wag the dog article: problem: break in behaviour change
Thursday, February 12, 2009 6:44 PM                
 

Problem: Break in behaviour change

Dear Shannon,

We have a beautiful Cocker Spaniel, Maya, who turned a year in October this year. When she first arrived home as a pup we noticed that she was somewhat shy and reserved but once she grew accustomed to unfamiliar places and people (which didn't take long) she was extremely sociable and confident.

In August this year we had an attempted break-in, and due to Maya's diligence, we were alerted to the intruders before any real damage was done. Since then however, I've noticed a distinct change in her behaviour. Where once she was very quiet (barely barking) she now barks very aggressivley to unidentifiable noises coming from our common areas at night. She's also barks extremely aggressively at people who come to visit us - as long as they're on the other side of the security gate. Once they enter the house, she tends to calm down somewhat. If my fiancé is home, she relaxes completely, and becomes her usual loving affectionate self - but if he's not, Maya remains unsettled and barks at guests' sudden movements and won't let them pet her. (She has recently snapped at a guest who attempted to do so)

My questions really are: Is it plausible that attempted break-in has traumatised her in some way and is now causing her aggression? And if so, how do I take control of the situation during her outbursts to change her behaviour. I obviously dont want her to think its wrong to bark, or to be guarded against strangers, but I do want to find a way for her to take more cues from me so that she's not inappropriately aggressive to people I know.

I'd really appreciate your insight into this matter.

Concerned Mother

Dear Concerned Mother

Trauma in the home is a very common cause of acute behaviour problems ranging from fear aggression to separation anxiety. Sadly I hear of many cases such as this.

I would hazard a guess that your Maya is probably quite a sensitive dog with lower than normal confidence levels. I know you say that she was initially shy, but “she overcame this when accustomed to the unfamiliar”. To be frank, a dog that is truly confident does not need to become accustomed to an environment before they are relaxed. I think that Maya is not quite as confident as you think. It is important to have this understanding of this before you try and address the problem.

The break-in has obviously upset her and left her feeling quite insecure in her own home. Any visitor is greeted with great suspicion and if you are nervous of her reaction it will only add fuel to the fire.

Here are my suggestions:

  • Get Maya out and about – it does not have to be to formal training classes. If she can build her confidence outside of the home, she will be able to transfer some of skills into the home. It will also reinforce that her home is in fact her “safe place” and hopefully reduce the insecurity she is currently feeling at home.
  • Classical conditioning – When you have visitors, drop treats on the floor very casually and randomly, irrespective of Maya's behaviour . This is very important. We cannot possibly hope to “train” a response until we have created an environment conducive to this. Maya has to have a positive connotation with guests. Some may argue that if she is barking and she happens to get a treat this behaviour is surely reinforced. However, it doesn't work like that as there is no predictive cue (hence the reason for the random drops). You will know it is working when Maya expects visitors and instead of reverting to her old behaviour, she starts looking for treats.
  • Operant conditioning – Once Maya is at this stage you can actively start training a response. When visitors arrive have her “Sit” and get a treat for compliance. If she chooses not to comply then she simply looses out on the treat. With some practice you could even ask visitors to give her the treats. I would also teach a cue such as “Quiet”. Give the cue, put a treat on her nose and after a split second of silence reward her. Another option is to give an “All Good” cue. This could be taught in the same way and would be used when you want her to relax after being on alert. The cue I use for my dogs to cease barking at unwanted visitors is “Enough”. I do not want to inhibit them as such, but I do need to let them know that their job is complete.
  • Owner Attitude – If you are feeling nervous it will transmit to Maya. Relaxing is easier said than done, so if you are battling with this try a little happy jig. Your visitors will probably laugh (and Maya will think you're nuts) but it certainly removes tension and also helps to create a platform for alternate behaviour from Maya.

Don't put her into a position where she may snap as this reinforces a very undesirable behaviour. Best of luck and take it easy.

Good luck!

Shannon

  
                       
         
Contact SHOWDOGS
         
.................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... ....................