Behavioural Topic - Anxious Dogs

In this latest behavioural article from our resident expert Lisa Hird she describes one of her case studies. You can learn more about her work on her website: https://www.dogbehaviourclinic.co.uk/

Lisa will also host a monthly Q&A session in our new Friends of GSD Welfare group - you can find out how to join our group here: https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/become-friend-of-gsd-welfare.html

Anxious Dogs

Dogs that are anxious or worried are sadly often labelled as "stupid". But unless a dog is relaxed, she won't be able to learn.

Freya would usually follow me around the house as soon as I moved. In the early days of adoption, she found it difficult to not follow me and it could have easily escalated into separation distress! 

We practised, one step at a time, me moving away while she didn’t move! We used a simple hand signal and literally took one step each time, slowly building up the distance, setting her up to succeed. I was able to ask her to “stay” while we were outside, using just the hand signal we had been practising inside.

Unless we tackle the underlying anxieties and stress, dogs are not able to learn. We no longer teach obedience, we teach life skills, and being relaxed and staying where she is, is very much a life skill for Freya.

Suzanne Clothier (https://suzanneclothier.com/) tells us to ask the elemental questions. 

If your dog is unable to do what is asked of him, check the following:

How is this for you? 

Can you?

May I?

Can we?

Above all, be patient and set him up to succeed.

Discover more useful articles including health, behaviour and general care topics in our archive here: https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html