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Scared of strangers? Your dog doesn’t have to be!

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Is your dog scared of strangers?

Either out and about or at home?

Does he/she “go ballistic” whenever the doorbell rings? Have you stopped inviting people over because it’s just too stressful? When repairs are needed do you have to lock your little dog away?

Most of the “aggressive” behaviors small dogs display are rooted in fear. It’s the dog saying to the world, “I’m tough and I’ll hurt you before you hurt me!”

Warning – danger approaching!

Small dogs know their size. And many of them aren’t particularly confident. They’ll bark and lunge, hoping the display will be enough to keep others away so they’ll be safe. And many owners react by indulging the behavior, either soothing their dogs with a comforting “you’re okay! It’s fine!” or by picking them up to remove the threat.

Many dogs will try to hide behind their owners for protection, then lunge out when they feel a threat. Some trainers encourage dogs to sit between owners feet as a “safe place,” but it can work in reverse if the dog thinks you’re acting as his “back up.”

We feel your pain – Tango was scared of strangers

Our own experience with aggressive dogs is first hand. Unfortunately, Fran’s Tango was a lunging, snapping maniac when she got him. He was fear aggressive and extremely scared of strangers. She had no hint – their instant connection meant she could do anything with him from the moment they met. No one else could get near him – including Hope!

Brussels Griffon Tango

It took time and patience to bring out the best in Tango. He became a dog Fran could take places and compete with in Agility and Rally. There were times we thought it would never happen.

And there are some people who prefer their small dogs to stay aggressive to the rest of the world. We know one woman who firmly believes her Chihuahua’s snarling and snapping keeps both of them safer. And if that’s where you’re at, that’s fine.

Turn it around

But if you want your dog to be a welcome guest and companion, there are simple things you can do to turn things around.

If, like Fran, you’re able to do anything with your dog, you’ll need to enlist an understanding friend to help.

You’ll need some absolutely irresistible treats. Use something smelly, like pieces of hot dogs. And, with your dog on collar or harness and leash, have your helper drop treats in front of the dog. Be sure you’re far enough away that the dog can’t reach your friend. If necessary, the treats can be gently tossed on the ground.

If your dog is nicer than Tango was, your friend put a treat in an open hand and offer it to the dog. Tango would bite, so that wasn’t an option.

Repeat 10 times – 10 treats.

That’s it. The friend shouldn’t try to engage with the dog at all – don’t meet his/her eyes, don’t talk to the dog, nothing. Especially don’t lean over! As tempting as it is to bend over to look at, or pet, a dog, to the dog it’s a threat. Either stay standing, or, even better, have your friend sit on the floor and toss the treats where the dog can reach them. Remember to stay out of range to keep everyone safe!

This sets up the idea, in the dog’s mind, that this person is not threatening, doesn’t want anything from me, and just wants to give me treats. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll like this person!

Enlist some help

The next time you try, maybe your dog will have a more relaxed posture. Maybe he/she will actually seem happy to see your friend. As time goes by, your friend will be able to hand the dog a treat.

And that’s the key. Over time, there were many friends of ours who became “cookie ladies!” Fran packed lots of treats whenever she went out with Tango, and handed a few to whoever she saw. Over just a couple of months, Tango became a dog Fran could take anywhere. He expects strangers to be treat dispensers, not dangers.

When you have a dog that’s fear-aggressive, one eye should always be on him/her, to make sure everyone will be safe. Time, patience, and “cookie people” can help fix the problem, but it may never be cured.

What works for you?

Have you had a reactive, or fear-aggressive dog? Is he/she scared of strangers? What works for you to help your dog cope with the world a little better?

Collapsing Trachea in small dogs – how to cope

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Does your dog honk like a goose when you go for a walk? Do you avoid playing with your dog so he/she doesn’t start coughing? Does the hacking start as soon as your dog gets excited Is he/she overweight? Is your dog a toy breed? Your dog may be suffering with Collapsing Trachea.

Collapsing Trachea isn’t your fault, and, in most cases, can be managed without surgery and with an excellent long-term prognosis. According to Veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker, the majority of dogs with the condition do just fine with “medical” management.

So what is Collapsing Trachea and how do dogs “get” it? VetStreet says it happens when “the trachea’s normally firm cartilage rings of support are softer and less supportive than they should be. In these cases, inhaling air during the normal act of breathing can cause the trachea to collapse on itself (much like a flimsy straw would with a thick milkshake), which typically elicits a hacking cough.”

Don’t blame yourself – you didn’t cause Collapsing Trachea!

And don’t blame yourself – Collapsing Trachea is an inherited condition. We haven’t done anything to cause it. And there’s quite a few things we can do to keep it under control.

The most important thing is to stop the cycle of throat irritation and inflammation. Veterinarians often prescribe cough suppressants, bronchodilators, and even steroids to get the flare-up under control. But there are things you can do help your dog breathe better right at home.

Use a harness

Don’t use a collar. Find a harness that fits your dog right. There’s no single harness that suits every dog, person, or situation. That’s why we carry so many different styles in a variety of sizes, materials, and colors. There’s one that will be perfect for you and your dog. If you need some Use harnesses to minimize Collapsing Trachea symptomshelp, you can use our Do It Yourself Online Harness Selector, or ask for personalized help from our expert staff. We’d love it if everyone could bring their dogs into the shop for a custom fitting – but we’ll make sure you and your dog are happy before we consider any order complete.

Watch their weight!

Next is to make sure your dog is the proper weight. According to Veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds, “Additional pounds or ounces cause respiratory distress because hauling weight around requires a higher level of exertion.” This may be even harder, says Dr. Dodds, if the dog is on medication for the condition, “Many pet parents may struggle with this point if their companion dogs require exercise restriction or are taking corticosteroids prescribed to dampen the inflammation as they often cause weight gain. It’s a vicious cycle.”

Other ways to help

You can also help your dog by minimizing anxiety as much as possible. If your dog tends to be “high strung” and easily excitable, you might consider supplementing with CBD treats or oil. CBD is the non-psychoactive, healing compound derived from hemp.

Other ways to ease the symptoms of Collapsing Trachea include: adding some moisture to dry food to minimize irritation, and using some natural supplementation of glucosamine and chondroitin to reduce deterioration of the cartilage. In fact, Beef Trachea chew treats are a good source of these nutrients.

Who’s at risk?

There are specific breeds that are most prone to problems with Collapsing Trachea, including: Chihuahua, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Toy Poodle and Yorkshire Terriers. Those vulnerable would also include any mixed-breeds that include these.

While Collapsing Trachea is a serious concern, there are many ways to help your dog breathe easier.