Belle's afraid of strangers

[Princess Belle]

I first want to thank everyone for their great advice and wisdom. As I said before, this is my first yorkie, and I am learning everyday! Anyway, my question is how to help her with her fear of strangers. At certain places, like pet stores, she gets nervous and sometimes shakes. At other places, she will bark a lot at strangers. I've had her in training classes, and that has helped a lot. I am planning on taking her back in a month or so. The trainer said to sharply say "no". I've done that and that has helped to a certain extent. I would appreciate any suggestions you have! I just want to make sure what I'm doing is okay and not making her more scared of strangers. By the way, she is 2, and she is a lot better than a year ago. She is my baby, and I want to take her everywhere with me. Thanks!

[msyorktown]

bumping this for you in case it was missed...sorry I have no advice..

[Princess Belle]

Thanks for the bump!

[yorkietalkjilly]

With a nervous or scared dog such as described, you have to desensitize them to strangers & associate non-family members with good things, but you must start slowly & take your time in socializing her. The first sessions have to be non-threatening & impersonal to her - just brief, brief encounters. Keep each session extremely short. That is really important so she doesn't feel overwhelmed & will come to realize that even though she is scared, the episode will be short & then she can relax.

I would get some friends & family to come by frequently for the next 2 weeks, taking a few bits of the boiled chicken in the container on the porch(put out when you know they are coming) and have each of them arrive with a piece or two in hand, come in & sit down without speaking or noticing her but holding the meat where she can easily approach & get it. If she will, that is a wonderful start! If she won't, have them sit for a moment, quiet, then leaving the chicken on the floor or a dish where they sat & leave. Repeat that as often as possible so that she starts to associate non-family members with good things & rewards. Have them work up to holding it out in front of them near the floor until she will approach & take it from them. Keep it up until she will jump up onto the couch or chair & take it from their hand held very close to their body. Work up to the person touching her very briefly when she takes it - but only work up to it. Let her set the pace on all activities. If she acts fearful, dial back a step or two or start over.

On walks, plant friends or neighbors who will walk past & drop a chicken bit & walk on. Work up to them stopping & her taking it directly from them. Keep working on it until she allows them to touch her, then pet, etc. Older neighborhood kids can work out well & enthusiastically work for some money if okay with mom, but know the kid & be sure he/she won't vary from your instructions - it can set her way back if you use one that scares her. But serious-minded, little dogloving, preteen girls often love to help out with things like this & makes a fiver for a little easy work.

Once she is more used to strange people, take her to a public area, take some treats & feed them to her as people go by. Keep it 2 - 3 minutes then leave. Keep that up for longer & longer as she allows, watching her body language for shaking or ears back, tail down, showing signs of fear. When those appear, just take her & leave - that's enough for that episode. If she is too uncomfortable at first, you might keep her in an airline pet carrier so she can feel safe in there as you feed her some treats through the door. If she is very fearful or excited, she may not take the treats at first. Eventually, if you keep it up, she will desensitize to being out in public around strangers going by while in her protected cocoon & accept the treats. Once she's readily taking treats through the door, open it & treat as a person walks by. Eventually, you'll take her out, treat her as a person goes by, then return her to her cocoon & "safety". Gradually, if you are patient & keep it up, she will begin to relax in the public setting on your lap & then even walking in the midst of strangers.

You may not think any of these are going to work for you but it gives you the idea of what to do to get a fearful dog more desensitized to strangers & being out in public. You can amend these techniques as best work for you & your dog but at least it gives you one way to do it. There are many ways to slowly socialize a fearful, nervous dog but you must be loving & patient with her & keep the episodes short so she won't associate outings or strangers with going into full panic attacks - the session will end before she has time.

Here's the important part, if done slowly & over time & you keep at it, eventually, even the most fearful dogs start to learn to accommodate themselves to scary situations as you repetitively & patiently work with them. The usual reason it doesn't work, they gave up on the dog & quit too soon.

[Princess Belle]

Thank you soooo much for that advice! I will have to keep treats with me. My husband said that she senses it when I tense up because I get nervous when she starts to bark. I guess I'm afraid that people will hear her barking and think she is this mean dog, but that couldn't be further from the truth. She is the most loving, precious dog in the world. She loves the immediate family, and they adore her! I will also take it slow like you said. Sometimes I have the problem of wanting something fixed yesterday, and that is something I need to work on for myself (and Belle). I appreciate your time, and will keep you posted on her progress. Have a safe 4th of July!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Princess Belle

Thank you soooo much for that advice! I will have to keep treats with me. My husband said that she senses it when I tense up because I get nervous when she starts to bark. I guess I'm afraid that people will hear her barking and think she is this mean dog, but that couldn't be further from the truth. She is the most loving, precious dog in the world. She loves the immediate family, and they adore her! I will also take it slow like you said. Sometimes I have the problem of wanting something fixed yesterday, and that is something I need to work on for myself (and Belle). I appreciate your time, and will keep you posted on her progress. Have a safe 4th of July!

At first I would use high-value treats - something she absolutely just cannot resist. That nose of hers is your best friend in this type of training. Eventually, it will win out over her fear if you stay patient & go slow as different people give her those treats. She will begin to think strangers are VERY nice people and won't be barking at them. Go very slow & keep sessions very short. Love to hear updates! Good luck & Happy FOJ to you & yours!