YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Reacts to people lifting up their foot in a kick like form

lillymae · 08-08-2015, 10:04 PM

It deff sounds like this pup has been kicked around in the past. When I adopted my Wolfhound mix from the shelter he had fear reactions to anything like a rope or stick, like the broom, mop, 2 X 4 , shovel, leash, stethoscope. It was clear that he had been beaten in his past home. The vet told me to take the objects in one hand & pet him with the other & inch the objects closer & closer as I petted & then slowly & gently touch & pet him with the object so he would learn that I & the objects would not harm him. After a few weeks of this he started to relax around the objects, it's been almost 13 yrs & he's still doing well with all but the broom, so when I need to sweep the porch I just tell him & show him from a distance that I have the broom & most often he'll just go lay in his bed but for whatever reason some days he wants back in the house or as far away as he can get from that mean ol broom. I would start out by sitting on the floor with your pup & pet him with your hand as you slowly move your foot towards him & eventually replace your hand petting with foot petting, BUT I would take OFF the shoes & put on at least 2 socks on the foot you intend to use for the petting so if he bites your foot it will be protected. Also you can put a treat on top of your foot while it's on the floor then after he gets used to taking it while your foot is on the floor then lift the foot off the floor a bit & put the treat on it, after he does well with this then I would do it with shoes on. This way he will start to associate feet & shoes with good things instead of bad things. My dog will let me pet or rub him with the broom on most days with no fear but every now & then his old fears & memories will sneak back in & off he goes but never during the petting with it only when I pick it up to sweep with it . I hope this helps.

08-08-2015, 10:04 PM	#3
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	It deff sounds like this pup has been kicked around in the past. When I adopted my Wolfhound mix from the shelter he had fear reactions to anything like a rope or stick, like the broom, mop, 2 X 4 , shovel, leash, stethoscope. It was clear that he had been beaten in his past home. The vet told me to take the objects in one hand & pet him with the other & inch the objects closer & closer as I petted & then slowly & gently touch & pet him with the object so he would learn that I & the objects would not harm him. After a few weeks of this he started to relax around the objects, it's been almost 13 yrs & he's still doing well with all but the broom, so when I need to sweep the porch I just tell him & show him from a distance that I have the broom & most often he'll just go lay in his bed but for whatever reason some days he wants back in the house or as far away as he can get from that mean ol broom. I would start out by sitting on the floor with your pup & pet him with your hand as you slowly move your foot towards him & eventually replace your hand petting with foot petting, BUT I would take OFF the shoes & put on at least 2 socks on the foot you intend to use for the petting so if he bites your foot it will be protected. Also you can put a treat on top of your foot while it's on the floor then after he gets used to taking it while your foot is on the floor then lift the foot off the floor a bit & put the treat on it, after he does well with this then I would do it with shoes on. This way he will start to associate feet & shoes with good things instead of bad things. My dog will let me pet or rub him with the broom on most days with no fear but every now & then his old fears & memories will sneak back in & off he goes but never during the petting with it only when I pick it up to sweep with it . I hope this helps.