Showing posts with label timidity. Show all posts

Here are some interesting statistics that I thought I would pass on... –Kim

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

• Dog Bite Facts
• Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 18-24, 2014)
• Dog Bites in US Reaching 'Epidemic Proportions'
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Dog Etiquette Rules
• Dealing with Aggression
• 10 Common-Sense Dog Bite Prevention Tips

Here's a great pic that makes a good point... –Kim

No One Wants You

The worst feeling in the world

is believing no one wants you.

• I Am a Forever Dog
• Top 10 Reasons Dogs are Dumped at Shelters
• Shelter Dogs are Best!
• Why You Should Adopt a Senior Dog
• Adopt or Foster, but DO Something!
• Tips for Adopting a Dog
• Visit a Local Shelter to Adopt

One of the sweetest stories I've read...hope you'll pass it on! –Kim

"We can just feed her and she'll get better, right?"

"We can just feed her and she'll get better, right?"

Ten simple words.

And ten simple words kept me up most of the night, thinking.

Friday, I had my regular TylerDog rescue shoot at Tulsa Animal Welfare. It was special because I had a lot of kids come help given it was Spring break. It was so much fun getting to see them loving on the animals and truly feeling like they were doing something meaningful, which they were. At the end of the shoot, Desi, the youngest one at eight, asked if we could go back and look at puppies. So all of us headed back to the kennels in search of puppies, but what we found pretty much stopped us in our tracks, especially Desi.

We walked up to kennel 251A and sitting there was an emaciated, young red Pit Bull girl; so emaciated the muscles in her head had atrophied and sunken into her skull. A fresh, pink scar went around her neck where a chain had resided for a very long time. Ribs and hip bones jutted out. The kennel card listed her as "Unknown." The baby didn't even have a name! And as we stood there in silence, looking at the skeleton of her body, Desi spoke up and said, "What's wrong with her?" I took a deep breath and said, "Well, sweetheart, looks like someone didn't feed her or take care of her." And Desi looked up with those innocent eyes of youth and said, "Why would somebody do that?"

Why, indeed.

Standing there, I had all the answers I would give another adult: "Piece of scum owners...not caring for their dog...letting it wither away to nothing..." All words of anger from seeing too many beautiful animals treated like garbage. But this was an innocent, sweet child with a pure heart. She hasn't seen the side of humanity I've seen. So I swallowed and said, "I really don't know, baby, there's a lot of bad people in the world. And..." She cut me off and said, "We can just feed her and she'll get better, right?" Then went on to tell me we would just feed them and they would all be better and nothing bad would ever happen to puppies like her. I looked down at her and said, "Of course."

The minute the words left my mouth, I knew I had just lied to an eight-year-old. She wasn't going to be better. She most likely was going to be euthanized once her stray hold was up. Why? Because those of us in rescue know an emaciated dog that obviously lived on a chain and was starved to this point is most likely not going to pass any temperament tests, which includes food and dog-to-dog aggression. A dog like this needs time to heal and acclimate and get better before testing. Yet we all know in a municipal shelter environment, that time simply does not exist. As the weather warms, intake increases, and the number of available kennels decreases. They have to make decisions, unpleasant ones, of which dogs and cats make it and which ones won't based on a lot of factors and with all the odds stacked against her, a dog like "Unknown" wouldn't stand a chance.

I left that evening feeling heavy in my heart. For "Unknown." For Desi knowing the sad things she would eventually learn about humanity as she grew up. For knowing I had lied to a child. Sure, I did it to protect her, but still, I lied to her. I kept hearing the words "Say what you mean and mean what you say" repeat in my head. As I tried to sleep, browsing Facebook to get my mind off things, looking at pictures of anything and everything, I kept going back to those innocent blue eyes looking up at me saying "We can just feed her and she'll get better, right?"

