Any tips please for a nervous dog ?

[ellieangel]

Hi
Before I start this isn't a huge problem but it could escalate and that's why I'm posting.
My 9 month old weim x Rio is very wary of strangers, he has been very well socialised from 9 weeks of age and every school day since I got him he has been left outside the school with my 2 older boys while I go in to get the little one,he loves this he loves the kids and wags at them all and nuzzles them when they come over to fuss him. :iloveyou:
He was 'the puppy you shouldn't buy' quivering in the corner no parents to be seen and no bed area just newspaper. :(
When we brought him home he panicked when we let him in the garden and immediately jammed himself down the side of the shed.
He was always trying to hide at first and seemed to be afraid to go to sleep.
However he is a lovely dog with a huge character and he's trustworthy with other dogs and people off lead but occasionally will panic if someone insists on approaching him.
He has never bitten only 'shouted' at people that impose themselves on him-once he knows people he will trust them completely.
What I'm thinking is that maybe this is just a very slow process-he is improving but very slowly and I would love your views on confidence boosting ideas !
Also I know there are books around that tackle re-habilitation type problems does anyone know a good one ?
Many thanks xx

[imported_Cassie]

As for books I have don't have any suggestions at this moment but I'll check what I have at home...are you enrolled in obedience classes..the socialization may help build his confidence..and try to carry treats for your dog and reward him when ever he is "brave?" some people also beleive that coddling a dog (whenever he panicks do you make a big deal out of it?) try to just act normally instead of making him feel there is a reason to be nervous..
Here is an article I found on calming dogs with body language and how to read their body language...kinda interesting.

If you are around dogs long enough, especially dogs that interact with each other, you will notice that they use specific signals to communicate certain things to each other. Animal behaviorists believe some of these signals are meant to relax potential aggressors, as well as calm themselves.
Canine language takes form in facial expressions, ears, tail, body movement, and sound. And certain body signals are thought to curtail aggression. If you have multiple dogs, observe them when they are wrestling. When things begin to escalate out of control, they signal each other to stop. This type of behavior is thought to foster cooperation among pack members.

If you are observant enough of your particular dog's use of calming signals, experts say you can even use them yourself to calm your dog during times of stress. Check out your dog during particularly anxious moments: at the veterinarian's office or in obedience class when he does something wrong, for example. You will probably see him yawn, sniff the ground or inanimate objects, or even lick his nose.

If your dog has the opportunity to encounter unfamiliar dogs or people at a public dog park or even on the street, you may see him display some body language that is meant to say, "look, I am not a threat to you." Some typical signs you may see include:

Sniffing the ground: This is thought to be a signal from a fearful dog to calm another creature (human or animal) that may frighten him.

Turning the head, head held to the side, or eyes flicking to the side for just an instant.



Your dog may even do this when a child runs up to give him a hug!


Sometimes, this takes place in such a short time you may not catch it.


You can use this signal to greet a new dog that may be fearful by coming up to the dog at an angle, or by looking away.


Remember to let children know never to approach a strange dog by staring at him. This indicates aggression in dog language. Better yet, never let a child approach any unknown dog without immediate adult supervision.


Licking his own nose: Quick or slow, this also is thought to be a signal to calm strangers. Interestingly, black dogs use this signal more often than other dogs. This may be because their features are more difficult to see and a pink tongue stands out.

Licking your face or another dog's face, although a typical canine greeting, may or may not also be a calming signal.

Yawning: This is a common stress signal. We have noticed this in dogs during obedience training when their owners are expecting a lot of them, at dog shows, at the veterinarian, or when their owners are disciplining them.

If you own an older dog, try some of these signals to calm him down. Older dogs are much more sensitive to their owner's body language (that is why they sometimes seem to be able to read our minds).

Try communicating with your dog in his own language. He may look at you strangely, but its worth a try....

[ellieangel]

hi cassie thanks for taking the time out ! :wink:
Yes he's been at obedience classes since he was 9 weeks old as I instruct at one !
I very often carry treats for training so I've done that and I get other people to give him treats too.
No I never make a big deal of it ever and if he doesn't flinch with someone and greets them nicely i praise him too.
The body language thing is interesting there must be a book about this I've read loads !!!
I've applied every tactic I can think of with this dog I love him to bits !
Occasionally he has woofed at my kids (less than 10 times at a guess) at home too but not really that aggressive he is vocal anyway always has been. But never unprovoked, like today it was when one of them rushed towards him with a big toy car and he just woofed at them no lip curling or anything.
He's just saying 'watch it ,don't hurt me' i think.
Thanks again cassie.
Keep 'em coming !!!!

[ellieangel]

I think I may have had a minor breakthrough with Rio !(avatar) :)

Took him to training club last night and as usual Ellie and Rio were with me.
Now for quite a while Rio has had a real problem with one of the other instructors,whenever she has approached him he has always backed away and once or twice has backed away barking.
Well I didn't know if she would be at training last night because she had had to have her Munsterlander pts the previous day :cry: and having been her first dog and 16 years old she was obviously devastated.
Any way she did come in and sat down and rio was off his lead-no clients had arrived so he was stretching his legs !-and he went over to her tail wagging and put his head right into her lap for a stroke !!!
I was amazed he is usually such a timid dog this for him was a huge breakthrough so obviously I went over to him and made a fuss of him and told him he was a good boy !
How did he know ?
She was sitting still so it can't have been body language ! and I'm pretty sure he hadn't noticed her come in because he was playing !
Anyway as usual I tied the 2 of them up while I instructed in the puppy classes we were having a fun night so they were allowed to join in from time to time.
Then a man that I hadn't met before came in with his wife to register for a puppy course,I went and sat to have a chat with him and his wife and in the corner of my eye Rio was straining at his lead so I went and got him and Ellie and brought them over to say hello and he did the same to this man I couldn't believe it the man had just been telling me how badly affected he had been by the loss of his previous dog,was he seeing something that we can't ?
Anyway do you think we may be turning a corner with him ???

[Rosebud]

:D

Sally was also really shy and timid, for a RR, around new settings, now she is wide-eyed and tail wagging every time we go to a new show-site, she has figured out that the people are nice and she gets to meet new doggies.

Just keep up the socialization, Rio will eventually come out of his shell, use alot of postive reinforcement. I always get sally a hotdog from the vendor, it gives her something else to look forward to.

:angel:

[imported_Cassie]

Good for Ellie! sounds like she is starting to come around...I have always found my dogs respond more eagerly to people who don't "force" their affections on them...perhaps now you could have a few people in your class have treats for her when she comes over to see them...
:multi:

[mouseatthebusstop]

Anyway do you think we may be turning a corner with him ???

yes things are looking up