Tying an Insecure Dog's Leash to your Belt?

Question

I adopted a dog and the lady @ the agency says I should tie her leash to my belt as I do my chores,etc. all day. She is insecure right now and I don't really feel as if tying her to me will make anything better. She is a small dog, about 5 pounds. Anyone have any experience with this technique?

Lets get one thing straight I have no quams about forcing the dog to do anything. I know dogs do not have emotions as humana do. So basically, You have no idea what your talking about. I dont have to chase her anywhere either. I have just never heard of this technique and thought it may just make the situation worse, or form another insecurity all together.

Shes fully housebroken.

Answer 1

No I wouldn't suggest that unless there is a potty issue. You don't give them a chance to have an accident. If she is too frightened you are both going to end up with broken legs.

I would suggest a safety area for her a crate is perfect let her get used to you going around and doing chores. Keep an eye on her and as you pass by her pat her quickly and say hey and walk on. Interact with her but do not over do it. This can be more fearful.

DO NOT FREE FEED HER. Make her get hungry and need you for food. Make it exciting and fun at meal time. Use her food drive (inate in all animals) to get her to interact and feel more comfortable with you.

JR

Answer 2

Dogs do have emotions. Whether they are exactly like people's we'll never be able to say, but they have found that behavioral medications that help human brains also help dog brains, so there's more similarities than you might want to accept. Dogs and people also learn things in very similar ways as well. We both get better at behaviors we get to practice (watching TV for hours on end or diving off a high dive) and we both will repeat behaviors we get rewarded for (a job and a paycheck or a sit/stay and a treat).

Visit this website to learn about working with a scared dog.

www.fearfuldogs.com

You need to understand about triggers, thresholds, counter conditioning and desensitization. The method you are talking about is a form of 'flooding' or forcing a dog to do things it's afraid of, like move around the house or be near you. It can work. It can also back fire and cause a dog to become even more afraid. Also, some dogs will just give up and suffer their fates, shutting down so to speak, and do whatever it is that is being forced on them (like letting someone pet them). It does not mean that they are better or ok with what's happening. This happens a lot to little dogs cause they're easy to make do things. Then people wonder why they have a yappy little dog that nips at everyone that comes into the house. It is possible for a dog that is afraid to choose to become more aggressive in order to keep scary things away. Then they get punished and some will stop growling and just start biting.

You should give this dog the time to adjust to your household. Give it a place that it feels safe and then work on developing a trusting relationship with the dog. You can start by hand feeding it. You will also find a link to good books to read when training a scared dog.

Answer 3

Yes, tethering is a great way to help your dog bond to you.

If a dog is insecure, it will often go find a spot to hide in. Forcing a dog like that to come to you will frequently backfire and the dog will become more frightened.

By tethering, the dog can't get away and hide. But you're not forcing yourself on the dog. Use a 6 foot leash and the dog will have a comfort zone but will still be near you.

I tether every new foster dog in my house. Even the most secure dogs will learn to be comfortable with me quicker if they've spent some time tethered. Also helps to integrate a new dog into the household.

Be warned, this process sometimes works too well. :-)Whenever I do dishes, every dog in the house comes into the kitchen and sits next to or behind me.

A very helpful book is The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell

Also do some research into the NILF training program. Just google NILF and you should find plenty of information.

Good luck!

Answer 4

This is tricky because the solution to your dog's unwanted behavior ("insecurity") depends on the cause of the behavior. For example, if a dog has separation anxiety (we do not know this unless your dog is evaluated), it would not be helpful necessarily to have the dog follow you from room to room. To obtain the best results (and not do further reinforcement of the behavior ), it would be best to ask your vet and/or a certified dog trainer about this technique -- and even more important to report to the vet or trainer the specific behaviors that you are calling "insecurity". This does not have to be a big expensive deal. Your vet may be willing to discuss in a phone call, although if you could bring your dog to a trainer or vet in person, that's probably better. Insecure dogs need special care or you can make the problem worse. Dogs actually do have emotions. As evolved mammals they have well developed temporal lobes and do experience a range of emotions (such as fear, which is the emotion behind your dog's insecurity). Basic obedience training, with techniques geared towards an insecure dog (that is, positive reinforcement rather than punishment), can do a lot for the dog's confidence and will help you to build a relationship with the dog. Confidence and a healthy, trusting relationship with an owner (guardian) developed through obedience training can lessen insecurity. (Not time consuming -- 10 minutes a day after you learn the techniques.) For more information, browse the web. I have found dogremedy.com as a jumping off place. There are many training websites that give good information, but nothing replaces a personal consultation. I know the dog remedy trainer (he lives on the next block and was voted L.A. trainer of the year recently) and trust him. I have rescued two dogs, one very insecure, and obedience training was helpful. Pet stores offer basic obedience training in a group or you can get it privately. I have done both because I wanted first to have my pet individually evaluated and then went to a group to reinforce the initial training with the support of a group. This will also allow your dog to socialize with other dogs, which is important in shaping its personality. Very important is not to yell at an insecure dog as this can reinforce their insecurity, but also not to reinforce the unwanted behavior by fawning over the dog each time it acts "insecure." One reason basic obedience training helps is because you are giving your dog attention, which it wants, but the attention is a healthy interactive attention where you are eliciting and rewarding proper behavior instead of insecure behavior. This is very instructive for the dog, who learns that obedience feels good and more importantly, offers the dog an alternative to fearful behavior.

Answer 5

Hm....normally, an insecure dog will stick by your side, naturally. I suppose if the dog hides instead, then walking her around the house on a leash would help her overcome her insecurities and realize that she's in a safe place. I wouldn't drag her around all day, though. Poor pup should have some time to herself to adjust at her own speed.

Answer 6

An insecure dogs needs time to investigate on their own. No prodding, no pulling, no in my face thing. Right now she would rather be hiding out in the first hiding place she found. Let her do this on her own. If you watch her you will be able to tell when she needs to go potty & take her outside.

Tying a pup to you to house break it isn't a bad idea. But that leaves a dog under foot all the time. I wouldn't do it. It don't make sense to me.

Answer 7

The best thing you can do for her is give her some space. Do not cuddle her because you are telling her that you condone her present state of mind. You, family and friends, don't talk to her (she doesn't do English) don't make eye contact (that is a challenge to her) and don't seek her out. Let her come to you when she is comfortable with that. Right now provide her with food and shelter. Take her for walks every day and that is where you will bond.(when walking, keep her close to you but behind you) If you let her take the lead she will think she is supposed to be the leader and that is too much responsibility for her and will make her more insecure) She needs to know you are the leader and it is your job to provide for her.
Watch dog trainer Cesar Millan he is wonderful.
http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/

Answer 8

We have often recommended this method for use in house training but not for insecure dogs. Sounds like your instincts are good and you are correct, it will probably not make it any better but rather just make her intimidated. I usually recommend to any new adopter that they give them an equal balance of free time and bonding time especially in past abuse situations when a dog is prone to be timid. As small as this little angel is you could even get a baby sling and let her go around the house or sit and read with her cuddled in. Then I would encourage periods of free play but where she can see you and feel secure. Leaving her alone for longer and longer periods will let her gradually learn that you are going to come back and that nothing bad is going to happen while you are gone. Thank you for adopting and saving a life! I know that she will give you years of love and companionship once she settles in and becomes secure in your affection.

Answer 9

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://tr.im/liHoN

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 10

I can see the agency's point, but I would not want to encourage too much co dependence, then she will never be confident on her own without you. This can cause separation anxiety issues later. I would just spend as much time with her, encourage confidence building activities such as a long walk, training, obedience, agility or just playing in your home. Give the dog opportunities to excel and be successful.