Aa
Opposite of Food Aggressive
We adopted our sweet Sam just a couple weeks ago from a shelter. She's a German Shepherd/Chinese Shar-Pei mix. She is a very sweet dog but also has some emotional issues. She had only been at the shelter for a few days before we adopted her. Her family surrendered her "due to allergies" (which I'm finding hard to believe).
Okay so here are some things I need help with on getting Sam comfortable with us:
-She acts afraid to eat! The first five days she didn't touch her food. She is eating now but even then she will take some food, walk into another room, hide under the couch, eat it and then go back for more. I finally had to sit there with her in the kitchen and talk to her positively and coax her to eat in the kitchen and not run off to another room to hide. When I pour food into her bowl she doesn't dive for it. I tried saying, "Free" or "Release" because I have NO IDEA if they made her wait to eat and had a code word for her. Any ideas?
-If I move too fast near her she flinches and turns her head away. Does this necessarily mean they hit her? She acts like I'm going to hit her and it just breaks my heart!
-She is TERRIFIED of thunder. Which I understand is normal for some dogs. But she will literally jump into our arms and tremble, pant, shake, burrow her head. We finally put a blanket around her and she fell asleep with her head in my husband's lap.
She does seem to be getting more comfortable with us. She used to hide when we ate meals and now she'll lay under the table. I almost wonder if she got into food and they beat her or something. I tried giving her peanut butter in her Kong (don't worry; I wash it after awhile so no bacteria!) and she would NOT take it. I finally took some PB on my finger and put some on her lip and then she went crazy wanting the PB. This isn't something she gets all the time; it was a one time thing and I really wanted her to eat ANYTHING at this point because she wasn't eating at that time.
She is slightly underweight. Her mixed breed is supposed to be 35-40 lbs and she was 31 lbs at the vet.
Okay so here are some things I need help with on getting Sam comfortable with us:
-She acts afraid to eat! The first five days she didn't touch her food. She is eating now but even then she will take some food, walk into another room, hide under the couch, eat it and then go back for more. I finally had to sit there with her in the kitchen and talk to her positively and coax her to eat in the kitchen and not run off to another room to hide. When I pour food into her bowl she doesn't dive for it. I tried saying, "Free" or "Release" because I have NO IDEA if they made her wait to eat and had a code word for her. Any ideas?
-If I move too fast near her she flinches and turns her head away. Does this necessarily mean they hit her? She acts like I'm going to hit her and it just breaks my heart!
-She is TERRIFIED of thunder. Which I understand is normal for some dogs. But she will literally jump into our arms and tremble, pant, shake, burrow her head. We finally put a blanket around her and she fell asleep with her head in my husband's lap.
She does seem to be getting more comfortable with us. She used to hide when we ate meals and now she'll lay under the table. I almost wonder if she got into food and they beat her or something. I tried giving her peanut butter in her Kong (don't worry; I wash it after awhile so no bacteria!) and she would NOT take it. I finally took some PB on my finger and put some on her lip and then she went crazy wanting the PB. This isn't something she gets all the time; it was a one time thing and I really wanted her to eat ANYTHING at this point because she wasn't eating at that time.
She is slightly underweight. Her mixed breed is supposed to be 35-40 lbs and she was 31 lbs at the vet.
i think you are well on your way sounds like the dog is doing well just needs more coaxing which will happen more as time goes on! if your encourage your dog show them its ok they do learn mine has! if you have a friend that has a dog and they do get along with yours that helps TONS! my baby he got along so good with his daddy dog i taught him much that way! he didnt wanna leash walk so i had my lil cuz put her dog (my dogs daddy dog) on his leash and we'd walk round and round the park he finally got it its ok i can walk with this thing! You just need a lil enouragment and they can do it dogs are smart!
I havent read all but going out in the rain with the dog helps for sure! mine is such a chicken he dont wanna go pee in the rain but dont want him to pee inside so i put my hoodie on and walk down my steps to the bottom its works everytime he follows the bottom does his business and hes learning!
I havent read all but going out in the rain with the dog helps for sure! mine is such a chicken he dont wanna go pee in the rain but dont want him to pee inside so i put my hoodie on and walk down my steps to the bottom its works everytime he follows the bottom does his business and hes learning!
Thank you for your awesome experiences! I like the idea of getting playful with her when it storms rather than ignoring the behavior.
