Your opinions...

[Rayna 3]

What are some opinions/techniques that you all have on how to handle a dog that won't let people pet it?

When I take them for a walk and someone approaches to pet them then they act like they're going up to sit and be petted and just when the person gets within reach they duck away and run back.

They are 5 months old, male, jack russell & black lab mix.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Gempress]

Have the person offer a treat.

 

[aelizilly]

I agree with giving the other person a treat. It also sounds like the pup needs to be socialized more. How much have they been socialized with people & dogs?

 

[Rayna 3]

Tried the treat method - they take the treat and run back.

To answer aelizilly's question -- not a whole lot with other dogs, but a fair amount with different people.

Would it be appropriate to actually make the dog sit and be petted? I don't want a fight with them or make them afraid of me though.

 

[Mindy Miller]

My Roxie is like this. Yeah, she has socialization problems. That's why we're working on it

I take Roxie with me everywhere I can. People always want to pet her and I don't let everyone do it. If someone asks if they can pet her, I tell them she is very timid, go slow. I will crouch down nex to her and have the other person crouch down in front of her. Roxie will usually sniff the person and I give her big praise the second she starts checking them out. Then I'll tell the person to back off, but stay down. Roxie continues checking them out. It usually takes about 5 minutes before she'll let someone pet her. When we visited Zoom, though she was pretty much fine right away, but Zoom's obviously a dog person. She's gotten much better. Just takes time. If it's a kid or somebody just runs up, I say don't pet her, she's timid and I don't want her to bite you. I try to avert negative experiences. It helps when I have Cassie with us because I can say, "You can pet the little one, but not the big one."

Doberluv gave me some awesome advice a few weeks ago. It's kinda along the same lines. http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23390

 

[Rayna 3]

I have a feeling we're in for quite a struggle. I really think he can overcome this, but it will take alot of work & time. Thanks for all the input

 

[Doberluv]

Well, after finishing that book I mentioned in that other thread, I've come to the conclusion that she is kinda way out there. LOL. Too much dwelling on pack behavior for me, attributing every conceivable behavior to pack theory.

But Mindy, there is no doubt that they have certain body language which makes them comfortable or not. And if you could start by asking people to stand parellel with her instead of facing her head on and squat down, not staring at her in the face, offering a treat, that may help. I wouldn't force her to stay put if she's afraid. You want her to feel that she has a way out if she needs it. Don't make a big fuss when she's fearful or draw a lot of attention to that. When she shows mild improvement, then pay attention to her. I think she'll improve somewhat but if she lacked early socialization, that's pretty hard to over come.

You guys can do some looking into desensatization exercises...look around online. See if there's something there which will make sense to you and help.

 

[moe]

I think a lot of people when they go to pet a dog automatically try to pet the top of the dogs head or the back of the neck, this is a very vunurable(sp) on a dog and a place that other dogs show dominance over(lay their heads across the back of the neck) if the people approached the dog by extending the hand with a treat, under the dogs chin, and allow the dog to eat off the palm of their hands this approach is less intimidating to the dog, if the dog wont allow them to get even that close, if they just extend their hand with a treat, the moment the pup puts one paw forward in the right direction Praise it like mad til it realises going forward is a good thing, it may be something that takes a lot of time .

Mo

 

[calibra]

I have the exact same problem with my pointer. I am not too concerned about it. if people come over she comes back to me and heels. I would rather that than have her run to every stranger in town.

only time it becomes an issue is when we visit the vet. However, I am taking her down every so often and sitting in reception. every so often the vet comes out and gives her a treat. She is starting to like the vets now.