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Post by CurlyCub on May 21, 2013 17:20:30 GMT
I would love so much to show Jess at some point but the problem is she's so so nervous of new people, situations and dogs bigger than herself. I would never push her to do something she's not comfortable with as I do not believe this is the way forward.When we first got Jess she was in a corner for over two hours, letting us stroke her but never trying to move anywhere. She was scared stiff to walk down the road, jumping at everything. On our first few walks we only got half-way down the road before bringing her back as she was just too scared. She has now come out of her shell a lot, especially with other dogs! However, she is still very frightened of new people. She will not let them come near her and has only ever let a total of three strangers touch her - even then she backed away. Like I said I would love to show her but I am starting to realize that may never be possible. She's come on so much since we got her, at home she is completely relaxed and bounds around without a care in the world. It's just in new situations she crumbles. She attends training classes every Sunday for one hour. She has been to two so far as we had to wait a long time before a place came up. She is fine with the dogs there, perhaps as they're all smaller than her and she has a particular friend - a Bichon Frise called Holly who she loves. She is fine when playing with the dogs there and doesn't seem to mind the owners holding the leads. Does anyone know of any ways to help build her confidence? Any help is appreciated  |
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Post by cazypops on May 21, 2013 17:40:52 GMT
Do you have park near you that people go to, to walk their dogs? If you do maybe you could take Jess there and let her socialize with other dogs and people in her own time. Take it slow perhaps stay on the edge of the park at first then slowly go further and further into the park when you feel she's ready. Nice avatar CC.  |
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Post by charlottte on May 21, 2013 19:08:36 GMT
Have a look at Behaviour Adjustment Training or Counter Conditioning. Cc would be taking her out and feedfeedfeed/playplayplay from when a dog comes into sight, to when it goes out of sight. She should soon associate the sight of dogs with food, thus changing her emotional response to enjoying the sight of dogs. Obviously start from a distance that she's comfortable with and watch out for calming signals (lip/nose lick, head/body turn amongst other signals) to show that she's uncomfortable (possibly too close etc). There's also the Look At That game by Leslie McDevitt, I don't know much about it yet but I'll have a read of Control Unleashed and get back to you |
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Post by CurlyCub on May 22, 2013 15:48:50 GMT
Do you have park near you that people go to, to walk their dogs? If you do maybe you could take Jess there and let her socialize with other dogs and people in her own time. Take it slow perhaps stay on the edge of the park at first then slowly go further and further into the park when you feel she's ready. Nice avatar CC. We take her to the park at least twice a week, she sees lots of dogs there. Thanks, scallywag is to credit for it  |
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Post by CurlyCub on May 22, 2013 15:49:39 GMT
Have a look at Behaviour Adjustment Training or Counter Conditioning. Cc would be taking her out and feedfeedfeed/playplayplay from when a dog comes into sight, to when it goes out of sight. She should soon associate the sight of dogs with food, thus changing her emotional response to enjoying the sight of dogs. Obviously start from a distance that she's comfortable with and watch out for calming signals (lip/nose lick, head/body turn amongst other signals) to show that she's uncomfortable (possibly too close etc). There's also the Look At That game by Leslie McDevitt, I don't know much about it yet but I'll have a read of Control Unleashed and get back to you I'll see what my parents think and thank you |
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Post by BorderTerrier on May 22, 2013 17:19:05 GMT
Socialisation as a puppy is key to raising a friendly, happy dog. Obviously its different for rescues and dogs like Jess who you didn't officially get a tiny puppy. this is something you need to work hard on, and make sure her nervousness around other dogs does not progress into a state of aggression. I like reading dogs' body languages - you can tell what they are feeling when they are feeling it the moment you look down at them. If she looks scared, take her away from another dog's presence, until she has calmed down, and then gently introduce her again (just not in the formal way - she's a dog, you know what I mean). If you see any negative body language, take note and move her away slowly. If she is acting aggressive, which is the worst possible scenario, take her away RIGHT AWAY, before this progresses. I know your adorable curly little dog is not aggressive - but we don't want her nervous state to progress into something like aggression. Hope this helps |
