nervous dog?

Question

My (very small) one year old dog is lovely in very way but recently he's started to get very nervous of all other dogs he meets. He's had one agressive dog come up to him some time ago but general meets very freindly animals. I think the more boisterous puppies which are often bigger than him are the ones who have scared him even though they are just being playful.

Otherwise he's very confident and great with new people and dogs he already knows. How can I reassure him when we're out and meet other dogs?

Answer 1

Take him to a dog park

Answer 2

Maybe just be wary of the boisterous puppies when you take you r dog out for a walk. They just dont understand the rules of contact that an older dog does. If you think there is another puppy that will upset your dog, then put your dog on the lead and reassure your dog until the "danger" has passed and then let your dog off the lead again.

Answer 3

A great way of building dogs confidence up is training classes,where your dog will be able to socilise and you will also be able to learn the best way to deal with your dog when he meets boistrous pups or larger dogs.When out though,if you see a strange dog you dont know put your dog back on the lead.It's very annoying when people let there dogs come bounding over to yours when they dont even know your dogs personality,for nervous dogs this can be very damaging.Keep reasuring him and walk with dogs your dog knows well so he feels more confident.Good luck.

Answer 4

Take him to training classes or agility as if he is having a good time, he will start to associate other dogs with good things. Some veterinary practises have puppy clubs where puppies and young adult dogs meet other puppies, this will help him become more confident.

Answer 5

Without seeing you and your pup interact I can only go by what I'm seeing in what you write...take that into consideration..and here it goes.
Chances are that the pup is picking up on your tension (tension on the leash, tension in your body posture etc.) were you there when the first bad experience happened? This can often cause people to become stiff on the leash when the pup meets another dog. (sometimes just knowing about the incident can cause owner to become tense when meeting other dogs.)
The best way to comfort your dog is to not comfort him at all. When he acts fearful and you pet and coo and cuddle, it teaches doggy that he was right to be worried and can make it worse.
approach other dogs with confidence..don't look at your dog, talk to your dog, just walk right by them with your head up and chest out...(do quickly observe the other dogs body language too, if you see aggressive body language do try to non-chalantly avoid that dog for now...but by all means DON'T GET STRESSED!! your doggy is looking to your (his pack leader) for strength and courage...so it is so helpful to them when you are strong and push forward confidently.
good luck. :-)

Answer 6

Well what ever you do, dont baby him. Make sure you provide positive support without babying him too much.

Dog parks are great, puppy socialization classes offered by the local SPCA's and Vet offices are good too, as well as obedience classes.

Check out your local petco or petsmark, walk him around in there, and check the bulitien boards, they usually have ads for puppy play dates, and thats a good way for him to meet new dogs too.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Let him get on with it - don't pull him away from socialising. Dogs are pack animals and they work it out for themselves. My cocker spaniel used to get picked on all the time when he was a tiny pup but now he gives as good as he gets - sometimes too much!. Keep a little eye on things, he if he getting bullied too much walk away and call him but don't panic - otherwise, let him get on with it - although I don't have any I guess it's a little bit like kids really - they have to learn!

Answer 8

i dont know the breed of your dog but my black lab was just the same. let him off the leadwhen other dogs are near, if he can run around near other dogs free he will feel less threatend. dogs are pack animals and need to stick up for themselves even in this day and age.
dont be soft,i know its hard but treat a dog like a human and the dog will treat you like a dog. be firm but allways kind.

Answer 9

well i personally think that there is no right answear thlest you can do is give your dog time to be less nervous

Answer 10

take him to junior/socialisation classes.