I got my 6mnth old puppy home, he came from a kennel. Hes very
shy, I have had him for a week now. He is coming around but still
runs from me when I go to pet him or pick him up. He is not mean
or aggressive, and never trys to bite. Once I get him, he acts fine.
He makes me feel bad because he acts like he thinks I'm going to
hurt him which I would never do. What can I do to make him feel
safer? Do you think its because he was mistreated or just because
of being alone at the kennel? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Chetco looks like your an expert can you help me?
2006-10-18 14:00:29 · 9 answers · asked by REALISTIC 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You know it sounds like he was on his own quite a bit and is just not sure of you yet. One thing that would help is when you call him get down on the floor. Try it from his level and he won't be so afraid..Your a good owner for caring. Good Luck.
2006-10-18 16:05:24 · answer #1 · answered by thmsnbrgll 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have two dogs. A sweet but extremely energetic stray Labradoodle I found near some tennis courts I was playing at. I took her home, had her checked out, notified the pound and vets, and have had her since. I have another dog, a 4 year yellow lab that used to be a lot like your dog. I got him from the pound at 8 months old, after he was taken from an older lady that mistreated him and all his siblings. When my family and I went to the pound, we saw him and took him to a room to see if we liked him and if he liked us. We loved him, but he barely moved, pretty much scared for his life (he was the runt and had to be fed seperately from the other pups). We got him a few weeks later and he was the same at home for a while. I spent as much time with him as I could, fed him as often as possible, and had him stay in my room. I can't remember how long it took, but he eventually came around and now goes crazy whenever I walk in the door (I'm up at college and only see him once a week). He was a very troubled pup and still has his problems (won't cross certain lines, go into rooms where the flooring is different, go into other peoples houses, go near people other than the family) but he came around and became much more sociable after he learned that I give him food, shelter, and love. Trust me, yours will too. My dog actually likes one of my friends and gets excited when he comes over, but hates all my other friends. The only reason I can see for this is the friend he likes didn't try really hard to get him to like him (didn't go persue him and pet him constantly and such). Eventually my dog just kind of walked over to him, sniffed him, realized he wasn't going to do anything, and layed down next to him and fell asleep. You could try that approach as well. Give both a try. One way or another, he'll come around.
2006-10-18 21:24:26 · answer #2 · answered by k n 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a soft harness at a good pet supply, the step-in type is the one to ask for, and put the harness on him...with a very long lead..perhaps two Dollar store type leads together, to make it about 8 feet..anyway, when you have the long lead on him, gently pull him to the center of the room, while speaking soothingly, calling his name, and offering a tiny treat, such as the soft cat treats..Then, only when he is the center of any room, approach him, taking up the slack as you go, so soon you are sitting near him, and offering cuddles and /or treats..Never go after him when he is near a corner, as this is taken as being aggressive (you have him cornered) But only when out in the open..If you are gentle and persistent, he will soon be coming when called...
2006-10-19 04:48:54 · answer #3 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not unusual for dogs that have been abused, or dogs that were isolated a lot as puppies to react to the approach of humans with shyness or fear-like behavior. The best was to combat it is to make yourself look less "intimidating" when you approach your dog. Rather than chasing it down and standing over it before picking it up -- whic can be fear inducing -- get onto the floor with a treat and coax the dog to come to you. Seated, you're not so "big" or "threatening" to the dog, and offering it a treat shows the dog you're a "provider". Don't demand that the dog come to you; be parient. Let the dog come to you on its terms, rather than expecting it to come to you on yours. You'll both benefit from a more relaxed approach.
When the dog comes to you, don't grab it up. Just let it "be" around you for a while; give the dog some appreciative petting; praise it for not being afraid; let it have it treat. Coax the dog into your lap and THEN hold it. While you're holding it, stand up and cary it around for a bit... The dog will learn that you're willing to wait for it to feel comfortable with you, and that you're not anything to be afraid of.
2006-10-18 21:38:11 · answer #4 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got a shih tzu about 4 months ago..she did the same thing and she was from a kennel too...i think it is because they were in a kennel alone and no people to love them so they don't know how to act...mine came around and now she is really spoiled...she is getting her photo taken in a month too....shih tzus are great pets but they are very stubborn....just show that you love it and go ahead and spoil it too...that is what they are there for..lol
2006-10-18 21:05:25 · answer #5 · answered by nemochik1 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lots of love from you .. He will get used to you . I hope he wasnt hurt before . Maybde when you are gone you can give him something with you sent on it like a old tshirt ( wear it to bed one night) It is sad some pups have to deal with the things they do but I am glad there are ppl like you to help
2006-10-18 21:07:00 · answer #6 · answered by iamblessed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he will eventually learn to like you - when we first got my dog, he had been rescued from our hunting lease so he had been mistreated and dumped out in the wild, so by the time we got him, he always cringed whenever we would try to pet him. we got him in december and he's find around us now, so i'm sure your dog will be just fine in no time
>i'm a poet and didn't even know it :)
2006-10-18 21:49:52 · answer #7 · answered by happy13213 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
show him lots of love.
It may help if you wait for him to come to you or you could always "reward" him everytime you go near him. This will reinforce a "I'll get a reward when my owner comes near me" mentality. In the long-run, he may even go to you automatically
Good luck and have patience
2006-10-18 21:09:35 · answer #8 · answered by warasouth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
on ething is that hes just getting to know you let him be and if yuo want him to come to you then talk ot him telll him that you arent going to hur t him or anything and keep doing that my dog always runs away from me becasue hes playing a game. maybe he just wants to be friendly and also dont go really fast on caching him go slowly very slow so hell know that you dont want ot hurt him
2006-10-18 21:35:02 · answer #9 · answered by fefi76229 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