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Post by CurlyCub on May 23, 2013 17:17:09 GMT
Socialisation as a puppy is key to raising a friendly, happy dog. Obviously its different for rescues and dogs like Jess who you didn't officially get a tiny puppy. this is something you need to work hard on, and make sure her nervousness around other dogs does not progress into a state of aggression. I like reading dogs' body languages - you can tell what they are feeling when they are feeling it the moment you look down at them. If she looks scared, take her away from another dog's presence, until she has calmed down, and then gently introduce her again (just not in the formal way - she's a dog, you know what I mean). If you see any negative body language, take note and move her away slowly. If she is acting aggressive, which is the worst possible scenario, take her away RIGHT AWAY, before this progresses. I know your adorable curly little dog is not aggressive - but we don't want her nervous state to progress into something like aggression. Hope this helps Thanks BT, you're right she's not aggressive - when she's scared of a bigger dog she sinks low into the ground like she's trying to hide... Yep I agree with the whole socialization thing, I've come to the conclusion it's just going to take time. She missed out on lots when we didn't yet have her - six months worth, she was only use to her sisters. Thanks for the help |
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Post by BorderTerrier on May 24, 2013 15:57:19 GMT
Socialisation as a puppy is key to raising a friendly, happy dog. Obviously its different for rescues and dogs like Jess who you didn't officially get a tiny puppy. this is something you need to work hard on, and make sure her nervousness around other dogs does not progress into a state of aggression. I like reading dogs' body languages - you can tell what they are feeling when they are feeling it the moment you look down at them. If she looks scared, take her away from another dog's presence, until she has calmed down, and then gently introduce her again (just not in the formal way - she's a dog, you know what I mean). If you see any negative body language, take note and move her away slowly. If she is acting aggressive, which is the worst possible scenario, take her away RIGHT AWAY, before this progresses. I know your adorable curly little dog is not aggressive - but we don't want her nervous state to progress into something like aggression. Hope this helps Thanks BT, you're right she's not aggressive - when she's scared of a bigger dog she sinks low into the ground like she's trying to hide... Yep I agree with the whole socialization thing, I've come to the conclusion it's just going to take time. She missed out on lots when we didn't yet have her - six months worth, she was only use to her sisters. Thanks for the help What does her body language seem to read when she is 'sinking low to the ground'? This behaviour could mean anything! |
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Post by bextull on May 24, 2013 16:10:02 GMT
Thanks BT, you're right she's not aggressive - when she's scared of a bigger dog she sinks low into the ground like she's trying to hide... Yep I agree with the whole socialization thing, I've come to the conclusion it's just going to take time. She missed out on lots when we didn't yet have her - six months worth, she was only use to her sisters. Thanks for the help What does her body language seem to read when she is 'sinking low to the ground'? This behaviour could mean anything!
Going low to the ground when meeting dogs is submission, surrender, avoiding conflict etc. It is nervousness and fear. It is commonly used to avoid conflict. It is also a signal to the other dog to leave them alone.
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Post by CurlyCub on May 24, 2013 16:29:37 GMT
What does her body language seem to read when she is 'sinking low to the ground'? This behaviour could mean anything!
Going low to the ground when meeting dogs is submission, surrender, avoiding conflict etc. It is nervousness and fear. It is commonly used to avoid conflict. It is also a signal to the other dog to leave them alone.
What bextull just explained fits Jess perfectly  |
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Post by BorderTerrier on May 24, 2013 16:32:28 GMT
Alright, I was wondering if she had a hint of playful in her whilst showing this behaviour, or she was showing fear, or looked like she was about to pounce! |
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Post by CurlyCub on May 24, 2013 16:36:35 GMT
Nope just looks completely scared but, at the same time, like she doesn't want to be as she loves playing |
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