Is confidence a temperment thing??

[lulababy]

or can you teach your dog to be and walk more confident?? Pebbles is very submissive around new people and when she walks around strangers she tucks her butt under herself while she wags her tail and her ears go down! I want her to walk regularly like she does around the house with her butt and ears straight.. how can i teach her to walk better around new people?? Is this just a socialization problem and she will get better with more experience and age??

[TeresaM]

I think it can be a little of both. Annie came to me from as an adult from a puppy mill. She was very submissive and afraid when we first went out to places. But I was very vigilant and made sure that she always had a good experience and lots of treats and praise. In no time she loved going 'bye-bye'. So it was probably more a learned thing with her.

Gracie Ruth is very outgoing, loving and carefree. All of life is one big adventure to her. I am equally as vigilant with her to be sure she always has a good experience because I don't want her to loose it. She has become somewhat cautious at the doctors office. But I usually take them cookies once a month and always take G with me so that she can see going there isn't always a 'bad' thing.

I think the important thing is that you are confident and in control. Pebbles will sense that and take courage from you. Don't cuddle and console her if she's acting afraid it will only reinforce the fear she is already feeling. Be "up" and happy but don't push her, let her scope things out and I bet she'll come around with age and time.

[lulababy]

Originally Posted by TeresaM

I think it can be a little of both. Annie came to me from as an adult from a puppy mill. She was very submissive and afraid when we first went out to places. But I was very vigilant and made sure that she always had a good experience and lots of treats and praise. In no time she loved going 'bye-bye'. So it was probably more a learned thing with her.

Gracie Ruth is very outgoing, loving and carefree. All of life is one big adventure to her. I am equally as vigilant with her to be sure she always has a good experience because I don't want her to loose it. She has become somewhat cautious at the doctors office. But I usually take them cookies once a month and always take G with me so that she can see going there isn't always a 'bad' thing.

I think the important thing is that you are confident and in control. Pebbles will sense that and take courage from you. Don't cuddle and console her if she's acting afraid it will only reinforce the fear she is already feeling. Be "up" and happy but don't push her, let her scope things out and I bet she'll come around with age and time.

thats good to know... if she starts shaking I always try to make her feel better and know everything is okay but i guess I should stop that huh?

[TeresaM]

I have found when Annie was a bit fearful that talking to her in a calm, non-gooey, normal voice worked much better to calm her. If it continued to escalate, I'd calmly and in no huge hurry take her away to where she felt safer. This seem to do 2 things. First it showed her that I was listening to her, respected her limits and took steps to protect her. Second once we stepped back a bit she could view the 'scary' item, be it an actual thing or situation, and process it better.

If they trust completely that you value their limits and will protect them at all costs then there is no limit to where your bond can go.

Annie putting up with her momma's strange idea's of 'fun'

[lulababy]

Originally Posted by TeresaM

I have found when Annie was a bit fearful that talking to her in a calm, non-gooey, normal voice worked much better to calm her. If it continued to escalate, I'd calmly and in no huge hurry take her away to where she felt safer. This seem to do 2 things. First it showed her that I was listening to her, respected her limits and took steps to protect her. Second once we stepped back a bit she could view the 'scary' item, be it an actual thing or situation, and process it better.

If they trust completely that you value their limits and will protect them at all costs then there is no limit to where your bond can go.

Annie putting up with her momma's strange idea's of 'fun'

those are good steps... I will try to do that in the future..

those pictures are very LOL worthy

[Mayas Mommy]

... I don't know if you can teach your dog to walk more confident ..... hope somebody can help !!!!

[Nancy1999]

I think the walk is really different than being confident. Joey really struts his stuff, and I love to watch him walk, but he could do this even as a young puppy when he had no absolutely no confidence. As he's gotten older he's gotten more confident, and doesn't cower at strangers, but instead barks. So enjoy your submissive "quiet" baby. I agree with TeresaM, don't cuddle her, when she's frightened, or you will reinforce this feeling. I'm also a firm believer in training dogs to follow certain commands and do tricks, I think this gives them confidence because Joey knows he can do things that please me.

