Scared dog?

Question

I took my dog to pet smart today. She is perfectly calm if the store is empty, she walks next to my leg and such. But the minute she sees another person in the store she tries to run and hide. If people come too close she kinda growls or backs away and tries to hide behind me. Some little kid kept trying to pet her and i thought they were gonna get bit even though I told her not to pet my dog. She tries to pull me out of the store and doesn't respond to my corrections from the choke chain. How do I make my dog more people friendly and not be scared crapless?

Ps. Don't reccamend treats because she won't take any reward from strangers what so ever. Not even from me when she is scared.

Answer 1

That is a typical reaction from a dog who wasn't socialized as a puppy. Socialization starts at 8 weeks old, and exposes the puppy to lots of people, places and things so that when they grow up they are not afraid. At 6 months it may be too late. You can try taking her out more often, get her to meet a lot of friendly people. But you're going to have to take it slow so as not to scare her. Right now she is just scared to death! Be really patient and work with her a lot...she still might have a chance to improve.

Answer 2

well hind sight is always 20/20 but you should have socialized him when he was a pup. that is the only thing wrong with him. you need to take him around other people as often as you can. when he hides behind you stand so he can't. when he growls at people say a little but loud enough for him to hear aaaaannnnttt!!!!! and give a little tug on the choke collar. make sure it is in the proper place or it will not work ( right up close behind his ears). never let him know that being scared is "ok baby that bad person is bothering you" someone will get bit . remember he is your dog you are not his.

Answer 3

You should try giving her treats when she sees the person. Don't wait until the person is so close that she's terrified and won't take the treat. Try doing this from a distance, when people aren't so close and aren't such a threat to her. You'll have to gradually move closer to the people as she adapts. Give her the treat no matter how she reacts. Don't make her get really close to people before she's ready. I'd recommend laying off Petsmart for awhile and just doing the treat thing when you see people when you're out walking her. When she does better, then try Petsmart.

Answer 4

the only way to do it is to do it. Start taking the dog to places where there are people. Walk er in areas where there are more and more people around. Parks, parking lots, whatever is available...ideally where fewer people are going to want to play with her...

the more she is around other people the better she'll be. As you work on it you'll start seeing her change, and eventually people may be able to greet her. It is best to start a walk in an area without many people and walk to an area where there are more...so she has less excess energy when she starts seeing folks.

One of the best things you can do is take her to a group class. The trainers know how to deal with dogs like yours, so there is little risk. Just make sure you take her for a nice walk before the class.

Answer 5

She needs to be socialized and learn to trust people, this has to be done gradually, you can't force her.
No one should ever pet your dog without asking you first, next time firmly tell people that your dog is not to be petted - better that than she bites someone. People should teach their children not to approach strange dogs, but they don't all too often.

Take her to less crowded, confined areas first, maybe some local flea markets or outdoor events where she can avoid people but still see them.

As I said, it can't be forced, has to be done gradually. Don't scare your dog or traumatize her, then she will always be afraid.

By the way, having friends come into your house, ignoring your dog, just sitting down quietly will help. Your dog will eventually approach to check them out - she'll feel much safer if the people aren't moving around and the approach is hers.
Do let them give her treats when she is brave enough to come check them out. You need to start with people you know, not strangers - that's dangerous. If your dog feels cornered, she may well bite out of fear.

Read a bood or two on dog behavior - very interesting.

Answer 6

The type of dog people are trying to say is those with stable temperaments. Those that nothing phases. No snappy dog, no yippy dog, no afraid dog. There are dogs like that around. Watch dogs when they meet each other and pick the serene ones to socialize her with at first. My Shepherd is a very stable nerved dog. Very confident in every situation. Look for those dogs when you're out. Nothing ruffles their feathers, they take everything in stride. If a dog wants to start a fight with mine. He just ignores them. Tells them in a soft low growl to not be so ridiculous and amazingly they do quit. He also doesn't have to be top dog in the crowd. He doesn't care who is. He may hold that position for all I know. He also avoids a nippy dog staying just out of their reach. But letting them know that isn't acceptable behavior with that soft, low, short growl. Wish I knew what he says, I coulda used that on my kids!

Answer 7

Try walking her before you take her around people to get her energy out, when walking her keep her right next to you, don't let her walk ahead of you, dogs pick up on your mood or energy, so if she feels you kinda getting nervous when someone is getting close, then she gonna react to stay calm, and don't let her look behind her or around keep her going straight, when she looks away do a quick tug and release to get her attention, but don't pet her or give her any kind of attention she she does something bad, cuz then she thinks she's doing something good, every time she growls or looks like shes gonna growl do a quick tug again. hope this works good luck

Answer 8

Some dogs are shy. Many times it's because the dog wasn't socialized properly as a very young pup, but this type of personality disorder is inherited as well.
Start obedience training her, with lots or praise. You start with heeling & sitting, but ultimately, one of the basic novice commands is 'stand for examination', where she can't move while a stranger goes over her.
Yes---it will take a long time & lots of practice (I have Salukis----they HATE it when strangers presume an intimacy). but she must learn that you are the leader & won't allow harm to come to her. That's it in a nutshell. Get a good dog training book as well.

Answer 9

Theres only 1 way to do that. You have to get your dog slowly acquainted with as many friends/family as you can and they all have to treat her perfectly well. The other thing is you need to make sure everyone you introduce her to likes dogs...if they dont then its obviously a waste of time. Its very difficult to overturn that. I dont know if youve had the dog all of her life or not....if you havnt i have to wonder if the dog was abused or not. If that is the case that explains everything

Answer 10

Take the choke chain off. not because of pain etc. but when the choke shrinks around her neck, it creates anxiety and unsure emotions as tension=fear or aggression,depending on your dog. Try just a regular flat leather or nylon collar.walk into store or outside somewhere with a regular leash,just enough for her to move around a bit,like you said earlier,right by your side. have them just walk by your dog, no eye contact. and do not say anything to your dog,no its okay, or dont worry,whatever.if she reacts in an aggresive manner, try a quick jerk to the collar with a 'quiet' even if she continues to growl,snapthe collar again and 'quiet' until she understands its not acceptable. if she reacts in a fearful manner,trying to run and hide and such,just stop walking,and let her make a fool of herself, dont spin with her or crouch down, just tighten up your leash a bit for her and 'strangers' safety zone,and freeze in position.,after she/he is done realizing that the person walked by and nothing happened to him/her AND you made no big deal. continue walking as if nothing happened, if he looks behind him to see behind him as you are walking away,snap the collar again and say heel. its easier to show than explain : /. wish you lived closer:)