Lenny Is So Scared...

[jezza]

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Poor little Lenny is getting more and more scared of people and other dogs which we bump into on walks.

We first got him at 4 months of age and it quickly became apparent that he had not been socialised AT ALL. He was stuck in a kennel and had an outside run but I think that was probably it.

Being fairly new to the world of doggy training I have done what I think is right but he seems to be getting worse.

I have tried to introduce him to things gradually and praise him (he won't take treats at all when he's out on a walk because he is so nervous ). Whenever he sees a person, no matter how far away he barks and pulls like mad to get away - I'm worried I'll lose my grip soon and he'll be under a car.

He really hates other dogs, it doesn't help that we bumped into a rather exuberant labrador on the beach the other day which wouldn't leave him alone. The owners thought it was funny until Lenny tried to bite it :unsure:

Finally he hates kids too and snapped at a child once (mind you, she did run up to him screaming!!) should I consider muzzling him? at the moment I just walk him when kids aren't around but I'm aware this is not making it any better.

He is 11 months old now and in the house he is a very happy, loving dog. Gets on well with our other dog and strangers in the house (I mean people like the electrician, not just random people who just wander in!!!)

Anyway, sorry to waffle on, its just I'm getting rather worried that he'll always be like this if we don't do something soon. By the way, we have no problems with the other dog Molly (also whippet), she loves people and other dogs - so I have Lenny pulling me one way and Molly pulling me the other (w00t) very amusing/embarrasing!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kim & Tilly]

no advice really just hope you get things sorted, im sure someone on here can help you :thumbsup:

 

[~whitecross whippets~]

personally i would seek the help of a behavourist...either through your local dog training group or a recommendation (just make sure they are on the appropriate registers)..i think any dog who may fear bite needs help now so hopefully it can be sorted out...if he is insured with a good insurance it can be paid for by them

good luck :luck:

 

[Lynn-Alexandria]

Hey Jezza

I can completely understand what you are talking about. I've dealt with a lot of nervous dogs in my time. It is going to take a lot of patience in order to help sort the little guys problem out. I also know how frustrating it can be when your out with a dog and kids run up screaming, when I first got my pup JD a little girl walked up and tried to pick him up, i was livid. Anyways, when you are out with Lenny and he does start to pull away or get very nervous don't talk to him with soothing words or in a kind tone...the thing with this is the dog thinks he is being praised...and will in turn continue doing so. I know its hard...when your dog is in distress you want nothing more than to comfort him. You mentioned that he does not take treats when he is outside. Try using his favourite toy, something to distract him with when he starts to get nervous. The key is to distract...not praise. Dont be afraid to say to people not to approach him too quickly when you are out, there is nothing worse than having people running up to your dog when you are out, especailly when he is as cute as Lenny. Just say to them that he is a little nervous and could they please move slower...only let them near if you are comfortable, after all he is your dog.

When i mentioned before by not speaking to him in a praise filled tone...i also meant not to speak to him as though you are telling him off. This could ultimately lead to him being afraid of you which would worsen the situation. You did not mention in your post if he gets nervous when off the leash as well as on it. My lurcher gets aggressive to other dogs when he is on the leash, this resulted in him being attacked when I was walking him as a pup. On the lead he gets quite edgy, however as soon as he is off the leash you would never know he had a problem. Even by playing with him everyday can you help him with his nervousness. Adding in certain things that when you are playing with him helps as well. Re introduce him to certain situations that make him nervous...throwing him in at the deep end wouldnt help. It will have to be a gradual process.

When you are out with him watch him closely, the second you think he is beginning to look nervous, distract him...use the toy. When I first heard this I was like...but you just told me not to praise him...but if you get in there at the right second then you will distract him. He will be focused on you and not the situation that scares him. Sooner or later you should notice some changes and this is when you can start introducing him to the things that make him nervous...the more he begins to calm down the more praise you can give him. Make him see that he is doing good by not being scared. Whenever he copes well in a scary situation, reward him with food.

