What to do about my shy rescue dog?

Question

Ok so my fiancee just bought a 15 month old puppy from the shelter for us. He's a mix between an australian shepherd and a golden retriever. Cutest little guy you've ever seen but he's very shy. We've had him for 3 days and he's only eaten once and that time I had to put some dog food on the ground and my hand. He only seems interested in food when we are eating our own at the table but we refuse to give him table scraps. He cowers when you approach him and he whimpers alot. He still hasnt barked yet and seems to be afraid of loud noises and rustling sounds. I was also expecting him to be a a little more lively based on his age and breed but he hasn't been as of yet. Just likes to sleep alot and lie around the house. You can tell he has some playfulness in him but we're just not sure how to coax him out of his shell. So I would like some suggestions for 1) getting him to eat 2) curing his shyness 3) figuring out if he has any barks in him. Thanks guys.

Great responses everyone...just wanted to say that Ive tried the positive reinforcement with treats but unfortunately Buddy wants nothing to do with the treats. Ive bought hard and soft treats but he doesn't really care for them right now.

Answer 1

If you just got him that explains a lot. There's a lot of noise, distractions and threatening/scary things at a shelter. Give him time. They are two good breeds and mixes are sometimes even better than the pure breds. What kind of food are you feeding him? I recommend Nutro (look it up nutroproducts.com) They guarantee their product and its what I feed my Golden w/ superb results.

Feed ONLY dry food (canned food rots away at the teeth). Put some hot water on it and put it in the microwave to bring out the aroma. Also feed on a schedule. Give about 10-15 mins to eat. After that pick it up. I know it sounds mean (what if he doesn't eat, etc etc) It's okay, you're training him. He'll figure it out and he'll be more inclined to eat.

What it really sounds like though is that he may have been abused. Long walks are great start and TRAINING. Establishing heirchy will help with self esteem. No need for yelling etc. A dog w/ a mission is a happy dog - give him a mission!

Lots of TLC also. Snuggle time (make sure to have bounderies though - Goldens tend to be clingy). Lots of pats and positive reinforcement, even for the smallest things.

And you're right about the people food.. none of that, in fact don't let him beg either. I taught my girls "Go Away". Point and make sure he goes away. I''ll point tell them to go away, and they'll go lay down and wait till I'm finished. I can eat on the floor and they will be no where to be found (i.e. TRAINING).

It takes time. Just be patient, open your hearts!! Lots of exercise and training. Establish that heirchy. You'll see a different dog in no time!

Answer 2

First off, thank for adopting a homeless pet! Wish more people would consider rescuing from a shelter...

Since you’ve only had him for 3 days, I’d say he’s still getting adjusted to things. Give him some time. Even non-shy dogs can be sort of nervous and anxious when they get into a new home. You are doing the right thing by not giving him table scraps...dogs should never be given people food. That teaches them that they are entitled to the same food that people are and just creates a lot of issues including begging in the kitchen and while humans are eating. Definitely continue to hand feed. Just sit on the floor with him and give him his whole dinner from your hands. That will help build the trust between you and him and also encourage him to approach humans and realize he’s getting a treat when he does. Also, make a lot of high pitched noise and talk in a sort of “happy puppy talk” saying things like “Good Boy” or “let’s play” and just make a fool of yourself! Dogs generally responds really well to humans acting silly and once he sees you playing will most likely join in. Make sure to praise him when he does do something good that you want him to and even give him a treat. He’ll learn what you want him to pretty quickly especially if a treat is involved.

If he keeps up the lethargy and sleeping for more than a week or so, I’d call the vet just to make sure there’s no medical reason. Puppies that young should be fairly energetic, especially aussie and golden mixes, like yours is. He's most likely just acting a little strangely due to his new environment. The same goes for the not eating. Lots of dogs pick at their food for the first few days in a new home simply because they are nervous or excited or just too busy exploring and investigating. Again, if it keeps up for a few more days or so, check with the vet. Or the shelter you got him from. Ask what his eating habits were there and see if it's varying from what he's doing now.

