My dog is afraid of people?

Question

Hi my dog is afraid of alot of people because boys threw things at her as a pup. Shes also scared of other dogs, because she gt attacked by a staffy terrier. How can i help her to NOT be so afraid? She has tried to bite a few times out of fear, and i just want her to be happy. (she ISNT a pup anymore, shes 6 years old.)

Answer 1

Your dog has suffered some bad experiences, and like humans, she has decided to avoid the things she fears or rebel against them.

So you have two choices. The first, make sure that she can never see another dog, person or child. Now that isn't going to work is it? So really you only have option 2 which is to desensitize her to these things.

Start with small increments.
Praise her when she is brave, don't force her.
Watch your dog when she starting to show signs of fear (ears back, tail down, eyes darting) and learn to anticipate when it is going to happen before it does, then redirect her to something she knows and feels safe with BEFOREshe shows any fear to the new stimuli.

With dogs, find someone you know that has a dog that you trust, preferrably smaller if possible.
Set up meetings where at first your dog only gets to see the other dog, and praise her -AS SOON as she lays eyes on the other dog, and stop the session, redirect her to her safe-zone and praise praise praise!

The key is to make sure your dog won't fail.
Set up only sucessful sessions.
Repetition is the root of all dog training, don't let her repeat the behaviors you don't want. And if you go too quick at first and she shows fear or fear-aggressive body language JUST IGNORE IT and redirect to something she knows (such as come or sit) and praise her for obeying you. Then try again slowly later.

There are some great books out there that discuss boosting your dog's self confidence.. check out "Don't Shoot the Dog!" by Karen Pryor, or check out her website "clickertraining.com"

Also a personal fave is "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell, a book full of the common sense stuff we dog owners sometimes forget.

I hope this helps!
Good-Luck!

Answer 2

Puppy classes are wonderful things for dogs that are afraid of pets or people. Contact you local Canine Club and discuss your situation. Dogs are social by nature and now you have a behavior that is unacceptable and you need to "recondition" your dog to a new behavior. You can not just thrust this type of dog into a new situation, she has to relearn that people and other animals are not longer a threat to her. This will take a lot of time and patience on your part, but it can be done. She may never be totally comfortable with a new situation, but socialization will definitely help her and you. Attend a club meeting without her first and make sure the trainer and the class are what you want. Talk to the trainer and explain your problem. Any trainer with experience will be able to guide you and your pet into the proper environment with the class. I know this works, I have worked with many pets/owners with the same problem. You must also remember that when she is showing this behavior "do not" comfort her.... if you do.....in her mind you are "reassuring" the behavior as "GOOD" and it isn't! Many people make that mistake. If their dogs shy away from an experience they try to comfort the pet by saying, "its OK, its alright, etc.." Without realizing that they have just condoned a behavior that is unacceptable. Good luck, I hope this helps..

Answer 3

Having been attacked as a pup, can scar them, dogs rarely forget! You need to start socialising all over again basically.
Let people come in to your home not to many at one time let her go to them not the other way round when she does go near make sure they have a treat to give her, as she will relate socialising being rewarded! Seeif you can find someone you can regulary go out for a walk with keep both on leads she may be abit affraid to start with, but the more you do this ,she will start feeling alittle more comfortable with the sitiation! Make sure you praise her all the time to reasure her that she is doing well! As she gets abitmore comfortable start taking her out were there will a few more dogs around . Only when she is ready though, you cant rush these things as if you do you will be back to square 1!
Well good luck and I hoope things get better with you!

Answer 4

She'll have to be properly socialized. Take her around people but only a little bit at a time to allow her to get used to it. Do it more often a bit at a time and always keep her ona lead just to be safe. I would socialize her more with people then go into the animal world introductions but do it the same way. She has to build her trust back up again and realize that there are good people in the world. Poor little doggie. That's so sad! Hopefully you can get her to come around soon.

Answer 5

She just needs to be socialized, it will take some work. Try bringing her to Petsmart or Petco, carry treats and ask strangers to give them to her. Try signing her up for some classes, there she will learn to be with strangers and other dogs. Definitely try to have strangers praise her and give her treats, she will become less fearful with time, but it will take some effort.

Answer 6

hi :) i had the same trouble with my dog she hated people an other dogs so i took her to a dog school shes a bit better she now plays with other dogs but still skittish around people witch i think is great because no one will be able to nick her

Answer 7

u need to slowly bring her around people. have them give her treats and pet her, bring the same person in for a while then gradualy new people, then try to bring her around other dogs, and make sure the dogs are good obedient dogs

Answer 8

gradually introduce her to the situations she is scared of in a very calm quiet and controlled place where she feels safe