skittish dog

[new-maria]

my dog, she's a mutt (possible shetland or border collie mix mom-dad unknown). i adopted her not knowing what breed she might be...some lady was giving away puppies to the neighborhood kids.(horrible , right!) my dog was going to go to some boy that lost his previous dog in a dog fight!
anyway...i suffer from chronic depression-so i don't socialize much myself. my dog has become very skittish as she grew older (about 4 yrs now). was difficult to socialize her w/other dogs and people cause (i don't socialize much) the neighborhoods i lived in where full of people afraid of dogs!!! we live in a new place and i feel better now BUT my dog is too skittish for walks-terrified of bikes & everything else spookes her----always in a rush to get back in (just like me when i'm not doing well)!!!
I DO NOT HAVE MONEY FOR A TRAINER. been told to keep her away from stimuli that upsets her, as much as possible. BUT... would like to know what i can possible do to get her less skittish. ????

[Codykins]

Shyness and timidity can develop as a young dog matures. Sometimes the root of the problem is lack of proper introduction to different people, animals, places and things during the prime puppyhood socialization period.

You can help your dog mature into a confident, stable dog by carefully but consistently introducing him to other people, other friendly dogs and new environments outside the home. Daily walks on leash are often the most practical way to do this. However, gradually introduced such things as crowded sidewalks, noisy traffic and big diesel trucks.

Gradually expose the dog to new experiences and whenever he shows the slightest sign of relaxing or sociability, reward him with very tasty special treats. Carry them with you in a little baggie at all times.

It sounds like he has learned this shyness from his Mommy, the daily walks and sitting on the park bench just watching could be good medicine for you both!

Good luck! PS: Don't force your dog to walk, coax, call, come use a treat to get him to go with you - he will, be patient.

[new-maria]

thanks for your reply.
i used to live across the alley from a small supermarket. she (my dog) and i usually walked behind-around-in front of..large noisy delivery trucks...for about 3 years. when she held her own & seemingly listend to me-she got praised n treats sometimes. but still , like a wolf, skittish of any noise or people around. (i think she did better around those loud trucks-xcept for the garbage truck..than around people and other dogs bigger or smaller or agressive then her) for the last year-we don't live around noisy delivery trucks anymore. on our corner there is a small park (we occasionally use after hours when it's empty) so noisy kids playing there or in the alley of course spook her...as well as anyone walking by...or windy day noises etc.. still skittish she is. i can't give her treats now-her dr. said she's over weight so she's on diet..(which seems to have gotten her hungrier cuz she now reaches stuff off of my desk,or kitchen counter-new issue) she gets at least 3 short walks daily--a little longer when my depression is sucking my energy away. ......introducing her to people n other dogs ..is something "i" cant do. she already knows the 3 people i know-since i moved we no longer see the 3rd person who had dogs we babysat. my dog didn't like her dogs-no fighting, she just kept her distance. the other 2 people don't really come around much. after i got really sick, and let my 'friends' know i was diagnosed w/depression..i haven't seen them since.
i'm thinking if i knew of someone that could adopt my little girl (dog) i should give her up. i'm not really of much use...all the desire with out the ability...just doesn't work.

[jojoalexis]

New-maria, I think I have your dog's evil twin ha ha. Seriously - my dog is 5 and a half? was sheltered - lived with an older woman since a pup and the woman ended up with spinal problems. Needless to say, the dog was not social when I took her. I had to literally forcer her outside to get her out.

sound familiar? I'm also in Chicago. Send me a PM if you want.

[NylaRaye]

hey new-maria,

Wow that sounds familiar with Nyla. She was a toss out that i had adopted and is still terrified of many things including other people. She has gone to obedience class (in intermediate now) which has helped her our trememdously in her social phobia issues (which I am now terming it since everyone else cause it seperation anxiety but she has come out of that phase. Now she's just scared of everything dealing with the public) with her. If all she had to do in the day was go outside to the potty she would never leave the house. She hates going anywhere, especially if it deals with a crowded place. When we are out she will stay behind me or as close to me as possible sometimes causing me to trip over her, which is dangerous for both me and her.

children are the most help when it comes to nyla. I take treats with me that are very stinky and very tasty...and then I keep nyla's face to me and let the children pat her. That way she has no chance of getting nervous and biting one but she understands as well that children + Patting = all the good yummy treats she can stand. One thing they told us not to do is talk to them in the "baby tones" that we would normally talk to him if they are being fearful. If they are being fearful and you talk like that all they understand is that they are doing something good, In other words praising them for being scared. A training book told me to, "never let the puppy hide behind you. If it trys to hide behind you gently and slowly step to the side so they can see" I'm not sure I agree with that technique however what I do believe in is encouraging the shy one to be brave about whatever it is she is scared of and when she is brave rewarding her so that she understands that being brave about the situation = the treats she gets.

I suggest going to a book store and getting the book "dog training for dummies" I found alot of helpful advise it it when dealing with all ages of dogs and it has very simple step actions you can take. I read the entire book in about 2 days. Also having Merlin (sisters border/aussie mix) has helped nyla out alot as well. Though it took her a while to get used to him, they are now buddy buddy and she does a lot better with other dogs. That could be a suggestion to use as well. but any time she allows someone to pet her (without growling etc..) Praise her well for being brave. Teach her the equation that petting + being brave = lots of treats and praise. While she may never completely come out of her shyness she will have a reason to be brave and let people pat her and children as well and not hide from crowded areas etc..

Kathie