Hi This is my first post on this site, I hope you can help me. I have an 8 month German Shepherd Bitch that I hope to do Schutzhund training with. The porblem is that is she has started to be nervous around people, she also cowers when introduces to new things,(umbrella, trollies). Is there any way to get her confidence back, there seems to be no reason for this change in behaviour. Thanks Noel

 Quote: noel hutchinson

Hi This is my first post on this site, I hope you can help me. I have an 8 month German Shepherd Bitch that I hope to do Schutzhund training with. The porblem is that is she has started to be nervous around people, she also cowers when introduces to new things,(umbrella, trollies). Is there any way to get her confidence back, there seems to be no reason for this change in behaviour. Thanks Noel

Welcome, Noel,

Nervous around what people? Strangers on a walk? Crowds? Family members?

Trollies meaning public transportation or baby strollers? Introduced how? She sees in the distance or it suddenly pops up in front of her, or what?

Basically, more detail needed.

Also, maybe others with puppy experience will address what I have heard described as "fear periods."

It's normal enough for puppies to go through so-called "fear periods" in which they react to things that may not have been a problem before.

Socialization and exposure to the things that cause the reaction are the cure. But it has to be done gently--only push the dog to the point that they don't have any reaction. Then, the next time go just a bit farther.

So, take her to a place where she can see strangers from a distance--from the edge of a parking lot at the store, or across the street from a bus stop. Let her get comfortable with the new thing from a distance. When you're sure she's comfortable with that distance, then move a bit closer. This happens over many days. If you get to a point that she shows any fear, then you've moved too quickly--back up to the point where she's comfortable.

The other thing is how YOU react to her fear triggers. Never coddle her fear (oh, what's the matter, it's okay, etc.) or stroke her to calm her when she's frightened. IMO, that just telegraphs to the dog that there is indeed something to fear, because you noticed it too and you're reacting. Instead, ignore it. She's looking to you for cues about how to respond. It's kind of like a two-year-old child that falls down, then looks to his mother to see if he should cry. If the mom makes a big deal out of the fall, the kid will cry. If she doesn't, he just gets up and keeps going.

Just continue the socialization you've been doing up to this point and she'll get past this stage.

Thanks for the reply. If someome walks by her with a stroller or umbrella she has starting cowering and trying to get away. She also seems to be nervous with handlers in basic ringcraft and socialising training, she would know some of these people. She sometimes cowers when I correct her. It is as if her confedence is gone and I don't know of any reason for this. I bred her myself.

"It is as if her confedence is gone"

What have you done so far to desensitize to the umbrella and stroller?

And if it appears without your having seen it in advance, what do you do? March her casually on by?

Cowers at what kind of correction, under what circumstances?

What kind of ob work do you do? Does she get frequent short very upbeat sessions (marker training, preferably) with you? Do you make sure always to end on a positive note, with a command you know she can and will comply with and be rewarded and praised?

Thanks for the help I will try that.

This might help. There are several fear periods that pups go thru. This may help you understand it a little bit better.

The Critical Fear Periods in Puppies
By: Nancy Frensley, CPDT, CAP1
Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society Training Manager
The Critical Fear Periods in Puppies:
Seven to Nine Weeks
Four to Six Months
Approximately Eight to Nine Months
Approximately Twelve Months
Approximately Fourteen to Eighteen Months
During these periods, puppies may show fear of items, situations or people with whom they formerly felt safe. They may start barking at people entering a house or become fearful and startle at benign items like trash cans, drainpipes or even yard gnomes. They may crouch, shake and try to run away, submissively urinate or tell the scary thing/person to go away by showing an aggressive display (which could include piloerection, snarling, lunging or other unruly behavior.
You must be patient during these periods and keep to the familiar. These are not good times to introduce your puppy to new situations or people. Be very careful to avoid doling out punishment or reprimands. It’s vitally important that you understand that your dog is afraid and that you add to the fear when you reprimand or punish. This, in turn, can set the dog up for future aggression problems.
During these periods, introduce your puppy slowly to the situation, with good tasting treats, so that he or she does not experience fear. Control situations so that you can prevent a fearful response and show your puppy that you enjoy the situation. Use food treats and happy talk to lure your puppy up to scary objects. Teach the targeting exercise (touch your hand with his nose) and work on getting your puppy to “touch the goblin”.
When people visit your home during these periods, put your puppy in another room until visitors are settled in, then bring your puppy out on leash and praise for any show of confidence. Even have visitors toss good treats toward your puppy without approaching him or her.

The fear period stuff is totally true!

My dog as a little pup was super confident. She would explore anything and be outgoing with just about anybody. Fireworks, sirens, the fire alarm and thunder didn't even phase her.

About a month ago we were out for a walk on our normal morning route we walked by a construction site. There was a guy carrying a large object and she was staring at him like "I don't trust this guy!", then all of a sudden someone on the site dropped a pallet of bricks.

She ran behind me and attempted to dart into the street with such force that she spun me around 180 degrees, lifted me off my feet and popped some of the stitching in her leash! Thank goodness the leash was a good quality double reinforced leather! I might have lost my dog.

There was also another incident with a statue in the park. She had seen the statue on many occasions and barely even noticed it. One day out of the blue she decided it was out to get us!

She completely froze, hackles up, and started growling and barking at it with her best "I'm a scary German Shepherd!" bark. She actually even foamed at the mouth a little.

These phases go in and out. Don't make a big deal of it by correcting or attempting to comfort her. It'll pass.

I am working with her on the problem with strange objects. I will take it slow. I always try to make her ob session’s upbeat and short, using food. She has socialised with other dogs and people since she was 3 months in group classes nothing too much for her it’s just lately she had showed this nervousness. I also have her mother and the cowering usually occurs when they are together and I have to get her to calm down. Maybe correction is the wrong word. I am new to this it is my first time breeding and I use some of the Leerburg DVD’s for reference and training methods.

Thanks for all the help. Can anyone tell me how to add a photo to my posts. I can then put a picture of Lexi up.