How do I get her to stop being so scared?
There are several ways you can go about this. The best way is positive reinforcement; that is, give her something she wants so that she knows good things happen when other dogs are around.
Carry treats with you (if she doesn't like treats, carry her favorite toy), and give her treats when other dogs are around. Hopefully you know a friend with a dog, because you'll probably need someone you know.
Have your friend bring their dog closer and closer, while you're still giving her treats. Don't expect her to stop freaking out in one day...it will take up to a few weeks, and perhaps several different dogs.
Or, you can completely immerse her in doggie interaction. You could take her to a dog park, and put her right in the middle of things, and keep bringing her until she finally desensitizes to strange dogs. You could also combine this with treats.
Most importantly, keep in mind that dogs have their own personalities, just like humans. Don't push her too much.
Dogs establish their own dominance hierarchy. You can't really interfere. If your dog isn't dominant, she's not dominant.
You need to stop soothing her, and take control of the situation. Soothing her makes her believe that something is wrong....and also that you are not in control of the situation....which you aren't. You could start giving her treats as soon as you see another dog, so that she associates other dogs with goodies. But you also need to do some obedience training, so that the dog is paying attention to *you* rather than other dogs. I personally don't allow other dogs to approach one of my dogs, because she doesn't like it. So I ask other owners to keep their dogs away....this will protect your dog from a situation she may not like. She also may not know how to interact with other dogs, because she's always had the other dog there. So training her on her own to be obedient to *you* will strengthen her bond to you, and allow her to let *you* control the situation. When she sees another dog coming, I would ask for a Sit and reward it....after you have trained it at home. Ask
the dog's owner to keep the dog at a reasonable distance, because your dog has mange, or something......that scares them off!! Your dog has to learn that you are in charge of the situation, and that it doesn't have to deal with it itself. Dogs shouldn't have to cope with everything that is thrown at them. YOU are the one in charge, so YOU need to start taking control. Don't allow other people's dogs to bully your dog.....it's amazing how many dogs are actually very threatening, and the owners don't even know it. I've had dogs come up with tails high and waving, ears erect, front legs stiff.....and because the tail is waving, the owner thinks it's being friendly, when, in fact, it is being incredibally dominant. One of my dogs would run, another would fight......I don't want either situation, so I put my dogs in a Down, and ask the owner of the other dog to remove it. Or I throw the other dog some treats, and while it's eating, I move off with my dogs.
Get yourself into a position of control. You're the leader....start to lead.
PS. Don't sit and soothe. By all means, ask the dog to Sit and pay attention to you. Insist on it, even. Train her to watch you at home, and ask her to do the same while a dog goes past you. That way you are in control, and your dog isn't freaking. And don't let your older dog "be the boss". Ask him to Sit as well....or a Down, whatever. He needs to learn that he does *not* need to protect anybody or anything. YOU are the pack leader, and you have everything under control.
PS. PLEASE do not try to de-sensitize your dog by throwing her in with a crowd of dogs. I've seen this "flooding" done with disastrous results....dogs that have been terrified, and never get over it.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Sometimes when an animal gets something in their head it seems like nothing you do will get it out!
You might try having play dates where you invite someone over with another dog, or better yet, take her over to their house. Leave the male corgi out of this mix.
You might find that her attitude without her male friend is different. But at least you can try to get her used to other dogs in a controlled and quiet environment.
Good luck.
corgis are so cute i have a (almost ) 2 year old (medium dog)
weighten terrier he is the same way i am going to take him to a trainer they help a LOT of dogs with their problems
You just need to sooth her when she gets excited. Eventually she will be less scared.
It normal behavior she just protecting you.
Your going to have to take her to one of those dog training programs
I wouldn't be doing any soothing. You are rewarding the behavior you don't want. I know it sounds cruel, but it is true. Go to doggy classes, so she becomes better sociallized and knows how to act with other dogs in a controlled setting with a professional to help.
It's easy just build a dog house
Not all dogs do well in all dog parks. Some parks are nuts with crazy, out of control, aggressive dogs and absentee owners. Lots of dog park dogs have no manners and owners who keep wanting them to 'work it out' so they can sit and chat.
It would help her to meet the same, nice, friendly dogs everyday so you might want to adjust your park schedule to get a different set of dogs. You shouldn't encourage this behavior but, instead, remain calm around other dogs so she will follow your lead.
She might also do better alone especially if your other dog gets involved in the barking or starts to growl at other dogs. That can make her even more stressed. It is better if everyone behaves themselves and remains calm and friendly.
You can also teach her to hush when her barking becomes excessive. Just tell her to hush or be quiet and reward her the second she stops barking.
0 comments:
Post a Comment