When I awoke this morning, my heart was troubled and I knew I had to do something. I texted a friend who helped at the photo shoot and said, "What dog's your most stable?" She replied and I said, "I can't quit thinking about that red Pittie. I want to do something." Kelly responded she felt the same way, so we both headed to the shelter. In the meantime, I contacted Kim with Epic’s Pit Bull Rescue and asked, if we were successful with Unknown, would they take her under their rescue if one of us fostered and nursed her back to health. Bless their hearts, they said yes. So now I had a mission.

So it begins...

I arrived with two packages of treats, Kelly brought treats and her dog, Mia, in case we were successful in reaching the testing stage. We walked back to the kennel and there she sat: still labeled as Unknown. Cowering in the corner of her kennel. I opened the door, sat down on the floor, and opened the first bag of treats. I reached one out to her and she growled. So I tossed it her direction. She snapped it up. Over and over, I tossed treats, eventually getting to the point they were closer to me than they were her. And each time she cautiously came to get them. Then I held the treats out in my hand and she gently took them from me. Each time, my hand came closer and closer to my body until she was standing right next to my leg and was letting me touch her with one hand while she ate from the other. The first time I touched her, she flinched and froze. I knew someone's touch had not been so kind and she remembered it. So when she came close again, my hand brushed her body again. After the third time, she no longer flinched.

I knew we were making progress.

After awhile, we decided to take her outside, so I asked for a leash, looped it around her, and she gladly walked outside with me. She was still scared, but I noticed right away her tail was no longer tucked between her legs. We walked quietly and slowly. I didn't speak to her other than soothing sounds one would make when comforting a baby. Each time she came close, I touched her so she'd know my hand wasn't one of anger or violence, but one of caring and love.

We walked past another dog and she sniffed and greeted him quietly, even though he was bouncing around like a nut. So far, so good. We stayed out a bit longer, then decided that was enough excitement for the day and walked her back to the kennel.

One more look...

Kelly and I talked about what to do and made sure the shelter staff knew to put a hold on her for one of us once her stray hold was up the following week. As we walked out, I decided I wanted to go back in one more time and see her again, so I took my camera and back in we went. This time, it was a completely different story. She saw me approach and her head went up. Instead of cowering down in fear, she looked me straight in the eyes. It was almost like she was saying, "Okay, you were patient with me when I was scared. I just was waiting to see if you'd come back." I snapped several photos of her and as I sat there in front of the gate with it open, she walked up and let me gently pet her the entire time. It was all I could do to not break down and cry because I knew what it took for her to trust me enough to let me touch her like that.

She finally decided she'd had enough and went over to her bed and blanket, curled up, and laid down. She watched me the entire time, then she put her head down to sleep. I gently touched her cheek and whispered, "I love you, baby girl." And she lifted her head, looked me straight in the eyes and blinked, then laid back down to sleep. It was like she acknowledged my words. And that's when the tears fell.

I told Kelly, "All she needs is time and love and patience. She'll learn she doesn't have to be alone anymore. Or scared. Or hurt. Or hungry. One of us is going to take her and give her a chance..." and Kelly agreed.

And her name is...

I truly believe it was meant for us to walk back to the kennels that Friday after our photo shoot. It's not something I'm in the habit of doing, but I did. I truly believe it was meant for us to see the dog named "Unknown" in kennel 251A. And it was absolutely meant for an eight-year-old to say ten simple words to change the course of this dog's life and mine. So no longer will this sweet dog be known as "Unknown."

Her name is Destiny.

Because it was meant to be.

Source: http://tylerdog.com/destiny/
Copyright © 2014 TylerDog Photography

---

Also see:

• More of Destiny's Photos on Facebook
• Shelter Dogs are Best!
• I Am a Forever Dog
• Adopt or Foster, but DO Something!
• Some Facts about Pit Bulls

Here's a great article about "bully" dogs...hope you find it helpful! –Kim

Why (and How) You Should Intervene if Your Dog Picks on Others

You can find them everywhere – at dog parks and doggie daycare centers, in dog training classes, in your neighbor's yards ... perhaps even in your own home. "They" are canine bullies – dogs who overwhelm their potential playmates with overly assertive and inappropriate behaviors, like the out-of-control human bully on the school playground.

