Tinker is going thru this to though thankfully for us not to the extent poor Bentley is. Yesterday on our walk she started barking and growling and acting big puttin up hair next to the barn. I could not see what she saw so I let her bark. Then causally walked over with the other dogs.
Finally figured out she was barking at the back hoe its been sitting there for a week so could not figure out what she was upset about. Finally I noticed a towel was hanging from the seat and the wind was making it move. I walked over to it with her hovering protectively and picked it up and let her smell it and she was like oh well okay.
Since then she eyes it with suspision. I think at some point their awareness expands and they are more aware of things and suddenly the world becomes a bit of a scary experience. Keep your routine try and encourage him to check out the scary thing by standing near whatever it is, staying relaxed and casual about it and let him check it out or sit next to you till he feels better. The less we react the more calm they are mostly and if it is just too much for him. Do walk away and try again later. I bet anything he is super aware of that dog watching him now and it probably feels like a weight when he has to go by. Poor thing.

__________________

Boots, Sparkles and Tink Bridge dogs, Tuffy, Blueboy, Pudge, Maddie, Broker, Jet, Baily, and Reva

Agility class was a bust. During our other classes he LOVED the equipment and would run up/down the ramp, through the tunnel and they have a teeter totter thing that she showed him how to use and we always had trouble getting him away from it after that.

Today, he wanted nothing to do with any of it. Even the tunnel, which I have video of him running through time after time before...he wouldn't go close to it today. He just lowered his bum and barked at everything

The trainer gave us some exercises to work on at home. She said he is in a fear stage and we just have to work through it. We're going back there tomorrow afternoon for some one on one training. I hope it helps.

__________________

Forgot to mention: she said part of our 'exercises' involve keeping Bentley and Ky separate 24/7 for awhile so Bentley doesn't rely on her to get him through the skittishness. Not sure how I feel about that.

__________________

Just reading through this and I wasn't sure what the fear stage is. Chester hasn't gone through this yet in face lately the newest is now that he has his adult teeth he has become really mouthy. Other than that I havent noticed anything new and he's definitely not showing fear towards objects or anything. I hope your able to come out of this fearful stage soon and I wish you guys the best.

As for Bentley and ky not being together 24/7 I wouldn't know how to take that either. Maybe for now try separating them only half a day and see how that goes.

__________________

Thanks, yes Bentley's problems just started up one day out of the blue.

I have made a decision about Bentley & Ky. They will not be separated. Ky enjoys being there for him and they both get alone time with me for play and walks ect so they will remain together and we will figure this out together.

__________________

Unless Ky is a fearful dog I would not separate them. Dogs learn faster from each other than from us... if something 'scary' happens and Ky reacts normally, Bentley is much more likely to realize it's not scary. I would, however, make sure you aren't making a big deal about anything.... just act like nothing scary is happening. Your energy most definitely passes on to Bentley! Remy went through terrible fear periods and is still a bit skittish with loud noises (but he is a hunting dog and loves guns... ??). I just make sure I never overreact to anything like that. If a chair falls and he gets scared, I say "what a pansy! it's just a chair!' and walk away, leaving the chair tipped over for him to smell.

__________________


Remington Byrd's Golden Shot - "REMY" - CGC, Therapy Dog, Service Dog
Collier's Freedom's Avenger - "Caira"

Hi Joyce, Bentley Ky & Family, I agree you shouldn't separate your two, Ky is obviously looking out for her brother and Bentley is sticking close by!, Barnaby went through something similar when he was a pup although the way he is at the moment I think he is going through some kind of second puppyhood!. I loved the comment you made about Bentley being the size of a Moose, Joyce you really put a smile on my face!. Perhaps you should have called him Beethoven after the St Bernard. Sending you our very best New Year wishes and hope that 2013 brings you and your family both canine and human many good times.

I know it isn't what you want to hear, but in some ways I think your trainers advice makes sense. I wouldn't go as far as to separate them 24/7 but I definitely see dogs that spend all their time together and puppies being more fearful and anxious as a result when away from their buddy. I think you really want Bentley to have a great relationship with Ky but to not be dependent on her. I have seen my trainer give the same advice with great success. However, I don't think you need to separate them 24/7 to make any progress. I just think some time apart during the day and when outside, on walks, etc might potentially help. If I was seeing such a strong fear period I would definitely be worried about my pup being too dependent on an older dog.

__________________
-Valerie

yup yup yup - I would not separate the two either. Unfortunately Rose is the only dog in the house. I argued with DH to get a puppy back in 2006 a year after Trooper left us while we still had Jack. It was so much easier to train the other puppies when there was an adult dog in the house! He did not want to out of fear. He had at one point the mother and her son and they had such a strong relationship that when the mother passed away the son was so depressed it nearly killed him and he did not want anything to do with the family or the new puppy he brought in. With that in mind I wonder if the trainer would want Bentley to also form relationships with other dogs and not be completely attached and dependent on Ky. I still wouldn't separate the two but would look at maybe going on walks with other dogs in the neighborhood as well.

Ky & Bentley do have their time apart. Quite awhile ago I became concerned about him getting too dependent on her so they have separate walks, sometimes when it's just me & Bentley we meet up with people from the neighborhood walking their dogs so he gets to walk and interact with other dogs without Ky. Bentley also spends time at playgroup with small dogs without Ky.

At home sometimes they're together outside but he gets cold pretty fast so he comes in with us while she stays outside. My problem with separating them is Bentley has always been reassured by Ky, when he hears something that scares him he looks at Ky and if she's not reacting to it he just ignores it too. It's been that way from day one. Ky was very helpful when teaching him to walk on leash and get used to traffic noises ect.

This period that he's going through right now, in my mind, does not justify separating them. He is the same old Bentley 98% of the time. At the nursing home again this AM he was back to not caring about anything except his hugs & kisses.

I was supposed to take Bentley to our trainer this afternoon for a one on one training session but I canceled it. If she thinks my dogs have to be separated 24/7 then we don't need her. I will work with him myself. If he runs into something else that frightens him I will show him that it's nothing to be afraid of using treats and love. We'll get through this.

It just surprised me because Ky has raised him to be a very brave, inquisitive puppy. He has no hesitation when checking out new things, people or dogs. I joked with DH that on his dog license for breed I was going to put..Golden Retriever/Akita mix

I think this is just a phase he's going through and we will work it out as a family, and our family includes Ky. Thanks for all the input, I really do appreciate it!

__________________