Dudley is going back to class

[Frzframe]

Okay Dudley is starting to show signs of fear aggression so in January I am taking him back to dog school.

I'm not sure why he is so scared of everything and one but I hope it is just a stage in his life but I really have my doubts about it. He has recently started to go back to old behavior of hiding and now he doesn't want to go outside. I know I need to take him with me to get him used to people but like I said before Ottawa isn't a dog friendly town. There are no places that I can take him where folks can interact with him unless it's the vets office and he doesn't seem to have any problems there.

The latest incident was while at my mom house my cousins came over and he did his "mean" growl to two of them. I don't know if this is a protective issue or more of his fear coming out. Any ideas other then having him meet new people?

~Shonda

[blazeman]

Shonda,

Only way I know to get them more comfortable around new people is to have them see them all the time. If you do take him out... maybe keep a bunch of treats with you...and if he is being good... give him some here and there.

When he meets new people have them give him the goodies... so he can hopefully find out that new people = yummies!

Woody does the same a little... but usually it's just when he first see's the new person... once he has had a chance to sniff them... good luck not getting soaked with kisses...

[lotsadox]

Bob's ideas are very good. I used treats with Miller when I took him out to get him better socialized. He was 18 mos old when I got him and had no socialization and lots of fear (probably from abuse). I took him through 2 sessions of obedience classes (12 weeks) and worked a lot with him. I took him everywhere I could. Luckily we have a busy park in our neighbor hood. I took him there a lot and always had treats with me. When people would express interest in him, I'd have them give him treats. The obedience classes and the treats worked wonders. Tom (dutchman) might have some ideas. He's worked with this a lot.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Frzframe]

the only places I can take him in Ottawa are the parks. One is a walking track and people are to busy to give him more then a glance and the other is a park where the not so nice teens hang out. I guess I could take him to the Wal-Mart parking lot - lots of people there. :D

[Buffy]

We were also advised to take ours out as much as possible, and give people treats to feed them. That way they'll associate new people with good experiences (or that's the plan, anyway).

Schnaggles and Buffy are shy, particularly with children who are loud and move quickly and unpredictably. We are keen for the neighbourhood kids to help socialise the pups, but it's really draining for us to show one child how to handle the pups, then the next day there are five kids and three sets of parents on the front door step who have no idea how to act around shy animals and then freak them out :eek: Shane and I will have to become more assertive in that regard (last night the kids were in my driveway waiting for me to get home, and I was so busy and tired I just hid inside with the curtains shut because I didn't feel like dealing with them - maybe I need the socialisation ... :))

Anyway, what I was trying to say is that hanging out at schools when the kids finish is another way to expose Dudley to more people. You could stand a long way from the activity to start, and slowly get him closer to the action when he's comfortable after a period of days or weeks.

Good luck :)

[TessieMom]

Taking him out is good, so is obedience -- to build his confidence. I read somewhere that dachshunds go through ages where they are fearful (think it was in Dachshunds for Dummies) and the ages fit for Tess. My memory is that Dudley is about the right age for one of the fear stages.
Good luck!

[lotsadox]

Buffy's idea of starting out a long ways away is good. They told us in obedience school to do that so that they don't get really stressed and have a bad experience. Then as they relax at a distance move a little closer.

[Frzframe]

Dudley is about the right age for one of the fear stages.


Aw Rena you do give me hope!!!!!! Thanks :D

~Shonda, Mitzi and Dudley

[Frzframe]

Yes that is a good idea about trying a school - But you know what that means? It's means I've got to get my butt out of bed earlier. :( hahahaha

~Shonda