Issues With Kyra

[Kyra]

I'd appreciate some advice on this.. I'm currently working weekly with a dog trainer but I'd like some more information/hints.

Kyra is absolutely horrified of strangers, if we have a visitor she runs and hides, won't come out until they leave, she's started getting barky around children, she'll stand on the spot and just constantly bark until they move away, she's constantly acting like she's been beaten up, which she most certainly hasn't, she's had nothing but love since coming to us and it's becoming increasingly frustrating trying to figure out why she's like this.. She'll also run away with her tail between her legs when we call her name, as if she's in trouble..

I'm honestly not sure why she is becoming so timid, it certainly isn't anything to do with being mistreated, has anybody else been through this with a dog or pup, where their dog gets more and more timid with age? it's really quite upsetting when she runs away with her tail in between her legs, it makes me feel like I've done something wrong by her.

Any help or suggestions would be really great.. Thanks.

[sas]

A Puppys' fear period typically is between 12-16 weeks, your puppy is 12 weeks old and could have very well hit it early and is having a hard time with it.

It does sound a little bit more extreme that you'd typically see i.e. your puppy running away when you call it. Have you ever called your puppy to you and then repremanded it? This can be one of the causes of this type of behaviour.

You don't want your puppy winning in situations like you've mentioned i.e. barking until the children have gone away as all she is learning is that type of behaviour works and if it doesn't she may take it up a notch.

Rather than seeing your trainer weekly at obedience or puppy school, I would probably more suggest that you seek the assistance of a qualified and accredited Behaviourist to assist you. It could just be a fear period or it could be a learned behaviour that you want to rectify asap.

[Kyra]

Have you ever called your puppy to you and then repremanded it?

No. Never done that, we were aware right from the start if we did that it would lead to problems.. If she's in trouble we just go and pick her up.

How would I go about finding a behaviourist? and what sort of things would they do with her?

[Dogsfevr]

"If she's in trouble we just go and pick her up. "

What do you mean by in trouble??

[Kyra]

If she's done something she shouldn't have. We don't call her over and then punish her. We'll go and get her and then punish her, which is usually time out.

[dougie]

is the puppy only 12 weeks?

i didn't see you mention that?

if she is really young it is a matter of socialisation....not psycho analysation..(is that a word?)

anyhow....she needs confidence.

try taking her down town & walking her where there are people...when gets to handle that ok...sit for a while & let people pet her...tell them what you are doing & why. most people are wonderful when it comes to dogs...especially young ones.

there is no short fix. but there is a fix & it's up to you.

[Tiggy]

Have you been rewarding the nervous/scared behaviour by comforting her at these times? Remember to wait until she's in a calm state of mind before getting attention.