General Anxieties/Phobias/Fears

[tlkng1]

Hi All

I didn't know what to title the thread so just put them all in. I have an 1 month old female black lab. I adopted her when she was 10 months old from a local shelter and was her third (and will be her lst) adoption in 10 months. She has been with me for a month now and has now reached the "test mom" stage. I am dealing fairly well with some of te behavior issues but have some questions on her other issues that are probably the result of being bounced around so much.

Her first night home we had a major thunderstorm roll through and I mean the room lightening and window rattling type of storm. OK, she figured out she doesn't want to sleep under a wndow even if there IS a nice big cozy dog bed there

I live on a main street with two firehouses 2 iles up te road on either end of e. Her second night home, I swear every house in the area was on fire because the engines were rolling with all sirens blaring. SHe doesn't like sirens but is slowly getting used to them again.

Motorcycles, loud mufflers and thngs like fireworks still frighten her but she seems to be adjusting. I ignore the fact she is scared and just play her out of it by getting her attention and tossing a favorite toy for her to chase...things like that. She does have what I refer to as walk anxiety, where, she will walk but her tail is clamped the entire time and if she gets scared, she starts pulling like a freight train. Not in any particular direction, just away from whatever is scaring her. I do have a headcollar on her to walk or I wouldn't be able to hold her. She can get out of a regular harness and broke a collar. I was hoping that she would get better with regular walks, but, she isn't any better and isn't any worse. I walk my two dogs together and they at least have learned to walk as a pair.

She is also ver people tmid; around men in particular. Her second adoption was a male who had her contained on a boat. I am guessing, without proof, that he may have gone after her a few times because of her energy level. He returned her to the shelter less than a month after he had adopted her because she had too much energy. Now, the vet took his tme and she warmed up to him, but, she was still a little hesitant. There is no aggression in her, she just shrinks back or hides behind my legs. I realize this is probably just time and effort on this one as long as she continues in the non-aggression state.

I guess the question is, is there anything else I can do to help her along other than time and effort? She has her crate which she will already go to if she wants a quiet spot away or she goes upstairs onto her bed in my bedroom.

Thanks

Terese

[kuritsa18]

She sounds very timid and insecure. It is very good though thaty after all the stuff she has been through she hasn't displayed aggressive behaviour! i think that says she has a good temperment.

My suggesstion would be that you need to be a strong leader for her. If you are confident then she will be too. If you are codling her, babying her or cradling her when she gets scared then she will stay that way. You have to show her how to be confident by modling the behaviour. If the sirren goes off, don't pay attention, if there is a storm don't pay attention. If you make it a big, scary thing then it will be. It is good though that you have a crate for her to go to as a safe place. Maybe try moving the bed to another spot.. maybe it is just cold or drafty there My dog doesn't really like her bed either, it is a big fluffy cushion. We have the cushion and a blanket on the floor upstairs and her crate and a couch downstairs. She sits on the couch all the time and will rarely sit on the cushion when upstairs. Maybe she is just unsure of it too. Try puting treats for her to find on it or reward her for going on it or lying down on it so she learns it is a good place.

Also, your house is still new. New people, sounds, etc, so she will need time to adjust. If she has bad past experiences then she probably has trust issues and you will need to gain her trust.

Keep up with the walking though especially if she is high energy. Exercise can release some of the tention or anxiety they feel to make them more relaxed. Be confident when you are walking though. If you expect her to cower(spelling??) she will because she can feel your energy. Just look ahead and be confident.

Have you tried taking her to a trainer? They can show you the propper way to walk with your dog. They might also be able to work with you and your dog on her confidence level. Doggy day care might be good too. To get her socialized and around other dogs who are confident.

Hope that helps!

[TykoPups]

If there is something outside when your walking that is scaring her, have you ever tried stopping and letting the sounds, movements etc sink in. Make sure it isn't going to be passing right in front of you and her. that would be pushing it too much. but if it's in the road, like a motorcycle then stop and watch it go by. This gives her the chance to have to face that which is scary and to learn how to deal with it.