Case study - Vicki and Vivian

So my reputation is slowly spreading and I am getting more experience with behavioral issues outside of my own fosters. I thought I would share a recent problem posed to me and see what you guys think. Vicki and Vivian are twin mystery mixes (we called them shepherd mixes but they are really too small) that we adopted out a month or two ago. Vicki is *extremely* people shy and Vivian is a bit better. I received an email over the weekend telling me that they haven't socialized to the family, Vicki seems to have adversely affected Vivian instead of the other way around, and they are not very well house trained yet. When they go outside, the hide under the deck and have also been getting out of the yard. Based on the way a few things were phrased, I keyed in on their routine and asked for a full report on that, as well as what they are eating, favorite treats and activities (which help to know in training). Keep in mind that I don't really know these dogs on a personal level. I'd be interested to know what you think of my advice.

Here are some excepts form the original email as well as responses to my questions:

The dogs have extended their pack to include [daughter] to the extent that she can bring them inside at the end of the day, and they sometimes come up to her during the day. Otherwise, they avoid the rest of the family.

Once we let Vivian and Vicki outside in the morning, most of our family is not able to engage with them until [daughter] brings them in at the end of the day. If we go out to the back yard, they bolt to hide under the deck. When [daughter] brings them in at the end of the day, they will head for their cage (where they sleep for the night). If they come out (when only [daughter] is in the area) they will bolt back to the cage when anyone else arrives (or at any noise). The boys and [husband] have been very gentle with the dogs, but this has not had any apparent result. [husband] and the boys attempt to engage with the dogs (for example, slowly moving to pat them while the dogs are in the cage or when [daughter] is holding them), but Vivian and especially Vicki are in full submissive mode if they can’t get away, and will bolt at the first chance.

We have attempted to take them on a leash for a walk, even just in the yard and just to do their business, but this seemed to be totally unproductive – they attempt to bolt, and when they find they can’t, they cringe and crouch and don’t move unless pulled.

What is especially disheartening is that the connections we thought we were making with Vivian during the first week have eroded. It seems that Vicki is influencing Vivian to be less trusting of us, rather than Vivian helping Vicki to be more trustful. For example, if Vivian does start to move to one of us, Vicki starts barking (at Vivian? at us? we can’t tell) and Vivian backs away.

Equally disheartening is that we have all agreed from the start to be patient, but we are not seeing any positive results – even tiny ones. We have followed the vet’s advice, such as having [husband] and the boys prepare the dog’s food, but to no avail.

We have some thoughts:

- The dogs may have a strong negative association with male humans.

- The dogs have a strong bond with each other and don’t need to form other bonds.

- The behaviors may have been established over a longer time than we first thought – our vet believes they are about 18 months old.

1) what do they eat?

Blue Buffalo dog food, adult dog variety. Morning and evening feedings per vet's advice.
2) favorite treats?

We have a variety of dog treats. We don't have a way to determine favorite treats. When they are in the crate we can give them a treat and they will eat it. Outside the crate, Vivian will come out to the edge of the deck to get a treat; Vicki will not.
3) favorite activities that you have observed?

When they are outside and we are inside, we have observed them running around the yard together. They clearly like barking.
4) can you give me a blow by blow description of their current daily routine including who is the human usually interacting and their usual reaction to each event in their day?

- Let dogs out of crate and outside in the morning ([husband] or [daughter]).

- Put food outside for dogs ([husband] or [daughter]). We tried to put the food inside first thing before they went out, but this made us nervous: (a) they wouldn't eat while they could see us and (b) they are not safely housebroken to the point that we trust them unobserved in the house.

- At some point in the day, [daughter] would go outside to attempt to interact with the dogs (sit, talk to them, try to cax them to come to her). However, Vicki has begun to associate [daughter] with being brought inside at the end of the day, and is not coming to her during the day.

- Boys or [husband] had been going outside to attempt to interact with the dogs, but this results in the dogs running under the deck. As indicated below, Vivian is less likely to come out than she had been, possibly based on Vicki's reaction.

- The boys put out the evening food, and go inside so the dogs will eat.

- In the evening, [daughter] will spend some time attempting to get Vicki inside; Vivian usually will follow. Sometimes Vivian will come in, but Vicki will usually not follow.

- The dogs will be in the sun room but will bolt for the crate or under the table if someone comes into the room.

- At bedtime, we close the crate.

