Nervous Bitch

[mixedbag 128]

I've recently bought a 7 month old springer from a farm where the lady bred golden retrievers in kennels outside, she had 1 other springer the mother to my bitch and they had stayed together since birth, the rest of the litter sold (i think the brother was kept also until about 6 months old and then he too was sold). The lady said she had kept my bitch to do some work with her but she was'nt showing any interest as she was too ''nervy'' She explained that all the bitch needed was some TLC and human interaction as the only input she had had so far was other dogs and her mum, its because of this i thought i'd give her a go. We got her home ( 2 adults, 2 kids) and she is very shy/gentle/nervy at times, walks with her tail in between her legs and jumps a mile at the slightest noise or quick movement, she's found a favourite spot to rest in the kitchen besides the door and in the day tends to sit there and take it all in. She has made some progress, at night she'll come into the front room and sit with the 2 adults (its a bit quieter then) and she'll come to her name up and down the garden, she's stopped shaking as much when you go to stroke her. When no-nes with her she, looks for us and wants to know you're there, when you're there, she's either shy or ok to be apart/not interacting. Has anybody please got any advice or ideas as to what I could do to help her to be more confident/sociable. Cheer MB.

[scalesntails 118]

Just start with plenty of one on one training and lots of praise and she should eventually come out or her shell a bit. It will take time and patience and bonding but she will get there. I have had a few nervous dogs in my time and luckily for me they have all come good in the end. If you can gain their trust and give them a bit of confidence they can turn into the most obedient and loyal dogs you will ever own. Some of them are just that way by nature though and there's not much that will change them if this turns out to be the case then try to live with it and not pass her on as this will just make her even worse.

 

I would start off with playful training and bonding then if she improves try slowly introducing her to the things that make her uncomfortable until she gets used to them. Praise her when she doesn't get scared by something but don't reassure her when she does get scared as she might see this as acceptable behaviour.

 

AS with most dog things it's a case of consistency, training and time.

[pegleg33 134]

Where abouts in notts are you?

 

It would be hard to tell you what to do without seeing how bad the dog is.My advice would be to go and see a pro trainer and get them to have a proper look at her. Thats the reason why i ask where abouts you are, i know of a young lady near newark and a very good spaniel trainer near doncaster

[gnipper 6,916]

Don't try and force yourself on her let her come to you, when she's hungry sit on the floor with some tit bits and let her come to you and give her a few at a time and try stroking her inbetween. When I got mine the only person he would go near was my 2 year old girl and it drove me mental but I got there in the end.

[mixedbag 128]

Where abouts in notts are you?

 

It would be hard to tell you what to do without seeing how bad the dog is.My advice would be to go and see a pro trainer and get them to have a proper look at her. Thats the reason why i ask where abouts you are, i know of a young lady near newark and a very good spaniel trainer near doncaster

I'm in mansfield mate. good idea, i'm gonna see how she goes and if not makin progress i'll definately consider it cheers.

[mixedbag 128]

Thanks all, some work to do but i'm not gonna give up on her. i've tried some of the suggestions already and i'm gonna try more over next few days, see how she goes. cheers. MB.

[mixedbag 128]

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Edited May 16, 2011 by mixedbag

[Casso 1,264]

I've recently bought a 7 month old springer from a farm where the lady bred golden retrievers in kennels outside, she had 1 other springer the mother to my bitch and they had stayed together since birth, the rest of the litter sold (i think the brother was kept also until about 6 months old and then he too was sold). The lady said she had kept my bitch to do some work with her but she was'nt showing any interest as she was too ''nervy'' She explained that all the bitch needed was some TLC and human interaction as the only input she had had so far was other dogs and her mum, its because of this i thought i'd give her a go. We got her home ( 2 adults, 2 kids) and she is very shy/gentle/nervy at times, walks with her tail in between her legs and jumps a mile at the slightest noise or quick movement, she's found a favourite spot to rest in the kitchen besides the door and in the day tends to sit there and take it all in. She has made some progress, at night she'll come into the front room and sit with the 2 adults (its a bit quieter then) and she'll come to her name up and down the garden, she's stopped shaking as much when you go to stroke her. When no-nes with her she, looks for us and wants to know you're there, when you're there, she's either shy or ok to be apart/not interacting. Has anybody please got any advice or ideas as to what I could do to help her to be more confident/sociable. Cheer MB.

 

as the man said earlier, play, play and more play, hand feed her but dont stroke while feeding , this can panic nervous dogs, dont reach in and pet her when she lying down either, let her make all the approachs, she may only want her hindquaters rubbed,(what female doesn't), because face to face may be too much emotional interaction at this point in time,, bounce a ball and try to get a responce from her might be just short eye contact or putting her paws up on you, but its positive ,,

[mixedbag 128]

I've recently bought a 7 month old springer from a farm where the lady bred golden retrievers in kennels outside, she had 1 other springer the mother to my bitch and they had stayed together since birth, the rest of the litter sold (i think the brother was kept also until about 6 months old and then he too was sold). The lady said she had kept my bitch to do some work with her but she was'nt showing any interest as she was too ''nervy'' She explained that all the bitch needed was some TLC and human interaction as the only input she had had so far was other dogs and her mum, its because of this i thought i'd give her a go. We got her home ( 2 adults, 2 kids) and she is very shy/gentle/nervy at times, walks with her tail in between her legs and jumps a mile at the slightest noise or quick movement, she's found a favourite spot to rest in the kitchen besides the door and in the day tends to sit there and take it all in. She has made some progress, at night she'll come into the front room and sit with the 2 adults (its a bit quieter then) and she'll come to her name up and down the garden, she's stopped shaking as much when you go to stroke her. When no-nes with her she, looks for us and wants to know you're there, when you're there, she's either shy or ok to be apart/not interacting. Has anybody please got any advice or ideas as to what I could do to help her to be more confident/sociable. Cheer MB.

 

as the man said earlier, play, play and more play, hand feed her but dont stroke while feeding , this can panic nervous dogs, dont reach in and pet her when she lying down either, let her make all the approachs, she may only want her hindquaters rubbed,(what female doesn't), because face to face may be too much emotional interaction at this point in time,, bounce a ball and try to get a responce from her might be just short eye contact or putting her paws up on you, but its positive ,,

i wll do thanks for the advice hope she comes right cheers mb

[skycat 6,174]

The main problem you have is that the pup missed the vital early socialisation it needed from between the age of 8 to 14 weeks. This is the window we have during which we can accustom a pup to the varied sounds, sights and smells in our world. Pups not exposed to all these things actually lack the electrical wiring between brain cells, and no amount of training can put them there now. Yes, you can accustom her to lots of things, but she physically will not be able to make up for those lost opportunities in terms of learning. Her brain has now set as an organ and she'll probably always have trouble accepting new experiences. Yes, there are some amazing laid back and confident dogs who seem to over come hurdles like this, but for the more sensitive and less confident pup, which has missed out on that early socialisation and the mental skills it takes to understand new events and people, will always show fear or insecurity in the face of strange places, tasks etc.

 

I had a lurcher given to me many years ago, a Collie/Grey, which had never seen the outside of the pen in which she had been born until the age of 13 weeks. No contact with humans bar the breeder, let alone other dogs outside her own family. She was fine with me and my family and dogs, but each new encounter meant days if not weeks of struggling to come to terms with the new thing. She never was comfortable with anyone except me and my family and would hide in a quiet room if we had visitors. She did go on to become a decent rabbiting bitch though, work where her inherited instincts could come to the fore.

[Casso 1,264]

i would also add that the dog is working completely on instinct, its instincts are controlling how the dog behaves in your circumstance, and instinct is totally based on fear,

 

a dog cannot control its instincts without a group trigger, a group trigger (you and dog) turns fear into desire through play ,tug toys would be great,

 

you can work on getting the fear out through biting and tugging, when fear is converted into desire a want becomes available to serve as a group trigger

 

which in turn makes the dog want to be with you, and a want gives the dog purpose that allows it to control fear,

 

the pup may not want to express itsely through biting but over time it will progress on to it,

 

get the bite out of the pup and in turn you will get the fear out,,start slowly and just get the pup interested in the toy

 

gradually increase the intensity, it will do wonders for the pups confidence,,best of luck,,

Edited May 17, 2011 by Casso

[Vosey 24]

i would also add that the dog is working completely on instinct, its instincts are controlling how the dog behaves in your circumstance, and instinct is totally based on fear,

 

a dog cannot control its instincts without a group trigger, a group trigger (you and dog) turns fear into desire through play ,tug toys would be great,

 

you can work on getting the fear out through biting and tugging, when fear is converted into desire a want becomes available to serve as a group trigger

 

which in turn makes the dog want to be with you, and a want gives the dog purpose that allows it to control fear,

 

the pup may not want to express itsely through biting but over time it will progress on to it,

 

get the bite out of the pup and in turn you will get the fear out,,start slowly and just get the pup interested in the toy

 

gradually increase the intensity, it will do wonders for the pups confidence,,best of luck,,

 

I totaly agree with this, my lakeland bitch was with its dam until 16 weeks old and never introduced to new people, she would always stay clear of people she didnt know, but was fine with people she would meet regularly. Now after alot of playing with her especially fetch and tug of war she is becoming more freindly with people she doesnt know.