Last night was Cooper’s second (of four) reactive dog training classes. He did really well, overall. He had a short reaction that we were able to redirect when the trainer walked in carrying a tiny dog, and he did a defensive lunge at the dog in the cubby next to us when she was having a big reaction. Otherwise? He was fine… if by “fine” I mean trembling like a leaf with his tail tucked. The poor dear.
But today I’m not writing about the specifics of the class – it was the same as last week, but outside. Instead, I want to think a bit about what causes reactivity in dogs. Specifically, I need to confess: I caused Cooper’s reactivity.
Bear with me, here.
Backing up a bit, it helps to juxtapose, I think. Lucas is reactive to other dogs on leash. Seven years ago, it was horrific. Today, it’s manageable. He actually loves to play with other dogs – off leash. We suspect (of course, there’s no way to know) that he had zero socialization for the first six months of his life, since he was a street dog. He never learned how to give or read appropriate cues, so situations that should have been a breeze for most dogs were confusing and frightening to him. Our training with Lucas was more about making him feel safe in situations he didn’t understand.
On the other hand, we got Cooper when he was only seven or eight weeks old. He had tons of positive experiences as a puppy and was doing phenomenally well. Heck, I was even taking him to the occasional therapy dog training class.
But we also know that Cooper has some wonky genetics. The boy’s health issues fill up an entire binder, for one thing. For another, we know that two dogs from his litter (of, I think, 11) have been put down for aggression. Their litter did not come from a stable gene pool, that’s for sure.
We also know that dogs go through several “fear periods,” though we most often focus on puppy stages. There’s another big one that, depending on breed, happens at the same time as maturity, usually between one-and-a-half to three. (I snapped this pic last night just because I thought it was funny, but it weirdly fits this post…)
Which was when I had cancer. And was in bed and sick and exhausted and not really walking/socializing/training with the dogs much. At all.
I suspect that where we are now with Cooper is because during that developmental fear period, he actually was afraid.
If you’ve been reading for a while, you might recall that Cooper was my defender during that time. When I’d come home from an infusion, he’d lay on my legs, keeping me warm, and keeping everyone away (he even growled at my dad). Cooper spent nearly a year protecting me, and it was during that year that he hit maturity.
I’m not saying this in an “OMG, I effed up my dog” kind of way, but we’ve been analyzing this situation closely, and that seems like a likely, logical explanation.
Especially when we compare it to how he “was.” I was having dinner with a dear friend recently, and she expressed surprise that we’re going through this with Cooper. “He wasn’t like that before,” she said.
Then John said something like, “Remember when I used to walk Cooper to Petco to get his nails trimmed?” Which we both gaped at for a minute because he did used to walk him the two-ish miles to the store, down a busy road, into the store, and into the grooming salon. Now? No way.
Of course, all this is theory. But. Still.
His reactivity is 100% “stranger danger.” The class is helping because it’s reminding me that he LOVES to work. He loves training. Having put a lot of thought (an obsessive amount?) into this, my goal is to keep up with classes – probably take reactive dog training 2 and perhaps agility with a different instructor – and to spend a little time each week sitting on a bench in the far corner of the park rewarding him like crazy for staying calm as people walk by.
So, that’s week two under our belts. I know many of you are working with fearful and reactive dogs. Have you spent much time theorizing about causes and treatments? Or are you more dog-like and able to focus on what’s going on in the moment?
Real interesting post. Oscar (my dog) is a little fellow and he is reactive on and off leash. But instead of being aggressive, he wants to exit, stage right, ASAP. We’ve done some group play classes, but they didn’t work. I’m wondering if a similar class with other reactive dogs would be of benefit to him (and me).
We find this all very interesting. mom read all about the various periods during a doggie’s development so she could make sure she focused on certain things at certain ages. She thinks that might be why I am very charming.
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Mayorz For All Paws
Interesting. Do you think your suspicions about how Cooper’s fear developed will have any effect on how you work with him?
I know you’ll be able to help Cooper become more comfortable. Especially now that your life is far more boring.
Silas was already fearful as a puppy, and probably would have turned out pretty badly no matter what, but I am definitely due some blame. I never knew, until it was much too late, how to help him through things without overwhelming him. I didn’t realize in time that he was going for require “above and beyond” socialization. Even things like his sidewalk walking–as a puppy, he would go about ten feet and then stop. I wish I could go back and smack old me in the head, and say “Ten feet is awesome! Get out and walk that ten feet three times a day!” (Although, in my defense, it was 100+ degrees literally every day the summer that Silas was a puppy. There was no way tender puppy feet could have done much walking on the sidewalk.)
This is interesting, I am struggling a bit with our newest addition, Jack.
He’s right about a year old and an am. staff/bull terrier/great Pyrenees mix. As a puppy, he was FEARLESS, now I’m seeing some moments that he is a bit unsure, stubborn and bit reactive. I’m trying to get him more socialized and being more comfortable in new strange situations. Some days are better than others, I’m hoping we’ll get there too 🙂
Wow, Maggie, I hadn’t put that together for your Cooper but I can tell you, I am certain the same thing happened with Bella when I broke my arm. That’s when she started growling at Jan when he approached or leaned over me. I hadn’t connected the “fear period” but now that you point it out, that certainly fits.
These poor, crazy, scared-y dogs. Even when we think we’re giving them the perfect home and happy life, there’s still so much that can damage them further. 🙁
Congrats on recognizing it and taking steps to work Cooper through it.
That all makes sense! And what a good boy he was to help you feel better while you were sick. I’m sure these classes will help him work through his reactivity. He’s so lucky to have an owner willing to put in the time. I like your bench idea in a park, too. I’ve done that with a couple of foster dogs and it really helped.
I think you may have hit on something with Cooper. It makes sense that he would define his role as protector and that he truly was afraid. He knew something was wrong with you and was concerned, stressed and likely confused too.
I am so glad that he loves working and that he loves the training. Hopefully, with time he will see strangers in a new way. I know it will probably have to be managed always, but wow, what progress!