Are you doing Schutzhund training with this dog?
Or do you have any other dogs?
I had a female with week nerves so I quit the Schutzhund training and went to private obedience training. Also I walk her in a public park a few times a week.
If you have other dogs this private time work we my dogs.
What kind of dog and how old? Are you talking about a puppy? What are your plans for this dog?
The thing is, you can't change temperament (the nerves and being soft), tho you can have an effect on its personality.
Lots and lots of socialization...expose it to as many different things as you can. Do not coddle, but encourage and support. Obviously, with a soft dog, you will need to really watch your reactions and be positive and up-beat yourself. Don't show disappointment or disapproval.
Marker training and lots of positive reinforcement of the behaviors you like and want to see repeated.
Setting it up for success...teach it things that it can do (obedience, agility), always reward any progress, always end on successful notes.
Jose Miguel Gome Webboard User Reg: 11-11-2008
Posts: 130
Loc: South Africa
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This is a 8-9 month Rough Collie that lives with my girlfriend. No working plans with it so far. He gats a little bit nervous/fearfull in new and challenging environments. In familiar places he engages well with her, but if we take him for an expo (for exemple) he won't accept food and will show some fear.
Hi Jose, Start slow and in situations which are not likely to instill fear. Expos are obviously too much at this point. If the dog is afraid you are putting him in the wrong place too soon. (what is an expo? :p))
I would take the dog to quiet areas first and get him comfortable with objects - swing sets, trash cans, cars, etc... what ever. Then take him to areas where he can be near people but not on top of them. Then closer to people, noise, etc...
Baby steps and as mentioned before, marker training with only positive, calm responses.
Reg: 12-23-2008
Posts: 252
Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada
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I've had success with working on the engagement work from the Micheal Ellis DVD Power of training dogs with food that I know you have from your other post. If the dog is not accepting food the environment is too challenging, and you need to find somewhere where the dog is a little more comfortable and work your way up.
For example my Doberman was afraid of heavy traffic. I started working him on residential streets with low traffic and slowly moved on to more and more busy streets. Untill i was able to get 100% focus on the sidewalk beside a really busy six lane street.
I'm sure somebody more experienced then I will give you a better answer.
When walking your dog let him walk out in front of you.
Call him back to you and play with him and
praise him like he won the lottery. If you run backward and let him chase you alittle it makes it a game. Talking to him
will make eye contact.
When you are done go back to the sit heel position and start all over again.
Not all dogs are food motivated. You can bring a toy with you on walks also maybe alittle tug will make him more comfortable.
Dogshow and events you have to start out slow. Just walk around the area from a distance over time get closer.
good Luck
Jose Miguel Gome Webboard User Reg: 11-11-2008
Posts: 130
Loc: South Africa
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Thank you for all your comments.
Yesterday we started a "program" of taking him to new locations as regularly as my girlfriend can.
We took him to a new place with few distrations. He was really engaged with her and followed her everywhere. Despite that, he didn't ate food very well. I'm not sure if it had to do with being fed 5 hours ago or if it had to do with fear/anxiety in the new enviromment.
What do you think?
Is there any measures to be taken inside the house to make him a little bit more confident?
The fact that this dog is low energy is good for the family it lives with. We are just trying to put his confidence level a little bit up.
Jose Miguel Gome Webboard User Reg: 11-11-2008
Posts: 130
Loc: South Africa
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I forgot to mention one thing. During the engagement the dog followed her quite well but some times it goes for her ankles "simulating" a bite pretty much the same way a shepperd dog would do, i suppose. What do you think about that?
Elaine Haynes Webboard User Reg: 08-16-2005
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That "nipping" is very normal herding breed behavior. I would correct the dog, in this case you'll probably only need a firm "no," and then re-direct to something acceptable for the dog to do.
I've had 3 rough collies, and the behaviors you describe are pretty normal. Collies tend to have softer temperaments than GSDs. Just take things slow and be patient (the dog is still a puppy don't forget). Work on basic obedience and use a simple nilif program to build confidence. Once the dog knows some basic obedience, agility is a wonderful confidence booster.
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Soft dog with week nerves
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