we've had a female dog approx 6 months, approx just over 1yr old -patterdale terrier cross whippet. We have another patterdale (dog). same age. Ellie is so scared off everything. She is always cowering and if you drop something or a door slams she freaks and hides. If you approach her she cowers like you are going to strike her and if if pick her up she goes stiff. On the other hand she loves to be close to me and follows me everywhere. she loves her cuddles. She also still urinates sometimes in the house. Patterdales are supposed to be working dogs but the farm she came from said she wouldn't kill anything so they sent her to rescue farm. My vet said give her time but it's been six months and i can't just hang around, i want to help her. She's a different dog when we walk her. very playful etc I don't remember her being this scared of strangers when i went to view her at the rescue centre (as we were new to her then). am i doing something wrong? how can i get her to trust us?
2006-12-26 23:35:17 · 6 answers · asked by beky 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
it sounds like she may of been abused (hit) by someone at her first home,,,,,, then also traumatized by going to the shelter,,,,, and now is afraid of either being hit or taken away from you,,,,,,the reason she wasnt so shy in the shelter may be that at that point she didnt know what a good home was,,,,, and now is afraid to lose it,,,,, or perhaps she just picked up on that you were there to help her,,,, while 6 months seems a long time,,, just relax and perhaps give it more time,,,,, make sure strangers do not approach her too quickly,,, let her investigate them,,,,,,,, also, its possible that this is just her personality, a more skittish, afraid dog,,,,,,,,,,, we got our puppy from a rescue shelter when he was less then two months old,, he was afraid of people for about a year,,,,,,, and is still cautious at first now after 3 years,,,,, it also took us a long time to get him to go for a walk,,,, he didnt want to leave the front yard,,,,,,,
2006-12-26 23:42:31 · answer #1 · answered by dlin333 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You've done nothing wrong, she just has a submissive personality. She probably wasn't that shy when you picked her out, personality in dogs takes a year to completely form. The tendency was probably there, but pups naturally have less fear than adults. I don't know how many times I've seen people adopt a dog like this after 1 year of age and say, well the previous owner must've abused her and that's why she's like this. Not true, this is just her natural shy self. She's just a submissive personality. If she piddles just a little bit when nervous or excited, that's a submissive behavior too-it doesn't mean she isn't housebroken. The cowering is a submissive thing too.
So what can you do? Taking her for walks is great, especially if you can take her somewhere where there's lots of people, like a park. Having people over helps, although she may just run and hide. Don't force her to stay and let a stranger touch her if she's uncomfortable. Letting company give her treats to reward her when she's brave is a good thing-it's important to keep socializing a positive experience. An obedience class can help get her exposed to other people and dogs, but with her personality I would recommend a small class size so she isn't overwhelmed. You can also help her get used to the noise by buying a thunderstorm cd and playing it over and over. At first, make it quiet so you can hardly hear it so it won't frighten her, then gradually increase the volume over and over.
Don't expect miracles, she will always be a shy girl, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have a lot of love to give. But with a litte love and a lot of patience, your shy flower might bloom a little bit. Good luck : )
2006-12-27 07:49:53 · answer #2 · answered by lizzy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Number 1, lack of proper socialization at a crucial age and number 2 bad genetics is the cause of your dogs problem. Will she get better? It depends on what you expect out of her. She may outgrow some of those fears you are describing, but, she will never be completely normal. I know a couple right now that have a patterdale terrier and he has the same problems that your dog has. He is almost 4 and he has been this way ever since he was a puppy. The only problem I have with dogs like that is that they are not stable, they are not 100% there and you never know what will set them off and how they will react to it. I, personally could not trust a dog like that around the house because I have small kids and I would not want an accident.
2006-12-27 08:11:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hi! It sounds as though she has been abused. Her breed may also play a part in this, but not likely...Hhmm.Personality perhaps.
(I am not pointing fingers at anyone, I am just saying that she has symptoms of abuse!)
There are a few things you can try to gain her trust and re-train her opinion of life:
1) Refrain from using a loud voice, at all times. Try to talk soflty.
2) Lower the ring volume on all phones
3) Try not to play loud music
4).... basically keep her entire environment as quite as possible. This will be soothing to her.
5)Give her alot of affection, as much as you can. Cuddles, hugs, stroking her back every time you walk past her. Let her know that touch can be loving and gentle and feel good.
6) Acknowledge her by saying her name repeatedly. Example: You are making lunch, Ellie comes into the room, so you say Hello Ellie, Ellie is a good girl, I love you Ellie. This reassures her that you know she is there, and you care.
7) Try not to make sudden moves or noises
Try this for 3-4 weeks or even longer. 6 weeks max, or she may think she is the center of attention forever and might become demanding for attention later. It will be like having a new baby in the house, and in a way, it really is. Ellie needs to re-learn that life isnt scary. After 3-4 weeks of quiet, gradually increase the noise in her environment to the normal level.
** If she has been abused, these techniques are very important. She is young, and may feel the world is not trust worthy and is hurtful.
The poor little thing! I feel bad for her, being so afraid like that!
I wish you and her all the best. :o3
2006-12-27 08:00:04 · answer #4 · answered by Wendy 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
look at that show " the dog whisperer" he does some amazing things with dogs that i did'nt know could be done. byeee
2006-12-27 07:44:53 · answer #5 · answered by ♥lois c♥ ☺♥♥♥☺ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe take her to a training class to get some more confidence - dont forget, you get adults like that, some have more confidence than others, some are shy.... etc
2006-12-27 07:37:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