Puzzling Behavior--Help

[robandrobin]

I need some help. I have a rescue fellow and he's taken some amazing leaps and bounds.

However, he's never ever been socialized, he's about 5 months maybe, and I am now picking up on a behavior I don't know how to correct. It has to do with dogs at a distance.

I'll try to give as much detail as possible. He's not dog shy because when a dog comes to greet us, or a dog is on a leash across the way, he won't bark, he wags his tail and wants to socialize. However, if the dogs are behind a fence and they bark, and yes it's that annoying territorial bark, he goes wild. And I mean wild. He raises his hackles, barks wildly, and jumps back in full force and just panics. I know it's a fear thing, but I don't quite know what to do. I can't continue to avoid every fenced yard around. I'm talking a block away that dogs behind fences bark and it triggers him. I've tried treats to get his attention. I've gotten down on my knees eye level with him and put me between him and the "dogs in the distance" and none of this works.

I know I need something consistent, so I've stopped correcting until I can get an understanding on what to do. Help is very much appreciated.
Robin

 

[Kodiak]

I believe Newfs or any dog can read each other when making visual contact. Can he see these dogs that are barking behind the fences? It sounds like those dogs are protecting their property with their territorial barking which scares your puppy and I'm sure your puppy already knows the sound difference in the barking which is their way of communicating. Maybe, as he gets older and hears those same dogs barking and knows you wouldn't put him in harms way, he'll be less afraid and almost expect to hear that type of bark when he approaches a fenced in area. I've never had to deal with this type of problem, so I really don't know how to correct it. I'm sure you'll get some good advice from the group

 

[robandrobin]

Come to think of it no he can't see them. It's the barking noise while taking walks. If we are in the yard, our yard, he'll bark back, and I'll say, oh stop it, and it's no big deal.

Okay. I think I'm seeing a pattern? Familiar territory he'll bark back, and I can correct him, and he responds. Unfamiliar area, can't see dogs, everything is basically unknown, panics.
He's beyond the safety of his home.

He trusts his home, area, but not really me yet. So maybe I need to work on gaining his trust more. Any ideas how to do that, or is this something that just takes time?
Robin

 

[Annie Milliron]

Since he's a rescue, this could be related to something that happened in his "past life". As for working on building his confidence, and his trust in you, I would suggest obedience classes. Not only are training classes good for obedience, but they are great for socializing your dog, AND for building a relationship between you and your dog.

Also, when this occurs, I would be very consistant in reassuring him, letting him know that everything is ok.

 

[Kodiak]

Robin, why do you say he doesn't trust you?

 

[Kodiak]

I agree with Annie on the obedience classes. He'll come in contact with a variety of different dogs, barks and sounds away from home. It's a great foundation for a one on one with your newf.

 

[robandrobin]

Oh, I'm saying that because if he trusted me, then he would rely more on me instead of feeling that he had to take control of the situation-thus panic. Not knowing what do to, be scared, be defensive, be on alert, runaway (which he can't because I have him on lead)etc.

So maybe I need to give it more time before we walk in housing area, and take him on walk further out on the trails where it's quieter, a different type of distraction. Maybe this along with the training we do will build his confidence in himself and in me.

Obedience class would be perfect, but we don't have one going right now. Maybe they'll start one soon. I know the instructor has a new Lab puppy! We're a small town so the classes are given when there are enough people to hold a class.
RObin

 

[JPerrelli]

Robin,
I agree with Annie. My resuce girl was 5 months when I got her, and we had the same problem. I was scared to walk a different way, because I didn't know how Maddie would react if we came across barking dogs. She would go into a frenzy, and I had a hard time controlling her.
I was lucky enough to find trainers who who own 3 Newfs of their own, and also work with my local rescue.
They suggested that if Maddie acted up when hearing another dog bark, I would let her "leave it", and "let's go", and keep on walking. I try to keep my voice tone normal, but firm. I do the same thing when we come across squirrels, as she would have the same reaction. She will still start to jump and act up, but as as soon as I tell her "leave it", she keeps on walking. Then I give her praise or a treat. We're still working on our face to face meetings with other dogs, but this has worked for dogs barking inside a house, and outside behind a fence. I walk her twice a day, and I think it took about 2 weeks before she started settling down.
Good luck !

 

[sarnewfie]

Good advice, plus i would like to add, a squeeky toy, or something that is positive that will get her attention on you away from her fear, will coax her the correct direction, i find that anticipating things works well if i see a dog in class that has problems i will anticipate that meeting of the problem and tell the owner, get that treat and make the dog sit stay while watching you and at just the right moment get that dog to hold it, sometimes it works well but it is all in the timing and the individual situation.

 

[Annie Milliron]

Using the "Leave It" command is excellent. If there are no dog classes coming up, maybe you could get together the with the dog trainer who has the puppy... and form a play/training group. Just an idea! You could check with your vet and see if anyone else might be interested.

 

[Newfs Forever]

Rob and Robin,

There are alot of good responses.

I would add that you can clicker train the dog for "leave it" or whatever command you want to use. I taught Dex that without any formal obedience class. And he knows exactly what that phrase means.

Also, for socialization in conjunction with obedience or subsequent to it, are there any play groups locally that you can register the dog?

The play group I use has helped immensely with my newfie and berner. In particular, my berner, because she is a rehome. I had been told she was socialized but I really don't know to what extent. This has helped her alot.

HTH,

Sue