Nervous Dog

[Lurcherbni]

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my dog is really nervous round new people she starts to sheke and tries to pull out of her collar every time we meet someone new even just walking past someone in the street. shes fine once she knows someone and i would never dream as mistreating her. as its the end of the hunting season i would like to keep her fit and meet some fellow lurcher enthusiasts by showing and racing her but i cant see this happening in her current state. can anyone please offer some advice? :cheers: bryan

 

[billyboy45]

my dog is really nervous round new people she starts to sheke and tries to pull out of her collar every time we meet someone new even just walking past someone in the street. shes fine once she knows someone and i would never dream as mistreating her. as its the end of the hunting season i would like to keep her fit and meet some fellow lurcher enthusiasts by showing and racing her but i cant see this happening in her current state. can anyone please offer some advice? :cheers: bryan

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I came home this evening to find a neighbour's staffi runnin around our estate;and it had been doing so for the 3 hours previous.They could'nt catch it,as its a bit nervous,with its owners ,never mind strangers.She,s a beutiful brindle bitch,and i believe they're looking a home for her.On trying to catch her,i found that she's not realy nervous at all,but avoids the attempts to catch her,thinking she's gona get a slap.Then when you do catch her,she'd lick you to death.Its not strangers she dont like.Its the one's who she's supposed to trust,her owners.She's 11 month's old.

 

[Strike Whippets]

Hi Bryan ........One of my Whippets was like her .....You need vit E caps .....One aday, and on days befor and days of "doing something" ie meeting people, racing, showing give 2 tabs daily :thumbsup: .......Also Rescue Remedy and Aspen from the Bach flower range (you can get these at most health food places) .....Give 2-3 drops of each twice a day on food ......also add 3 drops of each to the drinking water .......some people think natural stuff is useless, but honestly give these a few weeks as directed and you will see a huge difference :luck: Hannah

 

[Evie]

You have to take the process very slowly.

Firstly take her for her exercise then recruit some "strangers" to help. Tell them not to approach her, but to just walk past, not even looking. As they pass they can drop a high value treat for her on the ground.

Over time you can build this up till the people stop to talk to you, still ignoring her, dropping the treats on the ground. Eventually moving on till she is willing to take them from their hands. Never let anyone force themselves on the dog, this will only put her further back. If at any stage she panics or worries go back a step in the training again.

Good luck with her. :thumbsup:

 

[~JO~]

Basically with nervous dogs, it s behavioural problem and there are basically 2 things you need to do.

1. Relax her and get her nice and calm then .....

2. do lots of gentle socialisation when she is feeling nice and calm.

A natural supplement or medicine is ideal to relax her, Strike whippets mentions Vit E - this is because this is very good for the physical nervous system. the most natural form of Vit E is in wheatgerm capsules/oil as it is in it natural form it is used much more efficiently by the body. To calm and relax... the only licensed product is Scullcap & Valerian tablets - these are licensed to reduce anxiety and to calm and relax. I would keep her on a daily dose of these on-going for the moment.

Get her out and about, to places like car boot sales and don't initially let people come and touch her - just let her relax with people around without putting too much pressure. Then start getting friends etc to come up and just stroke her but without making a big fuss.

Anyway there is no magic cure but with lots of work you can improve her dramatically.

Jo

 

[fallenangel]

I agree with Jo we have had lots of nevervoues dogs we have fosterd and Our Minnie one of our greyhounds would wet herself she was so scared especaily of men. it took lots of trips out slowloy introducingf her to peoepl making everything fun qand a nice experiance and when peoepl dd start to get cloues lots of favourit treets.

she when from a qivering wrek to doing meet and greets at bell vue with over 3000 peopel passinge her and most making a fuss of her at the trunstylas load musci and drunks about and she loed it she woukd try and pinch there drinks nick there food and she wagged her tail all night it can be.

 

[Lurcherbni]

thanks all for the advice i will give it a go and see how we get on. ill keep you posted and well hopefully see some of you at shows such in time to come. :thumbsup:

 

[lurcher-lass]

also how about walking your dog with other people with there dogs?

then when your dog has some more trust with strangers and there dogs maybe let him/her of for a run.

then get the person your walking with to call your dog and there own dog but tempt them with a treat.

have a go and c if it works

 

[Lurcherbni]

cheers blue eyed boy thats been my main means of trying to train her. she is usually spot on when when other people have dogs with them but totally panics if its someone alone :thumbsup:

 

[Evie]

Hi,

Seen this article and thought it might be of interest to you;

Desensitizing shy or nervous dogs