MODULE 2 - Section 9 Fear Behaviour

Canine Behaviour Foundation Course

Module 2 - Section - 9 - Fear Behaviour in Adult Dogs

Fear Behaviour in General
Physical reactions to fear
Causes of Fear in Dogs
Long Term Fear/Stress

Fear Behaviour in General

Fear can be described as an emotion, however it goes much deeper than this as the response of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for the freeze, fight, or flight syndrome as discussed in the 5 F’s of behaviour which you have already learnt about. Fear is considered to be a normal behavior, essential for adaptation and survival.

Fear reactions can be mild such as trembling, withdrawing, hiding, right through to the dog trying to escape or classic signs of sympathetic autonomic nervous system activity such as diarrhea or even self-inflicted injury such as licking and biting of self (discussed in section on Obsessive Behaviours)

In Module 3 you will receive basic information on the dog’s nervous system so that you develop a better understanding of same, however in this segment we will be discussing the Amygdala and the impact of Oxytocin as they have very specific effects on fear behaviour and the way we deal with it. If you would like to start reading in advance, here is a link to start with https://naturapetz.com/blogs/pet-health-a-z/9041175-autonomic-nervous-system-in-dogs-and-cats

Very simply both the amygdala and the hippocampus work with the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) which is responsible for the release of epinephrine (known more commonly as adrenalin) which results in the fight or flight response.

Due to the use of the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) neuroscience has uncovered more findings which were only suspected decades ago that there are parts of the brain that are responsible for emotions. One such finding was that the amygdala stores the memories of past emotional reactions, processes emotions and can react so aggressively to stress that it can physical prevent information from reaching the centers of the brain necessary for absorbing new knowledge.

Further research into the amygdala also showed that feelings such as boredom, frustration and embarrassment can also cause the brain to go into the flight-or-flight mode.

Simply put, stressed brains are unable to form the necessary neural connections to enable learning to occur and in studies undertaken with children, research shows that the child has to feel both emotionally and physically safe to enable learning to take place. Here is a link on an article by Sara Bernard where this is discussed http://www.edutopia.org/neuroscience-brain-based-learning-emotional-safety

Now why is this knowledge important to those of us that are working with fearful dogs? Simple, the same criteria applies – in order for the dog to learn a new way of acting and reacting to previously fearful stimuli, it has to feel both physically and emotionally comfortable and safe.

If we asked the dog to do too much in a situation where the dog was learning a new way of reacting to a previous fearful stimuli, we could stress the brain (as above) and the dog could completely shut down.

Another aspect that we believe needs to be looked at when it comes to fear in dogs is that of Oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone, made in the brain, in the hypothalamus. Oxytocin for many years has been known as the ‘love hormone’ and also in relation to childbirth and breast feeding. However, further research has identified that the stress hormone Cortisol and Oxytocin actually work together to create deep rooted fear based memories, both during and after times of distress (Cortisol is produced by the adrenal cortex)

In one of the articles on Oxytocin it says that there in now evidence that oxytocin is responsible for an "amazing variety of behavioral functions” including relaxation, trust and psychological stability.

Closer to home, in an article on learning by TTouch practitioner Robin Bernhard, LCSW, Med, which appears in international TTouch trainer, Robyn Hood’s book, (All Wrapped Up For You) it discusses the connection between touch and oxytocin and how this can impact on behavior.
http://ttouchworld.com/the-neurohormone-oxytocin-and-its-relationship-to-learning/

Now if we consider that Touch is the first sense that both humans and dogs acquire and how important it is in general, we can also understand just how important Touch must be when it has been used to cause harm or fear to a dog – the memory of that fear can be deeply entrenched. This can become of paramount importance when dealing with a dog that is fearful of people and may have had harsh punishment or even abuse. When dealing with a dog with fear behavior, the following must be taken into account:-

