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Originally Posted by Cooper2010  He's really not a ball of energy. He a nervous little dog. Any little noise sets him off into a barking fit. When I try to pick him up, he tucks his tail between his legs. Honestly, if anyone were to evaluate him, they'd probably think he's been abused. That's not happened. He's just so nervy! I'm almost ready to ask the vet for a mild tranquilizer. He has no reason to behave the way he does.
When I call him, he actually runs from me instead of to me. I cannot let him off a leash outside, when I do it's like he doesn't even know his name. He won't even turn and look when he hears his name. |
How much did you socialize him as a puppy? How old was he when you got him, and where did he come from? Has he had any training? These can all play a part in how an adult dog will act.
I got Jackson from a BYB in Baltimore City. All he knew was her, his mom, his siblings and the owners young daughter and stayed in her bedroom for the first 9 weeks of his life. So he came to me pretty terrified, even puking in the car ride home, but quickly warmed up once meeting my moms dog.
The first day I brought him home, he was introduced to my then-4 year old brother, my dad, and my stepmom, and their JRT dog. A few days later, he was then introduced to my mom, stepdad, young sister and their dog. After having him for a few weeks, I had introduced him to most of my family and a few close friends.
If I had gotten him, brought him home, and just not done anything, I don't think he would be the dog he is today. He's still very shy; he doesn't really like strangers to come into our house and pet him. He prefers to watch from a distance. But I always made positive associations- everytime a stranger came in, he got a treat. I would take him to my cousins little league games and any kid that wanted to pet him, would give him a treat. I began teaching him the basic 'sit' and 'down' etc at 9-10 weeks old. I've found that tricks really boosted his confidence. He now knows around 30 tricks or so and it's a great way for him to feel good... he loves doing them and will obey commands even from kids he doesn't know. We are enrolled now in our first organized training class in agility and it's really boosted his confidence and made him less fearful.
Now at 2 years old, he is actually voluntarily going up to strangers in pet stores, and in public places and actually enjoying a nice petting (he still puts his ears back and shyly approaches) but I'm definitely very proud of the work we've accomplished. My point to this post is to say it takes time, patience and work.
They can't do it on their own.