 |
|
|
|
The Fearful Golden By
Missy Brown When adopting a rescue dog, histories and stories from the past are locked away and hidden, but there are many signs that can help you determine what might have happened. For instance, a fearful dog that is afraid of your belt when you get dressed in the morning could have been abused, and a fearful dog that winces when you reach down to pet him might have been beaten. A fearful dog that won't make eye contact with you may not have been around people and lacks the confidence, or might have just been around the hitting & yelling kind of people. At any rate, being a guardian to a rescue dog with fear issues is no easy task, and requires more love, patience, gentleness, and soft touches and voices. Although, as a new parent, you are eager to have that boy or girl change quickly, it may not be so. It could take years for some of the extreme cases to turn around and realize they are safe. There are many clues to help you determine what kinds of fears your new dog is exhibiting. As you zero in on his clues, and his fears, you are making progress. But how do you help this poor soul learn to love and trust again? I'd like to share some common behaviors seen in our fearful MAGRR dogs and give some helpful tips in earning their trust. Every time I try to put the leash on her, she hunkers down to the floor and trembles. Try approaching the dog slowly, let them see the leash, and make sure you are kneeling down on their level. Dogs are threatened when someone towers over them, and when they are touched above the head. Avoid eye contact and try gently rubbing the dog's chest and neck, then under the muzzle. As he begins to trust you, make sure he sees the leash, and slowly clip it on. Pet him a few more minutes, and praise him. Make sure to talk in brave tones and not in a reassuring tone. After all, they have nothing to fear, so they need no reassurance. Every time I look at my dog, and call her to me, she looks away and seems afraid to come. It could be that the eye contact is very threatening. Try looking up, down, or anywhere but at the dog and talk in brave or playful tones. Be on the floor, at their level. Hold your hand out and call their name. Be prepared to sit for a while if necessary. You may even want to use treats. As he or she progresses, you can slowly phase in eye contact, but keep it to glances at first. My dog isn't crazy about the car, and he has to be forced in. Try taking another dog along with you, or entice him/her with treats. Start out with baby steps. Coax him or her in the car, wait just a few seconds, let the dog out, and reward with a treat and lots of praise. He not only needs to see that the car isn't something to be afraid of, but it is a FUN thing! Praise and play is key in making it enjoyable. When I put the food dish down, he or she refuses to eat if I am in the room. They may have been in a situation before where their food was taken away, so he needs to know you are no threat. Put down his food dish and walk away to a distance he is comfortable with. Don't watch him. Make yourself appear to be busy. Each day inch in closer. My new rescue dog seems very nervous and jumpy when I walk around him or move quickly. Dogs that have many fears are often afraid of loud noises, fast movements, and other surprising things. Try to move slowly around him. Approach him slowly. Give him a warning that you are moving, like clear your throat as you near him so he is aware that you are coming. You can also say his/her name to get their attention and then move around them. There are many other situations that will come about, but if you remember a few key points, you'll be likely to see that trust begin to blossom sooner.
Don't pet the dog with your arms over his head. Reach under and pet him that way first. Scratch his chest and chin before scratching his ears and head. 'Under' isn't scary, but 'over' can be. Avoid stares and prolonged eye contact. Glances are fine, but anything more might be a threat at first. Talk in brave tones and don't reassure a fearful dog. All you are doing is reinforcing the fact that there is something to be afraid of. "Hmm, she is comforting me as we approach this vacuum cleaner. It really MUST be evil, or why would I need comfort?" Avoid games or rough play until he/she understands them. I'll never forget the first time we tried to throw a treat in the air for Spencer to catch. He didn't know what we were doing, so he sat there as this cookie comes flying through the air, and hits him right on the muzzle. Boy, was that two steps back. (He now catches them like a pro, and it's one of his favorite games!) Avoid too many new things at once. Taking a fearful dog to a dog park, or a crowded place is not the best idea. While they are still so insecure, some of these things can backfire. I remember a poodle that was rescued and brought to our local dog park. The guardian thought that the socialization would be good for her. Unfortunately, all the other dogs sensed her fear and were chasing her, sniffing her, and ganging up on her. It did a lot more harm than good. Introduce them to new things slowly, and introduce them to new things one at a time. Create a routine and stick with it. Take them for walks at the same time each day, feed them at the same time each day, etc. Routines help a dog settle in and gain confidence. He or she knows what to expect and can handle things a little better with that added security, as opposed to wondering what happens next. Give your fearful dog a 'safe' place. Whether you choose a crate, a bed on the other side of the room, a separate bedroom, or some other arrangement, give your dog a place that he or she can go to anytime they feel the need to 'get away'. Spencer's safe place is the bed in the living room floor, on the opposite side of the couches. He rarely uses it anymore, but it's there if he needs it. Exercise your dog...a lot. Who has time to be afraid when you're so tired?!?! Show them what you are about to do. Are you going to put the leash on him? Let him see it. Are you going to approach him? Clear your throat, make sure he sees you, and approach him from the front. Are you going to brush him? Make sure he sees the brush before you start. Let him smell it and see that it is not a threat. Anticipate scary events. If it's the Fourth of July, and firecrackers are about to be blazing in the sky, that might be a good time to find a quiet room for your dog, turn on the radio to drown out the sounds, and act like there is nothing to be concerned about. If you know guests are coming over, put him in a room until they are all there, and then let him out and let him greet them on his terms. Ask your guests not to rush him or approach him. He'll say hi when he is ready. Relax. Be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day, and your dog's trust won't be earned overnight. He has been through some pretty rough stuff, and it will take time for him to learn that he is safe now. Respect him and love him, and he will understand that. Look ahead. When you are frustrated, look ahead. Winning the love and trust of a fearful dog is more rewarding than anything else I have ever experienced. While Spencer and I made progress his first year, now, at the beginning of his second year with us, we are really making breakthroughs. It will happen. He gave me a fifteen second long stare (more like a loving gaze) just the other day, and my heart soared. I waited a year for that, but it was worth the wait! His gaze said he loved me, he trusted me, and he is happy being here with me. Your dog will tell you that, too. Just give it time. |
|
Brody
|
|
Home