What can I do to calm a wonderful dog who is deathly afraid of people?

Question

My husband and I rescued a wonderful, 1 year old Beagle from a shelter just 6 weeks ago. He is very loving to my husband and I (and also our Jack Russell) and has been from the very beginning. The problem is that he is deathly afraid of everyone else. Whenever someone comes over he barks, the hair on the back of his neck stands up, and 9 times out of 10 he will urinate. Sometimes he will even get used to a person, run up to them to be petted, and still urinate. I don't know what to do. He is not an agressive dog with me and my husband. We can pet him, pick him up; he loves car rides, and walks. He is great! His reaction towards other people is his only problem. It is obvious from his behavior it is 100% fear, not aggression. We are very concerned, as we would like to start a family in the next year or two, and would hate to have to find him another home. We thought our other dog would help him, as she loves everyone she meets. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what we can do? Please!

Answer 1

I have 2 SPCA dogs, and one really went through this badly!

First off-- get into "positive reinforcement training"-- it really helps some.

But for one of my dogs, we did have to go the medication route. It has made a WORLD of difference, he is much less anxious, and very happy. It's called "clomipramine" (spelling is off, I am sure). If you vet will script it for a month, and the dog does well, you can buy a years supply really cheaply at FosterandSmith.com You need a Rx, but it's really cheap.

I used to be anti-meds, but life is too short, and even with all our love and hard work we can't totally undo the damage he came with.

Answer 2

Confrontation is the last thing you want. Getting angry when he is barking, etc. just proves to him that something is wrong and he was right to be upset.

What he is doing is called submissive urination. He pees because he is scared. It's possible he was abused physically or verbally to the point where he lost bladder control, and it got to be a habit.

If you get a chance to go to the library, the books by Dr. Nicholas Dodman of Tufts University are excellent. He is a behaviorist and deals with this type of thing. There are also medication recommendations based on his many years of experience in dealing with animals that have psychological problems.

One of the first things you could do, is to have visitors or family squat down on the floor as soon as they come in. Size is intimidating, and that could be what is triggering his pseudo aggression. When they are on his level, and speaking in a calm, inviting voice, offering a treat, he is more likely to take a chance on trusting them. If he does not come for the treat, place it on the floor to reinforce that some good still comes from tall "things". Then get up and walk away.

If he comes, do not attempt to pet him straight away. Wait until you have had enough responses from him that you can observe his behavior and estimate whether he will run or not. He may also make his own first move by sniffing the person. They should try not to jerk or jump away from him, as that again will trigger a reaction. Let him investigate and then quietly get up and leave him.

Submissive urination is generally rooted in some kind of anxiety and in many cases, at least a short term on a medication, with positive reinforcement training at the same time, is the best route. Obedience and training classes for this are not the solution, since the dog already fears strange things. When he is more confident, you could introduce him to social situations.

Answer 3

I had the identical challenge except i took these simple steps and now they're excellent for grooming! Here's what you do: 1) Have a certain spot where you grrom them ( my spot is a desk ) 2) Have plenty of treats with you when you groom three) select up their paw and let go if they haul away or do something equivalent to lick your hand ( i do not like it once they do this). After they can help you simply keep it provide them praise and a treat! 4) As you move on utilizing the prior skill and are able to select up the paw without complications, select up the paw and pet it or that you would be able to squeeze it ( i squeeze it considering you are going to be squeezing it alot more) and proceed except that talent is mastered. 5) eventually, while you get to the place, hanging the clippers near the nails. You are going to master this quickly. 6) start TRIMMING LITTLE BITS! One nail clipped, give a deal with! 7) you're performed and you have a exceptional dog! If you want which you can take little breaks when your dog begins to get frustrated with it. Rapidly although, resume by doing the steps above. My puppies simplest needed to go by means of these steps three occasions, now , not up to a week from being offered, they go through it like its a breeze. Take into account: the dogs get to pull away, never preserve ONTO THE PAW! Also, i might endorse if you find yourself cuddling/petting your canine, just PET THE PAWS, don't manage them. I attempted this with my puppies and i just went extra downhill. Have enjoyable grooming!

Answer 4

He is definitely afraid. Dogs show fear is strange ways some times yours pees. I can only suggest that when company comes over they ignore the dog even if it does warm up to them. When they go to pet him he is peeing out of fear. He probably doesn't even know hes doing it. If your company does want to pet him have him sit before they do and never pet him on his head, under the chin is fine. It may take some time for him to be more comfortable around people but if you take him for walks where people are then he will learn that people can be nice and he will no longer fear them. I think the more socialize him to people the more you will see a change for he better. If you have a obedience center near you call and speak to a trainer and see if they have a class to help you socialize him better.
I hope I have helped a bit.

Answer 5

As a dog lover I imagine how you feel, that dog might have been beaten or some fright, if you can be near him when it happens pat him, say 'Calm down' many time, and when he stops a little cookie for dogs would be a reward. this must be done as often as it happens, and your vigilance will pay he needs a lot of encouragement and love. Hope you feel it could be done, it is a suggestion. Greetings to all you

Answer 6

I would try going to a place your dog loves the most, but invite a person with you who brings your dogs favorite treats. That way, your Beagle might associate new people with treats and things she likes. Have the person stand far away from your dog, then toss some treats on the ground at least a couple feet from the person. The dog probably will eventually go and get it the treats.
Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

Try training your beagle to sit and stay when someone comes in the house. You and your husband should practice it with him so he is calm while learning. Then when a guest comes over, have him or her crouch down, call the dog, and give the dog a treat when he comes.

Answer 8

I have a 2 year old female pomeranian. She is ver fearful of everything. My vet had to put her on Acepromazine. I would try enrolling him in a obidence class. They last around 8 weeks. I would also take him out in public as much as possible. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 9

a little at atime take her to a park or whatever a little at atime bring over friends differnt one leave the house for a hour see if there will be a open line alittle at a time when he pisses tell him no for 1 hour scold him he'l get the message work a little harder they must have had bucked up owners at one time . he needs abrake and the people sound like it can work give him one more try alittle at a time .

Answer 10

I had the comparable concern till i took those ordinary steps and now they're suited for grooming! right that's what you do: a million) Have a particular spot the place you grrom them ( my spot is a table ) 2) Have lots of treats with you once you groom 3) p.c.. up their paw and enable bypass in the event that they haul away or do something at the same time with lick your hand ( i do no longer like it while they try this). while they assist you to in ordinary terms carry it supply them compliment and a handle! 4) As you progression on utilising the previous ability and are able to p.c.. up the paw devoid of problems, p.c.. up the paw and puppy it or you may squeeze it ( i squeeze it by way of fact you would be squeezing it alot greater) and proceed till meaning is mastered. 5) at last, once you get to the situation, start up putting the clippers close to the nails. you will grasp this quickly. 6) start up TRIMMING LITTLE BITS! One nail clipped, supply a handle! 7) you're executed and you have a large dogs! in case you desire you may take little breaks while your dogs starts to get aggravated with it. at as quickly as although, resume by utilising doing the stairs above. My canines in ordinary terms had to bypass by using those steps thrice, now , below a week from being presented, they bypass by using it like its a breeze. bear in mind: the canines get to pull away, by no ability carry ONTO THE PAW! additionally, i'd propose once you're cuddling/petting your dogs, in simple terms puppy THE PAWS, do no longer handle them. i attempted this with my canines and that i in simple terms went greater downhill. have exciting grooming!