[j0641]

so i have a black labd thats about 7 months old and shes scared of everything. ive had her since she was maybe 2 months old and since ive had her shes been like this. i thought itll just go away. only people shell get close to is me and my mom. she wont get near my dad or brother or guests at all. shes also scared to have her collar on, and to go around the house. shell only go to the living room and the garage. i took her to my room today and she just stood there real tense and then laid down and started crying. can anyone help me out with this? i dont want to have her being scared of little things forever

[Alpha]

Sounds like confidence issues.

Are there any reputable trainers in your area?

Perhaps some group, beginner obedience classes would help with some confidence building as well as with socializing her with other dogs and new people.

Would there be any reasons for her not being comfortable with the collar?

Has she ever been reprimanded with the collar?

Have any family members ever hit her?

The bonding exercise would be great for the other family members to do with her.

All they need to do, is approach her with a calm, confident manner, no yelling, no aggressiveness. Lie her on her side. Speaking to her in soothing, calming tones. Massage her shoulders, neck and body. Inspect every inch of her. Play with her toes and feet. If she ever gets upset, or struggles, speak to her calmly.

That's just a brief description. If you want the full "procedure" you can PM me

[Curbside Prophet]

To me, it seems you are describing a young, fearful and insecure dog who is easily intimidated, which is leading her to go quickly into avoidance. There are probably several reasons for this, and I feel it would be wrong to suggest simple solutions. However, I will mention a few things that can be helpful, but I suggest that you get in touch with someone who can give you in-person help. Someone who can actually see both you and your dog, and form an opinion based on their observations.

A dog who have developed negative feelings towards people or dogs, could have possibly learned it from negative assosiations. Jerking of the leash? Yelling and scolding? Commands in these situations? Has anyone scared her? Etc.? Since the problem has been constant, there must be something in the dog’s environment that is reinforcing the behavior. It doesn’t just stay for a prolonged period of time by itself.

If she doesn’t like to be petted by others, it’s important that she not be put in that kind of a position until you have taught her a good deal about feeling comfortable being touched, and then have others gradually get her use to it. A dog that is not exposed to petting and other physical contact, can learn to fear it. As these dogs get older, they get scared when people attempt to pet them. Your dog needs to learn to accept physical contact, but gradually and under pleasant conditions. She must never be pressured into tolerating physical contact. This has nothing to do with you not being a leader, because at 7 month old, the dog will naturally continue to be dependent on you for still some time.

Also, if you were considering it, obedience training will not help with behavior problems such as hers, and if the training sessions are too long, or too demanding, or involve jerking of the leash, scolding and other types of unpleasantness, it will create even more fear and stress in an immature dog. If so, it’s better to avoid stressful practice altogether.

There’s no doubt that there are several things that needs to be changed in your dog’s everyday life, in the way you handle her, and in the way you train her, and it should be done now before it has a chance to develop further. In addition to that, she’s at the age of many hormonal changes, which can lead to further imbalance. I strongly recommend that you get in touch with an experienced behaviorist who uses only positive treatment methods. You need to have a frank conversation with your parents about hiring a professional to come into your home and evaluate your dog. It could be a valuable learning experience for everyone in your family. Good luck!

[Alpha]

I must ask.

How can you say that obedience training will not help in bonding and the building of confidence?!?!?!?!

There are plenty of trainers out there that use purely motivational methods, so choosing one that uses aversives is not a must.

I agree, and was implied in my previous post, that it seems as though there could be reasons for your animals fear. Hence why I asked if the dog had ever been reprimanded by collar grabbing or hit by anyone in the family.

So, if any of those statements are true, yes, your dogs everyday life needs to be re-evaluted.

BUT, I must state again, taking obedience classes, from a reputable training can do NOTHING but good! You can learn how to properly redirect your pet from everyday issues, like jumping, learn about topics like bite inhibition and much more!

All of my dogs are in obedience training, and "stressful" is the last word I would use to describe their classes! They LOVE school! THey love my instructor, they love seeing the other dogs, and most of all, they love to please me by working hard.

I can't imagine EVER advising someone who is have any type of behavioural issue, whether it be fearful aggression/dominance etc, to NOT go to a reputable trainer and take obedience classes! That's just absurd!