Jasper is a nine-month-old Labradoodle from a puppy mill, currently enrolled in one of my Peaceable Paws Good Manners classes. He was kept in a wire cage on a Pennsylvania farm until he was four months old, when his new owners purchased him. Katy Malcolm, the class instructor, asked me to sit in on the first end-of-class play session with Jasper because she was concerned that his lack of early socialization could present a challenge. She was right.

Four shots of the same playground bully, taken over a 20-minute period at a dog park. In the first photo, the Boxer-mix bully has blindsided a dog who just entered the park. In the next three, she focuses her attention on the same victim, a young Lab-mix. She clearly enjoys holding him down as a variety of other dogs come over to investigate.

Sam was a 10-week-old Golden Retriever puppy, well bred, purchased from a responsible breeder by knowledgeable dog owners who immediately enrolled him in one of my Peaceable Paws Puppy Good Manners classes to get him started on the right paw. Sam unexpectedly also turned out to be a challenge at his first end-of-class puppy play session.

These two dogs had considerably different backgrounds, but when it came time to play, both dogs exhibited bullying behaviors: Jasper because he never had a chance to learn how to interact appropriately with other dogs; Sam because – well – who knows? Genetics, maybe? Early experiences in his litter, maybe? Regardless of the reasons, both dogs required special handling if they were ever to have a normal canine social life.

Bullying Defined
In her excellent book, Fight!, dog trainer and author Jean Donaldson defines bullying dogs (not to be confused with "Pitbull-type dogs") as those dogs for whom "roughness and harassment of non-consenting dogs is quite obviously reinforcing." Like the human playground bully, the bully dog seems to get a kick out of tormenting less-assertive members of his playgroup. Donaldson says, "They engage at it full tilt, with escalating frequency, and almost always direct it at designated target dogs."

When released with permission to "go play," the poorly socialized Labradoodle, Jasper, immediately pounced on the back of Mesa, an easy-going and confident Rottweiler who was playing nicely with Bo, a submissive but exuberant Golden Retriever. Jasper barked insistently, nipping at Mesa's back as she tried to ignore his social ineptness. Finally, fed up with his boorish behavior, she flashed her teeth at him one time, at which point he decided Bo was a better target for his attentions. Indeed, Bo found him overwhelming, a response that emboldened Jasper to pursue him even more energetically.

We intervened in his play with Mesa several times by picking up Jasper's dragging leash and giving him a time-out when his behavior was completely unacceptable, then releasing him to "Go play!" when he settled a bit. Each time we released him he promptly re-escalated to an unacceptable level of bullying, until Mesa herself told him to "Back off, Bud!" with a quick flash of her teeth.

Human-controlled time-outs, however, made no impression on Jasper. The canine corrections were more effective, but didn't stop the behavior; they only redirected it to a less-capable victim. Because Bo wasn't assertive enough to back Jasper off, we ended the play as soon as Jasper turned his attentions to the softer dog.

Bully #2
Like Jasper's preferred victim, Sam's favorite bullying target was also a Rottweiler – not a breed you'd expect to find wearing an invisible "bite me!" sign. Max was a pup about Sam's own age, who outweighed Sam considerably but was no match for the smaller pup's intensity.

Sam had given us no indication during class that he had a play problem. In fact, he was a star performer for his clicks and treats. However, when playtime arrived his demeanor changed from an attentive "What can I do to get you to click the clicker?" pupil to an "I'm tough and you just try to stop me!" bully.

Several seconds after the two pups began frolicking together, Sam suddenly pinned Max to the ground with a ferocious snarl, then released him briefly, just to pin him again in short order. Needless to say, we also intervened quickly in that relationship!

Appropriate Play
Owners often have difficulty distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate play. Some may think that perfectly acceptable play behavior is bullying because it involves growling, biting, and apparently pinning the playmate to the ground. Appropriate play can, in fact, look and sound quite ferocious.

The difference is in the response of the playmate. If both dogs appear to be having a good time and no one's getting hurt, it's usually fine to allow the play to continue. Thwarting your dog's need to play by stopping him every time he engages another dog, even if it's rough play, can lead to other behavior problems.

With a bully, the playmate clearly does not enjoy the interaction. The softer dog may offer multiple appeasement and deference signals that are largely or totally ignored by the canine bully. The harassment continues, or escalates.

Any time one play partner is obviously not having a good time, it's wise to intervene. A traumatic play experience can damage the softer dog's confidence and potentially induce a life-long fear-aggression or "Reactive Rover" response – definitely not a good thing!

Some bullies seem to spring from the box full-blown. While Sam had, no doubt, already been reinforced for his bullying by the response of his softer littermates, he must have been born with a strong, assertive personality in order for the behavior to be as pronounced as it was by the tender age of 10 weeks. Jasper, on the other hand, may have been a perfectly normal puppy, but months of social deprivation combined with a strong desire to be social turned him into an inadvertent bully.

There can certainly be a learned component of any bullying behavior. As Jean Donaldson reminds us, the act of harassing a "non-consenting dog" is in and of itself reinforcing for bullies.

By definition, a behavior that's reinforced continues or increases – hence the importance of intervening with a bully at the earliest possible moment, rather than letting the behavior become more and more ingrained through reinforcement. As with most behavior modification, prognosis is brightest if the dog is young, if he hasn't had much chance to practice the unwanted behavior, and if he has not been repeatedly successful at it.

Oops!
Successful modification of bullying behavior requires attention to several elements:

• Skilled application of intervention tools and techniques: Leashes and long lines, no-reward markers (NRMs) and time-outs;
• Excellent timing of intervention: Application of NRMs and time-outs;
• Reinforcement for appropriate behavior: Play continues or resumes when dog is calm or playing nicely;
• Selection of appropriate play partners: Dogs who are not intimidated or traumatized by bullying behavior.

While working to decrease or extinguish your dog’s bullying, you might have to let him drag a short leash, or keep him on a long line while playing. This enables you to stop his bullying the moment it starts. Keep him on a “time out” until he is calm.

The most appropriate human intervention is the use of "negative punishment," in which the dog's behavior makes a good thing go away. In this case, the most appropriate negative punishment is a time-out. Used in conjunction with a "no-reward marker" (NRM) or "punishment" marker, this works best for bullying behavior.

The opposite of the clicker (or other reward marker, such as the word, "Yes!"), the NRM says, "That behavior made the good stuff go away." With bullying, the good stuff is the opportunity to play with other dogs. Just as the clicker always means a treat is coming, the NRM always means the behavior stops immediately or good stuff goes away; it's not to be used repeatedly as a threat or warning.

My preferred NRM, the one I teach and use if/when necessary, is the word "Oops!" rather than the word "No!" which is deliberately used to shut down behavior – and as such is usually delivered firmly or harshly and unfortunately often followed by physical punishment. "Oops!" simply means, "Make another behavior choice or there will be an immediate loss of good stuff." An NRM is to be delivered in a non-punitive tone of voice; it's almost impossible to say "Oops!" harshly.

Timing is just as important with your NRM as it is with your reward marker. It says, "Whatever you were doing the exact instant you heard the 'Oops!' is what earned your time-out." You'll use it the instant your dog's bully behavior appears, and if the bullying continues for more than a second or two more, grasp his leash or drag-line (a long, light line attached to his collar) and remove him from play. Don't repeat the NRM. Give him at least 20 seconds to calm down, more if he needs it, then release him to go play again. If several time-outs don't dampen the behavior even slightly, make them longer and make sure he's calm prior to returning to play.

If a half-dozen time-outs have absolutely no effect, end the play session for the day. If the NRM does stop the bullying, thank your dog for responding, and allow him to continue playing under direct supervision as his reward.

Another sometimes-effective approach to bully modification requires access to an appropriate "neutral dog" – a dog like Mesa who is confident enough to withstand the bully's assault without being traumatized or responding with inappropriate aggression in return. A flash of the pearly whites as a warning is fine. A full-out dogfight is not.

