sensory overload - Dog Forum

DenverShiloh · 03-20-2006, 03:59 PM

I have a just-turned-one-year-old miniature schnauzer named Denver. I am a pet sitter and have had dogs coming to visit me on a regular basis since before he was born. You would think he would be the most well socialized dog on the planet! However he has exhibited some tendencies toward aggression and I called in a behaviorist to deal with the problem. After evaluating him, she determined that he was not aggressive, just experiencing sensory overload when meeting new dogs. This was determined due to the fact that after 15-20 minutes, he is relaxed and playing nicely with the other dogs. He shares his toys and food and even naps with the other dogs. However, during the first 15-20 minutes he gets so worked up over the new dog or dogs that he is meeting combined with the new people he is meeting and begins snarling and even lunging/biting towards the other dogs in a mean and nasty manner. The behaviorist suggested a citronella collar which worked great at first, but after he realized that the collar meant a new dog was coming, he would visibly shake for 30 minutes before they arrived and was so worked up by the time the client arrived that it was just a disaster. Next I tried confining him to his kennel in another room and bringing him out on a leash. Being on the leash kept everyone safe but also seemed to trigger the aggression all the more. Even after all of this, he is still happy and playful and sweet with the dogs after the initial meeting. Since this is my business, I can't very well have my dog acting this way and scaring off my clients. I am open to all suggestions and will do whatever it takes to solve this problem. Denver is my best friend and I do not want to see him responding in this way. I want to change this habit before it gets any worse. I know and understand that the owner is usually the problem, not the dog, so I would like to take responsibility for this and correct it, I am just out of ideas.

Rottweilerlvr · 03-23-2006, 07:22 AM

I would recommend walking Denver for about 30 minutes before a client comes to work off some of that nervous energy he is exhibiting. Then, maybe use a close friend who has a dog, to go through the same motion or process you go through before the "real" client comes... When your friend comes with the pet, have Denver with you on leash and when he starts showing his agression, quickly do a jerk/release with the leash and say "shhhht" at the same time. His attention will quickly be snapped back to you and if he starts growling again, quickly place him on his side showing his stomach until he is no longer looking you in the eyes and he is in a calm, relaxed state of mind. Then have your friend bring his/her dog over to sit next to Denver. If Denver tries to talk/growl, "shhht" him(might have to "hand bite" him, basically use your fingers to do a quick down/up on his shoulders, it feels like to him you are snapping at him in the dog world) and he will relax. Once Denver is relaxed and calm, have your friend walk his/her dog around Denver(and if still calm) have the dog sit beside Denver again...

I think if you wear him out mentally before a client comes( ie- walk, running, maybe a training exercise where he will have to think) he will be a happy, calm, relaxed dog... Try the above and see if that helps... It could be you aren't the pack leader, and when a new dog comes over, he's trying to bully himself to being pack leader of the client's dog. Anyway, good luck!!

Linnea

DenverShiloh · 03-25-2006, 12:10 AM

Linnea,

Thanks for the reply. I will try walking him before a client comes. He loves walks and is getting very good at healing and is even sitting when I stop. The extra walk would do him good and tiring him out might work. As I type this Denver is sitting on a big chair I have in my living room surrounded by three other "guest" dogs and he is calm, sweet, and loving it. I also agree that it could be a pack leader thing. I do have him lay on his side when he is acting aggressive which does help. He is normally very responsive to me. I appreciate your input and will work on it immediately. Any other ideas or suggestions you or anyone else has would be appreciated.

03-20-2006, 03:59 PM	#1
DenverShiloh Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 12	sensory overload I have a just-turned-one-year-old miniature schnauzer named Denver. I am a pet sitter and have had dogs coming to visit me on a regular basis since before he was born. You would think he would be the most well socialized dog on the planet! However he has exhibited some tendencies toward aggression and I called in a behaviorist to deal with the problem. After evaluating him, she determined that he was not aggressive, just experiencing sensory overload when meeting new dogs. This was determined due to the fact that after 15-20 minutes, he is relaxed and playing nicely with the other dogs. He shares his toys and food and even naps with the other dogs. However, during the first 15-20 minutes he gets so worked up over the new dog or dogs that he is meeting combined with the new people he is meeting and begins snarling and even lunging/biting towards the other dogs in a mean and nasty manner. The behaviorist suggested a citronella collar which worked great at first, but after he realized that the collar meant a new dog was coming, he would visibly shake for 30 minutes before they arrived and was so worked up by the time the client arrived that it was just a disaster. Next I tried confining him to his kennel in another room and bringing him out on a leash. Being on the leash kept everyone safe but also seemed to trigger the aggression all the more. Even after all of this, he is still happy and playful and sweet with the dogs after the initial meeting. Since this is my business, I can't very well have my dog acting this way and scaring off my clients. I am open to all suggestions and will do whatever it takes to solve this problem. Denver is my best friend and I do not want to see him responding in this way. I want to change this habit before it gets any worse. I know and understand that the owner is usually the problem, not the dog, so I would like to take responsibility for this and correct it, I am just out of ideas.

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03-23-2006, 07:22 AM	#2
Rottweilerlvr Leader of the Pack Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 789	I would recommend walking Denver for about 30 minutes before a client comes to work off some of that nervous energy he is exhibiting. Then, maybe use a close friend who has a dog, to go through the same motion or process you go through before the "real" client comes... When your friend comes with the pet, have Denver with you on leash and when he starts showing his agression, quickly do a jerk/release with the leash and say "shhhht" at the same time. His attention will quickly be snapped back to you and if he starts growling again, quickly place him on his side showing his stomach until he is no longer looking you in the eyes and he is in a calm, relaxed state of mind. Then have your friend bring his/her dog over to sit next to Denver. If Denver tries to talk/growl, "shhht" him(might have to "hand bite" him, basically use your fingers to do a quick down/up on his shoulders, it feels like to him you are snapping at him in the dog world) and he will relax. Once Denver is relaxed and calm, have your friend walk his/her dog around Denver(and if still calm) have the dog sit beside Denver again... I think if you wear him out mentally before a client comes( ie- walk, running, maybe a training exercise where he will have to think) he will be a happy, calm, relaxed dog... Try the above and see if that helps... It could be you aren't the pack leader, and when a new dog comes over, he's trying to bully himself to being pack leader of the client's dog. Anyway, good luck!! Linnea

03-25-2006, 12:10 AM	#3
DenverShiloh Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 12	Linnea, Thanks for the reply. I will try walking him before a client comes. He loves walks and is getting very good at healing and is even sitting when I stop. The extra walk would do him good and tiring him out might work. As I type this Denver is sitting on a big chair I have in my living room surrounded by three other "guest" dogs and he is calm, sweet, and loving it. I also agree that it could be a pack leader thing. I do have him lay on his side when he is acting aggressive which does help. He is normally very responsive to me. I appreciate your input and will work on it immediately. Any other ideas or suggestions you or anyone else has would be appreciated.