I have a dog. She is a beagle, and probably at least 9 years old. We rescued her from her former situation. (The guy couldn't take care of her so he was just going to put her down.) We have had her since she was probably 2. She has never come and sit on your lap, she barely even lays on the same couch or chair while I am in it. And whenever I go to pet her on her head, she puts her head down. How can I get her to not be as afraid and get her to know that it is okay to sit with me?
Thanks
2007-07-12 10:24:05 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
well the dog may have been abused by her former owner i have the same type of situation i have a german sheapard lab mix and she wont lift her head up because she is afraid but what you can do is when you come up to her dont go ter her at full height try to make yourself as small as possible and just be really affectionate offer her treats and tell her shes a good girl she will hopefully eventually come around my dog has very well and now she will jump on the couch whenever she wants =P but just be very nice to her try to be the one that gives her her food and water so she will know that you are good and if you pick her up with you she may struggle at first but once she knows that you are gentle she will hopefully stop. she may not ever come around if she was traumatized as a puppy but as a nine year old it will be even harder to get her to come around i know you can teach an old dog new tricks but when its about fear if you have had her for this long then she may never come around but dont give her away or anything being that old she probably wouldnt find another good home in her life. i hope you have good luck and dont beleive the people that say she wont their stupid because i have a dog that has.although the fact that she puts her head down might not change but everything else should
2007-07-12 10:32:12 · answer #1 · answered by crystal h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really sound like she WAS abused. Maybe that's why the guy was going to put her down!!!
Anyway, just be patient, try to play with her, pet her as much as you can, let her be near you, don't yell at her.
Also, if she seems afraid of something you are holding, let it down and show her you are not going to harm her. Sit on the floor, or lie on it. This way she won't feel you can over power her, and with time she'll be getting near you. Also give her lots of love.
You should have done this when you got her, now it's going to take more time than it would have taken before. Anyway, if you are patient with her, give her treats, love her, give her some toys, she'll slowly get near you and will also make space for you in her heart.
2007-07-12 17:32:39 · answer #2 · answered by brbnryn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a rescued street mutt for 9 years. He died at 13-14 years old. For the entire time he was with me he would flinch when you reached out to pet him. I never struck him, rarely raised my voice to him, and usually disciplined when I had to with a dirty look. This dog was so hyper-sensitive to criticism that he would cower even from the dirty look.
I think some dogs have been so damaged by earlier experiences in their lives that they simply can't overcome it, like a victim of child abuse or violent crimes. This is not to say you can't help ease her fear a little bit. Try going to her level instead of making her come to yours. I used to lie down on the floor beside JoJo and instead of towering over him and reaching for his head, I reached out sideways and rubbed him on the chest or side first. After I was petting for a little while, he would then let me touch his head without that awful flinch.
But, 'till the day he died, there was still something scarred and broken inside of him, even though I knew that he loved and trusted me.
Be patient (I know, 7 years IS being patient) and don't give up on her. Sometimes breakthroughs do occur when you least expect them...
2007-07-12 18:20:35 · answer #3 · answered by howldine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Her behavior doesn't necessarily indicate previous abuse or fear. Putting her head down when you pet her and not invading your space are signs of respect in the dog world, and it just means you have a submissive tempered dog. Like I said, putting their head down is just showing submission and is in no way a bad thing. Lowering the head and cowering in fear are two totally different things. My 2 year old Dobie has not known a day of abuse in her life and she behaves that same way. When I want her to sit with me, I just bring her up where I want her and praise her. If you just reassure her that it is okay to sit with you, she will learn it is okay and be comfortable doing it. She may never just jump up there with you, but at least she will when she is invited. You can help build her confidence with you by just giving her a lot of praise and positive reinforcement.
2007-07-12 17:37:41 · answer #4 · answered by Shanna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you've had her for 7 years and she still can't relax around you? She must have been really messed up as a puppy, poor thing. That guy that tried to have her put down must have hit/kicked her as well. How sad! Well, if you haven't gotten her to calm down in the past 7 years, you might have to face the fact that she might never be a cuddly lap-dog. It is so sad and so preventable. Who would do these things to a poor, defenseless animal? Good for you, taking her in. She's had a wonderful life thanks to you. Just keep on loving her and maybe someday you'll be surprised with a sweet paw on your lap, ready to jump in.
2007-07-12 17:35:25 · answer #5 · answered by fizzygurrl1980 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will just take lots of time. Imagine what kind of damage physical or emotional abuse does to a child. The same thing happens to animals. They can be screwed up for years, and some never fully trust people again.
2007-07-12 17:31:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to be very gentle and use a lot of positive reinforcement (for example, giving her treats and praising her when she lets you pet her or if she does come near you). Obviously she was in a bad situation and it stuck with her for all these years. Just remember, if you praise her when she's scared or backs off, she'll think that's what you want her to do. Try basic obedience with her, play with her toys with her and remember to always praise good behavior! Poor baby, hope she gets more cuddly with you!
2007-07-12 17:29:19 · answer #7 · answered by GoodWifey2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like it is not so much fear as submission. She is a very submissive dog and views you as the alpha of the household. This is just part of her personality.
We have golden female that has never been abused and she can at times be very submissive around my husband and sometimes me.
Don't worry, she's fine and not afraid.
2007-07-12 17:29:54 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
unfortunately with animals and humans if they are abused, in extreme cases the fear will be with them for their whole lives. Sounds like the situation here. Me personally I would go find that guy and kick his butt!!
Check out this site below!!
2007-07-12 17:31:55 · answer #9 · answered by onelittleangelsittingonmyknee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like she has a Mast Cell Tumor. Look up this website: http://rainbowsbridge.com/New_Beginnings/pets_in_need/pets_with_cancer/Mast_Cell_Tumors_Dogs.htm
In other words, TAKE IT TO THE VET IF IT HAS ANY OF THOSE SYMPTOMS!!!!!
2007-07-12 17:42:21 · answer #10 · answered by Darna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