I recently had an inquiry into a behavioral problem involving an English Springer. Sadly they are located in Canada. That's a bit too far for me to commute. As much as I would like to help them over the phone and e-mail, it's virtually impossible to diagnose a case over phone, e-mail, or video. It's really a hands on process.
This is a dog that went through some medical items and resulting pain because of them. This was initially diagnosed as Springer Rage (the dog is an English Springer), but further examination showed other medical problems. Springer Rage is a condition that is much like a seizure. It may have a trigger, but it's not something generally predictable in nature. Much like epilepsy lights shown or something else that misfires in their brain cause an UNSTOPPABLE reaction. For instance, were you to drag the dog off, the dog would attack everything and anything in their path without discretion. It's a very unusual and sad behavior for which options may not be readily available to deal with it. Generally if you know what the triggers are (ie resource guarding et) consistently, then it's most likely not Springer Rage. "Triggers are some guarding, friction sound such as a hand brushing dust off furniture, he cannot be petted on the head and will only tolerate playful hand pats."
The three year old English Springer (male) was eventually diagnosed with food allergies and a thyroid condition. Thyroid conditions pretty commonly cause learned aggression on the dog's part. The owners have been bitten, they have grandchildren that are not allowed near the dog, and the trainer that helped them find the physical problems, have been bitten.
Again, I have not seen the dog. What I believe MAY have happened here was that you had a dog in a lot of discomfort. Now the problem has been found and the dog is on medications, one being Prozac (I should note here that there are some side effects in Prozac that might not be dealing well with the dog, or maybe they are calming him down enough for some interaction. Anyhow, if no improvement comes with a drug or the drug is deadening reality, this could also be causing a flight or fight response). The dog has most likely bitten the trainer and his owners because a relationship (most likely) needs to be set up from scratch to promote safety, trust, and respect in the dog. You really have to think of this as a new feral dog coming into your house almost, and not as if you have made positive steps in the relationship as yet, even though this dog has been there for three years.
The trainer is most likely inadvertently pushing the dog too far, even though it would be considered in a "positive" way. To this dog people may equal pain, and pain for a long time previously!! Even though they are people he may love, he does not understand that his physical condition caused him pain. He needs to relearn, and we are assuming the painful medical condition has been treated appropriately.
In cases like this, Board and Train with a trainer (or behaviorist with measurable training and behavior modification experience) experienced and successful in treating aggression. And also more importantly are aware of how to avoid being bitten, but at the same time map out a plan for successfully getting hands that can shape a dog into obedience positions, and then use that obedience and training plan to teach a new behavior pattern that includes trust (in their safety away from pain) and respect.
Unfortunately this does not come cheap. With a dog like this, I am probably going to be with them six hours a day in various scenarios. Two hours will be formal training, and others will be training in a real life setting so that they can get out and about and learn about socialization and rules (like do not bite the trainer LOL). I only ever charge for two hours a day plus boarding, and it's serious hard work especially with a behavioral case. I do not charge more or less for a well behaved dog vs an aggressive dog. The reason why is that it's equally hard to well train a well behaved dog (ie ignore their cute play antics to get some work done and focus) as it is to train an aggressive (I would rather eat you right now) dog. Occasionally I do come across a dog that takes quite a bit more work, but I consider that the cost of my education. Hannah and Kate, two Springers from three years ago, exhausted the heck out of me for the three weeks that they were here. Now they are the two easiest dogs to take care of, and are trusted with any number of dogs that come here.
It is more difficult to treat a case that comes here in Board and Train that comes from a local owner, than one that is more than an hour away. I prefer to be a little closer to be available for hands on backup when needed. I have gotten lucky enough to provide that encouragement over the phone in other cases, or by having them come back down with their dog to demonstrate additional skills.
This is a dog that went through some medical items and resulting pain because of them. This was initially diagnosed as Springer Rage (the dog is an English Springer), but further examination showed other medical problems. Springer Rage is a condition that is much like a seizure. It may have a trigger, but it's not something generally predictable in nature. Much like epilepsy lights shown or something else that misfires in their brain cause an UNSTOPPABLE reaction. For instance, were you to drag the dog off, the dog would attack everything and anything in their path without discretion. It's a very unusual and sad behavior for which options may not be readily available to deal with it. Generally if you know what the triggers are (ie resource guarding et) consistently, then it's most likely not Springer Rage. "Triggers are some guarding, friction sound such as a hand brushing dust off furniture, he cannot be petted on the head and will only tolerate playful hand pats."
