For all the dogs who've touched our hearts

When Your Dog is Sick and Fearful

When your dog is sick and fearful you can feel lost and alone. The weight of opinion and information can be overwhelming. What is right? What is true?

Lost and alone

Merlin came from a good breeder. He had enrichment, socialisation and a heritage of dog sports. Although he showed early signs of being sensitive to sound, Merlin was a happy puppy who fit into our family with ease.

His loving nature endeared him to everyone, dog and human alike. The sky was the limit, with Merlin I could achieve the goals I desired as I learned about training.

This dog would be my teaching companion, would compete in sports and help take my training to another level.

This dog would be THE dog!

Only 5 months old

Then, when only 5 months old, Merlin picked up a nasty parasite which lead to ongoing, chronic illness and fear. Rather than long hikes, fun training and exciting dog sports, the next 3 years were spent surviving while I struggled to make him healthy and happy.

The complexity of his requirements was overwhelming; advice and treatment conflicting. What the vet saw were physical symptoms, what the behaviourist saw were mental issues, what I saw was a special dog with a distinctive physical body, unique personality and rich emotional life.

I battled disappointment. I felt grief, hopelessness and defeat. I was utterly exhausted. How could I help this wonderful dog lead a fulfilled and happy life? What did I need to enjoy my life with him?

What to believe?

There's a lot of information on the internet, many protocols wrapped up in memorable, marketable names. When your dog is sick and fearful, there are a variety of recipes promising a cure.

These can be hard to resist when you are desperate to help your dog live a normal life.

Unless you understand how behaviour functions, damage to your training or worse to your relationship can occur. The ability to analyse protocols objectively is essential – how do they work? Why do they work? What is the effect on the animal?

Effectiveness is one way to gauge a protocol, but ultimately the wellbeing of your dog has to be the most important factor.

Learning from mistakes

Many years ago, I learned this lesson when I followed the advice of a trainer and practised a Nothing in Life is Free protocol. Rumble was being aggressive to other dogs and NILIF was her solution.

I did what she said because she was an “expert” recommended by the vet. Rumble became quiet and deferent to me, but aggression to other dogs continued.

I felt terrible, that special spark of RUMBLE was gone. I had first hand evidence that training protocols based on constructs like deference and leadership could do more harm than good. So I decided to learn all I could about dogs and the science that explains the way they behave.

When this “cure-all” protocol was again presented as an answer to Merlin’s fear of sound, I was able to analyse and reject it as unhelpful.

Learning about dogs and behavioural science has given me the ability to observe Merlin’s behaviour and create training plans that promote confidence and choice, rather than deference and discomfort.

Let ethics be your guide

Throughout this process I've allowed my ethics guide me. The individual who is Merlin is at the heart of every choice I make.

Our relationship, with its bedrock of trust and connection, is the foundation of our training.

Knowing this I've rejected cookie-cutter formulas with their tones of passivity and control. I've found veterinarians with a more holistic approach. I've learned about gastrointestinal diseases, anxiety and diet with a particular emphasis on gut health. I've researched sound training, storm sensitivity, play and creating confidence.

I've read everything I could, reached out to friends and experts and exercised my own judgment.

Life is good!

Once terrified of the car, Merlin chooses to get in and no longer runs from his collar or harness. Rather than fleeing bangs and clangs, he runs towards them and is fine with all kinds of environmental noises.

He can rest alone without constant whining and can relax in the car by himself. He's afraid of the rain but recovers quickly and will leave his safe place when it clears.

He walks beautifully on lead and can run off lead in safe environments. We both enjoy grooming and are working on making his husbandry behaviours worry free.

For the last 6 months his gut has been stable, and he is gradually tolerating a more diverse diet.

What Merlin and I have achieved may not be spectacular, but to me and my family, it's remarkable.

Enjoy the fun times

I stood by my window a few days ago watching as Merlin rolled around on the lawn. His glorious hair flew and his legs kicked the air. It's so important to enjoy these tiny moments of fun and connection: the nose bump to your leg, the happy waggy greeting, the long lush belly rubs.

Enjoying and remembering helps to see the undesirable with different eyes.

I had wanted Merlin to meet my needs. I dreamed of clever training, competing in dog sports and showcasing what can be achieved through skilful, considered positive reinforcement training.

My own goals have had to shift, I may never perform wonderful routines of Heelwork to Music or compete in Rally Obedience, but I can use my knowledge and skills to build the best possible life for the dog I have.

(First published in Learning About Dogs September 6th 2018)