What Happened?

[ButterGluttons]

Well, I’m back again.
I ended up going with an easywalk harness, and he’s actually doing good with it. He’s also gotten over the whining after we changed his food around and gave him a couple of new toys.
But I’m having a problem with major anxiety with him. His fear ranges from “oh that makes me a little nervous.” To “oh my god that mailbox is going to come alive and bite my head off”
I don’t really know why, some say it’s a temporary fear period, but it’s been going on for months now. And I was also told it’s because he was neutered too early.
I know it could also just be his personality... But I mean, my dad gently tapped him on the back and he whipped around, pinned his ears and urinated on himself.
Or when a family friend looked in the window and waved, he ran behind the couch and urinated that time too.
Could this just be a fear period, or will he always be like this?​

 

[Tropicalbri's]

Well, I’m back again.
I ended up going with an easywalk harness, and he’s actually doing good with it. He’s also gotten over the whining after we changed his food around and gave him a couple of new toys.
But I’m having a problem with major anxiety with him. His fear ranges from “oh that makes me a little nervous.” To “oh my god that mailbox is going to come alive and bite my head off”
I don’t really know why, some say it’s a temporary fear period, but it’s been going on for months now. And I was also told it’s because he was neutered too early.
I know it could also just be his personality... But I mean, my dad gently tapped him on the back and he whipped around, pinned his ears and urinated on himself.
Or when a family friend looked in the window and waved, he ran behind the couch and urinated that time too.
Could this just be a fear period, or will he always be like this?​

Sounds like he needs some confidence building training exercises. My two went through several periods of getting spooked by things so the trainer helped us initiate and incorporate confidence building exercises. How do you react when he does this? Do you coddle him? Do you ignore the behavior and move on to a positive exercise?

 

[LifeofRubie]

Poor guy! How old is he again? And you've had him since he was a puppy?

If our dogs are uncertain about something, we'll let them approach it on their own. With Moo, the lab puppy (now 14 months) if it was a sign post, a stroller, an orange cone, I would give him the opportunity to walk up to it on his own accord but not force or pull him toward anything. I was walking with Rubie, the 3.5 year old Dobe, yesterday and we saw a dad and his son flying a kite. OMG A KITE WTF IS THAT. We stood there and watched it for a bit. She barked and got excited but the longer we stood there, the less she engaged. When my dogs are unsure of something and look to me for assurance, I give it to them.

Sounds like the other instances he got startled. I guess be glad he chose Flight over Fight. I would just make sure interactions with other people calm, make sure he's facing them and knows they're going to approach him and do so calmly, if he's not interested in interacting, again, don't force it. Again, my lab puppy will pee a little if he's not happy with how an interaction is going (usually young kids - they're loud and unpredictable) but we've set-up some brief and positive interactions and he's much more confident and less scared.

Are you doing any sort of classes or training sessions with him? Others will chime in but he sounds like he lacks confidence which could become a 'fight' situation if he feels trapped

 

[ButterGluttons]

Sounds like he needs some confidence building training exercises. My two went through several periods of getting spooked by things so the trainer helped us initiate and incorporate confidence building exercises. How do you react when he does this? Do you coddle him? Do you ignore the behavior and move on to a positive exercise?

Usually I try to just move on, but sometimes he’s gets a stubborn streak and doesn’t want to move on from it. Then I usually tempt him with treats or a toy.​

Poor guy! How old is he again? And you've had him since he was a puppy?

Sounds like the other instances he got startled. I guess be glad he chose Flight over Fight. I would just make sure interactions with other people calm, make sure he's facing them and knows they're going to approach him and do so calmly, if he's not interested in interacting, again, don't force it. Again, my lab puppy will pee a little if he's not happy with how an interaction is going (usually young kids - they're loud and unpredictable) but we've set-up some brief and positive interactions and he's much more confident and less scared.

Are you doing any sort of classes or training sessions with him? Others will chime in but he sounds like he lacks confidence which could become a 'fight' situation if he feels trapped

He’s about 15 months old now. He was in obedience classes for 12 weeks and the trainer suggested I join her tricks class. His first day was Saturday and he really didn’t like the mailbox opening or when another dog moved the barrel. He went through a tunnel and got up on a box without a problem, but he’s worked on things like that before.​

 

[Tropicalbri's]

He went through a tunnel and got up on a box without a problem, but he’s worked on things like that before.

Sounds like with continued exposure and training he will overcome these issues and start building his confidence. I think the classes will be a great chance to work him through this and seeing other dogs doing the routines and being exposed to the other dogs in his class will be an asset as well.

 

[Kaiser2016]

I agree with the advice given, taking classes together will help to boost his confidence.

That said, this is surprising to hear, because if I recall correctly, you have a lot of animals and they all seemed to get along so well in your other updates. I would have expected having so many “friends” could only be a positive experience. Is there a possibility that an animal in the group picks on him? Maybe it’s the Doberman Velcro trait that needs more time with you, his person, in order to be less fearful?

Also wanted to add that as hard as it may be to ignore the peeing, be sure that you are ignoring it, clean it up with an enzyme cleaner and move on like nothing happened. I would add in frequent potty breaks to make your life a bit easier until the fear is conquered.

 

[ButterGluttons]

I agree with the advice given, taking classes together will help to boost his confidence.

That said, this is surprising to hear, because if I recall correctly, you have a lot of animals and they all seemed to get along so well in your other updates. I would have expected having so many “friends” could only be a positive experience. Is there a possibility that an animal in the group picks on him? Maybe it’s the Doberman Velcro trait that needs more time with you, his person, in order to be less fearful?

Also wanted to add that as hard as it may be to ignore the peeing, be sure that you are ignoring it, clean it up with an enzyme cleaner and move on like nothing happened. I would add in frequent potty breaks to make your life a bit easier until the fear is conquered.

Actually, yeah. One of the older cats, Pinky, isn’t a big fan of him. But it’s mostly just things like growling or swatting at him. And we separated him from Wade, who can be rather dominating and possessive over his food or toys sometimes. He hasn’t been around him for a few months now other than occasionally.
Logan is mostly an indoor dog too, so he spends a lot of time with me or my parents when I’m not around.
But yeah, Pinky is the only one who could be picking on him since the rest of the cats don’t really mind.

Also thanks, I’ll do better to ignore it.​