Skitish Doberman Puppy

[blackcat]

Hi all I am new to this forum and I have a question. I just bought a Doberman puppy and after bringing her home on wednesday I found out she is really skitish around strange people. I know when you pick out a puppy you shouldn't pick out the shy one of the pack but she was just so cute, and her parents and grandparents where like the perfect dogs. But anyways after getting her home I found she is really skitish. She is opening up to me and my dogs but i took her to my brother n laws birthday party last night and all she did was hide behind my feet. I tried to keep the whole situation positive but she was still scared. Now that we're back home she is fine, she gets along great with my two pit bulls. Could all this be just a phase as she is only 9 weeks old? How can I go about working with her to make her more confident? I really don't want a dog that hides when people come over or a dog that bites out of fear. Thanks all in advance. And I'm sure you'll see more of me around here pretty soon.

PS I have her enrolled in a puppy class but I'm still waiting for her next set of shots.

 

[bubbatd]

I wish her breeders had socialized her more . Not fair to you or the pup !! Go slowly !!

 

[blackcat]

Whether it's nature or nurture I'm not sure all I can say is the puppy is in good hands now. The lady I bought the puppy off of was totaly obbsessive compulsive. When we stoped by to look at the puppies she brought the two girls outside, then when I asked to see the parents she left the puppies grandmother outside to guard us so to speak and everytime she went in or out of the house she would lock the door. Then as I was leaving with the puppy I wanted to let her go potty first so I set her in down in the front yard and she told me that was the first time the puppy was in the dirt. She also mentioned that the puppy was crate trained already I'm just wondering how often the puppy was left in the crate. Thanks for your responce and anyone else with insight is welcome to post.

 

[malmo]

How old is the puppy?

It's probable that you have received her in a good time window for improving her socializing. Now it's your job to expose her gradually to as many safe people, places, things, and animals as possible. As she develops, her brain will imprint with the idea that new things and people are good, positive, happy things and not to be feared or avoided.

I really encourage you to read up on socializing and planning a specific time to (as the previous poster said -- SLOWLY) work with the puppy each day. You'll have to give her time, but you will see results. I am about to get my second dog, but I knew nothing of early socialization with my first dog and I paid the price down the line. Believe me -- socializing and training an older dog is a very difficult process. It can be done (as my dog is evidence) but if I would have known about socialization earlier, it would have saved a lot of heartache, time, money, and frustration.

You're in luck! If you just acquired your pup (even if it was from less-than-desirable circumstances), chances are she is young enough to re-learn about the world and you are the lucky person who will get to show it to her.

 

[blackcat]

Do you know of any good internet articals or books on the subject. I did a pretty good job socializing my pit bull but this one is going to prove to be a bit more of a challenge. Oh and she'll be 9 mos in two days.

 

[blackcat]

Weeks, she'll be 9 weeks, not months

 

[malmo]

Phew! You have a much better chance at 9 weeks than 9 months. Bubbatd has recommended a book called "How to raise a dog you can live with" which looks to be pretty great. Also, there is a thread on socializing chihuahua puppies which I started a few notches down on the list which has good information plus some links to other discussions. Lots of information out there if you search for "how to socialize your puppy" on google. Good luck!

 

[Doberluv]

If you were the one to pick out the puppy, she sounds like a back yard breeder to me and a neurotic one at that. She probably did nothing to get the pups started. You should never pick out a shy or timid Doberman...or any shy pup, for that matter. You'll have your socialization work cut out for you. Get started asap, but not to the point of overwhelming or frightening the pup. Yes, read the other thread and get that book. Let us know how she comes along.

 

[blackcat]

Yes she was a backyard breeder, and I knew better then to pic out the shy dog. It was hard to tell she was shy at the time. I talked to the lady about exchanging this puppy for one of her other puppies and she said that they where all gone. Now she won't answer the phone or anything. And I looked in the classified and she had renewed her add in the paper just the other day. I know she was just wanted to get rid of this one and she wouldn't be able to get the price I paid for her from anyone else. One thing is I won't give up on her and let her end up in a shelter. I'm just wondering how she'll fit into my active lifestyle. Will I be able to take her camping and hiking and other outdoor things? In fact we have a family fishing/camping trip comming up in a few weeks. I hate fishing and I was hoping just to be able to take the dogs with me and hike and explore around a little bit while everyone else was fishing. Now I don't know what I'm going to do about that.

 

[blackcat]

Two more quick questions. Would it be good to have my other dog tag along while I'm socializing, he always seems to draw in a lot of attention, and I noticed it makes Adi (the doberman) feel more confortable. And two I know a lot of play builds up a puppies game drive. Would this be benificial with her shyness? Today we played together about 2.5 hours total. Doesn't sound like a lot but it's actually a lot of work playing with a dog that long. Thanks all.

 

[Shadow101]

I would, it might be nice for her to have someone she can fallow around and be with like and friend. It will show her that these people are ok. It might take some time......

 

[Doberluv]

Would it be good to have my other dog tag along while I'm socializing, he always seems to draw in a lot of attention, and I noticed it makes Adi (the doberman) feel more confortable. And two I know a lot of play builds up a puppies game drive. Would this be benificial with her shyness? Today we played together about 2.5 hours total. Doesn't sound like a lot but it's actually a lot of work playing with a dog that long.

