Fear of other dogs???

[jstan]

Hi to all,

Everytime when I take my Candy to walk around and when she meets other dogs looking or barking at her, she will scare and just sit down beside me even the other dogs are not approaching us. Also, when she hears some barking from other dogs, she will scare also :confused: . So, I am wondering about other puppies that they will be the same or my Candy is less expose and socialize with other dogs? Please advice if you have any opinions? Thanks a lot.


jstan
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pappa to Candy - 3 months old

 

[Spike595]

When our Spanky was a puppy, he scared very easily....especially at barking dogs. Now hes almost 9 months old...and I havent really seen the same behavior anymore. We took him for a walk the other day and a German Shepard was loose in its yard and came running full steam ahead at Spanky. Spanky just stood there...didnt bark...didnt appear scared or aggressive...Id have to say I was very proud

 

[boxerspoiler]

Scooby was very timid as a puppy also. As he got bigger, he grew out of it. The vacume cleaner would send him running. Now he seems fearless, and even gets excited when I haul out the vacume. He likes to run up to it, and bark and growl at it now. As long as your dog hasn't had a bad experience with another dog, I wouldn't think the fear would continue.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

From 6 to 10 weeks is the "fear imprint" period for a puppy. This is when he is scared of everything. If not properly exposed (meaning not forced) to things which are fearful (noises, people, other dogs, etc.,) during this period, it makes a sometimes lasting life long impression on a dog.

Perhaps there was another encounter with a bigger or barking dog during this period for your pup. It is hard to tell sometimes exactly what the fear is.

Also, during weeks 7 through 16 is the "optimal" bonding period and socialization period for a pup. This is when he should be exposed to as much as possible, gently and gradually so as to become accustomed to these things, once the initial fear has been overcome.

My advice is NOT to force the dog to meet other dogs if he is timid and scared. Gradually expose the dog to other dogs who are very friendly and well socialized. First start from say a block away. Perhaps another dog owner friend can help you with this.

Take the dog out and when he sees the other dog a block away, have your dog sit/stay. Calm him and reward him if his is not showing fear at this distance. Praise and rewards for remaining calm and not being afraid.

Take a little break of a few minutes, then try again, this time, have your dog sit/stay a block away, then have have your dog "come" and walk with you a few steps closer to the other dog. When the dog starts to show fear, then stop, sit/stay and reward the SIT STAY. Wait at least a full 2 seconds after the sit stay and the dog calms down a bit, then praise and reward.

Continue this for as long as it takes until you can approach the other dog without fear. You should only take a few trys at it the first time. Do it over a period of days/weeks. It can take MONTHS sometimes to overcome a fear which is imprinted on a puppy, so you'll need lots of patience and love and rewards for this little guy. But, it can be overcome.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[jstan]

Thanks for the advices.

As you said, my Candy - 3 months old is now in her bonding and socializing periods, I will try to expose her to all the surroundings as much as possible. By the way, actually I prefer to let her out from her crate all the time, but now she still likes to eat and bite anything that is beside her. So, I have to put her in the crate for no choice when I am not around and just bring her out every morning, noon and evening after each meal. Is this okay for her?Please reply if your have any advices, thanks again :D


jstan

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pappa to CaNdY