shy dog

[xx speed]

I've been looking around the local animal shelter for a new dog. I found a terrier x dachshund pup that I really liked, but she had already been adopted and found on the street so they have to wait 5 days before they can adopt the dog back out, and the people who let her loose before can back for her. We are moving into our new apartment tomorrow [Wednesday], so we need a sort of small dog. Anyway, back on topic, I found a nice dog today when we went to look; a little white and black bitch, appears to be some sort of shepard cross. She's about 6 inches taller at the sholder than our blue heeler/poodle cross. But my mom says she's too big, but she's really shy, so I think that she's just using that as an excuse. When we open their cage door, most of the dogs will rush out excitedly, but this little girl just sorta cowered in her kennel and didn't come out. I think she's been abused. I think I could bring her out of it, though, if I had the chance. What I'm asking is:
1) How can I persuade my mom that this dog is not too big and will be fine with a bit of help?
2) Does anyone have tips on bringing a shy dog out of their shell?

 

[xx speed]

bump!

bump

i could really use some help with this, guys.

 

[Doberluv]

I'm inclined to advise that you don't get such a shy, cowering dog because it doesn't sound like you've had an abundance of experience in dealing with a dog like that. They can have more problems than just shyness and can develop fearful biting and other issues. I would leave that dog for someone who has dealt with that kind of problem before and choose a dog who is more curious and brave, simply because you have another dog, right? That's a lot of extra work and know how. I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but that would be my advice.

If you do convince your Mom, then you'll have to really spend a lot of time working through her issues. And she may never be all the way "right." She may have been abused and/or she may have not been adequately socialized. In either case, it is a long road to bring a dog like that to being well adusted.

Everyone in the family would have to agree to do the same things....to not over coddle her, to teach her things using gentle, kind methods. She'd need confidence building exercises and socialization. You'd have to feel confident in what you're doing with her to help her feel at ease.... and sometimes that only comes with experience and having had and worked with a lot of dogs. There are a lot of little nuances that you'd have to learn about, how to counter condition her to frightful things, how to desensatize her without making her feel that you're unsure, but getting her use to things gradually and not overwhelm her with over stimulation....yet, not tippy toe around her either.

You'd want to learn what body language would be helpful and how to communicate with her in the best way and learn how dogs learn (by operant and classical conditioning). All these things would be helpful. They are with any dog, but it's especially important that you have some good tools when you start working with a mal-adjusted dog. Again, education and experience. I'm not saying you don't have these things. I don't know. I'm just pointing those out, just in case.

I hope you get a puppy who will be your life time companion and that you'll have lots of fun. Keep us posted.

 

[xx speed]

Yes, I've had several dogs, but they've been dogs that I raised from pups, apart from a 8 month old, under-socialised German Shorthaired Pointer. It wasn't hard to get her past that though, as her owners weren't mean to her or anything, they were just ignorant. You're probably right, though. Thanks for the advice

 

[Angelique]

Doberluv makes good points. Fearful and shy dogs are a careful balancing act, and require a lot more experience and commitment than a dog who is more stable and just happy to fit in.

I'm glad you're thinking hard about this before making a decision.