It's important to watch closely during interactions with the bully. Any sign the neutral dog is becoming unduly stressed by the encounters should bring the session to an immediate halt. A neutral dog may be able to modify your bully's behavior, and have it transfer to other dogs – or not. If not, you may be able to find one or two sturdy, neutral dogs who can be your dog's play companions, and leave the softer dogs to gentler playpals. Not all dogs get along with all other dogs.

Outcomes
Sam's owners were exceptionally committed to helping their pup overcome his inappropriate play behaviors. We continued to allow him to play with one or two other sturdy, resilient puppies, using an NRM and his leash to calmly but firmly remove him every time his play intensity increased. We moved him away from the other pups until he was calm, then allowed him to resume his play. By the end of his first six-week class he was playing appropriately most of the time with one or two other pups, under direct supervision. After two more six-week sessions he played well with a stable group of four other dogs, under general supervision, without needing NRMs or time-outs.

The last time I saw Sam was an incidental encounter, at Hagerstown's Pooch Pool Plunge event. Every year when the city closes its community pool for the winter, they open it up on one Saturday for people to bring their dogs for a pooch pool party. Sam, now a full-grown adult dog, attended the Plunge at the end of Summer 2005, with more than 100 dogs in attendance. His behavior was flawless.

Jasper may have a longer road, but I'm optimistic that he'll come around as well. We plan to continue having him play with Mesa, as long as she's handling him as well as she did in last week's class. Between Mesa's canine corrections and our time-outs, we're hopeful that he'll learn appropriate social skills and be able to expand his social circle to other appropriate dogs. Is there a Pool Plunge in Jasper's future? We'll just have to wait and see.

• Basic Training Commands
• Dog Training at Home
• Ask a Vet Online

Here's some great advice that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim

Space Etiquette for Dogs

• Socialization
• (PDF) Helpful Adoption Checklist (from Second Chances by Elise Lufkin)
• Rescue Me Dog

Valuable Resource...

Product Review:
Got an Anxious Pup? Silver Lining Herbs Can Help!

In my years of being a doggy parent, and especially throughout my work with rescue dogs, I have many times come across dogs with fear and anxiety issues...

• fear of thunderstorms,
• fear of loud noises,
• fear of the groomer,
• fear of the Vet,
• you name it!

As a mom to an excruciatingly thunderphobic rescued Rat Terrier, I have tried many over-the-counter calming aids and sprays with little results. Whereas I used to enjoy looking forward to the advent of Spring in the Midwest and the subsequent April showers, I usually watch the Weather Channel in dread. Just the scent of rain in the wind can now send my "Sam" into a panic.

(I've found him trembling in the dark corner of my kitchen closet pantry, behind the pop bottles... this after a long search. At least, this is better than behind the toilet.)

I'll have to admit that, when I decided to try "Keep Cool" by Silver Lining Herbs, I was a little skeptical. Sam had become more and more paranoid over the past couple of years, seeming to grow worse with every storm. His anxiety was increasing to include the sound of trucks, so his paranoia was becoming year 'round. He even began to bark and hide when large groups of people came to visit, like on family birthdays.

So, when I first gave Sam one of the little herbal capsules (in a small meatball), I wasn't expecting much... until I realized a couple hours later he was laying relaxed on the couch in the middle of company ... hmmmmmm ... that's odd ... coincidence?

Tried it again when the groomer came to groom my Groomer-hating Yorkie... gave it to Sam AND my Yorkie... peace again! Both dogs were calm and NORMAL, not sleepy or drugged, just relaxed and alert. I could actually cut my Yorkie's nails. Sam didn't bark like a fanatic.

The true test came in March when we had our first storm of the season. I gave Sam the Keep Cool herbs about an hour before I knew the storm was supposed to hit. By the time the thunder started, he was relaxed and prepared. He didn't even hide this time; he just laid on the kitchen rug next to me while I was on the computer, alert but calm.

