Re: [PyrNet-L] chat: help ASAP

["Janice Swenson" <janices@jump.net>]

A pamphlet that goes into fearful dogs is "The Cautious Canine: 
How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears" by McConnell.  She goes 
into desensitization and counter classical conditioning and she's 
also a great pyrenees owner.  She also goes into what doesn't 
work when dealing with fearful dogs.  I recommend strongly that 
people take their dog to a certified applied animal behaviorist or 
board-certified veterinary specialist in behavior to really know what 
you're dealing with and what are the recommendations.  So, many 
times you ask well did you take your dog to a behaviorist and were 
they certified and they have no idea what the h**l their credentials 
are.  It's very difficult for the layman or for the specialist for that 
matter to know if you have genetic-based behavior or learned 
behavior.  They look the same.  And just so you know it only takes 
a dog from 1-4 times to do a behavior and it can become learned.

There's a very fine line when dealing with any fearful dog that they 
can be pushed into fear aggressive behavior and they really need to 
be handled very carefully.  I'm not going to judge anybody because 
I'm not there and I can't see how they and their dog interact and I 
can't do my own evaluation of the dog.  

Janice, janices@jump.net
Admiral & Linsey (newfs), Bianca & Sonny (pyrs)  
http://www.jump.net/~janices/
Leander, TX
Visit Old West Newfoundland Club's website at  
http://www.jump.net/~janices/ownc/