Maturity regression?

Gypsy Wolf · 22-03-2011, 03:55

As my hubbie posted earlier, we seem to be having some "regression" issues in our household with Pollux. He is 13 months old and I have been told CsVs have "stormy adolescence" periods... I assumed that meant dominance issues, but Pollux seems to be having fear issues.
He was (and I think IS, normally) a very social boy once we had gotten him past his puppyish environmental sensitivities. Now he is acting like he did when we first got him - situations that he has experienced many times are now "scary" like they were when I first started socializing him. He is in total avoidance of new humans and new dogs - and he used to be VERY social with other "new" dogs.
I am thinking it is just a developmental stage, but I am not sure, and I don't know how long to expect this butt-head behavior.
I am NOT going to change our routine of training, but I will not put pressure on him at this time, for fear of making it worse. I was panning to give it 4 to 6 weeks, but again, I am not sure how long such a stage would last.
Would really appreciate anything people could chare with me about the developmental stages of a male CsV... I refuse to give up on him as I think his real personality is super...

Vaiva · 22-03-2011, 11:43

Brukne and her sister also got matured overnight - when they were about 15 months old. Suddenly these crazy dogs, who could easily make you cry, became some kind of... nearly normal

Mikael · 22-03-2011, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunas Mom

- situations that he has experienced many times are now "scary" like they were when I first started socializing him. He is in total avoidance of new humans and new dogs - and he used to be VERY social with other "new" dogs...

Hronec was exacly like this to, everyting got scary ower one night, but I did think it was just the normal "Ghostage"

4-6 weeks later he was not a boy no more but a man... But yes, IT WAS STONG... He did realy see ghosts

And I was a bit worry he would turn shy... But nooppp, he is now very very not shy ( Pitpull farward )

I´m no expert on dog nor CsV behaviour, but I think it is just a stage of Pollux maturing

Very best regards / Mikael

Rona · 23-03-2011, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunas Mom

He was (and I think IS, normally) a very social boy once we had gotten him past his puppyish environmental sensitivities. Now he is acting like he did when we first got him - situations that he has experienced many times are now "scary" like they were when I first started socializing him.

I can't help you, since I never had a male vclak and our female has been shy neither as a pup, nor youngster, nor is she now. She's always been open and friendly to people (when young, even too friendly!

) and her maturing was a continuous process. We do have sometimes minor problems with her, but well, 1. there are always reasons, usually on our side, 2. that's the beuaty of the breed, isn't it

****

But I wanted to ask you an OT question: I remember our dicussions here from about year ago, when you were getting Pollux to train him into a "working dog". I remember people trying to warn you against such a fast decision and advising more research on kennels, ancestors, characters in vlcaks' lines, etc. etc.

I know that you probably love Pollux dearly and wouldn't exchange him for any other dog, but do you think now, from the perspective of the year spent with vlcaks, your decision was right?

I'm asking this question out of pure curioisty, without any irony or criticism (well Pollux is your pet, it's your life and your decision, not to be questioned by anybody).

Maybe I would put it differently: if a new vlcak enthusiast wanting to get a csv pup as soon as possible, from whichever breeder was ready to sell and send it overseas at a reasonable price turned to you for advice, what would be your reaction now?

Gypsy Wolf · 23-03-2011, 18:10

Personally, getting Pollux was NOT my choice (no offence meant to his breeder!)... my friend was the one who had fallen in love with Luna, and desperately wanted a vlcak of her own. Since she knew nothing of what was around and available, I helped her with a list of breedings, pups on the ground, etc. I gave her the information I could find, and selecting Pollux was her choice completely.
She was a little hasty in her decision, I think - she wanted a vlcak immediately and figured that if she got a pup young enough she could mold it to whatever she wanted, regardless of genetics, environment, etc. She felt she could do that.
Pollux was frustrating and she offered co-ownership to me. Since he was living in an outdoor kennel on her property, Ed and I decided to bring him into our home and see what we could do with him ourselves.
I would not have chosen Pollux only because I was NOT in the market for another vlcak! One is enough for me!
So it is really a matter of the dog falling into our lap - NOT through our choice. I really wish that it had worked out for her - he is a lot of work, and is NOT like the other dogs she is used to working with - Malinois, retrievers, etc. and maybe that is part of the problem.
So now he is in our home and treated like all of our other dogs. He is really a stunningly beautiful boy and has some interesting quirks - like he brings me the water bucket when it is empty to tell me to fill it - and I hope that he fulfills his potential in the future.
But no - I wouldn't have chosen Pollux as I was NOT looking for another vlcak... Luna is more than enough to keep me busy! However now that we have him, I am committed to do what I can to maximize his abilities.

Rona · 23-03-2011, 18:26

Thanks very much for your sincere answer. I have no doubt you're doing the best for him.

22-03-2011, 03:55	#1
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	Fear Period/Regression As my hubbie posted earlier, we seem to be having some "regression" issues in our household with Pollux. He is 13 months old and I have been told CsVs have "stormy adolescence" periods... I assumed that meant dominance issues, but Pollux seems to be having fear issues. He was (and I think IS, normally) a very social boy once we had gotten him past his puppyish environmental sensitivities. Now he is acting like he did when we first got him - situations that he has experienced many times are now "scary" like they were when I first started socializing him. He is in total avoidance of new humans and new dogs - and he used to be VERY social with other "new" dogs. I am thinking it is just a developmental stage, but I am not sure, and I don't know how long to expect this butt-head behavior. I am NOT going to change our routine of training, but I will not put pressure on him at this time, for fear of making it worse. I was panning to give it 4 to 6 weeks, but again, I am not sure how long such a stage would last. Would really appreciate anything people could chare with me about the developmental stages of a male CsV... I refuse to give up on him as I think his real personality is super...

22-03-2011, 11:43	#2
Vaiva ir Brukne Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vilnius Posts: 1,768	Brukne and her sister also got matured overnight - when they were about 15 months old. Suddenly these crazy dogs, who could easily make you cry, became some kind of... nearly normal __________________ Walkiria Girios dvasia

23-03-2011, 18:26	#6
Rona Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Kraków Posts: 3,509	Thanks very much for your sincere answer. I have no doubt you're doing the best for him. __________________

23-03-2011, 18:10	#5
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	Personally, getting Pollux was NOT my choice (no offence meant to his breeder!)... my friend was the one who had fallen in love with Luna, and desperately wanted a vlcak of her own. Since she knew nothing of what was around and available, I helped her with a list of breedings, pups on the ground, etc. I gave her the information I could find, and selecting Pollux was her choice completely. She was a little hasty in her decision, I think - she wanted a vlcak immediately and figured that if she got a pup young enough she could mold it to whatever she wanted, regardless of genetics, environment, etc. She felt she could do that. Pollux was frustrating and she offered co-ownership to me. Since he was living in an outdoor kennel on her property, Ed and I decided to bring him into our home and see what we could do with him ourselves. I would not have chosen Pollux only because I was NOT in the market for another vlcak! One is enough for me! So it is really a matter of the dog falling into our lap - NOT through our choice. I really wish that it had worked out for her - he is a lot of work, and is NOT like the other dogs she is used to working with - Malinois, retrievers, etc. and maybe that is part of the problem. So now he is in our home and treated like all of our other dogs. He is really a stunningly beautiful boy and has some interesting quirks - like he brings me the water bucket when it is empty to tell me to fill it - and I hope that he fulfills his potential in the future. But no - I wouldn't have chosen Pollux as I was NOT looking for another vlcak... Luna is more than enough to keep me busy! However now that we have him, I am committed to do what I can to maximize his abilities.