Absolutely, it will help to bring your more confident dog along. They learn from each other. But do both. One or two times, bring your other dog, then take only the pup. She needs to also become accustomed to being on her own. Read the thread in the puppy forum about socializing a Chihuahua. There are some ideas there that will help you and you'll get a better understanding of the importants of socializing. You'll have to use judgement and never force her up to someone or another dog if she is fearful, but have people toss her a treat when she's acting braver. Associate high value treats and praise with all the new things she sees. If she is fearful, do not make a fuss. Act confident like nothing is a big deal. Do not coo over her fearfulness or you'll reinforce that and she'll associate that good attention stuff with feeling lousy. Talk about a conflict. (learned helplessness) She needs to see that you, her leader is perfectly comfortable with these new things. She'll be watching your every move, your every nuance. She can pick up on things like your getting tense, not breathing, tightening the leash etc.

Every day, introduce her to a few new people, new things, new environments. This is a critical period. Don't overwhelm her and make all experiences pleasant, never frightening. Go as gradually as you need to to make it fun for her. But get her out there.

Yes, games like tug as long as she learns the rules to "give" when you ask and not to grab you with her teeth, build confidence. If she gets her teeth on you in an ouchie way by accident, don't scold...just walk off and end the game for a few minutes.

This is a dog that will particularly benefit from positive reinforcment methods....gentle, consistant handling. A lot of "no!" and other forms of harsh scoldings will be detrimental to her. Do learn all you can about positive reinforcement and even clicker training....the concepts at least. Keep us updated and don't be afraid to ask more questions.

 

[Fran27]

Don't give up!

I got Tips from a rescue that specializes in puppies. He was dropped off at a shelter at 6 weeks, and the rescue took him from there. Basically, he was never long enough with his mother, and the critical parts of his socialization were spent in a cage surrounded by other caged dogs.

When we got him, he was skinny, hiding in the back of his crate, shivering, and the first thing we did when we picked him up was licking our face. But he wouldn't move much and just seemed really scare.

You would never believe it's the same dog now. Just yesterday he wanted to jump on the neighbor to lick his face and was wagging his tail like mad when we met him in the street. He's awesome with children also. The only issue he has is that he's nervous around other dogs, even though we tried to socialize him a lot with dogs as a pup (heck, he snapped at one of the labs in puppy classes...).

But Boris has helped a lot. I would say that having another dog helped him a LOT. However, he's still shy when Boris isn't around. I agree with Doberluv, try to take the pup alone a lot, too.

 

[girlbuffalo1]

One bit of information--DO NOT LET YOUR PUP HIDE BEHIND YOU--and do not try to calm and sooth the pup by picking her up and telling her "it's ok" or anything like that. That simply reinforces the fear. I recommend when she tries to hid behind you walk away.

Wrigley was scared of large dogs at first and would hide by our feet at the dog park but we just walked away--did not talk or touch or look at him. Now he has no problems with it and plays with the big dogs no problem.

 

[Doberluv]

Oh, I think it's good to let your pup have an escape route if she needs one. It's that fight or flight thing. Better yet, prevent such close encounters if they're that overwhelming to her and greet people and view dogs from a little more of a distance. Socialization to novel things must be pleasant, not frightening or they do more harm than good. Take it gradually and make all experiences pleasant. I agree with not making a fuss over her when she's afraid...just act confident yourself.

 

[otch1]

Hi Blackcat! Congratulations on your new Doberman puppy. I have a Dob myself, big fan of the breed. Red flag when a breeder won't let you meet the parents, the rest of the litter and see environment they're being raised in. Recommend you have a friend call the ad you found and inquire about buying a puppy. See if she's lied about not being able to exchange your puppy because the rest have been sold. Not suggesting you ever consider exchanging this one, but someone selling pups whose behaved in this manner usually has some serious problems with their dogs, breeding pair, health issues possibly hidden, behavioral issues with one of the parents, ect. Always good to know what you're possibly up against and recommend you do your wellness exam with the vet asap. Within 72 hours. Some great books on behavior and training out there, sounds like you're looking into them. You're enrolling in a puppy class and also have well socialized dogs at home for this pup to observe. Sounds like your puppy found the right home! Can't wait for pictures.

 

[Doberluv]

Very freaky Otch. I can't stand these kind of people who don't give a rip about dogs....just breed 'em and make money. This dog may not have been undersociailzed at the breeders. It can be in the temperament...It would be good to know what you're up against so you know if there are any compensations in certain areas that you can make. I wish there were something to do about these back yard "greeders." Yes, it does sound like this home will give the pup the best chance.

 

[blackcat]

I got that book today, "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With" With what little I've read it seem to be a very imformative book. I think it's way better then the other three or four books on dogs that I have read. I am going to get started on reading it right away. Thanks all.

 

[Doberluv]

Wonderful. It will make life so much smoother for you and your pup. There are other great books to be recommended as well, when you're ready. The more you learn, the better it will be.

 

[blackcat]

I have another question. My boss wants me to take the pup to her house so I can show her. Do you guys think it will too much on her. She will mostly be in the backyard with me. The boss has three dogs. One will be in a crate inside the house cause she runs away when I go in and out of the backyard. The other dog is a frustrated sheep dog that barks at rocks and the other is a really skitish small dog. Nothing too intimidating, and if it is too much for her I'll have her crate handy and I'll be able to put her in that. What do you guys think? It will only be for 4 hours.