Scared of my rescue dog

foreign_correspondent

ooh Im a bit embarrased now! its only my opinions on the matter, but I'm glad it makes some sort of sense to you!

Lirin

It certainly does, and it's something neither Proc nor I mentioned- it is a very careful game to play, and relys on good training to remove the fear, not increase it, not just to keep out of strikig range. Good advice FC, as I'd gone off on a working dogs tangent.

Some I've seen in homes were untrainable due to fears, and the RSPCA is full of stories of lovely pets that have had to be put down as a result.

Training a working dog usually begins shortly after birth- especially with gundogs, nervy animals are hard to work with. A dog that barks when a gun goes off, or runs amok, becomes a nuisance. I know most in my area would prefer a dog they've raised, rather than take on someone else's, whether it's been badly treated or not.

Personally, I dislike clickers, harnesses, electric collars- I would prefer to train a dog to my voice and hand. I can raise a finger and hold it and the lab will sit straight away- it's a signal for 'one second, I know I've a treat somewhere...'

Rough Collies (my other one) are by nature, very nervy, but obedient. That's why they were used for Lassie. The chances of a Rough Collie struggling up a burning mountain to rescue a stuck child are woefully slim- but they were used as they obey instantly.
(and, they're incredibly good looking dogs!)

I do have occasional problems with mine, but usually solved with patience. Mine are pets, not working dogs, but they're bought up the way I know to train.

I would think that OP has to get the dog used to her, but also not to show the same to any other female that comes to the house- which is where some of the training Proc and I have talked about comes into play, though I know we went off on our own tangent a little.

Be careful, very careful of the dog biting or snapping, but do try to get it used to different situations- maybe once you trust it around you a little, take it for a walk in an environment where you'll meet a few other people or traffic- a quiet park walk.

It sounds like nervousness and lack of trust- hopefully with a few months the dog will settle with you.

Lirin

Um, sorry. Didn't realise my post was as long!

walwin

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

ooh Im a bit embarrased now! its only my opinions on the matter, but I'm glad it makes some sort of sense to you!

Makes absolute sense, thanks FC :T

SDavies

think how scary this is for him.
contact your shelter and say you want to see a behaviourist

magickid

She is certainly not untrainable. So far we have taught her to sit and stay, especially when going out for walks. We've stopped her pulling on her lead like her life depended on it. We're still working on the housetraining - I think this is still nervousness.

Please don't get me wrong, she is not attacking me at every opportunity, and certainly doesn't need to be pts - I wouldn't dream of it. She is getting used to me day by day and I realise now it is going to take a lot longer than I thought. All my previous rescues were from when I was a child and I don't remember the transition period at all (too young).

We are getting her used to different situations. She meets lots of dogs in the park, she has met various family members (with instructions to them not to pet or touch). She bared her teeth at my Dad when he went to move past her bed. She had entered the house after he had arrived - she was fine, and then he stood up. I think she saw him as a threat. She just has to get used to strangers. She's been to the pub with my OH a few times and has been fine.

We never let people approach her and touch her at the moment, she doesn't go bounding off, off-lead. We just need to get her to relax :-)

gratefulforhelp_2

Please don't be scared of her, I'm sure this is pure fear. I don't think she would attack you unless you cornered her. She needs you to be confident around her to give her confidence.

Stephb1986_2

She will get there in time and will make a good dog its a good idea not to let people pet her at the moment till you have full control over her. Ruby is off lead in the park but with a harness on so I can clip her on it if I need to. She does go and see other people and find that parents of kids are making kids fearful of dogs which is really sad.

A little lad wanted to stroke ruby when we were at the park but she is a very excited dog so i sat her down and kept hold of her harness and let the little one pet her he couldn't be more than 2 years old. I gave him a treat to give her and she took it very gently she must of known he was a little one. So overall she was really good

Steph xx

EmptyPockets

Working with rescue dogs who have confidence and behaviour issues can be tremendously rewarding, and I'm glad for her that you are going to give her more time. What you're doing for her is a great thing - she just needs to be convinced

We've had our rescue Border Collie, Bonnie, for just over a month now. When we first brought her home, she reacted very badly to our current dog. She snarled and growled, lunged at him (both on leads of course) snapped her teeth and barked. Now, they are like the best of friends because we took our time with them and limited their access to each other using crates and safety gates. Now if they are seperated by a gate, they will 'kiss' each other through the bars and play ball through the gap at the bottom

When I first waved a toy at her to play, she ran off and cowered in a corner. Now, however, she bugs me at every waking minute to play with her. She also would not let us touch or pet her apart from on her head. If we tried to touch her neck, sides or her back, she would jump away and snap. Now, we can stroke her all over and give her a good fuss round the neck and face, and she's ok with it for a few minutes at a time.

Stay positive and be consistent - it will pay off eventually if you get help, advice, and stay in touch with the right people (your vet, etc.)

Booley

It's heartbreaking reading some of these posts. The only thing that makes it a bit better is knowing that there are people like your good selves who are doing their best and picking up the pieces in order to try and give these dogs such a better quality of life.

I have two dogs but they're the first and only ones I've ever had. I've had them since they were tiny and I know that I don't know enough about dogs to be taking on the task that you are. I admire you immensely and hope that for all rescue dog owners the day will come when it seems that you & your dog were never without each other.

Good luck in all your efforts.