cowering behavior Hi All My brave little wonder boy (13 months) is becoming a real scaredy cat. He has developed a strange new habit of cowering when I put his leash on, like he is scared of it. I have never hit my baby, or dropped the leash on him or anything like that and it breaks my heart to see his little ears droop and his back go down when I put the leash on. He's fine when we are out walking, it's just putting it on and taking it off. I am currently trying to encourage him to sit up confidently by saying 'Sit Proud', correcting his posture and of course giving treats and lots of praise, but the poor little guy looks terrified! I have one of those poop bag holders on the leash handle as well as his discs cos he hates wearing them and I wondered if it was the noise of the discs rattling that he doesn't like - has anyone else had this problem? He's also developed an absolute terror of any plastic bag whether I'm carrying it, or a pedestrian or, God forbid, it's in the street and the wind is blowing, then he plants his paws and refuses to walk past it. It's now developing into anything that anyone carries and anything on wheels (including bags, prams, strollers, bicycles etc) I'm worried that his 'terrors' are getting more extreme and it will effect his wanting to go out, he is a totally social pup who loves to say Hi to every dog and person he sees - unless they have a plastic bag ;) I would like to nip this behaviour in the bud if possible, so all advice will be gratefully received. Thanks in advance Joules & Barney |
my Pee-nut does the same thing....I ask him if he wants to go out and he comes flying to the door, but then cowers when i go to put the leash on almost like its gonna hurt him. But once it is on he is fine. I thought maybe he relates to when he gets groomed and they put that leash on his neck. Any insight to this behavior would be appreciated |
Cesar Milan has had a lot of these cases. He usually corrects it in about 2 minutes. What it usually amounts to is the humans anticipating that the dog is going to be afraid and he is picking up on your energy. Got to his website and see if you can find anything abouit it. Get his CD's and books. Welcome to Cesar Millan's Official Web Site | Cesar Millan |
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Thanks, I will, I've seen him a couple of times on TV and liked his approach - and those skates he's got! Thanks for the advice, I'll post the answer when I've read up on his solution! |
The leash thing is not what you are thinking it is My Zach does the same thing It's very likely that your dog really wants to go out and is Submitting to you to allow you to put the leash on him If you want to stop this behavior sit with the leash alertly in a chair call your dog over when he cowers .... talk excitedly Do you wanna go out? If he cheers up start putting the leash on If he doesn't wait a min and do this again repeat it until he gets excited too |
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Others will stand by me sideway looking up asking to be picked up. |
As for the leash I think that's about normal. If you could see Buddy when I put his sweater on you would think he got beat daily. LOL He sees the sweater, lays down or rolls over and put's his feet up like he gives up or submits. It's funny. As for the other phobias that seem to be developing JeanieK gave you good advise. Hope it works for you. |
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Yeah some little dogs do do this and its not your fault at all Dogs that do this are just very skiddish and flinch at every little thing What you can do is take a few things at you know he cowers from and hit those behaviors specifically when you reach for him don't do it from a standing position and don't reach out with your hands This can be threatening to little guys try squatting down and calling him if he's afraid of a certain noise bring him to where you are certain that noise will occur and when it does Don't pick him up squat down and in a nice even voice ... don't say it like you feel sorry for him say Good Boy and give him treats try this again and again and he'll start to realize Hey... when this happens I get good things |
Thank you all for your wonderful advice, I felt bad with him cowering like that, it does look like I beat him up!!! I think I'm guilty of babying him too much, so we have a load of new techniques to try. I'm so grateful to you all. Happy Holidays Joules and Barney |
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