bc4pack

a few more points here..... -invisible fence and their shock collars DO NOT PREVENT OTHER ANIMALS/DOGS/TEASING KIDS from coming on to one's property -there can be a lot of negative fallout from their use and comes in the form of reactivity and potential aggression

There was also the Brit episode with the aggressive American bulldog

TOO FUNNY!!!! mainly 'cause I can relate.

No hon you didn't. :-) It's just that some folks end up ignoring/avoiding, even to the point of 'pushing away' a scared dog ...all because they've been told "don't comfort". My girl heads to the tub and (depending on severity) she also has meds. I have both Melatonin and Xanax. She's improved with the pharma help... but not to the point where I can do major behaviour modification in a severe T-storm...but we can play in the rain now. Thankfully it is just storms not noises like gunshots or fireworks...Noise phobias can be really tough.

Begs the question.... What are you feeding?

The dog always gets to decide what is *comforting*... if what you do makes a dog feel better, do it. If my dog feels safer and more relaxed snuggling up to me in a bad storm, I certainly would not turn him away.

I'd try Melatonin... and if need be Xanax or Valium. There's quite a bit of info in old posts and there's also info on http://www.fearfuldogs.com

I don't neuter my boys...never have,I don't see any advantage to it. No one 'roams', no one breeds. The girls...case by case basis as to when they are spayed. Although not what you're asking :-)

It's all about knowing your dog (and yourself ). The vast majority of dogs do fine. Owners tend to stress out the most.

Have you found Clickersolutions yet? Website and the Yahoo Group....

Just put it in the deep freeze for 30 days...

Another thing you might try is a Calming Cap. Premier makes them and this one of the situations they are made for. Worth a shot. You also said "sedatives" were prescribed. What was prescribed? Acepromazine does nothing to relieve anxiety. Xanax or Valium would be better but you also should 'dry run' to know how the drug may affect your dog and to help you *tweak* the amount if needed. Have you attempted to really do any counterconditioning and desensitization with him?

You can also whack up chicken necks.

Can anyone say " The government is way too much in your business."? Sometimes genetics can still be a crapshoot no matter how well the tests come back. And some of this stuff is asinine... Trying to LEGISLATE walking your dog? Flyball is too dangerous? Puhleeeeeze!!! Regulate breeders clear out of existence and S/N everything else. Geesh!!!!

You're right it does,doesn't it? I think it is simply because so very many dogs don't get much exposure as pups and grossly undersocialized pups can have some pretty tough issues to deal with. In this country Joe Q Dog owner that "can't/won't deal" with dogs with issues tend to do get rid of said dog. There is also the issue at the other extreme, over- socialization, where a pup is uncomfortable but 'in the name of socialization' he has to atempt to deal with things he isn't ready for. Again though, so much depends on the 'bounce-back' factor of individual dogs. Heck many 'country raised' dogs do better because they are allowed to deal with stuff at their pace and don't have so much thrown at them at once like a city dog would...

I've got a question.... OK, so ABCA won't take AKC registered dogs right? So couldn't ABCA pull registrations when these pups are registered with AKC? I'm wondering how this whole 'dual' registration can be promoted... (scratching my head)

Actually Debbie's book is GOOD....and she's got the experience. Have you seen the website? http://www.fearfuldogs.com ?

Socialization refers specifically to that impressionable learning period, all experiences being soaked up 'quickly and effectively' like sponges (both good and bad)...after that what you are doing isn't 'socialization' it's basically remedial stuff... Individual personalities and temperaments play a huge factor, if a dog is solid to start with there may not be much of an issue, but what about pups that aren't so solid? As pups they missed out on being taught manners by appropriate adults or were never exposed to things they now have to deal with...This is were you can end up with dog reactive dogs or dogs that are scared of certain things. The right handling can get a dog through a lot of the issues but it takes considerably more time with older dogs. Make sense?

Where exactly is that definition? Where is it in the pschychology journals and texts?

Everything after the 16 wk window is remedial socialization.

I'll add a website for you... http://www.fearfuldogs.com

Close friend has her 7 yr old GSD bitch on it. She is somewhat arthritic. The dog is doing great on the Joint Max.

And some website sites for you http://www.fearfuldogs.com http://www.aggressivebehaviorindogs.com Both have good trainer lists

http://www.aggressivebehaviorsindogs.com

Depending on where you are they may very well have a warrant... and folks end up being intimidated into signing over their animals... Oh and do check local law...a hearing can be set up w/in 10 days. Could you find a lawyer when your animals are seized on Friday and the hearing is on Monday? Numbers laws just don't fly with me. Numbers can be dropped down and certainly don't address care. Also pays to stay on top of proposed anti-pet legislation. Groups in TX fought back this year to REGAIN due process that had been legislated awaywith the help of AR groups while animal owners were sleeping. Some communities have given ACOs all kinds of authority. Some places they are law enforcement , others they aren't. It is TOTALLY screwed up and happening more and more frequently.