cant afford a trainer.. need puppy advice?

Question

Help please.. I saved a 1 year old puppy from the pound. I felt so bad for her she was shaking in the corner and scared to death I thought she was abused. The pound said the owner had a stroke and someone brough her and 4 other dogs in. She is actually housebroken so she couldnt be a stray. she is TERRIFIED to walk on the leash, go outside, and she goes into a corner in the house and will not move. If I pick her up and put her in the open she will lay where I put her only. She will scoot to her food when she doesnt think you are watching. My older dog trys to get her to play but she just lays there and looks at him. It is so sad. I am at a loss. She trys to run under cars outside or if she sees a corner she trys to go there. She will NOT walk on the leash at all I have to carry her to the grass. I know I can love her enough and I have patience I just feel a little helpless and so sad that she wont move from where i put lay her. She is not mean at all but like a little scared mouse

Answer 1

This requires a very involved answer. I'm working so have to be brief. One thing I can say is do not dote on the puppy when it acts this way. That is confirming to dog that something is wrong and you will make problem worse. Don't go to it and pet it and says it's okay. Be matter-of-fact, happy, gentle tone of voice. Coax with food. Again, this is very involved

Answer 2

You have not said how long you have had her, if only a day or two, then she may very well come around on her own, may take 2 months before she is truly comfortable
It is a big huge change for her losing her owner, being caged in a pound with a bunch of noisy, howling dogs and then ending up in a new home where she has no idea what anyone wants from her, so she has every right to be scared and terrified, but each week that passes you will she her grow more confident and secure. I would not judge her as having behaviour problems unless you have had her for a month or more with no improvement, just be patient with her, if you can get her laying near you gently massage her muscles, it will help with bonding and learning to trust you

Answer 3

Jennifer is right. If you use a baby voice and always go and pet and rub your dog whenever she is afraid, she will get the idea that you are praising her for being fearful, and it won't end. Coax her out with some peanut putter or something else that smells really good on the end of your finger, and only praise and reward her when she interacts.
Baby voices really freak out dogs, more so fearful dogs, so watch for that. Use a calm assertive voice.
As far as going outside goes, try using a gentle leader head collar. Many fearful dogs respond well to this because it naturally places your dog in a submissive position, and it looks like your girl feels most comfortable being submisive.
Don't hover when you feed her, she feels like you are the alpha dog who is eying her food, and she is trying to tell you that you can have it. Set it down and let her eat alone until she feels more comfortable .
Good luck!
Affording a trainer can be difficult, but that is really what you need right now, we can't see her and view exactly what she is doing. A trainer can. See if one will let you clean kennels or something for a class or two at a reduced price.

Answer 4

First off, I must say, the world is a better place, because of people like yourself who have such a big heart.
It seems that your dog has suffered to some degree, because there are a few things that she does that indicates it.

Animals are great observers in responding to our reaction to everyday things.
They not only see but >sense< our own fear, concerns, sadness etc.

When she is acting a certain way, it is because she was subject to the reaction of others in the past. And maybe it wasn't directed at her, but that the home she was in, was a chaotic place for her to feel unsafe.

Reversing that means that you don't need to actually go to her to comfort her all the time, but that you need to go about doing your normal routine, it will show her that there is nothing wrong.

You can try telling a dog it's ok, it's ok, but it is not the words so much that they learn from, but your reaction, your movements, are what is more powerful to them.
Let her see you play with your other dog. She will watch and that will help her alot. Play ball, or pat your other dog infront of her.

Answer 5

You will need to give calm reassurance to the little one. You could try to coax her with food to get her to do what you want. Once she is in a calm state, put the leash on and reassure her again. If she does anything you don't like, correct her immediatley without emotion (calm and assertive). This can be through touch or voice. Work on one area at a time... focus on small time frames (baby steps). Be positive and confident, it will work. Check out the links
Best of luck to you and the little one.

Answer 6

The little mouse will be okay. Its going to take some time and patience for her to come out of her shell. The other dogs will help tremendously.

Just keep giving her love and attention. Talk to her and pet her and play with her but put limits on it. Don't overwhelm her.

She'll be okay - just take some time and patience.

Good Luck

Answer 7

AWWW.. That’s so sad well honestly love can work miracles so just show her lots of love and patient and I guarantee she will come around. She is still pretty young so just give her some time..You are lucky she is house broken that’s the hardest thing to do. I rescued my dog also and I have been trying to house break him. I am so happy you saved her so she could have a loving home! I’m sure she is very grateful to you.

:)

Answer 8

Keep working with the puppy. She'll come around. I heard about a dog that spent most of his life in a research lab and was afraid of walking on the grass. He was eventually adopted and is now a wonderful pet. I think a lot of love and time spent with her will bring your puppy around. Good luck.

Answer 9

This is a dog that have been very severely abused. She is terrified of everything. You need to boost her confidence by taking very small steps at a time. She will come around but it will take a lot of patience and love from you.

Answer 10

This dog is having socialization problems big time! Join a local obedience club and take this dog to class. Obedience clubs normally do not charge as much as a private trainer. With most clubs, the trainers have titled dogs in AKC obedience. She needs more than just what you can do at home to train her sorry to say. She needs socialization. Ask the pound where you got her from, who they would recommend for this.