Even when you think he is ready to maybe meet another dog, ask a friend who has a calm dog to go out for a walk with you. Walk them on the leash for a bit and when you feel comfortable enough doing so let him off the lead and they can run around. You may also want to consider taking him to a dog training class that is held in your area...it is a relatively controlled enviorment where the dogs will be kept on their leads. If you are worried about losing the grip of his lead, when I have a dog that pulls suddenly I wrap the hoop of the leash around my wrist and then turn it so i am holding part of the leash in my hand also. If that makes any sense lol.

Well I hoped this helped a little...and good luck with training him. Don't worry...time and patience and im sure Lenny will be doing great in no time at all.

 

[kim & Tilly]

Thats really good advice ... hope it helps him or anyone else who is having problems

 

[OEH]

Oh dear- poor you and Lenny (he's very sweet by the way). I'm not sure I can help much, but one thing I have discovered with my nervous rescues it that it is best not to reassure them to much as it makes them think that they have some reason to be nervous. What I do is give them a confident pat and talk to them chearily and sillyly and pull out a squeaky toy and distract them and walk past till they are ready to socialise. Just don't let them know there is any sort of problem.

:luck: Good luck

 

[Lynn-Alexandria]

Jezza I sent you a PM.

 

[noo]

I feel for you. My shaun (rescue greyhound) was terrified of everything outside when I first got him and had lots of similar behaviour traits to your whippy. Totally agree with above posts advice. Lots of patience and ignoring/distracting the anxiousness (as apposed to wanting to make better) really does work :thumbsup:

I've had Shaun over 18 months now and although he still has his moments he's a much more confident dog, he's no longer scared of everything, is much calmer around people and has a bouncy spring in his step.

Good luck, am sure it'll all be fine with time x

PS Lenny is such a cutie o o

 

[jezza]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I have tried to distract him with a squeaky thing from inside a fluffy toy which Molly had desqueaked!!! He looked a bit confused and it only worked for a second then he went back to his barking (if you can call it barking - more like a strangled hyena!!!).

I reckon I'm gonna have to swallow my pride and take out his favourite toy - a big fluffy reindeer which he got for xmas

Would it be better if I walked both dogs separately for a while so I can concentrate on him fully, or is taking the other dog a good distraction for him?

I have just phoned my vets and they have a behaviourist who works there which I can take him to see or even just speak to on the phone (but she's not in today )

Thanks for all your replies

 

[jezza]

Jezza I sent you a PM.

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​

Got your pm thanks and thanks for all the advice. I may be ringing you soon for help!!! :b

 

[Lynn-Alexandria]

No problem. Ring anytime.

 

[dessie]

Never had a real scaredy cat but the advice above sounds pretty good to me, I usually make light of scary things that happen out or at shows so that my dogs don't think it is anything to worry about.

I know you are worried about him fear biting but I would think that muzzling him will frighten him even more so I certainly would not go that route.

Good luck with Lenny :luck: , he looks a real sweetheart. :wub:

 

[Seraphina]

Lot of good advice above. I would just try to introduce him to a small friendly dog in a place Lenny feels secure, like your living room or garden. When he finds playing with a strange dog is fun, I would take them for a walk together, later on going to training classes where he can meet more dogs. It may take a while but I am sure he can be brought out of himself.

I had a Great Dane puppy like that, terrified of everything, she certainly grew out of it .

 

[Nicola]

I sympathise...my Fred whippet is a very nervous dog and I've had no end of problems with him and approaching other dogs. It's so frustrating it can reduce you to tears at times. It put me off getting another whippet for a very long time.

He's a lot better these days. I find that if I ignore him, but talk to the other approaching dog in a friendly way....saying hello to it, what a lovely dog you are etc, this really diffuses the situation. I can see Fred looking up at me for a signal...don't react, don't shorten the lead, don't stiffen, don't alter your stride, don't look at him...just act relaxed, ignore him and talk to the other dog as if you're delighted to see it. You feel a bit of an idiot :b ...but most owners react well to this.

It's taken a lot of time and patience to get this far. I wouldn't recommend my tactics until you've tried what has been suggested above and he is a little bit more confident. I'm not really qualified to give advice, but I know this approach has worked for me over the last year or so...but it took heck of a long time. :sweating: