Also teach her what a clicker means = treats only when she does something good. I would do some reading on marker training here in Leerburg.

I don't know how old your pup is, but pups go thru a number of fear periods as they mature. It is possible that the time of the Lepto vaccination & a fear period coincidentally happened at the same time & had nothing to do with each other. I posted an article below that may be of some interest regarding fear periods.

Lepto is one of the vaccinations that causes some of the worse reactions in dogs. It is also one that, in IMO, is the most worthless to give. The vaccine only covers 2-3 of the 7-8 strains of lepto that are around to infect your dog. So to me to give a vaccine that doesn't even cover the strains that are out there is useless to inject my dog with.

I give a parvo & distemper 2x & that's all. Rabies at a year. Many here do this & others choose to do no vaccines. It has to be an individual choice after your own research. Vets make a ton of $$$$s off of vaccines & many are more interested in their 'bottom line' then they are their patients. Again, JMO & experience.

The Critical Fear Periods in Puppies
By: Nancy Frensley, CPDT, CAP1
Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society Training Manager
The Critical Fear Periods in Puppies:
Seven to Nine Weeks
Four to Six Months
Approximately Eight to Nine Months
Approximately Twelve Months
Approximately Fourteen to Eighteen Months
During these periods, puppies may show fear of items, situations or people with whom they formerly felt safe. They may start barking at people entering a house or become fearful and startle at benign items like trash cans, drainpipes or even yard gnomes. They may crouch, shake and try to run away, submissively urinate or tell the scary thing/person to go away by showing an aggressive display (which could include piloerection, snarling, lunging or other unruly behavior.
You must be patient during these periods and keep to the familiar. These are not good times to introduce your puppy to new situations or people. Be very careful to avoid doling out punishment or reprimands. It’s vitally important that you understand that your dog is afraid and that you add to the fear when you reprimand or punish. This, in turn, can set the dog up for future aggression problems.
During these periods, introduce your puppy slowly to the situation, with good tasting treats, so that he or she does not experience fear. Control situations so that you can prevent a fearful response and show your puppy that you enjoy the situation. Use food treats and happy talk to lure your puppy up to scary objects. Teach the targeting exercise (touch your hand with his nose) and work on getting your puppy to “touch the goblin”.
When people visit your home during these periods, put your puppy in another room until visitors are settled in, then bring your puppy out on leash and praise for any show of confidence. Even have visitors toss good treats toward your puppy without approaching him or her.

Thanks for the article, it really helps. My puppy became very ill right after the vaccination. She came home not feeling well from the vet and things only got worse. So I know that it was the vaccine and not a stage. She got the vaccine at about 11-12 weeks of age. At that time she was recovering from some infection, I forget what it was. My husband, who works at that particular vet, took her with him to work for a check up. Now my husband is not very assertive and so when the vet told him he was going to vaccinate he agreed without thinking about it twice. When she got home she had a huge lump on her shoulder and obviously felt awful. It just went down the hill from there, awful behaviors, aggression, attacking us, developed food allergies, rash resembling severe case of acne all over her body, she scratched that and it became worse, etc, etc. Now she is 18 months old. The only thing that is left after the rash is a huge scar all over her neck and some of the behaviors. She does not attack us anymore, her food allergies are controlled with appropriate food, and the growling is gone. However, this entire time she has been terribly afraid of just about everything. So some of it might have been a stage but I don't think all of it was. I just needed help with how to handle it. I have another month that I am spending at home with them before it's time to go back to school. So I want to do my best to train them and use this time to do what I cannot do during the school year. I would hate to be working on something that is counterproductive. Thanks again,

Lenka

Hi,
I have started with marker training and it has been the most enjoyable time we have had so far since we got her. So I will definitely focus on that since she likes it so much and it has been so successful. I am looking for a trainer. She has gotten much better in many ways since we started with groundwork three weeks ago so I am encouraged. I just need help along the way so thanks for all the input,

Lenka

Wow, I can't believe that ANY vet would be so unconscienceable as to vaccinate a SICK puppy. I personally would run as far away as possible from a vet that would do something like that! JMO

Some vaccineations can have serious side effects, especially on the imature immune system of a pup. Sorry for your pup & you to have to deal with this.

Marker training is a very effective way to train. (I use it) But there is a point when the dog needs to know that what they may be doing is unacceptable & a correction is in order. With a younger dog (under a year or so) it would be the last resort, redirection is best, but at 18 mo old, the dog needs to know that their are consequences to unacceptable behavior.

I would strive for neutral behavior, (thru desensitization), even avoidance(turning head away from the distraction). You don't have to be harsh or aggressive with corrections. I have a dog aggressive female & when I tell her to platz(down) with another dog around, & ask for a 'watch me' as the dog passes, she knows that I mean business. I never had to beat her up to get this, it is just solid obedience training.

Just keep working at it, she will come around. But a dog with these kinds of tendences needs to be well-managed at all times. You don't ever let your guard down & you need to be aware of all in your(& her ) enviornment at all times & see possible 'triggers' before the dog does in order to maintain control of the situation. Not the kind of dog for just anybody to own, unless you can remain vigilent.

Good luck with you dog.

Neither of our dogs will ever see this vet again. There are several of them in the practice so we have been going directly to the owner. So far so good. Thanks for all your input, it is hard to know when you are just starting out. I just got in a really good marker session with a neighbor's dog barking right outside of the house. She first barked back but when she realized she was getting treats she started following me. Perfect situation. I will have to ask the neighbor to do that for me again, hahaha.

thanks so much,

Lenka