Hello,

I bought a GSD 9 days ago who I have named Apollo (on Sep. 26th), he was born July 9th. He is a super sweet, very smart boy. Problem is, he's afraid of many things, mainly new people.

When I saw him, he was the only puppy hiding. But he was also the only one who caught my eyes. I know many of you will think I'm stupid for choosing him, but I knew he needed me as much as I needed him. I had just lost my GSD/Lab mix named Thunder, who I had since I was a kid. Thundz was almost 16 years old. My heart was hurting so very badly. So when I seen that scared puppy I knew he needed me.

To make a very long story short, he had Coccidia. The vet sent me home with Albon pills then the next day I rushed him back to the vets, he needed to stay over night because he was losing too much fluids. (both ends) He was SOOOOO sick <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

He is much better now and I have taken him on only 2 short fun walks so far, to socialize him. As I already said, he just got over being very sick. On his walks he tries to hide behind me when people approach him or even walk by. He is very afraid of bikes. He was very afraid of a mail box. My vet thinks I should keep him home a few more days to let his body recover from being sick. But I personally think he needs to be around people as of 3 months ago! So thats why its just super short walks so far.

So what Im doing is, when people walk by and he tries to hide, i give him a small correction on the leash so he stays by my left side, using firm voice telling him to heal. The mailbox he is getting better with. When he tried to run away from it, I distracted him with his leash- I know not good for me to encourage. But it worked. I walked up to the mailbox and tapped it, asked him "whats this?". He got close enough to sniff it. While he was still sniffing, I continued to walk, so his curiosity was still peaked. We have walked by it twice since then and he now walks slowly up to it on his own and sniffs it more. I only give him a few seconds to sniff it, in hopes of teaching him.. Sniff things you are curious about- not run away.

My friend has a toddler and a 6 y/o. When they first came over Apollo wanted to hide. So I had my friends girls sit on the couch quietly while I made Apollo sit next to me in the heal position. I told him he was fine and then ignored him.

He tried only a few times to hide under my desk but I got him back out (i kept his leash on him just for that reason) and had him sit next to me again. And then after about 30 mins. The oldest girl was playin with my other dog Taylor, Apollo got up and got involved a little bit. He even got close enough to smell the oldest girl.

I had planned on walking him with pieces of hot dogs once his belly was for surely better, and having people offer treats. But the vet said just feed him his Euk and nothing else for a few days. I even have a Sentinel tab that we're waiting a couple days on giving him.

But then again, I have spoken with a OB trainer, and she seems like she knows what shes saying, 30+ yrs experience. She is the one who told me to not let ppl walk up to him, that every time someone does that, it sets him back. Let him be the one to walk up to them. And to make him heal if he tries to hide behind me and to say "you're fine".

The only time I baby him is when its just me & my fiance, at home, by ourselves. Because when it's just us, hes a typical puppy. prancing around trying to chew anything that will fit in his mouth. Is this ok? Or should I not do it at all? He lets me lay him on his back, hes getting used to me playing with his feet and squeezing them. Looking in his mouth- he fought that a little at the vets, so she didn't force him on it. She wanted his first visit to be a pleasant one. She noticed he already looks people in the eyes, and explores.

I do see some improvements with him. And do plan on enrolling him in OB to help build his confidence. But what I want to know is, so far, am I handling things right? What do I need to do, do better or not do? Are there any special toys and games can I play with him to help him gain some courage

Will this dog ever be comfortable enough not to want to hide when strangers come near him? Will be be trust worthy around my 5 y/o niece and almost a year old nephew? I don't want a fear biter on my hands, I'm willing to do what ever it takes.

Also, I want to neuter him. But what age would be best? I have always heard and followed the standard rule of "6 months" but Im reading some people don't believe that. Does he need to be fixed a little later to help him over come his shy/fearfulness?

And like I said, he is almost 3 months old. Here is a link to my yahoo photo album http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gallopin_filly_24/album?.dir=bda1 . Hows his ears looking so far? Im worried about the one. It really flops over his forehead alot unless he tilts his head the other way.

Thank you very much for reading this lengthly post. Any comments or opinions is tremendously appreciated.

PS
I don't think the breeder socialized them very much.

While I have no experience raising puppies (all my dogs were adults when I took them in, I'm sure someone else will jump in with info on the puppy stuff), I do have a dog that sounds a great deal like yours.

First, you have to consider the possibility that your dog is just shy, and will never handle stress well, and that this is a genetic issue, as well as a socialization issue. You said that Apollo was the only pup that hid, so it might be his core temperment. You can train dogs like this, but it takes a lot of patience, time and dedication just to get your dog to the point where other dogs start their training, and this can be frustrating at times. So if you are willing to put in a lot of time, and work with your dog's strenghths, it can be very rewarding! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Based upon my experiences with my VERY shy skittish dog, I would agree with your trainer, let your dog investigate other people first. The idea behind this is that you are the pack leader (for shy dogs this is very important, they need that security), and you, as the leader, handle all scary situations. That is the job of the boss. If the dog has determined that people are scary, and you as pack leader, let others come up to your dog, you, in you dog's eyes, have failed to protect him. You ultimatly want your dog to think 'hey a new person. no big deal. the boss will handle it'. Get people to become hot dog machines, but not to approach the pup, he must approach them. First get them to toss the treat from 10 ft, the 5 ft, until the dog comes and investigates on his own. Then make the dog work a little for the treat, a sit, or the person grips the treat a little harder so the dog has to work it out of their hand. If the dog looks uncomfortable, or hides; back up, slow down. It is very important that your dog be desensitized to children.

I would hold off on OB classes for now. For a shy dog, a room full of strangers and exuberant out of control pups may push him into avoidance.
I would work on positive ob, bonding getting the dog to trust me, and socialization. I am not so sure about the correction and heeling through the fearful situations, I would think that that would be counterproductive for such a young dog, and it doesn't put anything in the 'trust bank' so to speak. Read up on desensitization, and also read up on classical conditioning.

Try and develope you dog's prey drive. For the shy dog, this is like money in the bank. Get him ball crazy! If he has the genetic potential for high prey drive, this will be a great help for your training and socialization. Ed sells a video 'Training drive focus and grip' and it teaches you how to build drive in your dog.

Also, if you haven't already, read the old posts. There is a lot of good advice to be found there. And try tracking, it builds focus, teaches the dog to work through a problem, and to ignore distractions.

Good luck!

please understand that i'm not trying to be mean, but i am being honest.....that's what you asked for.
you've only had this baby for 9 days; he was timid even before you got him; has been very sick and not yet fully recovered; you are introducing him to all sorts of strange things, giving corrections, forcing him to heel and talking about obedience classes. good god, girl, you are coming on to this pup like gang busters. if you want to build confidence in this little guy sloooooooooow down. #1 - listen to your vet. this pup was really ill and needs a chance to recover from that. as young as he is, he hasn't had time to build up immunity to a lot of things, nor is it possible that he has had enough immunizations to keep him safe. if he becomes ill again you could very easily lose him. forget the hot dogs, obedience, heeling and all that for now and give this fella a chance to settle in, bond with you, learn trust and most of all to get well.
i wish you luck. he's a pretty boy and hopefully will make a fine companion for you.

I secong that - give the pup a chance - at this stage you shouldnt be forcing him in situations that will stress him - this could have a lasting negative effect. All his experiences now should be positive ones only.
Judging by your 'how are his ears' comment, you are a bit of a worrier, will his ears stand, will he do this, will he be able to do that, will he be ok around such and such. Its sound like your about explode through worry! Your dog will pick up on this, just take a step back relax and let your pup be a pup, read the articles on this web site, and you will be fine. And by the way his ears look fine - dont be alarmed if they drop again up to 6 months of age - generally around teething his ears may drop again, this is perfectly normal and so nothing to worry about!! Good luck

The above posts were very good. In addition to what they said, I agree he is too you for OB, he needs to be a puppy for a while. Try and set him up for success each time you train. If you can get his food drive up, and use food rewards as others mentioned. Some exercises I would do is hand treat or toys from the Mail box's. Have friends in a normal way extend food out to the dog. At this age 3 month's you shouldn't be giving corrections, it is really not needed yet, pluss everything is new for him. Allow him to investigate thingsa on his own without you saying anything like "good dog" or whatever. Also avoid using your voice a lot too at this stage. Allow him to figure things out on his own with out your help, if he does do something you like maybe in the softest way give him praise, but very little. Often new handlers can praise at the wrong time and instead of enforceing something they think is good, thay have actually enforced something bad. EX. if he back s up behind you and you bend down a say "awe that is a good boy, you have no need to be afraid..blah..blah. blah", and are pating him as well, you are most likely telling him that what he is doing is ok. If you can be very patient. And perhaps have a plkan out with a friends to meet you and just stand up and talk for a while, give the dog 10-20 minutes to adjust to the situation. Ignore him, and have your friend do the same, then maybe after 20 minutes of talking to your friend, you have your frien in a calm manor invite the dog to play with a rag ( always let the dog win at this point, never take it out of his mouth). Have your friend shake it a little, being gentle, and calm, not to hard or long and let the pup win. This will build hios confidence. Perhaps as well have your friend after the 20 minutes give him a treat, switch it up. The man thing is take very small steps, and each step or training think about what you want to accomplish. Write up a 6 month goal. Break it down to months , then weeks, then days. Try and have a goal for each week. Make them small goals, but track his progress, make alittle journal or get a callender. Make notes of what spoked him, what he did well, and anything you see. I agree that genetics has a good deal to do with the confidence and amount of stress a dog can take, but with the right enviornment and training you should be able to make some progress. Just remember to make training short. No obedience. Find a safe place to take walk in the woods, let him run off leash and sxplore stuff. Play hide a seek with him. Let him be alone sometimes in a creat or kennel. There are really so many little things you can do to help him out. Just remember he's a puppy, not mature, and needs you to show him success. Bringing him to a party of big socail event right now is not good but when he is like 5-6 months find one see how he does. But build up to it. Make sure he has had lots of little experiences that will make him over come his issues.

I hope that helps..good luck..chet

Get Ed's video on puppies.
I'll cut to the chase. He's to young for all that you are doing. Stop now, and let him be a pup. The only training he needs right now is house training in a crate, and a simple recall.

Here's a link to the video. It will help you more than I or any one else here can say.http://www.leerburg.com/120.htm