Why is our dog terrified of all old people she meets?

Question

She absuluetly is terrified of our grandmother, she'll never even dream of touching her. She won't even take a treat from her hand when she loves treats. She won't even go to teens, she never goes to adults either. But for some reason she'll go right up to any kid she sees. We need some good advice, real answers only please. I don't want any answers like "why don't you just kill your dog?", or "why don't you sell the dog and buy a new one?", I don't want any answers like that.

Answer 1

Sounds like she might have been mis-treated by an adult at some stage, so she thinks all adults are like that. You could take her to a dog psychologist if you can afford it. (That's not a joke btw--there are such people.)

Hope this helps :-)

Answer 2

Sounds to me like she has a very low self of steem. Just like people dogs can be "shy" also which is shown by fear. I would say that as much socialization as you could give her would be good. There are also some socialization classes for older dogs and puppies, depending on which she is. Maybe she has had good experience with kids in the past and that is what you need to try and do for her with other types of people. But there is usually always a person or two that a dog shys away from even if they are outgoing. Just don't force her let her go at her own speed. Dog parks with people AND dogs might be good. Or look into the classes, it may be worth it in the end. Good Luck!

Answer 3

fear in dogs is either inherit or environmental conditioned .?" is the dog a small breed many are fearfull and it's OK you can desensitize the dog by slowing increasing contact with others. The reason the dog is OK with kids is the dog doesn't sense the child as a challenge. If this is a larger dog it could be a serious situation with children and I would remove any contact with kids until you work with the dog. To do this have the dog lay on its back while you and someone in the family sits over the dog and tells the dog firmly who's the boss do this once a day for about a week until the dog will do it without fear. A scared dog will pin his ears back.

Answer 4

If you adopted her, then there is the problem most adopted dogs
are beaten before they come to the shelter. apparently ,depending on when you got her, she had a traumatic experience with an adult. The reason why she is afraid of the elderly and teens as well as adults is because to dogs, as soon as kids hit puberty they become adults in dogs eyes. Before that they are kids, which she likes. Old people are just old adults. Unfortunately this will take a lot of patience as you gradually let her know that adults will not hurt or scare her, and one incident could set her back completely. She may never get over in which case you will have to accept her for who she is and love her no matter what...and not not get rid of her or kill her to those inconsiderate jerks out there.

Answer 5

It sounds like she's afraid of a lot of people and with dogs, sometimes fear can translate into aggression and biting. I would recommend working on socializing her more and maybe you should get a trainer to work with you. How often and how far do you walk her every day? It's such a simple act but it goes a long way to creating a healthy bond between a dog and its owner as well as releasing nervous energy. I hope this helped.

Answer 6

IF SHE IS AFRAID OF ALL ELDERLY PEOPLE, FORGET THIS ANSWER BUT IF IT IS ONLY YOUR GRAN THEN READ ON.

I know this is not the nicest answer you will get but it is factual.

Dogs can smell iillness, they have thousands of nasal receptors and can pick up what we cannot. They are actually training dogs now to identify llness in people much the same as they use sniffer dogs for drugs, explosives etc.

Take your dog and see if she reacts the same to all elderly people or just your Grandmother. If it is only her and you are sure she has not offended the dog in any way then I would get your Gran checked out medically.

Answer 7

She's a dog who's sorely lacking in both socializing and confidence. Dogs who are afraid of people are likely to turn into fear biters if this issue isn't looked after. You need to take her places - pet stores, for walks, and most importantly, to obedience classes. And I don't mean Petsmart classes, you need a qualified instructor with some knowledge of dogs with problems who can help you help your dog. If she's still a puppy, you'll likely have an easier time than if she's an adult who's been allowed to act like this for years.

Answer 8

I agree somewhat with Timothy. Your dog is not afraid of kids because they are small and not as big a threat as an adult. You don't say what age your dog is. If it's a puppy she needs a lot of socialization and love. If grown then it could be abuse in her past or someone else didnt properly socialize her. She will ok with a lot of time, love and attention. Take her places, desensitize her and praise praise praise her to buile her confidence. I'm so glad she has someone that notices this and is willing to help her overcome. Kudos to you!!

Answer 9

Must be a previous experience with an old human owner.
Is your dog a adoptee? A rescue? These dogs have been mistreated and beaten up and starved by numerous owners. Maybe your dog was. I once adopted a spaniel who was terrified of men. It didnt matter what size men as long as they were men. He would whimper and cry and was absolutely paralyzed to even walk anymore. He was that scared. Once I took him for a walk and he stopped walking for fear of a man wearing boots and washing his car on his driveway.
It will take time to get over the fear.
My dog responded to me walking between him and the "danger', real men friends who would pet a cowering and shivering dog and wrestle with him, and in time, he lost the fear completely and would run up to strangers and lick their faces like they were old friends.
Dont force the issue. She will figure it out in her own time., that she belongs to you now and she is safe.

Answer 10

Is she from a pound? Maybe she had bad experience with "old" people, so she's afraid. That's usually the case.

Try having one adult spending time just taming her. Have the adult just sit in the room with her, gradually moving up the scale with treats and stuff.

Hope this helps.