Head shy puppy

[Rileys mom]

Riley went to the vet yesterday for his 3rd puppy shots and was very head shy when the vet tried to examine his ears and teeth. I have been trying to rub his head/ears and play with his mouth. He is fine with me touching his head and ears when I hold him but if he is on the ground he tries to duck away. It is hard to play with his mouth as he tries to turn away or block me with his paws. How can I make easier to accept me playing with his mouth?

 

[Mignarda]

I don't think there's any quick fix for this, but you can probably condition him out of it. Dickens was very head-shy when we got him at three months; now at nine months he'll stand for some head petting and ear scratching. For the most part I let him have his way, but I'd periodically play games that involved going for his head, and this seems to have inured him to having his head touched.

 

[labgirl]

Merlin doesn't like strangers stroking his head and ducks, but i understand that as it is an intimidating gesture. I ask people to let him sniff them first and tickle his chin.

With health checks of mouth, eyes, ears, I would build up very gradually with treats. So lightly touch an ear, give a reward. Stroke around the mouth or eyes, give a reward for not pulling away. It does take time but can be achieved.

 

[dblock]

I think lab girl is on the right track, if you think about it, do you like people that you don't know touching your head. I always tell people let Beau sniff your hand first than go under the chin. start from there and build up.

 

[Tabitha]

I do the same as labgirl and dblock. Shy dogs find it much less threatening if a hand is coming at them lower then their face. Dixie (my prevues sheltie) had the same problem with strangers, though she loved getting scrached on top of her head from me and people she knew well. She would run and hide behind my legs with other people. She never got over this fear, but Ida did the same thing and now will tolerate strangers.