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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Dog won’t let people near me

7 replies

DuckDuckOstrich · 01/08/2022 13:46

A few weeks ago there was an altercation and I was punched multiple times by a family member (with SEN). My dog witnessed this and she leapt between us growling which put a stop to them punching me.

Now she’s on edge any time someone approaches me and if they touch me she will snarl/growl, and put herself in between. I’m not sure what is best to do. Does any one have any suggestions of how we can overcome this behaviour?

OP posts:
Ivedonethisthreetimealready · 01/08/2022 14:45

Speak to your vet who can refer you to a qualified behaviourist. A qualified behaviourist needs to have an MSc in related topic.

MaybeThisIsntForYou · 01/08/2022 15:00

As above - speak to your vet and ask for a referral to an APBC or CCAB qualified behaviourist. Do it now - before the behaviour becomes ingrained and you end up with a dog that is stranger reactive.

Sitdowncupoftea · 01/08/2022 15:33

What breed of dog do you have and what age.

DuckDuckOstrich · 01/08/2022 15:59

She’s a Cocker Spaniel and she’s two years old.

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SomePosters · 01/08/2022 16:10

You need to stay calm!

if she thinks you’re upset or anxious (even if the cause of the anxiety is her kicking off) she will think there’s a reason to be too

if you react strongly you will i brain this behaviour and have a lot of follow on problems.

note the trigger points so that you can preempt the behaviour. Is it a certain distance, is it in a certain room?

you need to reassure her you feel safe so things like sitting down and continuing to talk normally will help reinforce there is no big deal here.

if she starts to seem anxious but hasn’t reacted yet sit down get her to come and sit beside you and just casually keep talking with her chilling beside you.

If she starts barking or exhibiting behaviour you want to stop ie jumping up, spinning in circles, yapping repeatedly, getting between you

make eye contact, hold you finger up sternly pointing at her and say NO firmly and forcefully.
then bring you finger down to your side and call her to come sit by you. Don’t make a big fuss when she does just reward her with a wee clap for coming and then carry on the conversation

the most important this is that your behaviour reassures her and de-escalates the situation

if you start to get anxious, fretful, frantic, agitated, shouty or start locking her away from people so she never sees them then you will reinforce that something bad is happening and have a full scale behavioural problem.

right not what you have is a trauma response and being firm and reassuring will soon me she’s not worried as long as the situation isn’t repeated.

probably best she isn’t around your family member again. If she hurts them to protect you it’s her life on the line so it’s your job to never put her in that position

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 01/08/2022 16:11

As above, you need to speak to your vet and get a referral to a registered behaviourist.

Please don't try and tackle this on your own. If her behaviour is already becoming aggressive then she could bite someone. You need to work with a professional who knows what they're doing and won't push her boundaries.

Good luck!

DuckDuckOstrich · 02/08/2022 10:35

Thanks everyone. She is such a sweet dog, and normally very chilled.

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