Variations:

- We have tried taking the dogs out on a leash to do their business. Usually successful with Vivian; no point with Vicki (she will not do anything other then attempt to bolt or cower).

- Despite fixing our fence and inspecting for any gaps, the dogs have been getting out of the yard and into neighbor's yards. We are not sure how (for example, we don't know if they are fence jumpers or climbers, or if they found a very small gap that we can't detect). The good news is that they are staying in the area, and have even gotten back into our yard. The bad news is that they will not come to any of us when outside our yard.

Here is what I see. The dogs are alone all day because they are outside. The dogs do not place any value on interaction with the family because they get no positive reinforcement from it. The interaction they do have is forced upon them, and they have no safe opportunity to get used to being around the people. They have no structure and do not know what to expect from the people. So here is what I recommended as a first step. I think they will see results of some kind within a week from this approach.

Based on what you have told me, I think that the dogs would be better off on a more restricted regimen for a while. Right now they are outside and can do whatever they want. They have no motivation to allow you to get close to them and as far as they know - food magically appears in their bowls outside. I know you said they will generally not go on the leash, but if that is their only option, I think they will. They need to spend more time around people. I would full on crate train them. It will be a massive pain in the butt for a while, but I am pretty positive it will work. And you guys are so dedicated, I know if you just have a little success it will help immensely. So it would go like this:

• crate should be located where the most activity is in the house (at least to the extent that it is feasible)
  
• overnight in crate
• leashed walk in the morning* (*if one of them doesn't go, try again in an hour until they do)
• Bring some cut up hot dog or american cheese with you on the walk. Whenever one of them eliminates, say "good girl" in a high pitched upbeat tone, and throw ONE treat in front of the one who eliminates. If they will accept it from your hand, fine, but don't force it or it is not a reward. When you toss it, give them time to discover it. If they refuse it, just ignore it and go back inside. Repeat this process for every walk. Note: if they come to enjoy being on the leash outside, be sure to wait a little after they eliminate to go back in; otherwise they will associate going potty with going back inside and that could cause problems. However, if they hate being out there, take them inside right after they go as an added reward.
  
• after walk, breakfast in the house in a quiet place, but not entirely away from everyone. MAKE SURE THEY SEE YOU PUTTING THE FOOD DOWN FOR THEM. If they won't eat after 20 minutes, put them back in the crate (make sure there is water in the crate). No food until the next mealtime (exception if they go potty). **If you have an instance where they eliminate in the crate instead of when you take them outside, start feeding them in the crate and they will be less likely to do that. Maintain the 20 minute rule though.
  
• walk again 20 mins after breakfast
• back in crate
• it will depend on whether they are going to the bathroom outside as to how often you let them out. Initially you will probably have to let them out every hour or two. Once they actually go, every 3 or 4 hours should be OK. Start out with less time and increase it to see what they can handle.
  
• Once they go potty outside, let them have 20 minutes out of the crate IN THE HOUSE. If you can gate off a room that would be great. Keep them in your vicinity. Ignore them (or rather appear to ignore them) - do not try to interact at all. Let them make any overt gestures - this will take them a while.
• They must be watched at all times while they are out of the crate - if someone has an accident *and you catch them at it* startle them into stopping with a firm NO (or word of your choice - just be consistent) and get them outside (on leash) immediately. If you do not catch them in the process of doing it, just put them back in the crate and clean it up with an enzyme cleaner. If you try to tell them what they did wrong, they will have no clue even if it is 2 seconds after they finish.
  
• back in crate; repeat the letting out/activity in the house as necessary
• around dinner time; let them out of crate and walk as usual.
• upon return, repeat the process for breakfast. If they won't eat after 20 minutes, put them back in the crate. No food until the next mealtime.
• Evening walk before bedtime; 20 mins free time; crate for night.
• No one should ever, under any circumstances, reach into the crate for any reason. If they retreat to the crate during "free time" that's fine. Just shut the door after 20 minutes. Be sure not to slam it or smile at them (that is baring your teeth and scary for them).
• You may find that you have more success with walking one dog at a time. But play with it and see what works best.
  

If you would like, I can stop over on Sunday and show you some body language stuff for the dogs. Please let me know if that works for you and what times are good. Things that seem friendly for people (like smiling) are aggressive acts to a dog or at the least can be scary. If you have any questions about any of this, I can be reached tonight at ...