Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashley V  That is true... if you hold her and cuddle her when she is afraid, then she'll think "Oh so if I act afraid, I'll get attention" BUT only to a certain extent.
I think the best thing to do is moderation. Sometimes cuddle and hold her, but don't over do it or she will continue to be afraid. Don't just ignore it and act rough with her cause that could also cause her to be more afraid. |
Thanks, I should have been more clear with that.
Never be rough, just don't soothe. Be ever vigilant in searching out good behavior and rewarding it. Always be compassionate and start with small encounters, working up to more activity and interaction. Our dogs learn and take cues from us more often than we realize, if we expect them to react poorly....they often will. They read body language like we read a book. When they see us prepare for a wrong response...they give it to us. When they notice that we have tensed up in preparation of something they hadn't noticed...they go on guard and rightly so because in the dogs mind we requested it.
Back to temperament, if after working with your puppy he/she does begin to worsen in the behavior, you have a full on temperament issue. It is genetic and this puppy will be an EGR (Extra Grace Required) dog all of his/her life. This is not an excuse to give up...it's just time to re-evaluate expectations and love her in spite of some things she can't help.