Need help with an extreemly submisive dog.?

Question

I have four poodles. ! i got as a puppy and three as adolecents. One of the adolecents has extreem submisive behavior. Almost to the point of urinating. She has been with us for weeks. No one behaives any other then loving to her, no shouting hollering or loud behavior. she cowers and attempts to hide when people come near. we reward her for behaving curious and aproaching people. but she back slides extreemly through out the days. at times its even hard to get her to come in the house from a potty trip. Any suggestions on what you might have done with your submisive puppy that worked.I am seeing very little to no improvement with food driven reward and atention reward seems to scare her.

Ok so more information. The breeder i obtained her from is very reputable. Not eliminating the fact she may have been abusive. All the dogs are alowed on the beds and couches. I take her out with me to help socialize her. I dont believe she was very well socialized. i dont reinforce submisive behavior by coddeling her or baby talking to her when she displays these behavior. i ignor it. She doesnt seem food driven and i can not even get her to walk on a leash. I believe that the suggestion about the whole walk thing might work any suggeastions on how to get her to walk on a leash? Or more on what i could use to reinforce her non submisive behaviors?

Answer 1

you may be reinforcing her behavior if youre not doing it correctly.. so it is possible that you are actually conditioning her to being submissive

but what i would do is get a partner to help you take all four of your dogs for a walk everyday, and have the other person walk your troubled one in front of your other three. this should help her see herself as not only a valuable member to your pack, but also as a leader.

good luck

Answer 2

OK this is what I did with my chihuahua that was in the same situation.

if your poodle is submissive around the other poodles then just let the submissive poodle on the couches and beds. but don't let the other dogs.

see the hole dominates thing all depends on how high you are com paired to the others. so if you let your poodle look like he's bigger then the other dogs will think that also. he will grow more confidence this way as well .

BUT REMEMBER:

you must not let the poodle gain dominance over you! you must be the alpha male or female.

good luck!

Answer 3

I would contact : www.DrsFosterSmith.com they have Dr.s. on staff to help. This is a Dog&Cat Catalog with real veterinarians on staff, give them a call.

Answer 4

She was probably abused. You just need to show her that she's safe when you're there. Hold her and give her treats for letting you touch her.