Re: JRT Feeling guilty

In Reply to: JRT Feeling guilty
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Sarah Peacock
Posted on:  October 29, 2002 at 11:33:15

: My JR is almost 4 and she has this problem that is making me very nervous. She feels guilty for EVERYTHING! I clean up a spot on the floor that she had nothing to do with and her whole attitude changes. her tail goes between her legs (as mush as it can) and she creeps out around me or out of the room. I whisk away the dirt that is on my bed and she does the same thing. her tail goes down and she hides under the bed. she thinks it is her fault. She acts like we beat her and we would never and have never done that!
: Can you please clear this up for me?
: Thank you!!!

Response:

Dear Sarah,

When terriers "react" to things we think they shouldn't, they are associating our action/attitude with a prior experience. And these dogs are so smart, the prior experience need not have anything to do with something they have done.

Consider the following scenarios:

(1) One cold, rainy night a dog doesn't want to go outside and neither does it's owner. Ten minutes later, dog pees/poops on a newly-cleaned rug and while cleaning up the mess, the owner's voice is a bit louder/harsher then usual. Dogs tucks tail and runs away, owner feels bad, finds dog and cuddles/gives kisses while telling dog it's okay...

(2) Owner drops a plate full of chicken bones in the kitchen when the dog is nearby. The noise is loud and unexpected as is the owner's voice ordering the dog to stay away while cleaning up the mess. Dog tuck tails and runs away and owner is glad that the dog is gone from the room because it's safe from harm...

In the first scenario, the dog has learned that when it runs away, it's owner will reward it with affection. In the second scenario, the dog has learned that when the owner is cleaning, it should be as far away as possible. Both are valid responses from owner and dog AT THE TIME of the incidents.

The key to changing your terrier's behavior is to change yours; being nervous or frustrated only reinforces her "original" response. Try encouraging her to help you clean the floor/bed with an up-beat tone of voice and give her a "job." She can (for instance) "guard" the pillows while you shake out the covers or "keep that part of the floor warm" while you clean another part. Be creative, Sarah; there is no end to what we can teach our pets. :-)