How can I get my dog to get over being so skiddish?

Question

I've had her since she was born basically, but have only had her as a house dog since she was about 3-4 months old. She was always a skiddish puppy. She's 11 months old now and although she's gotten a little bit better, she still freaks out if I make any sudden movements. She will not come when I tell her to. She cowers when I go to pet her, and then when I pet her, she's okay. She will not sit in my lap or anything of that nature.

She's a mutt. !/2 bulldog, 1/2 blue heeler, & 1/2 one night stand. (Most likely a rat terrier because that's what she looks the most like to me.)

Sorry about the grammatical error! Just something I overlooked...

She was the puppy of a dog that didn't belong to me. The only reason I took her under my wing and brought her inside was because her sister became emaciated and died and several days later, I saw her getting the same way, and I was determined she wasn't going to die. I brought her inside, called the vet, got her a Parvo shot, and started nursing her with Pedialyte, etc. I brought her back to from almost death, and she's been inside ever since.

As far as her socialization...my neighbors have about 8 dogs and she LOVES to be around other dogs. She's gotten better with people, in particular my immediate family members. But we live alone, just me & her and she's alone for most of the day. That part I can't really help.

Answer 1

Some dogs are just not that social. Keep working on her and she may open up to you a bit. Are there things that go on in your house (maybe when you are not home) that are affecting her? Loud noises, noisy neighbors can all contribute to her being afraid.

Getting her spayed might relax her a bit also.

Answer 2

Well I have a very skiddish dog myself. like your dog she has gotten a lot better but a lot of work needs to be done still. I put my dog into obedience training and it helped some and my dog and I had a lot of fun. What kind of dog do you have? I have a Husky mix myself. Just try having a lot of patience with your dog and spend time walking, running your dog and practice training your dog to come to you. It should get better but perhaps your dog will always be somewhat skiddish. Good luck and email me and tell me what kind of dog you have! Chessman

Answer 3

Have you had her since she was a puppy? Or have just recently gotten her? If you've recently gotten your dog, she may have been abused by her previous owners. My dog was, and still slightly is, skittish for the longest time. She was beaten before we adopted her. She never used to go anywhere near men. She's a lot better now, though.

Answer 4

I have a young male who was abused at an early age...We,ve had him for a year now and he,s still a little skiddish...He s getting better every day...He,ll probably always be a little skiddish..Hopefully yours will out grow this problem...Alot of love and attention will always help!!!

Answer 5

if you have young children or kids at your house that run around and scream and always try to get attention from the dog it could be the cause of that most of the time just loving and not alot of loud noises and just showing them alot of attention will help over time you just have to she the puppy that you are going to pet her when you call it instead of disipline

Answer 6

Some dogs are genetically more shy or fearful. Visit the fearful dog website for information on learning to help your dog. You should read about counter conditioning, triggers and thresholds to start with.

www.fearfuldogs.com

Answer 7

The word is "skittish," not "skiddish."

You kept your dog isolated and outside during her formative months and then you wonder why she hasn't been socialized?! Poor dog.

Answer 8

SOCIALIZE HER AMONGST ALOT OF PEOPLE! AND DIFFERENT
SITUATIONS SHELL COME AROUND
GOOD LUCK