The three year old English Springer (male) was eventually diagnosed with food allergies and a thyroid condition. Thyroid conditions pretty commonly cause learned aggression on the dog's part. The owners have been bitten, they have grandchildren that are not allowed near the dog, and the trainer that helped them find the physical problems, have been bitten.
Again, I have not seen the dog. What I believe MAY have happened here was that you had a dog in a lot of discomfort. Now the problem has been found and the dog is on medications, one being Prozac (I should note here that there are some side effects in Prozac that might not be dealing well with the dog, or maybe they are calming him down enough for some interaction. Anyhow, if no improvement comes with a drug or the drug is deadening reality, this could also be causing a flight or fight response). The dog has most likely bitten the trainer and his owners because a relationship (most likely) needs to be set up from scratch to promote safety, trust, and respect in the dog. You really have to think of this as a new feral dog coming into your house almost, and not as if you have made positive steps in the relationship as yet, even though this dog has been there for three years.
The trainer is most likely inadvertently pushing the dog too far, even though it would be considered in a "positive" way. To this dog people may equal pain, and pain for a long time previously!! Even though they are people he may love, he does not understand that his physical condition caused him pain. He needs to relearn, and we are assuming the painful medical condition has been treated appropriately.
In cases like this, Board and Train with a trainer (or behaviorist with measurable training and behavior modification experience) experienced and successful in treating aggression. And also more importantly are aware of how to avoid being bitten, but at the same time map out a plan for successfully getting hands that can shape a dog into obedience positions, and then use that obedience and training plan to teach a new behavior pattern that includes trust (in their safety away from pain) and respect.
Unfortunately this does not come cheap. With a dog like this, I am probably going to be with them six hours a day in various scenarios. Two hours will be formal training, and others will be training in a real life setting so that they can get out and about and learn about socialization and rules (like do not bite the trainer LOL). I only ever charge for two hours a day plus boarding, and it's serious hard work especially with a behavioral case. I do not charge more or less for a well behaved dog vs an aggressive dog. The reason why is that it's equally hard to well train a well behaved dog (ie ignore their cute play antics to get some work done and focus) as it is to train an aggressive (I would rather eat you right now) dog. Occasionally I do come across a dog that takes quite a bit more work, but I consider that the cost of my education. Hannah and Kate, two Springers from three years ago, exhausted the heck out of me for the three weeks that they were here. Now they are the two easiest dogs to take care of, and are trusted with any number of dogs that come here.
It is more difficult to treat a case that comes here in Board and Train that comes from a local owner, than one that is more than an hour away. I prefer to be a little closer to be available for hands on backup when needed. I have gotten lucky enough to provide that encouragement over the phone in other cases, or by having them come back down with their dog to demonstrate additional skills.
In any case, this is a long term prescription for the dog, and it's not "all fixed" when the Board and Train is over, although it now provides a plan and basis for the owners to go forward with the proven (seen with the owners own eyes) improvement in the ability of their dog to cope long term. That being said, this can all be undone if owners choose just not to accept the prescription long term, even though they acknowledge the improvement.
In clients that have behaviorally challenged dog, a trainer needs to be careful that the owner thinks they are going to be able to do anything for the dog, but in fact might lack the time or patience necessary even if they are given the answer. A direct conversation needs to happen between a trainer and owner that puts everyone on the same page going forward. Still this will not predict the future actions of the owner, and the trainer has to be reconciled to that. This is why some trainers will not take every owners dog. Trainers loose a huge chunk of themselves to their charges. A piece of our heart goes back out with every dog, although they are not our own. A relationship has been forged built on trust and respect. Luckily, most dog owners who have come this far are looking for an actual answer to their problem. They may have a learning curve to climb, but they will try as best they can to live up to your expectations of them. Some owners treat their dog more like a car engine that must be fixed by certain parts and time only on the trainers part. This is just not feasible.
Mannerly Mutts does not discriminate in dog breeds or tempermants. Need your well mannered puppy or behaviorally challenged adult dog trained, call Robin Rubin at 207-361-4395 or e-mail, mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.
Mannerly Mutts does not discriminate in dog breeds or tempermants. Need your well mannered puppy or behaviorally challenged adult dog trained, call Robin Rubin at 207-361-4395 or e-mail, mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.
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