It seems as though with most "dog issues", it's the people that need to be pointed in the right direction. Totally normal A behaviourst can evaluate, and tell you what's wrong, but a trainer can help you to become the best dog owner possible

[Curbside Prophet]

Alpha, my apology, but my post was not in response to your's. We must have been posting at the same time because I did not see your comments prior to posting mine. But to answer your questions, I offer the following clarity...at least I hope it clarifies my statements.

How can obedience training not help with bonding and confidence?...for the exact reason I stated. If they are too long, too demanding, or involve unpleasantries, obedience training will only help to reinforce the dogs fearful behavior, and could possibly provoke a defense reaction. By no means did I ever mean to suggest that choosing an adversive trainer was a choice. I merely meant to suggest that the dog needs to be kept away from stressful situations. And training sessions that are too long, too demanding, or rough on the dog, must be avoided in the confidence building process. I do believe we are on the same page here. However, until the dog's living envoronment is evaluated, I do not believe the dog can be expected for obedience. Yes, obedience is important, necessary, and should be worked on early...it's wonderful and magical for the happy-go-lucky dog. But I do not believe a fearful dog, or a dog with low self esteem should be pressured into obedience unless he/she is willing to accept it. A fearful dog is still trying to find comfort in his/her environment, and until the environmental issues and external factors are resolved, it's my opinion that obedience training will be nothing but frustrating and ineffective. That's what I believe, and you are more than welcome to dispute it. But you'll also have to note that the original poster did not mention any obedience issues. The dog may very well have obedience problems, but I would imagine that the dogs psycological issues are the predominant and over ridding issue here. Maybe I'm wrong for guessing, but this is the post I'm commenting on. I'm sorry if I didn't write what you thought I should be saying, I just don't agree that teaching a dog to sit will allow him/her to accept strangers. Yes, trainers are great, but I do not believe you can train a dog to not be fearful. And I do believe a behaviorist is the right choice here...not to fix the dog per say,...yet, but to correct what the human element is contributing to the problem. Until this is fixed, little progress can be made in the confidence building. I apologize if we do not share the same opinion...but chances are we could be, but something is lost in translation.

[Alpha]

While I still very much agree with you on the fact that it seems as though this dog has been reprimanded in an unpleasant way. And those human behaviours need to cease.

I must ask if you've ever had a fearful dog?

Because I have, still do. And she is fearful aggressive, and it's purely genetic.

She was horrible. She *hates* strangers. She is not fearful passive, like what it appears the young pup is that the OP is talking about, but rather fearful aggressive.

And obedience classes were the best thing for us. I think you may have had a bad experience with classes or have some misconceptions. Obedience classes are SO much more than teaching your dog to sit! It's much more important than that. You do bonding exercises, learn how to be a good leader for your pet and it does help build confidence.

My girl went from lunging to attack strangers, to now, calmly sitting at my side, accepting their presence, although she does not like being touched.

With a good trainer, (mine has worked with dogs for over 2 decades, competes in confirmation as well as obedience. Has worked hand in hand with behvaiouralists and assists at the local humane society with rehabilitating dogs to be rehomed), obedience classes help improve your dogs confidence.

But I must say again, these issues do seem to be from the human side, which needs to change, but the OP needs some help on where to go. And a trainer would be the first person to call and ask.

[Curbside Prophet]

Yes, I have owned a fearful dog. And again, I'm sorry, but I do not agree with you...and that's okay. I myself, am not so quick to believe that fearful aggression is genetic...in fact, I believe a condition like this is very rare, and affects only a small fraction of dogs. I'm more inclined to believe that with early and proper socialization, any dog can suppress inate fears or phobias. I think you and I both know that it takes time and effort. Furthermore, for a dog in the right state of mind, yes, obedience is productive and great. However, I do not believe that a dog with a fearful state of mind should be forced into obedience, or be forced to accept bonding exercises, until the dog is in the right state of mind. Because, if you feed the fragile mind, it will tend to become even more fragile. Thus, these exercises become fruitless, and potentially counter productive. And, I will not argue with you that obedience, agility, tracking, or any other sport or training will improve a dog's confidence...all I'm saying is, the dog has to be in the right mind frame to build on the confidence. So, yes, get a trainer...but only after whatever is psychologically effecting her is removed. So for whatever it's worth, I'd start with a behaviorist. I have a feeling we're debating the same point.