I adopted a 1 year old dog two weeks ago and he is afraid of everyone. I am very close to my large family and visit them often. I planned on taking dog with me, but he growls and barks fiercely everytime someone tries to pet him. He is fine roaming among them freely as long as they don't talk to or look at him. I want to be able to take him with me, but they are afraid of him now, and I'm scared he'll bite someone. He was fine with me the day I met him, why is afraid of them? I tried getting him used to just my mom alone, I tried treats, I tried holding him when someone came close. Even the vet was afraid of him and hardly examed him. We put a muzzle on him that he almost tore through. Obedience school sounds expensive, what can I do? I don't want to give him back, please help!
2007-06-23 11:03:15 · 7 answers · asked by strawberryshyness 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Wow. This is a tough problem. I want to compliment you on being willing to help this poor pup. Many folks would have sent him packing and not cared enough to try with him.
Might want to try desensitizing him. Can you put him in a crate (wire would be best so he can see and hear all about him) while at family gatherings, especially near the table at mealtimes and wherever the family is gathered? This will keep them safe, and won't allow him to hide from family activity. At first, have everyone ignore him as if he weren't there. Walk close to him, but don't talk to him or attempt to pet hime in any way. After he gets comfortable with that and doesn't appear nervous around them anymore, have the bravest family member stop and say, "hi" to him in passing. Just a momentary recognition of him. If he doesn't growl or snap, have the person give him a tidbit, and move on. Slowly introduce the whole family to him in this way. The next step is when he accepts the short interaction with people and treat as being routine, have them start touching his cage. Same deal, no aggression=treat. Goes balistic, calmly walk away.
Since dogs are social and don't like to be shunned, he *should* came around rather quickly, depending on what trauma damaged him before you got him. If a few weeks of this shows NO progress, try a professional trainer. u can go to my profile to e-mail any questions I might be able to help with. Good luck!
2007-06-23 11:17:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a sign of a poorly socialized dog with very little training as a puppy. It is going to be difficult to train him. You need the help of an experienced behaviorist/trainer. It may be expensive, but worth it if you plan on keeping this dog. Otherwise, you can never let him around other people as it is not worth the risk of injuring someone.
2007-06-23 11:12:59 · answer #2 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to send your new doggie the message that new visitors are OK.
1. When new people come over, YOU need to talk in a high, happy voice (called "the jolly routine") BEFORE they get there.
2. When new people arrive, Have them give him his favorite treats (cheese? liverwurst? something really good) when they walk in the door -- they should throw it over his head so he learns both that visitors mean treats AND that he needs to back away from them to get the teats.
3. If you act nervous, or hold him, or comfort him, he will interpret that as validation of his fears -- mommy / daddy thinks this is a bad person too!
You are the leader and you set the tone.
2007-06-23 12:31:53 · answer #3 · answered by Dachsie rescuer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
could either be that he didn’t have enough socialisation as a puppy during the critical period between 3-12 weeks, or he may have had bad experiences with people before you got him.
Either way, it is important that you take things slowly with him and keep trying to build up your relationship with him. Try holding tasty pieces of food tightly between your fingers while you touch him gently with the other hand. Let him gradually take bits of the food, stopping your stroking just before it has all gone.
If you do this enough, he should begin to learn to enjoy being stroked, rather than resenting it.
It is also important to teach him to play with toys and to spend a lot of time playing with him. This will build the bond between you quicker than anything and help him to learn to trust you and enjoy being with you.
Begin with soft toys at first that he can easily hold. Soft toys that squeak will probably attract his attention. Keep them moving so that he stays interested, and always end the session while he is still having fun.
2007-06-23 11:20:43 · answer #4 · answered by baby boy born jan.30th 2009 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I agree with the first answerer. This dog was not socialized and needs the direction of a good trainer. I myself adopt dogs much worse than your dog. But I can turn them around, even the worst biter. I adopt dogs that are "unadoptable". You will probably need to engage the expertise of a trainer on a one on one classes.
2007-06-23 11:16:45 · answer #5 · answered by DaveSFV 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try giving a long walk before meeting ur mom. and be firm with him...don't say ohhh rover its ok and pet in when he is growling. a firm pull up and toward u. and a low firm voice NO. have ur mom walk him. if he does not pull if he does that needs to be stopped as well..
if u can't afford a trainer. get some good behavior books.
2007-06-23 11:13:39 · answer #6 · answered by dragonwolf 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
dogs can sense fear. I think your family needs to be trained to not show fear and show dominance. Check out Cesar Milan & his books.
I had to train my family to do certain things around my pups to get them to behave the way I wanted them too
2007-06-23 11:14:57 · answer #7 · answered by TP 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