Need advice for extremely timid rescue

[Mally's Mom]

I just read Tinsel's journey, wow. Lucy came from a breeding situation, but there were only 5 adult dogs, so not as severe as a puppy mill. But she was never a house pet, was kept outdoors (in a very rural area) in a dog run all day.

I've had Lucy for a month now, and she has really bonded with me. She comes up to me to be petted, will let me hold her, and rub her belly. And, she sleeps beside my bed. She had a bad habit of jumping on me, but has learned the "off" command, and now understands that if she wants me to pet her, she has to sit. So I feel like I'm making progress except for the walks.

This morning she freaked out several times, but finally went potty. She hadn't pooped for 2 days so that leads me to believe that she is housebroken, or she would have gone inside. I don't give her full run of the place while I'm gone, I close off the bedrooms, so she only has access to the living room & kitchen.

I do talk to her and praise her when she walks nicely. The other problem I'm having with the treats is that she gets so excited she is very rough when taking the treat, she has almost bitten me. I am now putting the treat in the palm of my hand but can still feel her teeth when she takes it. How can I change this behavior and teach her not to "mouth" me?

Some days I wonder what I have gotten myself into, didn't realize it would be so challenging!!

Note: You stated before you adopted Lucy that she was outside in a dog run all day. Perhaps the dog run was concrete or rocks. Maybe she has to learn all over to go potty on grass now?

Praying Lucy starts going potty better for you each day.

ps I am happy Lucy has bonded with you, she is very fortunate to have you.
She will continue to "settle in", you watch.

 

[2di4jewelry@msn]

My Beau was extremely timid and scared. Along with all of the other suggestions provided for you, I will suggest that you take her to the vet for a full check up. Rule out any underlying health issues (i.e) uti, and thyroid issues.

Vet may suggest anxiety medication. I have Beau on them and it made training much more easy. 4 years later, he is a changed Boy. He still gets scared at sudden loud noises but, its nothing like it was when I first brought him home and he will go to his "safe" place, which for him is the coat closet. I know that sounds bad, but, he chose it, not me. He also has his crate.

Thanks for the advice. I will book a vet appointment.

I will never put her on meds for anxiety though. I really believe I can get through this without meds. I was like a drill sargent tonight on our walk. I clapped my hands to get her attention, and gave her a strict command of let's go when she freaked out, and she walked. Then I praised her nice walk, and petted her. So far this tough love approach seems to be working. I guess I'm slowly learning how to be the alpha dog!

 

[kagzigian]

I was like a drill sargent tonight on our walk. I clapped my hands to get her attention, and gave her a strict command of let's go when she freaked out, and she walked. Then I praised her nice walk, and petted her. So far this tough love approach seems to be working. I guess I'm slowly learning how to be the alpha dog!

Good for you (and her)! Wishing you continued success!

Kimberly

 

[Ann]

You can avoid using meds but still give her some help with a homeopathic like Rescue Remedy, which is a blend of herbals for people and animals. A few drops on her tongue before a walk might help, and it won't hurt her. Many places carry it now besides health food stores, even drugstores, or you can find it online.

 

[kagzigian]

Another option to meds

My mother's vet recommended a DAP (dog appeasement pheromone). She sprays a little on a bandana and ties the bandana around Cuffy's neck. My mom says it works like a charm.

Kimberly

 

[Chris]

Lucy is so lucky to have found you! Yes, patience and sharing the tough times here will see her a different girl in time. I agree with using Rescue Remedy or DAP. That bandana idea is fabulous, Kazigan!

 

[Toffee's Mom]

......
Now I have a dog so scared of people that she has panic attacks. And she remembers each place where she saw a very scary thing - like a kid riding a bike. When we get to that place in our walk, she has a complete melt down. Even if there are no people around, and it's dead quiet. I do change where we walk, but there is no shortage of scary people doing scary things (like sitting on their porch) so she just discovers new places that make her panic.
My first reaction is to want to comfort her, but I know I need to be the authority person, and make her continue. Or she will never get over her fear. Thanks so much for the support!

Be careful with that mindset, remember FEAR is an EMOTION, not a behaviour.
So you're not teaching her anything at that moment she panics that you describe, because if she is that afraid, she is simply not going to be in a mental capacity TO learn. So learning her triggers and working with that, how far can she go before she gets scared and then taking steps back to where she IS comfortable and then rewarding her is going to be key.

