[melgrj7]

I caught Nash running around with my shoe in his mouth (he likes to carry our shoes around). My fault for not watching him like a hawk, but anyway I said "Nash NO!", he dropped the shoe. I picked it up and he ran into the other room, huddled down to the floor, peed a little and basically looked ready to receive a beating. For those that don't know, I have had Nash for just a few weeks. He seems to have rock solid nerves about everything, but people, he is super submissive to people. Now I know why, and it makes me sad

Aside from a couple of leash corrections I did out of habit (I'm trying really hard not to do any physical corrections with him) and telling him no to interrupt a behavior I have not done anything physical to him. Everything has been negative punishment (removing something from the environment that he wants, usually myself; ie: abandonment).

What I was going to do here was hand him a toy; but he ran off, thinking I was going to beat him with the shoe I guess.

 

[Locke]

Aww poor guy. It's hard to hear things like that, let alone experience them first hand.
Hope the rest of the day goes better for you two.

 

[melgrj7]

Thanks, well now I know to be a lot less stern in my voice with him (I didn't raise my voice but just sounded stern), and I guess not to pick up a shoe he just dropped.

 

[ThoseWordsAtBest]

Hopefully he will come around after some time. When we got Jack he was terrified of every thing. If you stood up from the couch suddenly, or you were holding an object and walked any where near him, he would run to a wall and crouch down as low as he could to the floor. The look on his face would break my heart.

Now, over a year later with us, he isn't fearful. We can jump and run around with him without spooking him. If I catch him doing something, like digging in the yard, I can firmly say "Jack, no." without causing him to bolt and hide. Luckily, he just came around with a lot of positive socialization. Unfortunately, Jonas is a fearful dog, too, and has needed extensive work, and I know he won't ever be "normal" around other people.

 

[nekomi]

Aww... well, just think how much he'll blossom now that he's in a great home with a loving, caring owner!

Bandit was the same way when we got him in February. I'm sure he was also abused. He's still a little timid, but he's so much improved from his previous cowering and submissive urination that he's almost like a different dog!

With time and training I know that Nash will come around and learn to trust you 100%. Thank you for all the great work you are doing with him.

 

[Inga]

Oliver still does that. He will be 4 years old soon and I have worked with him a lot and he still ducks and covers when someone raises their voice or Heaven forbid a hand. Hopefully your guy will improve with time. Oliver has gotten a lot better. Keep building confidence through successes.

 

[emily445455]

Oh that is sad...stupid people!! At least he is in a better home now.