‘Hands off’ needs Hands-on treatment: Helping Nervous Dogs Meet New People
Kitty writes: I have read the ‘Secrets to Dog Training’ series and have solved a number of problems with our (almost) 3-year-old Chinese Crested, ‘Bobby’. The one thing I haven’t solved is the “Shy - Scared of Strangers” thing. Bobby does not like to be touched by strangers (neither do I for that matter) and I tell people to please not touch him, particularly when he is in my arms, as he growls and gets protective.
Yesterday, I was out with Bobby on his leash of course and stopped to talk to a neighbor (who will not stop attempting to "make friends" will Bobby despite his obvious fear of her.) Bobby was ignoring her, had his back to
her and was bothering no one when she reached down and tried to touch
him on his back.
He screamed, turned and nipped her hand! I was horrified of course. I picked him up and if you can believe it she tried to touch him again! He screamed and snarled at her. (She's lucky I didn't bite her at that point) and I took him straight home, while she bandaged her finger.
Now I realize that if ever a dog had a right to be startled, frightened and nip it was then - but clearly I have to do something about his nervous fright, besides telling people to leave him alone! Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Kingdom of Pets replies:
Kitty, you obviously love your little Crested and want the best for him, but your best intentions are getting in the way.
Not letting anyone touch Bobby actually makes his shyness and sensitivity worse. Picking him up and cuddling him when he gets scared, rewards him and teaches him to continue doing it. If it was a helpful strategy, it would have solved his shyness by now. Because you act like Bobby’s friend rather than his boss, he protects you.
Getting your nervous dog comfortable with strangers
There are two important things you need to do:
- Show him you are the pack leader
- Accustom him to being around people by rewarding the behaviors that you want from him, and ignoring the behaviors that are inappropriate such as fear and aggression.
Becoming pack leader
Dog’s need to know that their owners are strong, calm, confident leaders. This gives them a sense of security and relieves them of the stress of having to fill leadership roles themselves such as saving you from strangers.
- Use alpha dog training every day.
- If your dog is sleeping or lying on the floor, deliberately make him move so that you can pass.
- Always go through doorways ahead of your dog.
- At mealtimes feed your dog last - after all humans have finished.
- Don’t feed tidbits or let him pester you at the table.
- Don’t greet your dog the moment you arrive home. Have him wait until you are ready, then call him to you.
- Thoroughly train ‘Sit – Stay’, ‘Down – Stay’, ‘Heel’ and ‘Wait’ commands. Do at least a short session of obedience training with your dog daily.
- If your dog misbehaves put him in a three minute time out in a separate area to show him that he will not get attention when he behaves in this way.
Getting him used to other people
It is important to get your dog used to people and to being touched. Reward him for allowing someone near or, even better, for touching him. Never ever give your dog attention, cuddles or any type of reward for showing scared behavior. By rewarding the behavior you want and ignoring the behavior you don’t want, your dog will soon find it more rewarding to be confident with strangers.
Invite people around to help your dog overcome his insecurity with strangers. Tell them -
- Not to look him directly in the eye
- To ignore any barking or growling
- To crouch down, and allow your dog to approach them
- Only when he is calm and happy to approach them should they greet him and then carry on as normal
Do regular short sessions with a variety of people until your dog is comfortable with being near strangers. Once your dog is used to people, work on ‘touching’. Have someone bring their hand slightly closer to your dog. If he stays calm and relaxed without growling then reward him with a treat and lots of friendly praise. If he growls or becomes agitated everyone should ignore him until he is calm again. When he is calm praise him warmly. Once he is comfortable with the hand at that distance ask them to move it a little closer.
Keep up the regular sessions advancing a little more each time. If at any time you think someone might be at risk of being bitten try using a head collar or a muzzle during training. Before long he will be a different dog.
All the best,
Daniel Stevens and the Secrets to Dog Training Team
"Secrets to Dog Training - STOP Dog Behavior Problems!"
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/
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