This pup sleeps all the time NEVER plays and never listens to me. He's so skittish of me and when I first let him out of his pin and I get around him he growls at first I've tried so hard but I think I'm going to have to get reed off him. ANY IDEA's
2007-03-18 13:12:00 · 11 answers · asked by Scooter 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The dog has not been socialized. If you are going to keep him you need to get him to trust you. Do not ever console him when he is afraid it only re-enforces the fears. Ignore him when you first let him out of the crate and let him come to you. When he does go to you play with him and offer treats. Once he begins trusting you then you need to get him use to the world around him so he can become more confident. Obedience classes can help with socialization & confidence and the instructors can further assist you in how to help this fearful dog.
I will warn you that this is a process and it could take months before he comes around. If you do not think you can handle doing all it will take to socialize the dog I think the best thing to do is to place him with a more experienced owner. I am not trying to put you down but this will be a lot of work and it will take patience and a careful watchful eye to make sure no one gets bit while you are trying to socialize this dog.
2007-03-18 13:30:22 · answer #1 · answered by Shepherdgirl § 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just want to clarify a few things, if you don't mind. I could probably give you a better answer if I had more info.
You say the puppy never plays... have you provided him with toys or anything else that might stimulate him more? You mentioned letting him out of his pen. Are there toys in this pen? How big is it? How long is he in it for and why? You also mention that he doesn't listen you you. Have you tried training him or taking him to puppy classes? Dogs won't understand things unless you teach it to them, which takes time and patience.
If you haven't already done so, try spending more time with him outside of his "pen". The more he spend time with you, the more familiar he will become and the more friendly he will be. Reward him for good behaviour and refrain from getting upset or frustrated when he doesn't "listen" to you. Some animals are just more shy than others, and it takes some love and care to make them open up. If you're not willing to give this dog the time and love it requires, then perhaps you shouldn't have gotten a dog in the first place.
Also, you might want to take into consideration the health of your puppy. Has it been to a veterinarian lately? If the puppy is lethargic it may not be feeling well, which would also explain why it growls when you approach it. Would you want to be picked up and played with if you were sick or in pain? I know I wouldn't!
Please take the above things into consideration and write again if you see any changes! Hope this helped you somewhat.
2007-03-18 20:28:29 · answer #2 · answered by comire19 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to train him to respond to your "commands". Dogs aren't born knowing how to do that.
Also, because he's a frightened dog and already showing signs of aggression problems, you MUST train him using positive reinforcement, NOT punishment. You punish this dog and you will end up with serious aggression problems.
If you get rid of him first contact the breeder and see if they will take him back. If that doesn't work or if the breeder is a bad breeder, google "Great Dane Rescue- YourTown". In other words put Great Dane Rescue and the name of your town into a search engine to find a rescue group close to you. Those groups know how to take care of the breed and will find him an appropriate home.
And, no- this behavior does not necessarily mean anything happened to him before you got him. Many dogs with perfect backgrounds develop these problems.
2007-03-18 20:24:15 · answer #3 · answered by Behaviorist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you know this dog's history? It sounds like something has happened in his past. He can get over it, but it will take effort, time and lots of patience. First, he will sleep quite a bit the first year of his life, and actually most of his life. Great danes grow so quickly that it can take it's toll on energy supply. As long as you are feeding him properly, and he is eating properly, the sleep issue is probably just tied to the growth process. (I am raising a mastiff puppy right now who sleeps almost all the time.) For the skittish part, you will have to spend a lot of time with the pup. You have to develope a trusting relationship with him. When you are home, sit on the floor with him, feed him treats and just cuddle, wrestle, and play. In time, he'll come around. Good luck!
2007-03-18 20:21:32 · answer #4 · answered by krissy4543 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He's only 5 months old, so obviously he's not going to listent o you. You need to take him to obedience training and learn how to act around a dog and get him to acclimate to his surroundings. Also, if he's sleeping all the time and is that skittish, I have to ask where you got him and if you've taken him to the vet? He sounds like he could be sick, and if you got him from a petstore/bad breeder then he probably is, which would also explain his actions. Take him to a vet and enroll in a good obedience class asap.
2007-03-18 20:19:14 · answer #5 · answered by toni1336 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he has never been properly socialized. It also sounds like he may not have come from the best of breeders. Has he had a good vet exam to rule out medical issues? If not I suggest you get one asap. Have his heart checked, fecal test done, eyes & ears examined, etc...If you need to rehome look into a Dane rescue. They will evaluate and place in the correct home for him.
Good luck
2007-03-18 21:14:48 · answer #6 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have seen a few danes be nervous of new things but not usually people i would take him to the vet and make sure everything checks out they are not an aggressive breed so maybe his vision isn't 100% other than that lots of treats and toys and positive reinforcement
2007-03-18 21:14:08 · answer #7 · answered by loppy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He must have suffered some abuse before you got him or he was severely neglected socially. Try to take him on walks and he will get used to you and his home. You can condition him to know you are not going to harm him by putting rewards in front of him. Did you take him to a vet? Think you should if you have not; he might be sick or have some physical problems.
It takes time to win over a dog who has been abused. Patience and kindness will win out but time is the key.
2007-03-18 20:21:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is perfectly normal for puppy's to sleep all day. And he growls cause he doesn't know you all that well, you need to spend time with him. Then he will grow attached to you and y'all will become best friends.
2007-03-18 20:19:56 · answer #9 · answered by prissy 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
bring him to the vet he may have hearing or vision problems.
2007-03-18 20:19:25 · answer #10 · answered by kalypsokitty 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