If a dog is truly terrified you don't need to be a leader, you need to be a protector and a guardian, the person she will want to come to for comfort.
So, I hope you can find that balance and a bond and be there for her when she needs you. Patience, empathy and love is what you'll need, and I can tell you got those in spades

 

[UConn Sheltie]

Rescue pups

I adopted Lilly from a rescue, that got her from a hoarder. It's been a slow road but she's gone from trembeling to actually searching on pet/pats Funny thing is; I have trouble getting her to potty on a leash as well. She's getting much better tho.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

Some Shelties are 'shark fangs' like Spruce, lol
At first I thought it was cuz he was a showdog and maybe he was too much hand baited or something, since I know nothing of the show world, lol so I was worried that was what was encouraging his mugging of the hand, til Shelli said HA, NO, he's being a dork, lol So I figured I better work on that with him hahahaah

Depending on how hard she bites, but I have done this with Shepherds and Labs, so hopefully it can work with your gal, too.
Impulse control... Use patience and wait the dog out, don't rush it, don't get frustrated and relax and laugh

1. Treat in hand closed fist, dog mugs the hand
2. Don't pull away or use movement, wait til the dog backs off, even a little
3. Once dog backs off even an inch, say Good Dog, open hand
4. Dog will mug hand again, the fist closes immediately (treats dissapear!)
5. Repeat--Dog will move away sooner, you say good dog, take a treat from the hand and feed it to her with the other hand (use open faced palm) that is not holding the treats
6. If dog doesn't mug hand, and stays backed off, you continue to you leave hand open, take treat out of that hand and give it to her again and keep saying good dog, feed again
7. The treat hand ALWAYS closes and food disappears every time the dog mugs the hand, she will quickly learn to give some distance, as dogs love the smell of the treats, getting their nose doing their thing is also a nice side effect to keep their brains engaged.
8. Don't say gentle gentle and then quickly withdraw hand or anything like that, present the treat, say get it,use open palm for some time
9. If dog snatches at treats if I do give them in error with two fingers, lol I say ouch and the whole game ends (only for a few minutes) and go on to do something else before coming back to the game again

Spruce currently doesn't snatch food anymore for the most part, and I am simply flabbergasted when somebody else tells me says oh he's so gentle when they give him a treat... cuz if ya knew him that wouldn't be a word you'd use to describe him lol

Be careful with that mindset, remember FEAR is an EMOTION, not a behaviour.
So you're not teaching her anything at that moment she panics that you describe, because if she is that afraid, she is simply not going to be in a mental capacity TO learn. So learning her triggers and working with that, how far can she go before she gets scared and then taking steps back to where she IS comfortable and then rewarding her is going to be key.

If a dog is truly terrified you don't need to be a leader, you need to be a protector and a guardian, the person she will want to come to for comfort.
So, I hope you can find that balance and a bond and be there for her when she needs you. Patience, empathy and love is what you'll need, and I can tell you got those in spades

Yes, this is very important when dealing with any dog, but especially a fearful dog. If you're too tough she can shut down. Its really important to provide some degree of comfort and guidance too so that she can learn to trust you.

With regard to biting when she takes treats - Another thing to consider regarding taking treats roughly is that it can be a sign of stress/anxiety.

What Toffee'sMom's suggestion is a great game to teach any dog, but keep in mind that if she's biting your hand at times because she's feeling stressed out about something, the game may never work consistently. As Toffee'sMom explained, "if she is that afraid, she is simply not going to be in a mental capacity TO learn."

My Toby is easily the gentlest of my three for taking treats, but if we're out on a walk and something has scared him and I try to give him a treat a few seconds later, he'll inadvertently grab my fingers every time, not even realizing he's doing it, no matter how I present it to him.

 

[2di4jewelry@msn]

Thanks everyone! Yes, I have just learned that my tough love approach is not working. I can force her to walk but the fear is still there. I guess I need to modify my approach.

I will try giving her some comfort when she freaks out, and praise her to continue. The obedience instructor seems to think that working on her commands, and being tough will work.

As for being rough with the treats, she bit me indoors when she was not stressed, just over excited about getting a treat. When she is really stressed (like in obedience class) she is gentle when taking treats.

I keep reminding myself to just take one day at a time, she will get better. Even if I'm not the perfect trainer, I do love her. She is my shadow in the house. So I know she trusts me. She is laying beside me right now in my office sleeping.