13 Month Old Pup Becoming Very Scared

[timatah]

Hey,

My Beagle is now 13 months old. He's always been shy and since Christmas we have noticed that he is becoming scared of lots of people. He is fine with my girlfriend, her mum, her brother and dad, but everyone else he keeps his distance. Even people in the past he used to like and play with he is now running away from. I think he is in another fear stage.

He has been attacked by my girlfriends mums Dalmatian before. On several occasions. Well dominated would be more like it. So I have asked if they didn't bring him anymore.

When we walk past kids in the street he hides behind my leg, but eventually warms up and will be happy to say hello.

When the neighbours have been having their roof fixed he continually barks at them, and whenever a stranger goes onto our back deck, he runs down the back yard and wont come back up, even when there is a treat or a food waiting.

It seems to be getting worse.

He is fine with all other animals (Lilly our other dog, Jinxy the Cat)

What can i do to help him feel more comfortable around people?

Thanks

[Nekhbet]

I think personally you should invest in a good behviorist to come around and help you. They can properly assess the behavior and implement some behavior modification that can help your dog problems like this are a little complicated for the internet at times particularly when you deal with fear.

[persephone]

I second what nekhbet said.

it is something which needs personal and professional attention.

Trying to fix it without expert knowledge may result in making things much worse

[Elsha_UK_AU]

Sorry to hijack, but just wondered where you'd begin looking for a behaviouralist? My CKCS is 14 months (we got him 6 weeks ago) and there some issues which I think we'd benefit from seeing someone specialised in dog behaviour.... Just wondered if it was something you asked the vet about or whether to start googling?

Thanks

Susan

[timatah]

Sorry to hijack, but just wondered where you'd begin looking for a behaviouralist? My CKCS is 14 months (we got him 6 weeks ago) and there some issues which I think we'd benefit from seeing someone specialised in dog behaviour.... Just wondered if it was something you asked the vet about or whether to start googling?

Thanks

Susan

I'm wondering the same thing. I live in a small coastal town and I am unsure if there is a behavioural expert nearby. I've have to take Barney into the vet soon. I'm wondering if it something he will grow out of once this fear stage is over?

Thanks for the advice.

[persephone]

To those looking for expert help- give us a location- town name/suburb..and ,if possible, someon on here will recommend someone

D O L members are everywhere, and a lot of them have used private trainers and behaviourists.

Word of mouth is a GOOD way to find help

[timatah]

To those looking for expert help- give us a location- town name/suburb..and ,if possible, someon on here will recommend someone

D O L members are everywhere, and a lot of them have used private trainers and behaviourists.

Word of mouth is a GOOD way to find help

I live in Ulladulla on the South Coast of NSW. Thanks

[huski]

Sorry to hijack, but just wondered where you'd begin looking for a behaviouralist? My CKCS is 14 months (we got him 6 weeks ago) and there some issues which I think we'd benefit from seeing someone specialised in dog behaviour.... Just wondered if it was something you asked the vet about or whether to start googling?

Thanks

Susan

Susan are you near Perth? I've noticed a lot of DOLers recommend Kathy Kopellis McLeod.

http://www.kathysdogtraining.com.au/

I live in Ulladulla on the South Coast of NSW. Thanks

Personally I would drive out to see Steve from K9 Pro

http://k9pro.com.au/index.php

Edited March 14, 2010 by huski

[Little Gifts]

We had serious probs with 3 rescue dogs of very different ages becoming a pack. My sister heard a lady speak at our local library about amichien bonding (Jan Fennell the Dog Listener). That led us to Penny Alexander who runs how2balpha on the northern end of the Gold Coast. The immediate difference was AMAZING. It was $200 very well spent. We have saved far more than that on vet fees after the fights. We can call her anytime we need more help - lifetime backup service. Over a year now and we are still managing well but once our 16 year old passes on I suspect we will need some help again.

What you learn becomes natural when you see the benefit of it to your dog - they aren't the little humans they think we are and their problems can't be addressed using our logic.

Anyway you should see this as a preventive expense. Your lovely dog will only get worse and it will be a great burden on all of you. It is money well worth spending to have a happy and healthy dog over the long term.

And Penny's email addy is [email protected]. Phone is 07 3386 1338. I think she now has a website under how2balpha. I know she is further away but she will know someone local to you guys who follows the same techniques. Good luck!