Finally, I wouldn’t worry about the not barking. Actually you should enjoy it! Most dog owners pray for a dog that is nice and quiet like yours!

Answer 3

It sounds like he came from a home where he was really neglected. It is going to take him some time to get adjusted, but he will love you so much for being good to him.
1. Try mising dry dog food with some canned dog food and add a little warm water - make it like a gravy. It will make it more tasty for him.
2. It is very important to socialize him! The best advice I have is to take him to an obedience training class at Petsmart where he'll intereact with other dogs and people (and getting some great training at the same time). Otherwise he could end up being too aggressive towards strangers. Dog parks are good too.
3. It may take him some time to bark. He may not be used to his new surroundings yet. It can sometimes be a good thing. We have a boxer that hardly ever barks...but when he does, it means something important is happening (always barks when he sees a snake). So give him time.

Good Luck. He'll need lots of TLC, but it's nice to see he's gone to a home that cares about him!

Answer 4

First -- you've done a great thing by saving this baby! Second, I have an Australian Sheppard/Golden Retriever at home and it is THE BEST dog I have ever owned. (I also have a lab) Not only is she really cool looking (looks like a lab with spots) but she is very very smart and protective.

Try laying on the floor and being at his level...good job on no table scraps - he'll eat when he's hungry. Maybe when you eat you can keep his bowl with you, pretend like you are taking a bite and tell him how yummy it is and hand him a piece...then set his bowl on the floor - he'll feel like family and not left out. TALK to him a LOT! Sometimes even when you are talking to another person, look at the pup like you are talking to him. Dogs thrive on attention! He has come from a very dramatic situation - his family left him, he was in the shelter with all the other dogs....he needs love and patience right now.

Don't forget Aussies need to have a 'job' - mine gets my daughter out of bed in the morning!

On the darker side....
A few years ago I adopted a 6 year old husky who seemed like she was in an abusive family previously. She hid under the table most of the time and didn't care to be petted...when someone would walk by she would shrink back like she was afraid she was going to be kicked. Angel came out of her shell after a few months but it takes time. Being 15 months is a big difference from 6 years, she took too many years of abuse and in the year that I had her she attacked a cat (yes, I know, instinct) and 2 other dogs. (one was a 10 week old puppy) She eventually needed to be put down.

Answer 5

You may want to do a search on yahoo groups for shy or troubled dogs. I do know there is one specifically for shelties and i"m sure there are others. Because this is a shelter dog you have no idea what may have been done to it previously so talking with people who are used to extremely shy rescue dogs can help. They can work you through specific problems. Keep in mind that these things take time to change. I had a 90 lb dog rescued who peed everywhere if you said something too strongly. it took over a year to change him.
Most people who do work with troubled dogs say first you should keep a diary which will help you see changes in your dog even if you think the dog is not making progress. It's funny how you can forget things even though you think you're paying attention.
I would try improving his food to something like innova, wellness, solid gold or other premium food to get him to eat. I especially like the canned varieties of the merrick foods for enticing dogs to eat - see www.petfooddirect.com. Curing the shyness, first i would not try to look at the dog. Direct eye contact is a threat. Always turn sideways and look away when working with the dog, move slowly and calmly and speak softly. Give the dog time. Again, you don't know what his life was like before. as for barking, I would be careful what you wish for. Generally, most people with extremely shy dogs find that the dog does bark after it learns to not be fearful any more.
For a good read on a true story of working with an extremely shy/troubled dog, the Diary of Lucy Blue is a great one
http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Lucy-Blue-Janice-Mitchell/dp/1553063406

Answer 6

give him a chance momma, he is still adjusting to his new home and the best way to break him of shyness is to just give him plenty of love, I wouldn't be surprised if he was abused before going to the shelter because that is why he's afraid of loud noises and all (more than likely he was yelled at alot by his previous owner). He is still a puppy and he will sleep alot still. It will take about 3-4 weeks for him to realize that he is safe and secure now, because I also got a rescue dog and only recently did he start to really eat and I was able to ween him off baby food as it was needed to get him to eat his food. Oh and don't worry if he can bark, he can, just give him time and pleeeeeeeeease be patient.

good luck and congradulations.