[lulababy]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I think the walk is really different than being confident. Joey really struts his stuff, and I love to watch him walk, but he could do this even as a young puppy when he had no absolutely no confidence. As he's gotten older he's gotten more confident, and doesn't cower at strangers, but instead barks. So enjoy your submissive "quiet" baby. I agree with TeresaM, don't cuddle her, when she's frightened, or you will reinforce this feeling. I'm also a firm believer in training dogs to follow certain commands and do tricks, I think this gives them confidence because Joey knows he can do things that please me.

well I certainly dont want her barking at strangers lol... and yes i think training is good.. we start at her school in a week or two

[AmyChristine]

For us confidence has come with age and good experiences. Going for walks means he gets chicken or some other delicious treat. Same thing with meeting new people or places. I also agree that training has helped. He is eager to try most new things because he associated these things with something yummy. You can use a DAP spray or Neroli Hydosol to help calm any nervousness and help them be more confident.(the Neroli also smells nice) I am sure she will build more confidence as she gets older, she is still a baby

[lulababy]

Originally Posted by AmyChristine

For us confidence has come with age and good experiences. Going for walks means he gets chicken or some other delicious treat. Same thing with meeting new people or places. I also agree that training has helped. He is eager to try most new things because he associated these things with something yummy. You can use a DAP spray or Neroli Hydosol to help calm any nervousness and help them be more confident.(the Neroli also smells nice) I am sure she will build more confidence as she gets older, she is still a baby

thank you.. where can I get these sprays?? do you know of a good place?

[AmyChristine]

DAP You can get at most pet supply stores it is short for Dog Appeasing Pheromone, It puts off the same pheromone that a mother dog does to keep puppies calm but works for dogs of all ages. It was recommended by my vet.

The neroli hydrosol is the water used to make essential oil, You will probably have to order it. This is where I got my bottle and I just spray a little on copper's clothes or use it to wet his hair before I comb it (double duty) I have mixed it with chamomile in the past. The smell of Neroli is a natural relaxant and calms nerves. I will attatch the link from where I ordered my bottle; Neroli Hydrosol(Orange Blossom Water)

[lulababy]

Originally Posted by AmyChristine

DAP You can get at most pet supply stores it is short for Dog Appeasing Pheromone, It puts off the same pheromone that a mother dog does to keep puppies calm but works for dogs of all ages. It was recommended by my vet.

The neroli hydrosol is the water used to make essential oil, You will probably have to order it. This is where I got my bottle and I just spray a little on copper's clothes or use it to wet his hair before I comb it (double duty) I have mixed it with chamomile in the past. The smell of Neroli is a natural relaxant and calms nerves. I will attatch the link from where I ordered my bottle; Neroli Hydrosol(Orange Blossom Water)

is there a marked difference when you use the neroli on your dog? can you tell he is more calm??

[AmyChristine]

Originally Posted by lulababy

is there a marked difference when you use the neroli on your dog? can you tell he is more calm??

For Copper it is. If he normally would be a little shakey for instance before shaving his feet (which he hates) or the groomers, or if we are traveling a distance and I would like him to just relax and sleep most of the way. These are the kind of things I use it for. Maybe a ton of people coming over to our house. It just takes the edge off. I would compare it too giving a child chamomile tea, only he doesn't drink anything the smell it's self is the relaxant. It is also great for soothing babies

Now the DAP on the other hand was a huge huge difference for us but I know that it's effects vary from dog to dog. With the dap nothing at all bothered him, and I mean nothing. He was a comfy puppy and walked right up to anything and everything I really had to watch him more.

But the more grown up he gets the more he gains a confidence that is his own, I just use the above mentioned to get us through times that I know will be more on his nerves or to build confidence in new situations, I hope this helps.

[AmyChristine]

Just thought that I would add that the link I provided also mentioned a groomer using it for nervous dogs and another woman using it for her cat before the vet

[lulababy]

Originally Posted by AmyChristine

Just thought that I would add that the link I provided also mentioned a groomer using it for nervous dogs and another woman using it for her cat before the vet

thanks! the dap spray is expensive but I think im going to try that