'B'
Golden Cocker Spaniel
4 years old
Male

Background

I was contacted by B's people after he had bitten their toddler. The couple where very distressed about the incident but felt very strongly that B wasn't an aggressive dog but bit due to apprehension not out of nastiness. B had bitten before but it was felt it was always when he was cornered or perceived he was in a threatening situation. He had received a vet check to ensure there were no medical problems and B's people felt it wasn't linked to cocker rage syndrome.

He was rescued at 18 months. The history known was that B had spent long periods of time alone whist growing up and had not had much socialisation.

First impressions

My first impression of B was of a sweet natured but anxious dog. He constantly moved around, not quite knowing where to settle. From the detailed back ground that B's people gave me, it was clear that they had achieved a tremendous amount with him already. They where extremely sensible, patient and wanted the best for B. They where, however, understandably nervous for their toddlers safety.

On initial assessment B had hot spots on his flanks, his legs were cool from half way down, his face and ears were warm and he gave off very subtle calming signals and used fool around to tell us to back off in fearful situations. He also wasn't very keen on me touching his feet, tail and face.

I worked B using 2 leads, (the homing pigeon), for safety. I introduced the clouded leopard TTouch, which he accepted well. He was anxious about tail work so I just dipped in and out. I wanted to do python lifts on his legs to ground him and although anxious about this he did allow me to do some. B loved ear work and apparently they already used this to calm him in stressful situations. Mouth work he was fussy with so only managed to dip in to this area and then only on the outside of his mouth. All the time I had to be aware that B's calming signals where very subtle. He would blink, do half yawns or just stiffen under your hand slightly. His tail would also wag very fast which was clamped tightly against his body.

I managed to work on him for about 20 minutes and then discussed options with B's people. We decided on crate training so B would have a safe den to take himself off to in times of stress. I taught them the TTouches I had been using.

A week later

I returned a week later to a much more relaxed dog. He was happy with the TTouches and friends as well as B's people had noticed a difference in him. His new crate was waiting to be put up and we discussed the best place for this to go, which we decided was in a quiet corner of the lounge.

I worked on B with ear work, clouded leopard, lick of the cows tongue, python lifts, tarantula pulling the plough, tail and mouth work. He was still slightly wary of tail and mouth work but generally more relaxed about it.

I went on to body wrapping. He accepted a half wrap well and we were able to quickly proceed to a full wrap. He fooled around a little but settled well and after 5 minutes of wearing it he lay down and went to sleep.

After letting him rest for a while we fitted a new harness, one which didn't tighten when he pulled into it and took him out side to do some ground work. This he coped with well. He did freeze a couple of times but we where able to encourage him to move with wand work and TTouches.

2 weeks later

When I arrived B was asleep in his crate. He was happy and relaxed and had started to associate the crate as a safe, quiet place he could go to when things where a bit hectic. His people had sensibly encouraged him to go to his crate when he wanted to sleep. The door of the crate wasn't shut so B could get out if he wanted to. This really helped him see the crate as his safe area and not as a negative thing or punishment.

B had had a couple of slight incidents since my last visit but they had been much less extreme. One was a slight nip to one of his people and another was a growl and back off from a family friend. On the whole though they were pleased because B had never given a warning before or in fact backed off. Usually if he felt threatened he would just bite.

This week B accepted all the TTouches well. He was still a little fussy around his mouth though so I put on a loose elastic face wrap. Once this was on I was able to do a lot of work in and around his mouth while he lay quietly on the floor. I also put him in a T-shirt, which he loved and in fact took himself off to bed in it.

A month later

When I returned a month later I returned to a completely different household. Everyone was calm and relaxed. B had changed so much; not only emotionally and behaviourally but physically as well. His eyes and face where softer, he'd put on weight and there was no tension in his body when you touched him. He was so chilled out that it was hard to get him up in the morning, he just wanted to sleep in his crate. He's stopped endlessly pacing and following his people around and has set himself a routine, which allows the toddler and himself to have some space from each other. B just seemed a completely happy dog. It was amazing to think that 2 month previously this dog was just a few steps away from being euthanized.

B still receives at least 2 sessions of TTouch a week from his people as well as continued TTouch throughout the day instead of general petting. He continues to get a combination of Bach flower remedies in his water. He also wears his T-Shirt when he gets anxious.

B and his people are incredible; It amazes me how much you can achieve if you put your mind to it. This family now live in harmony and feel they have the right tools to deal with any problems that arise in the future.

NB: 3 years on and there is a new baby in the house. B's attitude to this baby is relaxed and calm. He is happy to be petted by the new baby, under supervision of course, but will take himself off to his crate when things get too much. Every year I get a text message from B's people thanking me for another year of happy life with B.

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