Answer 7

It just sounds like he's just really scared. Poor little guy has gone through a rough 15 months of life, with so many changes. It's going to take some time for him to earn your trust. Let him come to you! With the eating situation, I would feed him the way you have been for a while and when he starts trusting you a little more and becoming more adjusted, then see, if he'll eat out of the bowl. You can also leave some dry food down, so that if he gets hungry, it's there for him to eat. It's just going to take some time for him to get used to everything. As far as the barking, he'll start on his own, when he's ready. Just make sure he has lots of stuffed toys, and chew toys, the keep him occupied, and give him lot's of love and attention, and he'll be fine.

Answer 8

It's not unusual for shelter dogs to be disoriented and fearful when they first arrive at a new home. Your dog, too, sounds as though he had no socialization as a puppy, so he has never learned how to cope with new people and new places. Dogs with little to no socialization end up very fearful or very aggressive. Sounds like you got the fearful variety.

We once had a fear-aggressive Chihuahua brought to our facility. Rather than expecting him to immediately adapt, we just let him stay in his carrier until he felt secure enough to come out. Sure enough, when he felt safe, he walked right out and came to sit on my lap -- no aggression; no fear.

Curing his shyness:

Give him time. It generally takes shelter dogs about 2 weeks to even begin settle into a new environment. (Those with better coping skills adapt more quickly than those without.)

Give him support: once he's been with you for a while, sign him up for socialization classes, so he can get more experience with the outside world.

Never scold him for being fearful or try to "force" him by dragging him around or shoving his face or body into anything. Also, don't "mollycoddle" him; that is, don't tell him when he's being fearul, "It's okay, honey" (or something to that effect). That actually reinforces the fearful behavior because the dog thinks you're telling him it's okay to be afraid.

When he's behaving in a fearful fashion, or he doesn't want to interact with you, IGNORE him. Let him come to you when HE'S feeling up to it. Make sure he's safe and comfortable, but otherwise leave him be. Give him the chance to "decompress", get used to your house's routine, and feel secure enough to seek you out himself.

Getting him to eat:

Mix his dry food with some boiled rice and hamburger to help tempt him, but don't force him to eat if he doesn't want to.

Feed him at the same time every day so he gets used to a meal-time routine. When he's hungry enough, he'll eat. (He may be suffering from "displacement depression" right now, which is why he's not hungry.)

Figuring out if he has any barks in him:

When he's feeling more secure (you'll know that the minute he starts walking around with his tail up in the air) he'll start letting you see the real him, and will become more vocal and interactive.

Answer 9

Patience is #1....It sounds like he was abused before you got him, it's going to take some time for him to settle in and trust you.

You need to give him LOTS of love and let him know he's safe now. Try not to make quick movements around him and give him a lot of praise.

Eating - You might need to hand feed him a little in the beginning - let him take a few bites out of your hand, then put food back in his bowl, praise him when he eats out of his bowl.

Shyness - It's just going to take some time. One of the best things you can do is register him in an obedience class. It will help his behavior and socialization skills.

Barking - Aussies aren't big barkers. I have a 3 1/2 year old black-tri and the last time he barked was in December 2006 (A memorable day! He barked at my husband when he came in from snow-blowing!).

Answer 10

He's in a whole new environment, and depending on where he came from before there's no telling how he was treated. Give him some time to get used to where he's at now, and to learn that he's not going to be hit or yelled at.

Getting down to his level by sitting on the floor and quietly encouraging him to come to you to sniff can help alleviate the shyness. Treats work well for this, too - when he comes and sniffs, praise him quietly and offer a treat. No sudden movements, no loud noises. When you reach out to him, do so with the back of your hand and hold it in front of him for him to reach out to with his nose - reaching over the top to pet his head or back may be misinterpreted as "he's gonna hit me" and have the opposite effect that you're hoping for.

He's probably got bark in him, just give him some time and patience.