Is your staffy sensitive. I know ours is.That’s Flo on a rather sensitive day ! Well she is only 18 months old. Unfortunatley since this picture Daffy the duck took a down turn and the Zanussi washer decided
to shred him.

Dogs are like people.  They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and temperaments.  The average dog owner may know a lot about shapes, sizes and colours of dogs, but most don’t have a lot of knowledge about sensitive dogs.  Sensitivity is probably one of the least understood issues that dog owners commonly encounter, yet it is something that can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful training and pet ownership.

Sensitivity in a dog can appear as emotional, sight, sound or touch sensitivity.  Your dog many exhibit one, two or all of these characteristics at different times and in different situations.  In human terms we understand the highly sensitive person and how they need careful handling – so too does a sensitive dog or you can damage it’s nerves and make it fearful, shy, neurotic or unmanageable.

Handling the sensitive dog requires insight and special attention.  Their behavior in stressful or pressure situations may call for a different type of correction than would a less sensitive dog’s behavior in the same situation. 

Emotional Sensitivity

This dog is emotionally sensitive – highly strung.  They may have a strong need to feel successful so it’s important for his training to take this into account and make lots of fuss and praise about little achievements.  Alternatively, even if they make mistakes, these dogs still need reassurance for their efforts, otherwise you risk them giving up and becoming unresponsive.  These dogs are hypersensitive to criticism.  Cringing, submission, slinking, lying down, showing their underbelly, all behaviors shown by a sensitive dog who feels they may have “done wrong”.  Like the old Christian hymn, with these dogs be “Slow to chide and swift to bless” if you want to maintain their self-esteem.  Bring them along more slowly than normal, and give them plenty of opportunities to do well and be rewarded so you constantly build confidence. 

Sight Sensitivity

This dog is distracted by the slightest movement.  Insects, birds, trees moving in the wind – all take their attention away from the task in hand.  They may react in training to hand signals or body movements we are not even aware we’re making!  Anticipation can be a problem, as they see you starting to get ready to give a command before you say it.  This dog may need louder commands than normal, and very still body language with conscious and deliberate movements for signals.  You’ll need to do lots of attention work to keep their attention out in the open where movement is all over the place.

Sound Sensitivity

This dog can sometimes show fear of loud or sudden sounds.  But the sensitivity isn’t just fear – sound is exaggerated for this type of dog, and they may crouch or urinate if spoken to sharply or loudly, or even in an “angry” or disapproving tone of voice.  These dogs may also run away from gunshots, trucks or other loud noises.  Loud commands or forceful verbal correction will ruin this dog.  Softer tones and gentle correction are more effective; they will hear a whispered command once they learn to “tune in” to your communication.  If you do need to use verbal commands or reprimands, keep your tone of voice happy and cheerful to avoid a reaction of excessive worry and fear.

Touch Sensitivity

This dog is difficult to train using a standard training collar.  Sensitivity to touch means even a basic correction by pressure on a collar may be too much!  Defensive reactions in a touch sensitive dog may run to biting, freezing up, or trying to run away.  Softer training methods are in order for the touch sensitive dog, and you must avoid “manhandling” at all costs.  Too much touch makes overreaction a habit, so keep your hands off the dog during training as much as possible.  Slow, gentle, soothing movements are the order of the day, and as with the sight sensitive dog, beware of hand movements that may make the dog anticipate a touch.
General Guidelines For Training Sensitive Dogs

Sensitive dogs generally need to be brought along more slowly. 

Training regimes need to be tailored for success and reward and NEVER punishment or disapproval. 

Just as no two people are alike, no two sensitive dogs alike so some trial and error while training is inevitable. 

Above all else, don’t give up.  A sensitive dog is not a lost cause, but rather a special companion that needs you to bring out the best in him.

As with most things, the key is education.  Read up on training techniques, learn how to “read” a dog’s body language and behavior, or talk to an experienced trainer. 
The best way to help yourself and your dog is to understand the special needs of a sensitive dog and learn all you can about effective handling methods.

 Enjoy the rest or your week,

 

A fellow Staffy lover