Socializing A Neglected Puppy - Page 2

I too, had a puppy like that. She would shake if I took her any place other than her “comfort zone.” And she would run and hide under the shelves in the garage if we had a visitor. What I started to do with her is just take her to a crowded place (outside waiting area of a busy restaurant, that is), sit down and just stay there for about 30 minutes to an hour at a time. The thought behind this was that if I expose her to a social situation for a long enough time, and she sees that it doesn’t hurt her, she will have no choice but to accept the situation and relax. A puppy can be fearful and tense only for so long – then it just gets too tiring to be like that. I thought I just need to show her that being among other people is an absolutely normal, routine, and unavoidable part of her life, and she needs to learn to deal with it. At first she tried to hide behind my legs under the bench. I wouldn’t let her do it. I had her on a very short leash and would gently make sure she has no choice but sit by my side. I would not pay too much attention to her, just sit quietly, looking around, as if to show her that we are in the most natural situation and there is nothing to worry about. Every time someone approached us, she had a little panic attack, but they would pass, and she would relax a little (still shaking though!) I did it every single day for two weeks. There seemed to be no improvement at first, but then I noticed she doesn’t shake as much anymore. If someone came closer, she would still try to hide though. I knew she wouldn’t hurt anyone, so I would make sure she is sitting and has no way to back away, and let kids and adults to love upon her. I noticed she wouldn’t panic anymore, but I knew that if I give her leash a slack, she would be back under my bench. Also, after two weeks, she would actually come out of the garage if someone came over (she would hide at first, but then saw no one is paying attention to her, so she would come out and actually approach us). I also took her everywhere with me on top of that. Anytime I went shopping, I took her, and another (VERY social) puppy with me, take them out of the car, and would just walk them around busy shops. After about three weeks, a lady stopped and asked to pet them. I said absolutely yes, and asked her to give them a treat. As she stepped forward towards the pups, the social puppy stepped towards her, and the shy one stepped back. So she gave a treat to the social one, and started to pet her, and the shy puppy was like “Hm, I want that too!” She very carefully stepped towards the lady, took a treat, and let her pet her!!! After that just like magic, she wasn’t shy anymore! Completely flipped into a normal, happy, social “I love you! Pet me! Let’s play!” puppy. She was about 5 months old then. This was the puppy that, when I tried to approach her for the first time, was screaming in fear and peeing all over, and trying to escape. There is hope!

I agree with SchHBabe, get her into an OB class. This will help her. Gives her boundaries and structure and teaches her how to learn. To much freedom right now, scares the daylights out of her, she does not have the mental tools to deal with all of the commotion. You have to go back the beginning with her and add on to her experiences, like building blocks. You do not move on until she has conquered the previous. Make her world smaller so she can cope. I agree with the crating of her. If you take your time and build her, you will be very surprised at the level she can get to.

Krista-- Right now, I wouldn't have her around any uncontrolled situations. Keep her in a room away from your clients. I don't see how keeping her in a crate in the same room with strangers (that terrify her) is a plus. Her comfort zone right now would be the knowledge that she "could flee" if necessary, not cringe in a crate. That's too much stress on an already hurting baby. No pressure for the moment. Have people you know run into you two "accidentally" on your walks. Have those people ignore her at first. Let her gradually approach them. Her reward from them should be exceptional---small tidbit of steak or chicken. ALL CONTROLLED. After a couple weeks of these totally positive meetings, I'd follow Kennel von Lotta's advice.

I was going to say an obedience class might be too much stimulation, but then I remembered the first night of agility classes last fall. One of the dogs in the class was so scared, it shook and trembled and peed on the small table we were using as a starting block. By the end of the 10 week course, it was actually beginning to enjoy itself, and take obstacle at speed, though it still would not do the tunnel.

Good advice here,if not genetics,it is situational problem ,remember small steps at a time . Don't give up.

I think Bob Kress gave some good advice. I have not read all the post's as I need to get going, but I wanted to coment on this one. YOU need to be creative. YOU need to understand that YOU have your work cut out for you. I could give you lots of tips and ideas and why you need to do them, but ultimatly YOU will need to start figuring things out on your own. I am not being mean. I am trying to explain a principle that so many do not get. It is not getting alot of formulas and methods. It is learning to read your dog, discern exactly what is frightening them, find out what motivates them, then being creative enough to put it all together. The dog is only going to do as good as his genetics allow, but you have a huge amout of room to work in that area. If it was poor early socialization, then you still have lots of room to make this guys life better. I used to work with problem dogs and have found that 99% of the time the dog could have done much better with more time and creativity spent on him. Remember, it is about the dog becoming all he can be, there should be no room for frustration on your part if this is the priority. I would love to talk more with you if you would care to give me your email address.

Blue- P.S. YOU will have an opportunity to learn more from this pup then from 10 healthy pups. It's a win win situation.

I have a female pup with much the same problem. I started taking her on walks to a new place every day. If she freaked out I would ignore it not make a big deal of it and just go on slowly. Then basic obedience.I also take her every where I can. When she was calm I would play ball or tug with her. I now take her daily to a dog park with strange people and dogs.I think your pup will get over this it just takes time and dedication.

Hi if you e-mail me I would be happy to e-mail you and give to you my personal tel number so I can give you some guidence. I cannot give to you a seminar or an encyclopedia of experience in one post . I can guide you through such things as behavior modifiaction , conditioning and counter conditioning.i ask nothing in return. other than that good luck.

Some good advise here. I liked KennelVon Lotta approach. I also agree all dogs different but you have to start somewhere. Remember you have to progress at the dog's rate not yours. Wish you the best of luck and you are a good hearted person.