How long should we give it

[Licketysplits]

We've had our lovely rescue dog for 2 weeks now, and she's settled so well in so many ways. There are a few behavioural issues though that we think we're going to struggle to crack without some help, as it's not always possible to tell what the trigger was. We're pretty sure she must have been abused as there are obvious things that send her into a spin (the mop, me raising my leg over her the other day as she'd got tangled under my legs on the lead, fearful of strange men), but other times she goes into fear aggressive mode for what appears to be no reason at all, running round like a mad thing, growling, panting, spinning, she tried to hurl herself down the stairs yesterday.

We want to get a behaviourist in to help her, but not sure if it's too early given she's only been with us a couple of weeks - should we wait a bit longer to see if she settles down, or is it best to address early to prevent it getting any worse?

If you explain on the phone to the behaviourist or the rescue centre, they'll tell you when to start intervention. I'd say straight away so that you don't accidentally make anything worse.

Any reward based training that you do will help.

I'd start straight away. Poor dog must be very distressed and you need to know the right way to handle and resolve the issues if the rehominv is going to work. I can recommend a good one if you are in the north east .

Thanks both. 90% of the time she's a calm content little thing, but a couple of times a day she just gets herself into a right tizz for what seems to be no reason. She's having plenty of walks and OH is home all day so she's never left alone so it's nothing obvious. We are doing lots of reward based training with her and she's learning really quickly, but when she's on one it's like she can't hear us at all - it's like a toddler tantrum where she works herself up into such a state there is no 'reasoning' with her at all (as much as you can 'reason with a dog anyway). And then immediately afterwards falls straight asleep.

We've called the rescue a couple of times this week but the behaviourist has been busy and we've not managed to speak to her. I just didn't want to intervene too soon if it was normal settling in behaviour (not had a dog before). Someone in work has used a behaviourist recently and said they were good so I will give them a call Monday (I'm in the south demented but thanks for the offer).

Oh, do you mean she sprints round like a loon for a few minutes? I think it's an over excitement thing, just blows a fuse. She's trying to control herself but gets overwhelmed. My boy does this, and then collapses looking sorry for himself. I've taught him a command 'shake it off' as shaking is a good stress relief. I use it mainly when he gets humpy, another sign of over excitement. It may well work for this too though.
And we don't get the vacuum out when he is around etc. Rescue dogs often didn't have good socialisation as pups. Mine is terrified of the strangest things!

Victoria stillwell talks about getting 'the zoomies', I think.

Yes, it could be 'the zoomies', or the 'mad rips'. They can look pretty mad when they do it, all whites of eyes, weird yips, pullling faces, high-speed running, changes of direction. Sometimes flinging themselves to the floor and rolling about.

Does this happen after she's eaten, or after waking up? Some dogs do have a mad five minutes then.

'Fear aggression' doesn't normally look like that, to be honest. The dog is more likely to become quiet and freeze, possibly with low but increasing growling then bark, lunge or snap at whatever it is they're afraid of, and the behaviour will be focused on whatever it is they're afraid of.

What you describe doesn't sound like that but by all means speak to the behaviourist if you can.

My boy does it, then collapses in a heap and sleep for ages. He looks a bit sorry for himself too, so I think he might hurt himself in the process. I try and stop him now, corral him and rub him down and get him to have a shake. I know him well though, I'd want to trust him before cornering a zoomer!

Sounds like zoomies to me too. Eric is three but still has them regularly his triggers are a particularly enjoyable walk, getting wet and dirty, something he's enjoyed eating or somebody playing with him with his toys all can tip him over. He runs round at speed, low down with his bum tucked in, he dodges furniture and people, he's sometimes growling (but he's not angry) and sometimes yipping. He doesn't hear you and he does it for a few minutes until he's exhausted and then lays panting and sleeps. I know for Eric it's when he is pleased with himself, I'd guess for your dog she realises she has landed on her feet and is pretty chuffed about it too.

That's it, tail tucked under, tongue lolling out, absolutely compulsive followed by a collapse. I looked into epilepsy, as I read JRT crosses can get a kind of over excitement epilepsy.
Hopefully she'll get it less as she settles in and it's all less overwhelming. It's exhausting for both of you. Also, as you relax, she will too.