Nervous dog?

Question

My gorgeous staffy x lab is so nervous, She is 2 and a half we have had her since she was a pup so I know she has not been mis treated, She is scared of busy areas and anyone she does not know. It is getting embarrasing when we take her out and someone wants to fuss her she cowers, people have even asked if we are mistreating her. We love her to bits if anything she is spoilt to be honest.She is playful and happy at home. how can we give Missy dog some confidence?

Answer 1

Sounds as though you may have inadvertently taught her to be scared. What I mean is, don't forget that if you cuddle and pet your dog when she is scared (which is our natural response as humans, so don't feel too bad!) you are actually "rewarding" that behaviour-- so you will have taught her to display that cowering behaviour in that particular situation. This is why many dogs are frightened of thunderstorms-- the first clap of thunder a dog ever hears CAN be frightening, but if you don't act fazed then the dog will learn there is nothing to be afraid of.

At this stage, I would suggest taking her to dog runs to interact with other people and dogs. Reward her and praise her a LOT. She will look to you for how to react in a new situation, so make sure you are always calm around her.

Answer 2

Greekman is partially right in his answer. I am of the opinion that any problem in a dog that has been with an owner since it was a pup has been caused by that owner, in this case you! I do not mean that nastily at all but the pup as it was then should have been allowed to get used to all aspects of life! I call it ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING!
I would suggest that you first of all put the dog on as low a protein diet as possible (Excess protein can cause fear, courage, aggression etc). Then your work really has to start. You need to get your dog into town but now you will have to do this so carefully and gradually that it will be extremely time consuming for all involved. You cannot just go into the middle of the town and expect your dog to handle what it has never encountered before. A bus rushing past is a terrible monster to your dog but if it sees one many, many times from three hundred yards away it might not be so bad. Your attitude must be "Bus? What bus? Oh.That stupid thing!" If you get down to console and countenance any fearful reaction you will encourage it!
You need to graduate until, after many months, you will be able to sit outside Sainsbury's and allow everyone to come up and pet your beautiful dog! Also you could join a local dog training club where she will meet many people who smell of dogs. Some of these people may also have the same problem so you will not be alone!
I cannot go on and on in these pages but you have an uphill battle ahead of you but it is not an insurmountable one. It depends on how much time and effort and common sense you are prepared to put in. Another thing that I would suggest is that you allow a trusted friend to take your dog out sometimes as I believe that it is too dependant on you.
I really wish you good luck for both your sakes and perhaps....your next dog might be better prepared for life and all that it might throw at it!

Answer 3

take her to a dog training and socialisation class this will get her socialiing with people and other dogs within a month or two she will be much better and then just keep it up.my dog was just as bad you probably havent socialised her enough but she is young and still trainable your vet will have a list of recommended classes for her she will be nervous at first but the more she goes to class themore normal it will feel.

Answer 4

Your dog, due to genetically weak nerves and spoiled upbringing, combined with lack of proper socialization when she was young has a problem with everything she is not familiar with. She will not get better or overcome her fears no matter how much time or money you spent on her. She will, however, become a bigger problem if she is pushed too far and is put is a flight or fight response while on a leash. She cannot run so she will bite out of wrongly perceived defense. That is where most fear biters come from, dogs such as yours. Give me the thumbs down, I am still correct in my assessment of her.

Answer 5

Your dog was never socialized. It was never taught that everything is to be investigated and not feared. It is not too late to still do this. But you first need to learn about dog behavior and how to teach your dog, how to socialized, how teach it you are alpha. The best way to learn is to attend a good obedience class with your dog. You will be amazed as your dog transforms from one afraid of the world to one that is confident and seeks out people to give it ear scratches.

Answer 6

I would get in touch with an animal behaviourist. We had trouble understanding a dog that we adopted and she really really helped - she was able to look at his different behaviour patterns and work out why he was doing what he was doing. We found that we had completely misunderstood him - we thought he was aggressive with other dogs when in fact he is scared to death of them. We only had one session with her and it cost £30, I will be calling her back again soon to help with lead walking issues and it's well worth it!

Answer 7

i have thealmost the same problem you have with my shetland sheep dog (miniature lassie)the best thing to do is take her to the places she is most scared of.bring along some of her favorite chew toys.it may be a little long to get her used to. its better then getting embarresed or acused of abusing or mistreating her.and to get her used to stangers u should ask the person she is scared of to meet here and hold a treat or her favorite toy and to talk to here softly.and they should do that evry time shee sees them i hope she comes around soon.and if nothing works then hire a behavourist. i really hope i helped

Answer 8

my chow mix is afraid of thunder and fireworks. any kind of loud popping sound and he cowers anywhere. Hetries to snuggle under anyone and shivers.

My vet has to give him a sedative when he has to go because he won't let anyone look in his ears or touch his paws etc.

your dog is not too old to change, maybe taking her to obedience class where she has to be around other animals or keep her with you when you go out. she will come around (not completely) but she will come around.

Answer 9

my dog is that way when we take her to get a haircut, no matter where. she's been pretty much banned everywhere lol. we had her since she was born too but when we take her places, they tell us that she must have been abused some where else (like a groomer...)

Answer 10

take her daily walks and have her meet new people and other dogs.. exercise does dogs wonders.......