Hormones, NDT, What?

[lpowers50@yahoo.com]

Dru just turned one year old this week and almost overnight he seems to crawling out of his skin.

A bit of background:

We've been using NDT for many months now and things have been pretty good. He lights up when I bring out a tug toy and he drops on a dime for petting and relaxation when I say, "That'll Do" followed by more tugging/fetch tug and when I can tolerate the cold we add in some pushing. He does well with people (very friendly) and the very few dogs he visits.

I also have a 16 year old female bc who spends most of her day sleeping and can be a bit cranky (bark/growl)if he gets too close. If that happens he just moves to another spot.

In the last month I've given him some time in the living area in the evenings and he had been settling in very nicely resting on his "box/mat", often times chewing on a nice rack of pork ribs or the such.

The Change:


Almost overnight he acts like he's literally crawling out of skin. He won't settle at all in the house and will instead pace or stare obsessively at a small ceiling lamp, he'll jump on furniture (not at all the case ever before), is less interested in food (we feed raw) and paces.

When I let him out for a potty break he charges the woodpile, paces the fence, (he used to do both a few months ago but I haven't seen these behaviors for a while) until he's frothing at the mouth. If I open the door he takes one look and then charges the wood pile or fence. i don't say or do anything. I have waited him out and after 20 - 30 minutes he'll come to the door and I'll let him in.

My solution pending others' input is to let him out on lead for potty breaks, play tug, fetch tug, push a couple of times each day, maybe fit in a walk on leash then the rest of his day will be in the crate. In other words curtail as much stimulation as possible for some time....back to basics.

I also recognize this may be an opportunity for self reflection but all things considered, I'd like help knowing what to do with Dru until this phase passes.

Please let me know what your thinking.

Leslie

[Sang]

I think you've gotten some sound advice Leslie. If you follow that regimen, Dru should start figuring out where to invest his energy.

Good luck and keep us posted on your developments.

[lpowers50@yahoo.com]

Sang, thank you for responding.

Yes, I have gotten some good advice from Neil. I took his online course, bought the videos (and the fifty thousand foot leash ) as well as a bit of 1:1 coaching.

In the absence of a real person sitting here coaching me (admittedly this would rock) I tend to get bogged down in the details and find this forum to be helpful and very much appreciate the reciprocity of ideas and knowledge found here.

I am fortunate to be raising a puppy using NDT after having a "life dog" whose life (way to short) was indentured by many things and freed (to some degree) by my ability to work through some of my life's hurdles. It's all so fascinating.

Best and I will continue to update. Leslie

[Sang]

You really are lucky to be raising your puppy the NDT way. You don’t know how many times I’ve wished I could go back and rewrite the history of my own dogs.

It really is easy to start getting bogged down by all the little details. And though the details are important, the most important thing is to let go of your expectations and just be with your dog, and not worry so much about if you’re doing things “right”. Dogs are amazing at working things out on their own, if you just give them the chance. So there may be times when you feel like you’re fumbling through it all, but trust in the fact that he’ll figure it out, as will you.

[lpowers50@yahoo.com]

Yes, I realize how fortunate I am to be raising Dru using NDT, a very differet experience than with my other dog.

Thank you again for a thoughtful and helpful response.

Best, Leslie

[Melissa]

Leslie,

I am new to the forum and your post was very interesting.. I was wondering if you could let us know if the strange behavior resolved or not. If so, what do you think was the cause?

I apologize if you have posted this elsewhere.

Melissa

[yaufent]

I know NDT people talk about this already, but I think it's important to highlight how happy dogs are when they are allowed to release energy in a natural way. It is a lot more fun for both of use. A week ago I was doing some heeling with her and some commented on her happy prancing.

[lpowers50@yahoo.com]

I was trying to post a quick reply to Melissa's question about an update on Dru and I don't think it worked so I'm trying here.

Melissa,

I've been off the list for a while, apologies for late response.

from Melissa -I am new to the forum and your post was very interesting.. I was wondering if you could let us know if the strange behavior resolved or not.

The only thing that has changed is the wood pile is now gone and Dru has diverted his attention to the wheel of the lawn mower. He continues charging the fence and pulling fencing off the stakes. He seems to do both of these when he is "triggered" by "thebaneofmyexistance" or chipmunks and some unknowns and needs to find a place to put his energy. He'll suddenly start jumping around like a rabbit and barking and if I don't have food or something to tug (which sometimes I don't) he'll attack the fence or mower. I will say he will come/look to me first (jumping in my face and barking but not in an aggressive manner, just looking for me to help him out.) This is good and I've gotten much better about having toys outside.
I have not seen a lot of improvement in his getting charged by the horses next door. He will give them tons of barking, lunging and pulling on the leash but eventually will come for a push but not before looking for a tree to attack.
There are other times when he'll just chill in the yard for long periods of time and seems to be able to ignore or not get so charged by the noises in the woods.
I do think about neutering him as I don't know that I am always prepared for the amount of energy that he has but.....?
I also have not worked him much in the last few months (new job from home takes a good bit of my time) but when I do go out with my tool belt full of food he really ignites.
BTW, Dru is now 19 months old, full of play, spunk, confidence and seems to enjoy his life here on the hill in Vermont.
Okay, I guess that's it for now. Hope all is going well with your training Melissa.
Leslie