The dog’s fear is very real – respect it. To give you an example of this, in a radio show Scotty was on some years ago talking about dogs with fear of storms, a listener phoned in and said ‘why does the dog not just over it – it is only thunder and lightening for heavens sake’. Scotty’s response to this was to ask the listener what her reaction would be is she had a fear of spiders and was put into a room and surrounded by them?
Teach a dog how to cope with the perceived fear by teaching it another way e.g. desensitizing and counter conditioning.
Desensitize the dog slowly and at a rate it can cope with.
Repeat the practicing of the desensitizing over and over.
Never go faster than the dog can cope with – the dog MUST be happy and content at each and every stage of the desensitizing (and counter conditioning if applicable).
In the case where a dog is fearful of being touched in one or more specific areas, a visit to the vet must be undergone to ensure that there is no physical reason for the fear.
In the case of a dog fearful of people, make use of Calming signals prior to touching the dog, and when starting to touch, use a modality such as TTouch to help the dog build trust. In the practical sessions on approaching fearful dogs and TTouch, you will be shown how to achieve this. We would also suggest that products such as the Avalon Pure Sprays or vet meds should be considered – we believe that every single tool possible should be considered to help the dog cope and overcome the fear.
Show that you are somebody to be trusted by not only respecting the dogs fear - bring in modifications such as the House Rules which will immediately raise the owner up in the combined human/canine social structure and the dog will be more likely to trust. Where this is concerned, the House Rules brought in may not be all the House Rules – refer to your exceptions to House Rules.
Ensure that the dog is comfortable in the situation where you are starting to change the fear behavior. For an example if a dog is fearful of people, don’t have somebody standing right over the dog in a dominant position, or if the dog is less fearful of women, start the desensitizing process with women first, not a man. Another example is to respect the dog’s critical distance away from the perceived fearful object and start the process where the dog can easily cope.
Although changing a dogs perception is something that must be thought through and treated very seriously, don’t make the actual process serious – have fun, have breaks in the process and perhaps play a bit of ball, have a game of pullies, have a short walk in between etc. It has been proven scientifically that we learn quicker and easier when fun is brought into the learning process.
A fearful dog must NEVER be pushed or rushed, work must be done at the speed a dog can cope with.
Stop labelling the dog as fearful – change the perception and you will change the labelling.
A dog should never be punished for fearful behaviour.

2. Physical Reactions to Fear

We have covered these already in the Calming Signals, signs of stress and possible aggression and here are some reminders of the common signs.

Fight or flight happening instinctually
Other aspects of the 5 F’s of behaviour exhibited
Lowered body stance,
Crouching or laying belly up,
Tail tucked between the legs
Tail wagging in a quick, frenetic manner,
Head lowering,
Increased or rapid breathing
Looking away or turning the head away,
Whale eye with white showing,
Ears flattened against the head,
Lips pulled tightly back
Piloerection (hair raised) which is often associated with aggression but more correctly signifies a state of arousal.

3. Causes of Fear in Dogs

Genetics. Some dogs are born with a lower tolerance to stressors and anxiety provoking situations. Parents who have a weaker tolerance to stress and are prone to fearful responses are likely to produce offspring of the same.
Any illness or painful physical condition – this could result in the dog being fearful of being touched. A vet visit is required in a case such as this
Aging changes associated with nervous system changes;
Infectious disease (primarily viral infections such Canine Distemper and Rabies which can cause behaviour changes, often fear and aggression related.
Toxic conditions, such as lead poisoning, may lead to behavioral problems, including fears, phobias, and anxieties
Lack of proper socialization during critical socialization periods and continued socializing.
Fear occurring during one of the early fear periods which could have resulted in one event learning.
Fears by association. An example of this is a GSD worked with some years ago who suddenly became reactive towards children in the home. What transpired is that the owner had used an electric shock collar to stop the dog going out of the gate. As the dog tended to run out the gate as the children arrived home from school and in the dogs minds the aversive of the shock was associated with the children.
Noise phobias (guns, fireworks, cars, machinery)
Storm phobias
Being unable to escape – this could include being unable to get away from a storm or loud noise, but could also include a dog locked in a crate or restricted area and being unable to get away.
Separation from owner (separation anxiety)
History of being abandoned and/or ending up in a shelter
Multiple Owners in some dogs
Neglect, harsh handling, abuse
One event learning based on any of the below.

Unfamiliar people (including children)
Unfamiliar places
Unfamiliar objects
Other pets or animals
Veterinary clinic visits
Boarding kennels
Car rides

4 Long term stress

Both our bodies stress responses and those of our dogs is perfect in the short-term, however can be extremely damaging if the stress condition goes on for weeks, months or even years and can even have a physical effect.

Prolonged periods of raised cortisol levels can affect the immune system, hasten the aging process, slow down wound healing, be a major factor in dep

In further sections we will be working with modifications on common fears exhibited by dogs and one of the most important aspects to remember is to work in short segments and not over tax the dogs coping skills. Have breaks in between with the dog having a bit of fun with the owner, or even a ball being thrown.

Assignment

You see somebody in the street that is pulling a dog along with a collar and when you stop to look, the person says ‘I have never come across such a stubborn dog in my life’. Bearing in mind that we want people to take our advice and not be rude to them – how would you respond in your own words to give the owner more information about fear behaviour?
What is your own opinion as to what could be the number one major component of fear behaviour in dogs?