Sam has since weathered (pun) several storms the past few weeks, handled them fine, even slept in his bed during the night when the storms came through during the wee morning hours. I am actually beginning to enjoy Spring again!

(Now, I need to make sure the grid is off the drain pipe in the back, and not plugged with leaves, so the rain water doesn't back up to the house and leak into my basement... but I don't think Silver Lining Herbs can help with THAT. At least, SAM is calm as he watches me run out in the rain to unplug the pipe... maybe I should take them!)

Keep Cool by Silver Lining Herbs really works! In my experience, it really does help my anxious or nervous dogs relax. I like the fact that my dogs remain calm and focused, not sleepy. The herbs are all natural, too, no extra unnecessary ingredients. Plus, and this is a BIG plus, the company is wonderful to work with... the service prompt and the personnel gracious. Easy to order, and their products are not expensive.

So, I thought I would just pass this info on to you, as a fellow dog owner who may be still dreading Spring and storm season, or struggling with anxious dogs in general – there is hope! Give Silver Lining Herbs "Keep Cool" a try (product #20)... your dog may rest easier, and you could save your sanity.

~~ Kim

PS - You may want to check out their other natural products for dogs, as well as for horses!

Here are two great videos that I thought I would pass on...very moving! –Kim

...There are Only Bad Owners!

This is the story of Edie, who classified as "unadoptable." She was rescued barely one hour before being put to death by a kill shelter.

This is the story of Chase, also classified as "unadoptable." Chase was rescued on his last day before he was to be euthanized.

No, there are NO bad dogs!

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it informative! –Kim

Easing Your Dog's Anxiety
by Horst Hoefinger

It's summer and thunderstorms are a common occurrence, some dogs aren't bothered and yet others are terrified. So, when I came across some tips to help ease a dog's anxiety, I thought it would make a great post.

Dog owners who spend many a stormy night struggling to get some sleep while a panting, drooling, trembling pet climbs around on top of them know that the fear of thunder can be a tricky problem to solve.

Dogs with the condition often look to their owners for comfort, yet are in such a state of panic, they are inconsolable. And it can be hard to know how to soothe an upset dog without unwittingly reinforcing its anxiety.

Potential remedies include medication, desensitizing the dog to thunder and training it to retreat to a safe place when a storm hits.

But there seems to be no single cause for the fear of thunder, and there also isn't any one guaranteed treatment, veterinarians who specialize in canine behavior say. Something that helps one dog might not help another; a method that works during one storm may not in another.

Dodman suggests finding a safe place for the dog and training it to go there during storms, "almost like a bunker in a nuclear war." It could be a spot in the basement with the curtains drawn and lights on to mask lightning, a kennel with an open door and a comfortable dog bed in it, or a makeshift den in a closet with no windows.The owner should initially stay with the dog and offer treats and training to reinforce the idea that it's a pleasant, safe place, Dodman said.

Swaddling a dog can also help, calming it like a baby wrapped in a blanket. It can be as simple as wrapping the dog in a light blanket or towel. For a snugger fit, an animal leotard called a sheep suit – typically used on show animals to keep the coat tidy before competition – is an inexpensive option. Some experts recommend an item that comes in standard and custom-made versions.

Other things to try include anti-anxiety formulas for anxious dogs. The natural herb Valerian can also be effective, Fox said. "The trouble is that it takes a good 20 minutes before it has effect, so you're going to be doping your animal before the big storm comes," Fox added.

Source: http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/08/13/is-your-dog-scared-of-thunder/
Copyright 2010 Dogster, Inc.

Here's another great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim

Why Doesn't My Dog Like Socializing?

As dog lovers, there's an image we all love to see: a happy dog playing confidently at the dog park with his friends and enjoying the company of the people he meets throughout his lifetime. Many of us take this desirable behavior for granted because our pets are social and outgoing. But to dog owners with canine wallflowers, this remains a dream.

Why isn't my dog social?

