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Post by lilypie on Apr 18, 2015 4:09:08 GMT -5
Says Ringo!!!! This came up last year and we tried taking him out to meet visitors (it was adulqs not kids that seemed to be the problem) and getting them we to add feed treats. Sad as it sounds we don't get that many visitors to be consistent and the regulars aren't keen on feeding treats as they are a bit scared due to his size. We solved at that by bringing him in muzzled when said visitor we was sitting down and ignoring him until settle a which has worked well, no problems.
Unfortunately a couple of weeks ago on of the kids friends tried to stroke him when he was lying down before I could say dont and he snapped, barely a mark and didnt break skin but obviously frightening for child. It was pure fright on Ringo's side as he loomed over him a and you could see what was going to happen before it did. Parents where fine which was a relief! He is now muzzled all the time we when visitors just we to be on the safe side, yesterday kids friend was round went to stroke him as someone opned the door and let him in and again snapped, muzzle was on. He ia fabulous we with my kids and no problem out and about, anyone any thoughts?
Helen
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Post by sassbu on Apr 18, 2015 11:55:28 GMT -5
No advice Helen, only to ask if there is a safe place he can go when there are visitors, another room out the way? Somewhere he won't be bothered and can then come in at a later point and back after a short successful period to build this up?
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Post by Lisa on Apr 18, 2015 12:28:36 GMT -5
I'd be putting him out of the way into a safe area. He sounds to me like he's frightened and extremely uncomfortable bless him. Use his crate if needs be
Sent from my SM-G900F using proboards
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Post by lilypie on Apr 21, 2015 16:27:57 GMT -5
i did think about the crate but he absolutely hates it and dont want him to think visitors = punishment? We do take him into the other room so think it is continuing with positive reassurance and routine? Muvver is ringos bestest friend and its not so much of an issue when muvver is in so need to reinforce it with rest of family!!! To be fair if someone was looming over me don't think I would be to chuffed!
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Post by BrilliantFamilyDog on Jun 5, 2015 13:37:19 GMT -5
It sounds as if Ringo is afraid of strange visitors. You're doing the right thing muzzling him to ensure that no-one can get hurt. How about changing Ringo's view of visitors by giving him a splendid food toy (liver sausage in a kong, for instance) in a separate room as soon as the doorbell rings? He'll soon start to like the sound of the doorbell!
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Post by vickyb on Jun 6, 2015 3:31:46 GMT -5
When you put him in another room do you close the door? If so it might be better to use a baby gate instead so they can see him, he can see them and it's not so easy to unthinkingly open the baby gate forgetting that he's in there. You could tie the gate closed too so it's even harder for accidental openings. I'd use a muzzle too. Poor lad  |
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Post by lilypie on Jun 6, 2015 17:54:08 GMT -5
Just to update, we now pop him out in the garden and now have a pep talk to everyone big n small that comes in to ignore him and don't try to give him a stroke which has worked really well (bless the littlies) and means we is happy to approach when comfortable. Think he has just been overwhelmed on occasion which has triggered fear reaction, still keep him muzzled when strangers in the house it just means they get a bit battered by it when he comes up for a rub n fuss.
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Post by lilypie on Jun 6, 2015 17:56:17 GMT -5
Vicky, we have a dog gate up permanently but he really got unnerved by some people, and this approach seems to be working now we seem to have gotten over a bit of a blip x
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becgeo
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Post by becgeo on Jun 10, 2015 13:04:42 GMT -5
Just to say you're not alone. We have the same drill with Bonnie when we have new visitors to the house. Works well as long as people listen to instructions!!! I once had a dog behaviourist come round who ignored my instructions not to stroke Bonnie and she got herself nipped!
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Post by julies on Jun 13, 2015 2:24:06 GMT -5
Brill sounds like you are doing really well. Childgate's are great, if some people unnerve him don't ask him to go near them, as you've found that's a receipe for them being bitten - and nowadays the Dangerous Dogs Act applies in private and public places so you need to make sure he doesn't bite - and that he doesn't think that that's how he needs to deal with scarey things  . Set yourself up to be successful I'd put him behind the childgate when any visitor comes so all are treated the same, give him a Kong when any visitor comes so nice things happen when strangers come, the Kong has exceptional treats in it so it's very special. Once everyone has settled and you think he's coping well you can open the gate but leave it open so he can escape, everyone must not look at him or try to touch him, if you have people you can trust they can drop treats on the floor when he's close BUT they mustn't try to touch him. Once you are happy that he's confident with that person you could take him into the garden with them and if he comes up to them they could try to gently stroke him once or twice on his shoulder whilst you feed him nice treats- don't let them lean down and stare into his eyes - that's scarey, let him walk away if he wants, if he appears scared stop the exercise and don't let them raise a hand to stroke his head in case something tweaks in his neck and hurts or he's been hit in the past and he remembers Good luck, you'll get there but protect him  x |
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