Stalking other dogs and joggers

[SianNewman]

Hi Adrienne,

I have recently adopted a failed sheepdog called Brenin and we have been making great progress with brain training and obedience. However, he is uncontrollable when he sees another dog. As soon as he sees one he goes down to the ground first of all, then as then get closer, he pulls and lunges to get to them. It's like he is stalking them like prey. If he is off the lead a fight sometimes breaks out which is most often down to his behaviour.  Even if the other dog is very calm and relaxed, he won't stop being aggressive. He doesn't do it is if the dog gives a play bow. If I go to get him and pull him away, he barks and barks aggressively. I feel its getting worse and I need to do something because it's hard to stop him meeting dogs when we go out to walk. He also does the same with joggers so I have to keep him on the lead pretty much all of the time in case a jogger appears. 

Many thanks

Sian

[Adrienne]

Hi Sian,

The behavior you are describing sounds typical of herding dogs. Many herding dogs have undergone strong selective breeding for the exaggeration of the "orient >> eye >> stalk /crouch>> chase and sometimes "nip" component of the canine predatory sequence. For instance, when border collies herd a flock of sheep, they may be often seen eyeing (basically staring at the sheep to control them) and crouching down towards the sheep carrying their head low, hindquarters high, and tail down. 

Just like staring, stalking and crouching helps control flocks of sheep because it mimics predatory movements. After stalking, border collies will go into action employing a variety of herding styles such as rushing to the front of the flock to turn or stop the sheep's movement or gather them into a group so to move them towards the shepherd. 

Even though many herding dogs are no longer used for herding to the extent of before, the strong instincts to herd are often alive and well in these dogs, to the point of them wanting to eye, stalk and creep up towards anything that moves and captures their attention, and often this includes other dogs, vehicles and people. 

Because other dogs often are unsure about what the other dogs' crouching down means (is the dog doing so playfully? or is he trying to attack?) they are often put off by this behavior and react uncomfortably. Not to mention, that several dog may object to being stalked and having their movements controlled by another unknown dog which may lead to squabbles. 

I suggest therefore keeping him on lead so that he doesn't get to rehearse this problem behavior as the more it's allowed, the more it puts roots. On top of this, we don't want any other dogs or people getting injured in trying to separate the dogs. 

You also want to keep Brenin under threshold as much as you can on walks. Often this entails giving your dog distance from other dogs so that he doesn't feel the need to engage in the problem behavior. Therefore work on finding that sweet spot where he isn't overwhelmed by other dogs being too close and where he's more responsive to your cues.  Here's a read on thresholds:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/archive/threshold-levels/

Part of this work entails always scanning the environment looking ahead. When on walks, therefore pay close attention to your surroundings and  work on maintaining that distance. If another dog is approaching and you cannot give your dog enough distance, make an emergency u-turn. Here's how to train it: 

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/archive/emergency-u-turn/

You also want to train Brenin an alternate behavior to engage in. Since many herding dogs are naturally predisposed to wanting to stare and he's doing well heeling,  this may be a good time to start to practice attention heeling while walking when another dog or joggers passes by. You will need to work at first from a distance where he is under threshold and then move gradually closer to the distractions. 

A good starting place to practice is start some groundwork is the Look at That Exercise where you have him respond to your cues when watching joggers or other people walking their dogs by your window (you can even enlist volunteers for this). Once you obtain a strong response, you can try working from the front door and then doing distance work on walks. Here's the look at that exercise:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/university/look-at-that/

It also helps enrolling sheep dogs in some fun canine sports to provide them with some outlets for their ingrained herding behaviors. In particular, herding trials are great as these dogs get to do what they were bred for, but if there are no livestock in your area, the sport of Treibball (where dogs get to herd large balls) can be equally satisfying. You can also find some herding balls for dogs online that your dog can play with in the yard. 

I hope this helps,

Let me know if you have any questions,

Best,

Adrienne

[SianNewman]

Thank you so much again!

I think where I've been going wrong is the belief that walking Brenin twice a day is more important than training thus exposing him to triggers that he is rehursing over and over again. It's such a deeply embedded belief that exercising a dog is the most important thing when actually if it is reinforcing bad behaviour, it isn't so good! So, after reading your advice and having an initial chat to a professional trainer (I found one!!) who uses positive reinforcement methods I've decided to change our routines to the following:

7am (no-one around) - Brenin goes for a 3 mile run or walk to practice heeling when the village is very quiet.

8am - Kong in the car (car desensitisation work)

8.30am - 30 minutes of training in the garden, (brain games and obedience)

12pm  - 30 minutes of training in the garden

4pm  - 30 minutes of training in the garden

I have agreed with the trainer not to expose him to any triggers for four weeks and just work on obedience. Then we will go to see him for a consultation. We can't go just yet at we have to complete a few more longer car journeys over the next month. Here is a part of the email I received from the trainer:

"Try and forget about exercise and focus strictly on training, the more you allow him to exhibit behaviours you do not want the further conditioned they become. Acceptance is reinforcement. Playing frenetic games with him constantly also elevates his state of mind keeping him close to or over threshold, you do not want this. You want to reinforce and condition calm states of mind both when out on a lead in public and day to day, believing you have to physically exercise him each day to provide him with what he needs is incorrect thinking. He needs more structure, control and better management. "

https://www.extremusdogtraining.co.uk/

I really can't thank you enough (again) for the great advice and I will be sure to feedback on how the new routine is working out and Brenin's progress. I have started doing the foundation training for Treibball today and of course he has picked it up really quickly. The real problem isn't with Brenin, it's my lack of training but I'm determined to get there.

Sian

 

 

 

 

[Adrienne]

Yup, as I pointed out, the more a problem behavior is rehearsed, the more it puts on roots hence the importance of keeping a dog as much under threshold as possible. The car rides and look at that window work are good foundation exercises. Keeping him under threshold will also reduce stress, as every time a dog attacks or tries to attack, cortisol floods the bloodstream and it leaves dogs in an hyperreactive state leading to trigger stacking. Giving him a little "cortisol vacation" for some time can prove beneficial. 

Brain training and its mental stimulation effects on the brain and body are often underrated. Many dog owners report their dogs get more tired after brain games, nosework and clicker training rather than loads of exercise (which often ends up increasing a dog's fitness, requiring more and more exercise). 

I am excited to hear Brenin will be starting Treibball, I think he'll have a blast! Your dedication in working with him will certainly bring lovely results.

Keep me posted, and as always, I am here if you have any questions.

Happy training!

Best,

Adrienne