Many dogs experience shyness due to certain experiences in their past, such as being mistreated and abused. One of the most common causes of shy behavior is a lack of exposure to new people and places at a young age. Dogs that remain confined to a limited area, and that aren't given an opportunity to meet people and other dogs, are likely candidates to become timid.

To develop a healthy attitude toward socializing, dogs also need the example of an owner who leads the way during the puppy's formative years. That's why shyness is a common personality trait in dogs that move from owner to owner frequently in their lifetime. Dogs look to their owners to be the "alpha dog" of their "pack," and to guide them safely into new and stimulating situations. Without that type of leadership in their lives, dogs may become timid and skittish when introduced to things outside their immediate familiarity.

What are the signs of a shy dog?

It's important to know the signs of a shy dog so you can approach him accordingly – and so you don't take his lack of interest in you personally. Some "symptoms" of a chronically timid dog are more obvious, others can be subtle. Here are some cues to look for:

• Retreating to another room or a far corner of the space you both occupy
• Ears folded flat against the head
• Tail tucked between legs
• Refusal to make eye contact
• Crouching
• Inappropriate urination
• Quick and noticeable panting

What can I do to help my dog become more social?

Whatever the reason behind your dog's shyness, correcting it is a process that requires a lot of love and patience.

The first month is critical. Make sure that you have time to invest in an intensive socialization program during your new dog's early weeks with you. Remember, you're laying the foundation for your dog's behavior later on in life, and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Besides, it's great fun and will help you get to know your newly adopted dog very well, very quickly.

Don't praise or coddle your dog when he is scared. When your dog is frightened, it's human to want to comfort your dog and say, "It's OK." However, your dog assumes that you are praising him for being scared – which reinforces skittish behavior. Only praise your dog when he acts confidently.

Review (and re-review) the training basics. A dog that can follow commands is a confident dog. Put your dog's leash on him, then head outside. Practice "come," "sit," "down" and other basic commands. Praise him when he exhibits any confident behavior.

Practice people therapy. Have a dog-loving friend sit with her back to your dog. Place food treats or your dog's favorite toy in her outstretched hands. Tell her not to speak or make eye contact with your dog. Praise your dog when he takes a treat or the toy.

Yawn. No, this isn't a sign of disinterest or weariness. Yawning is actually a calming signal for dogs. Once again, have your friend hold treats while looking at the ground, not at your dog. It might sound silly, but ask your friend to yawn repeatedly – and join in. You'll notice your dog relaxing the more the both of you yawn. Again, every time your dog takes a treat, praise him.

Chin and chest only, please. When friends come over, have them stand still with a treat and let your dog go to them first. Ask your friends to only pet your dog under the chin and on the chest. Avoid letting anyone reach or lunge to pet her on the head or back.

Free play works wonders. Dogs who do not trust people can benefit from having other dogs as companions. Allow your dog to play freely with another dog in a fenced area. Have the owner of the other dog pet your dog if possible. A tired, happy dog is often less skittish.

Introducing him to new dogs. If your dog has had limited exposure to other dogs, he may resist socializing with them. Aggression is a common symptom of a lack of contact with other dogs. To get your dog feeling more comfortable around his canine counterparts, start with dogs that you already know are trustworthy. If your dog behaves himself, reward him for his polite behavior in the presence of the other dog. Gradually work up to rewarding the dog for being close to the other dog, getting closer and closer each time. Of course, the best way to remedy this is to have your leashed dog interact frequently with other leashed dogs.

Obedience classes and professional help. Obedience classes provide a good opportunity to socialize him with dogs and people in a controlled setting. The more chances your dog gets to meet new friends, the better behaved he'll likely be. If your dog feels too uncomfortable being in a class setting with other dogs – and if nothing else seems to be helping – you may want to consider seeking the assistance of a professional dog trainer who specializes in shy dogs. Ask your friends and vet for recommendations.

http://www.pedigree.com/02All-Things-Dog/Article-Library/fetch.aspx?artId=772&catId=3&sCatId=12&catName=Adult&sCatName=Socialization
© 2010 Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates