 My dog is very fearful, is this a cause for concer
#257873 - 11/27/2009 12:22 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-04-2009
Posts: 7
Loc:
 Offline |
|
My whole reasons for purchasing a dog are first to be a watch dog/deterrent and secondly to be a family pet, I always wanted a dog. I noticed when he was younger he was timid. I figured he would grow out of it as he got older. He is 9 months old and still very timid and fearful. I love him but I wanted him to be a watch dog that would bark at the door or be weary of stranger since I am a single mother and live in an area that is not the safest but unfortunately I cant afford to move at the moment.
I would like to re-home him but my question is since he is technically still considered a puppy, could I train him to be more confident or does he just not have it in him to be protective?
Please, no judgmental responses.
|
 Top
|
|
Re: My dog is very fearful, is this a cause for concer
[Re: Latoya Hudley ]
#257876 - 11/27/2009 12:34 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-17-2006
Posts: 4203
Loc:
| Offline |
|
Good obedience training can help with confidence and making him a better companion/pet for you. My opinion would be he doesnt have much else in him. I admit I'm guessing, but I get the feeling you didnt get him from anyone who breeds dogs actually capable of being much more then pets.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: My dog is very fearful, is this a cause for concer
[Re: Latoya Hudley ]
#257877 - 11/27/2009 12:41 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-14-2001
Posts: 238
Loc: California
| Offline |
|
Hi Latoya
I'll try and explain. First of all, expecting your 9 month old puppy to protect your home would be like asking your 9 year old son to protect your home. Secondly, a puppy with weak nerves, grows up to be a dog with weak nerves.
A weak nerved dog will probably be quick to bark at strangers, but not because he is tough, but because things make him nervous.
A confident dog will have confidence from a puppy, and there are environmental tests you can do to test an 8 week old puppy's temperament. Strong nerves are from good genetics.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: My dog is very fearful, is this a cause for co
[Re: Latoya Hudley ]
#257946 - 11/28/2009 12:20 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-03-2007
Posts: 1231
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
| Offline |
|
What is your typical response when he gets nervous or scared?
You need to resocialize him from the ground up like he's an 8 week old pup again. If he likes food or a toy everybody he meets can turn into a treat or ball tossing machine. Obedience training is very useful as it defines his "job" to him. No protection training at all. Just things like sit , down, come, etc. You might also take a look at the groundwork article on this site. A nervous dog does a lot better knowing that you are the leader and can be trusted.
My shy boy and I hit PetSmart and the park 3 or 4 times a week to get him to meet people. He was put in a sit stay at my side and corrected(voice only for him) if he showed any sign of aggression or avoidance movements. He eventually learned that most people either had something tasty for him or were going to throw his ball. He's perfectly normal now.
An alarm bark is probably about as far as you're going to get with a dog like this.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: My dog is very fearful, is this a cause for co
[Re: Cathy Goessman ]
#257953 - 11/28/2009 07:55 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-30-2007
Posts: 3283
Loc:
| Offline |
|
Latoya,
Before you rehome the dog you have at the moment, can we talk a little bit about exactly what your expectations for a dog are?
What do you imagine when you think about the dog you want?
Can we talk a little about how much time you have for the dog (I imagine) you think you want? Because Latoya, dogs of that temperament can and do take an extordinary amount of time and effort to rear. Further more, as adults without the proper handling they are nothing less then a liability and a huge responsiblity.
Can we talk a little about how your present dog was raised? His socialization, training efforts on your part, etc.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: My dog is very fearful, is this a cause for co
[Re: randy allen ]
#257960 - 11/28/2009 12:05 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-10-2006
Posts: 4454
Loc: Arkansas
| Offline |
|
Latoya,
Before you rehome the dog you have at the moment, can we talk a little bit about exactly what your expectations for a dog are?
What do you imagine when you think about the dog you want?
Can we talk a little about how much time you have for the dog (I imagine) you think you want? Because Latoya, dogs of that temperament can and do take an extordinary amount of time and effort to rear. Further more, as adults without the proper handling they are nothing less then a liability and a huge responsiblity.
Can we talk a little about how your present dog was raised? His socialization, training efforts on your part, etc.
Great questions, Randy.
You don't buy a gun and never target practice.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: My dog is very fearful, is this a cause for co
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#257965 - 11/28/2009 02:24 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-16-2007
Posts: 2365
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| Offline |
|
How long has he been fearful for? You posted in August about having trouble with him jumping on people and described him as very friendly at that time - I'm just wondering what has changed, and when.
Teagan!
 |
|
Top
|
|
Re: My dog is very fearful, is this a cause for co
[Re: Jennifer Mullen ]
#257980 - 11/28/2009 04:49 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 09-22-2007
Posts: 2531
Loc: S. Florida
| Offline |
|
How long has he been fearful for? You posted in August about having trouble with him jumping on people and described him as very friendly at that time - I'm just wondering what has changed, and when.
Certainly doesn't sound like the same dog that was in the August post, that's for sure...
I have a boxer/english bulldog mix. He is very friendly to dogs and people. My problem with him is that he gets really excited when he meets people. He is hard to control when he around people. Even if he see's someone from faraway his rear starts to wiggle fast and he starts to pull hard on the leash to get to them. If he is close enough he will jump on strangers. |
|
Top
|
|
Re: My dog is very fearful, is this a cause for co
[Re: Lynne Barrows ]
#257984 - 11/28/2009 05:42 PM |
Moderator
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
| Offline |
|
Latoya, is this the same dog?
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: My dog is very fearful, is this a cause for co
[Re: Lynne Barrows ]
#258217 - 11/30/2009 05:40 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-04-2009
Posts: 7
Loc:
| Offline |
|
Well when I mean he is fearful I mean he is fine when I take him on walks. But when someone knocks on the door he runs to his crate, when I take him outside to potty at night he runs back to the house if he hears the slightest noise. Yesterday someone walked across the lawn and passed our window and he kept pacing back and forth from the window to me.
|
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
