Fearful Behavior

[krisykris]

My 8.5 month old yorkie, McKenzie is extremely fearful of new people and new dogs. Even with some people she knows but doesn't see often, like a few of my friends sets her off running and hiding. Sometimes even when DH and I bend down to pet her or pick her up, she'll duck down and creep away. I'm not sure why she does this as we are always extremely gentle with her.

On walks, when she sees other people or dogs, or sometimes even inanimate objects like a tree stump or stop sign, she will *scream*... it's not a bark or a growl, but a high pitched frantic scream. And she continues to do this until the offending person/dog/object is gone.

When we go to the local park, she will do her "scream" at all the other dogs until they get close to her... then she becomes instantly quiet and rolls right to her back.

I'm sure this is some serious fear on her part or self protection? I feel just awful for her because she's so terrified.

I try to socialize her, but I'm not sure how to go about it correctly so that it doesn't do more damage than good. With her fur siblings here, she feels fine and safe.. but outside of that -- it isn't good .

Usually when she starts screaming I will continue walking and ignore it, or continue walking and say NO. Or I will stop turn her the opposite direction as the oncoming dog and say NO. None of these seems to work so well.

I know this is bad to say, but she only weighs 3.5 lbs and I worry about her. I feel it is hard to correct her with the leash because I'm worried about her small frame... so I let her get away with pulling on the end of it herself because I don't want to hurt her in any way. I know my feelings on this don't help get her behavior under control.

I could use any advice you all have, this fearfulness is beginning to run off on my other dogs and her screaming on walks gets everyone on high alert.

 

[Herschel]

If she was well-socialized, it could just be her inherent temperament. Was she socialized as a puppy before you got her? Is she from lines that have a stable temperament? If not, then you're in for some work.

The best thing you can do for her is desensitize her. Start far away where she is comfortable and reward her for staying calm. If she starts to get uneasy, stop rewarding and either move away or walk in a different direction before she starts screaming. Don't act like you are running away, but just casually change directions.

This sounds like a fear issue so I don't think leash corrections or saying "NO!" are going to help. She needs to realize that greeting another (friendly) dog isn't something to fear. Part of that involves her getting rewarded for performing positive behaviors, the other part involves you not coddling her and creating the impression that there actually is something to be scared of.

You can teach her to heel by your side with some peanut butter on the end of the a wooden spoon (from a kitchen). Just walk with it by your side. Once she gets good at that, stop keeping the spoon by your side (carry it higher, out of her reach). If she pulls or jumps, no PB. If she walks nicely, immediately give reward her with the PB spoon while you keep walking. No need to use leash corrections.

 

[krisykris]

If she was well-socialized, it could just be her inherent temperament. Was she socialized as a puppy before you got her? Is she from lines that have a stable temperament? If not, then you're in for some work.

The best thing you can do for her is desensitize her. Start far away where she is comfortable and reward her for staying calm. If she starts to get uneasy, stop rewarding and either move away or walk in a different direction before she starts screaming. Don't act like you are running away, but just casually change directions.

This sounds like a fear issue so I don't think leash corrections or saying "NO!" are going to help. She needs to realize that greeting another (friendly) dog isn't something to fear. Part of that involves her getting rewarded for performing positive behaviors, the other part involves you not coddling her and creating the impression that there actually is something to be scared of.

You can teach her to heel by your side with some peanut butter on the end of the a wooden spoon (from a kitchen). Just walk with it by your side. Once she gets good at that, stop keeping the spoon by your side (carry it higher, out of her reach). If she pulls or jumps, no PB. If she walks nicely, immediately give reward her with the PB spoon while you keep walking. No need to use leash corrections.

Thank you very much for your suggestions! She is from a very nice breeder, and I'm not sure what her lineage is ( I just bought her as a companion) -- but I did check numerous reviews from her prior customers so that I could check on health issues, ect and all turned up well.

I think we are going to go to Petsmart tomorrow to try to introduce her slowly to other dogs and I will try the suggestions you've told me of. I'm trying to find a playgroup around here for the colder Winter months as I really don't want to go an entire winter w/o her interacting w/other dogs...

 

[smkie]

I kept VIctor moving, allowing him to see the other dogs but from a distance at first, and we would circle closer and closer. I used t-touch massage when he was anxious and that seemed to really help as well. Would be good too if you could arrange play dates with other people that have gentle dogs so you can have some good positive meet and greets without growls and stress.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Petsmart may be too crowded of a place to go with a scared dog - there are so many strange sights, sounds, and smells, it might be too much for her.

And don't pick her up. I know it's hard (I have a chihuahua who went through a lot of what you're describing), but she will never learn to be brave if you are "rescuing" her every time she gets scared.

Have you taken a training class with her? That's the first thing I'd suggest. Find a trainer who will be using positive reinforcement training techniques - they should not be doing any leash corrections/yelling/etc. LIke Herschel said, it sounds like your dog is scared, so anything you do that scares her more is just going to compound your problem! You might have to do private training classes if group classes are too terrifying for her, but you can talk to your trainer about whether that is the best option. Check out www.apdt.com for a good trainer search (they also have an article about what to look for in a trainer, I'd suggest you read over that too).

Meanwhile, I'd also highly suggest the book "Click to Calm" by Emma Parsons. The methods she describes just worked wonders for my dog. I've read a lot of books about training, and this one is by far the most valuable one I've ever read.

Keep us posted on how she does!