Help me analyze this newf behavior

[Bsmiz]

My 18 year old son, Will, was diagnosed at birth with a rare disorder called Cornelia deLange Syndrome. Will has multiple severe handicaps such as mental retardation, no speech, vision and hearing impairments and bi-lateral arm and hand deformities. He is also very small. He's about 75 pounds and is the height of an average 9 year old girl.

Quinn came to us as a ten week old in November and in January Will moved into a full time care setting about 30 minutes from where we live. Will comes home most every weekend. Quinn loves Will. He follows him around, and loves to lick and smell him. Will is an all day grazer too so there's lots of potential for dropped treats! Will doesn't love Quinn, he isn't much of an animal person and doesn't particularly like being licked. But Will pretty much just tries to stay away from Quinn. Will doesn't have the mental capacity to react in a mean way, he just moves away from him.

Will has some pain issues and when he's experiencing pain he paces. When he paces he moves quickly from room to room and gets pretty stompy and loud. Sometimes he moans or grunts loudly. The last couple of times Will has been home, Quinn has been reactive to Will's agitation. If Will comes stomping through the room Quinn will almost lunge at him with a whine(not bark or growl). He doesn't do anything, just goes to him in a quick way.

I can't figure out if he's fearful of Will's agitation and is acting aggressively, if he's concerned for Will and is in someway reaching out to him, or just reacting as if Will is a fun moving target and is being playful. Not sure how to sort it out or how to deal with it.

If I could get it on film and post it here it would probably be helpful..maybe someday I will.

What are your reactions?

The p.s. to this story is that Quinn's mom was very reactive to Will when we visited there. If he was walking around the outside of the kennel, she was matching him step for step on the inside. When I put him in the car she went racing around looking for him.

 

[charlieinnj]

My thoughts are he's not fearful of Will's agitation and acting aggressively because dog's that are fearful will tend to flee, first. I think he's either concerned for Will and is reaching out to him as a member of your 'pack' and perhaps trying to get Will to "snap out it" and fall back into line within the group dynamics AND/OR just reacting as if Will is a fun moving target and is being playful.

 

[Bsmiz]

My thoughts are he's not fearful of Will's agitation and acting aggressively because dog's that are fearful will tend to flee, first. I think he's either concerned for Will and is reaching out to him as a member of your 'pack' and perhaps trying to get Will to "snap out it" and fall back into line within the group dynamics AND/OR just reacting as if Will is a fun moving target and is being playful.

Great points! Thanks for your insights!

 

[NewfDad]

I would consider getting a dog behaviorist to help out, not because I think there is a "problem" but because I think there are a lot of angles to this and a behaviorist would have much better insight to the situation. They may be able to come up with some things to take the situation from good to great. Just IMHO.

Art

 

[Sue M.]

I'd agree with Art. You should address this with a professional.

My thoughts are that Quinn doesn't understand and if he senses fear, Will's desire for the dog to leave him alone, Quinn may be picking up on this. Sometimes when dog's sense fear, they will act more agressively. I would definitely consult a professional.

Or when you think of how dogs are with kids. Some kids race around and have jerky movements. This can cause a dog to stress and sometimes the outcome isn't good. Your senario sounds like this and Quinn may be getting nervous about the quick, bold movements. A professional should be able to figure it out and give you the best solution for your particular problem. No matter what, a dog lunging at someone is never a good thing.

 

[Tricia2]

Newer studies show that dogs are more adept at reading non-verbal human behaviors, mechanics and chemistries than we ever imagined. Studies with puppies are the most interesting because they show dogs are genetically programed to respond to our body language. If Will's behaviors aren't what Quinn is accustomed to responding to from other family members, it may be confusing for him. He may read Will's pain induced agitation as an invitation to play or he may be trying to calm Will using his own understanding of calming signals.

I know this must be difficult to deal with, especially since Quinn is entering his own canine adolescence. NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services) in Princeton, MA and it's sister organization Canines for Disabled Kids have fabulous resources for dogs and owners. Maybe they could point you towards a local group that can help you, Will and Quinn get into sync.

 

[Bsmiz]

I have sent an email to our trainer/behaviorist...thanks! Just wanted to get insights from those familiar with newfs too!

 

[Bsmiz]

Newer studies show that dogs are more adept at reading non-verbal human behaviors, mechanics and chemistries than we ever imagined. Studies with puppies are the most interesting because they show dogs are genetically programed to respond to our body language. If Will's behaviors aren't what Quinn is accustomed to responding to from other family members, it may be confusing for him. He may read Will's pain induced agitation as an invitation to play or he may be trying to calm Will using his own understanding of calming signals.

I know this must be difficult to deal with, especially since Quinn is entering his own canine adolescence. NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services) in Princeton, MA and it's sister organization Canines for Disabled Kids have fabulous resources for dogs and owners. Maybe they could point you towards a local group that can help you, Will and Quinn get into sync.

Will definitely follow up with this lead. Thanks!

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

I know when I first got Snuffles, he reacted what I called badly to my friends' autistic son. He would bark at Mathew. Mathew never seemed to be afraid. Of course I always kept Snuffles on lead back then when we visited. Not sure if it was the type movements or the sounds. But now both are oblivious to each other.

 

[NinaA]

You might also consider contacting an assistance dog group who would be familiar with this type of reaction while they select dogs for training - maybe. I know one thing for sure, I feel for you.

 

[Sue M.]

Well, good luck to you. The key is to figure it out and rectify it. I have full confidence you will be able to do this. Just make sure any professional uses positive training methods.

 

[Bsmiz]

thanks all for your insights, thoughts and advice!

 

[sara722003]

I think you are smart indeed to pursue this with a professional. Mostly, due to Quinn's age. Pups can be very reactionary, and I would want someone who is well trained in these issues to evaluate what could be going on.

I pray for the best. Will just sounds like he's not really an animal person. That, I totally understand. I just think it will help your peace of mind to get someone in to observe and give you some pointers. Let us know what happens.....

 

[Windancer]

I think the newf is aware , totally, that something is not right here, and is trying to figuring out what to do. When these instances occur, re assure your dog...He will probably come to just following him around at these times.... a professional is good of course.