Comfort zone?

[CrazyDiego]

Ok, on young horses there is a special place where their mothers rub their young colts to calm them when they are afraid. Sometimes when you are trying to train or just get them to trust you...you can rub this spot on them and it seems to help calm them.

Is there such a place on a puppy? I was just wondering because Diego (14 weeks today) is very timed around everything-- Except when we are in our own home! When I take him out to potty, it seems like everything scares him. From other animals down to other puppies! He is very timed around everything. I took him to my moms the other day and it took him a good 15 minutes to warm up to people and leave my side! He seems very insecure and hates being alone. He cried and cried in his crate until I put something in there with him that had my scent on it.

Oh one more thing... he is deathly afraid of cars! He hates even riding in them. I try to get him to sit in the back seat with my daughter but he comes to the front and tries to sit in my lap while I am driving. He shakes the whole time he is in the car, with this worried look on his face....(like mom please don’t take me back to puppy jail.... ) .............as in the animal shelter....

 

[Fallout]

I could be wrong (this maybe for cats) but I heard something like holding them close so they can feel your heart beating calms them. but again I'm not sure.

 

[Renee750il]

It sounds like Diego needs a lot of compassionate desensitizing. Keep getting him out; get family and friends to help you by being very quiet around him, talking to him in a quiet voice, not walking straight up to him, etc. Gently, gently will win Diego over.

For the car, you can get harnesses that fit into your seatbelt. That gives him his own seat - and keeps him from interfering dangerously with your driving. Keep a blanket or something with the scent of you and/or your home on it in the car for him too. He does need to go for lots of rides in the car so he can get the idea that it's a fun thing and he's NOT going back to puppy prison. Take him with you to the pet supply store to get a favorite treat or toy. Anything you can do to make the trip reassuring will help.

 

[CrazyDiego]

Ya.. I am starting to wonder if his first car ride was the one that took him to puppy prison. Maybe thats why he is so affraid of cars now.

We are trying different things with him ... lots of walks.. short car rides... he seems to want to be with me more than my husband. ..LOL which is fine with me

Last night Madison (my daughter) was in bed and I was relaxing on the couch watching TV and Diego was relaxing too. LOL He thinks he is a lap dog, he has to sleep right on top of me when I am laying down. So my husbands like boy .. ...he sure looks comfortable...LOL He was snorning too..LOL

 

[bvalenzuela]

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Hello - I just got a miniature schnauzer that did not let me sleep for three days with his whining and crying. He also was going through seperation anxiety when I left the house. A co-worker recommended the Comfort Zone plug in for Dogs... WOW>.. You have to love science. I Drove to Petco and was skeptical to shell out 45 dollars for a plugin that I thought might not work. So I took the risk and I am happy I did.. The dog settled down right away.. I also did some techniques I read online.. That was appearing and dissapearing from his eyesight, extending the length of time each time... That took his anxiety away the minute he have no vision of me. I hope this helps!!! ohhh don't forget to sprinkle treats in his kennel to reassure him it's a safe and loving place to be.

 

[Khristine]

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Hello - I just got a miniature schnauzer that did not let me sleep for three days with his whining and crying. He also was going through seperation anxiety when I left the house. A co-worker recommended the Comfort Zone plug in for Dogs... WOW>.. You have to love science. I Drove to Petco and was skeptical to shell out 45 dollars for a plugin that I thought might not work. So I took the risk and I am happy I did.. The dog settled down right away.. I also did some techniques I read online.. That was appearing and dissapearing from his eyesight, extending the length of time each time... That took his anxiety away the minute he have no vision of me. I hope this helps!!! ohhh don't forget to sprinkle treats in his kennel to reassure him it's a safe and loving place to be.

I bought the Comfort Zone spray because a friend of mine said it worked like a charm.. This was for when we Still had Roxie, they were absolutely WILD.. but it did work, i like their products!

 

[chloesowner]

well, i would be go to socialize him. how old is he??

 

[Doberluv]

Yes, horses nuzzle and nibble on eachothers' withers when they're bonding and dogs like some affectionate nuzzling on their chin and around their jaws. And in general a nice, gentle massage all over is soothing to a dog or anyone.

I think you've gotten great advice to gently socialize the dog and get him use to new things gradually and make sure everything is as pleasant as possible, no scary people or things. Just go slowly but steadily.

Does he like going for walks in the woods or someplace special, just the two of you? Take him in the car to a nice place and have some fun with him. Take him places in the car which he likes and is not afraid. Do this every day and he'll get use to the car.

He'll just have to get use to spending a little time on his own in his crate. You did a good thing by putting something with your scent on it. Also his favorite toy, maybe a peanut butter coated Kong toy will keep him busy. You'll need to ignore his whining when he's in there or he'll be ruling the roost.

If he's 14 weeks and this timid, you don't have much time to socialize him. Try to squeeze as much into the next couple of weeks as you can without frightening him unduly or overwhelming him. It will be hard, but take him somewhere new every day and let him meet a couple of nice, quiet strangers who have treats. LOL. You can give them a treat and ask them to help you with your pup. When he acts afraid and nervous, do not give the treat at that time until he seems pretty calm. And do not make any fuss over him....no attention. That will only perpetuate the problem. Act like everything is fine and don't be nervous or worried yourself whatever you do. You need to show him that you're confident and that all is just peachy.

 

[bubbatd]

Not knowing his past, I may not be much help. But when I had pups and any seemed apprehensive or timid, I would do the heart rub... gentle massages over the heart area, ribs, tummy areas. I don't know how this may help with older dogs ( though I've done this with mine if they are ill ) All my pups had at least a few minutes a day from day one with some interaction. By week 6 each had 15 minutes of brushing and loving on quietly.... put on backs and massaged ... most went to sleep !

 

[Wings]

Hi,
Can anyone from The Netherlands on this forum or anyone knows a online store that sells this in the Netherlands? I might need to work more hrs now due to some project works and I want my girl not to feel stress staying home alone after her puppy play group. Will much appreciate your help.
Tks

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

This is from a while ago....CrazyDiego doesn't come on much.