Anxiety In Dogs

[Jenni87]

Hey everyone

I am after some help, well advice.

My parents have just bought home their new adopted dog, Satan (who they are renaming Sadie) and she is a 2 year old Toy Poodle X. They got her from a rescue and the family thought it would be the best interest of her to be rehomed as she was not fitting in at her old place. They had 3 other dogs, 4 young children (under 12) and would often just go hide. Loud noises scare her and she is very timid/shy.

Anyway, their other dog, was also a rescue from the same kind situation and needed the quiet life also so they decided to give this girl a chance since Poppy has come in leaps and bounds to the dog she was when she first came home (she didn't play at all, didn't like to be picked up and c

But yeah, back on topic. She is extremely shy and timid. She gets along fine with Poppy and isn't showing any agression at all, she is just very unsure. It's only been 24 hours but they've never dealt with a dog like this and like my Mum said, hopes to do the right thing rather than make her any worse. Long story short, any tips on settling her in and some advice on what they can do to try and help get over her fears and come out of her shell.

TIA

[manlynau]

I'm sorry I don't have any advice except to show her love and give it time ... but I wanted to say good on your parents for giving Sadie and Poppy a home .. my two rescue dogs have been a challenge in very different ways but their love and devotion knows no bounds.

[megan_]

I have an extremely timid and shy dog. When I got her (puppy farm rescue) she would freeze and shiver. She never looked me in the eye.

She is now a happy outgoing little girl. She does obedience and goes for twice a day walks.

The golden rule with a fearful dog sounds very odd, but it works: Ignore her. If you ignore her (ie don't look at her directly) and go about your daily tasks, she'll feel more comfortable to look around and start to approach you. It took 3 days before my girl would even put a paw in my house. Whatever you do, don't try to shower her with love. This will scare a fearful dog and make her retreat even more. It will also validate her fear.

Once she's comfortable at home, get a qualified behaviourist (people here can recommend one in your area) to come and give an assessment.

That was my approach and my girl is just so different now!

[tez]

Have you thought about a pheromon diffuser? They diffuse a pheromon in the air that helps calm anxious dogs as it replicates the female hormone dogs secrete when they have pups. We used one for Jane as she was so hyer-active as a pup. The first day we had it, she fell asleep in the lounge room. We had never seen her do this before!

We got ours from our vets. You just plug them into a wall socket and they are odourless.

When I first plugged ours in, I remember saying to Jane...'Breathe deeply little puppy' and she did and she fell asleep!!!

[Golden Rules]

I have an extremely timid and shy dog. When I got her (puppy farm rescue) she would freeze and shiver. She never looked me in the eye.

She is now a happy outgoing little girl. She does obedience and goes for twice a day walks.

The golden rule with a fearful dog sounds very odd, but it works: Ignore her. If you ignore her (ie don't look at her directly) and go about your daily tasks, she'll feel more comfortable to look around and start to approach you. It took 3 days before my girl would even put a paw in my house. Whatever you do, don't try to shower her with love. This will scare a fearful dog and make her retreat even more. It will also validate her fear.

Once she's comfortable at home, get a qualified behaviourist (people here can recommend one in your area) to come and give an assessment.

That was my approach and my girl is just so different now!

Have you thought about a pheromon diffuser? They diffuse a pheromon in the air that helps calm anxious dogs as it replicates the female hormone dogs secrete when they have pups. We used one for Jane as she was so hyer-active as a pup. The first day we had it, she fell asleep in the lounge room. We had never seen her do this before!

We got ours from our vets. You just plug them into a wall socket and they are odourless.

When I first plugged ours in, I remember saying to Jane...'Breathe deeply little puppy' and she did and she fell asleep!!!

I have half a bottle of DAP here that I used when I brought home an anxious rescue. I'll bring it tomorrow for you. It works for some dogs and not for others but well worth a try

I also recommend Rescue Remedy or Emergency Essence if you have any.

[Jenni87]

Thanks everyone.

Megan, that does make sense as it would seem to be rewarding the behaviour. Maybe that's what started it off.

I had suggested the pheremone stuff. We've used feliway on the cats but we were going to see how she goes but thanks GR that would be awesome!

[Zhou Xuanyao]

The dog needs time and patience.

Your parents favourite terms from now on need to be "Encouragement" and "Gentle Persuasion".

My best advice, never flood the dog. Never "let the dog sort it out", throw her in the deep end, or in any way over expose her to stimuli she is afraid of. Bit by bit, build her up to it, don't rush.

[poodle proud]

We first saw Osca at his previous owners place cowering under their dining table and barking at us from there.

He wouldnt come near my husband for 2 weeks. Over the past few years its been slow but he's made stacks of progress.

Socialisation has helped. Initially they let us work a bit back from others in the obedience class. They also told us to bring his mat to class to make him feel more secure.

It's important not to pander to them, only reinforces the anxiety as others have said. It's like a little kid, they fall over and look to you for how they should react. If you fuss it warrants their distress. If you tell them they're ok and to keep going they don't get as upset.

Your parents need to be the calm, confident ones in the dog's storm.

Osca barks at other dogs from his anxiety. When I see other dog's coming I talk myself into the calm, confident persona tell him to relax and walk straight past. If Osca starts to get worked up (anxious whining or barking) I give him a soft, short & sharp "hey!" just to snap him back to reality and out of the anxious state.

Exercise is important too. A tired dog doesnt have the energy to stay in that anxiety for as long.

I'm no behaviourist but Ive seen Osca do so well with building his trust with a select number of people. Probably about 10 people he feels comfortable around. He now has a much more measured response to strangers.

The other day he went to a stranger (albeit timidly) for a pat. UNHEARD OF!

They are so worth the effort, time and patience. Good luck to you and your parents.

[sas]

Hey everyone ;)

I am after some help, well advice.

My parents have just bought home their new adopted dog, Satan (who they are renaming Sadie) and she is a 2 year old Toy Poodle X. They got her from a rescue and the family thought it would be the best interest of her to be rehomed as she was not fitting in at her old place. They had 3 other dogs, 4 young children (under 12) and would often just go hide. Loud noises scare her and she is very timid/shy.

Anyway, their other dog, was also a rescue from the same kind situation and needed the quiet life also so they decided to give this girl a chance since Poppy has come in leaps and bounds to the dog she was when she first came home (she didn't play at all, didn't like to be picked up and c

But yeah, back on topic. She is extremely shy and timid. She gets along fine with Poppy and isn't showing any agression at all, she is just very unsure. It's only been 24 hours but they've never dealt with a dog like this and like my Mum said, hopes to do the right thing rather than make her any worse. Long story short, any tips on settling her in and some advice on what they can do to try and help get over her fears and come out of her shell.

TIA

Personaly, I would just ignore the dog completely, just give it food and water and allow it to settle in without any stress being placed on it.