I have a dog that I have had since she was 8 weeks old. I never beat her. She's an indoor dog so when she does something bad I put her outside for a few minutes to think about it. I've swatted her a few times for major stuff like chewing on the wall but I don't beat her. Yet she acts like a dog that's been horribly abused. She's very skiddish when you go up to her to pick her up and when you tell her to come to you even in a sweet way she acts very scared. What would make her behave this way?
2006-10-30 04:04:41 · 3 answers · asked by neve_freak2001 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
If she acts scared when called that is because some time in the past the consequences were unpleasant. You may not have beatten her, but something made an impression on her and taught her that coming when called is scary. To undo this you need to practice A LOT and make the consequences outstandingly positive. Give her hot dogs, cheese, liver, chicken, Snausages - anything that she thinks is wonderful - when she comes to you. I would also suggest using a new command. She already has a negative association with the word you are using, so start over with a new one so she can only have positive associations.
Probably the same with being picked up. If there have been negative consequences in the past, that is what she will remember. Make sure only good stuff happens after you pick her up. And...she has to perceive it as good stuff. You might think kissing her on the head is good, but if she doesn't, then she has just had a bad experience.
It sounds like your dog is just naturally sensitive. It doesn't take much to cause distress to these dogs. Dogs are like people - some folks you could call fat and they would shrug and say "yep, sure am!", others will burst into tears. Sensitive dogs need to be handled a bit more delicately than confident or "tough" dogs.
2006-10-30 04:44:52 · answer #1 · answered by melissa k 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You've swatted at her but you don't beat her?
Ok, firstly the dog isn't going to come to you if she's EVER associated coming to you with a bad experience. Being called to come should always be associated with something positive (walks, treats, meals) and never associated with something negative (crating, punishment, discipline).
A submissive dog shouldn't be disciplined the same way an assertive dog would. To discipline a submissive dog you will create a fearful monster that will try to defend itself every chance it gets.
Your dog needs some confidence exercises and you need to learn how to positively encourage good behavior and ignore bad behavior. I suggest taking your dog to a puppy kindergarten class or beginners obedience class using positive training methods. It will help her build confidence around new people, experiences and new dogs and it will help you understand the difference between "bad behavior" and just plain old "dog behavior".
2006-10-30 04:42:37 · answer #2 · answered by Monet_Star 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2006-10-30 04:16:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