I would keep the door open but it's on the side of our house, next to the trash can, so lots of flies tend to hang out. We're hoping to move next year so maybe our new house will have a different layout and I'll be able to put in a dog door or something for her!
Her vet did suggest to take her on a walk or go outside whenever she got depressed and mopey though sometimes I just grab her rope and start playing tug of war (if I can't get outside). That always cheers her up and wears her out for a nap.
We're so excited about our new addition! Our last dog was named Misty as well! We haven't had much luck in the canine department so we spent two years and lots of research before finding Sam and bringing her home. We met many dogs. I always felt so bad putting a dog back in the kennel when trying to find THE ONE for our family and had to comfort myself by saying, "This dog is meant for another family!" Because of issues with dogs in the past we wanted to make the right choice and find a dog that was going to be with us until they died.
I like the idea of walking the dog in the rain to get her used to it, too. We may have to try that! I love rain and storms. I'll just have to hope that it rubs off on Sam!!!
I would keep the door open but it's on the side of our house, next to the trash can, so lots of flies tend to hang out. We're hoping to move next year so maybe our new house will have a different layout and I'll be able to put in a dog door or something for her!
Her vet did suggest to take her on a walk or go outside whenever she got depressed and mopey though sometimes I just grab her rope and start playing tug of war (if I can't get outside). That always cheers her up and wears her out for a nap.
We're so excited about our new addition! Our last dog was named Misty as well! We haven't had much luck in the canine department so we spent two years and lots of research before finding Sam and bringing her home. We met many dogs. I always felt so bad putting a dog back in the kennel when trying to find THE ONE for our family and had to comfort myself by saying, "This dog is meant for another family!" Because of issues with dogs in the past we wanted to make the right choice and find a dog that was going to be with us until they died.
I like the idea of walking the dog in the rain to get her used to it, too. We may have to try that! I love rain and storms. I'll just have to hope that it rubs off on Sam!!!
Your dog is so cute. When I got my little one (I dont know what the last owners did) but he would hide food everywhere, even under my pillow. I think when you show dogs heaps of love and affection they will get over traumatic pasts. I know what you mean when she acts like you are going to hit her my did. Whenever he felt that way, I would get on the floor and play with one of his toys with him, he soon got over that. He is lucky to have you as owners.
COMMUNITY LEADER
What a beautiful dog!
What Jaybay said will definitely help.
My Misty is the same way about going outside and just amusing herself in the garden on her own. At first I found the whole thing very demanding as she would hang by the door, or sit looking very sad and tranced-out while I got on with jobs. I couldn't bear to see her like that so I would take her out. Then I got used to this dog needing to be 'walked' or accompanied, rather than being able to just turn her outside (with the back door open)for her to be able to run around on her own for an hour or two, as my other dog would have done. But that walk schedule was and still sometimes is -hard work, when I have a hundred other jobs to do as well. I guess I've got used to it. But then, I don't have three kids! That's a whole different ball-game!
They are all quite different, aren't they?
It might help to keep the door open? So she can venture out if she wants to, and come in when she wants to, like extending the kitchen into the garden......If she needs to pee, she will do, then come back.
My Misty didn't used to like thunder. I started making a fun game out of it, using the thunder as an excuse to have a boisterous game. She fell in with that, and soon wasn't scared any more. She isn't now. I don't even have to do that anymore. She pricks up her ears, then lays down quite happily. She's learned it won't hurt her.
Rain is just something she doesn't want to venture into...but once she is out in it, she's ok and gets thoroughly wet on a long walk, with no worries. I always dry her out well when we get back. The rain makes her fur very soft and shiny, and it doesn't appear to do her any harm to get wet.
What Jaybay said will definitely help.
My Misty is the same way about going outside and just amusing herself in the garden on her own. At first I found the whole thing very demanding as she would hang by the door, or sit looking very sad and tranced-out while I got on with jobs. I couldn't bear to see her like that so I would take her out. Then I got used to this dog needing to be 'walked' or accompanied, rather than being able to just turn her outside (with the back door open)for her to be able to run around on her own for an hour or two, as my other dog would have done. But that walk schedule was and still sometimes is -hard work, when I have a hundred other jobs to do as well. I guess I've got used to it. But then, I don't have three kids! That's a whole different ball-game!
They are all quite different, aren't they?
It might help to keep the door open? So she can venture out if she wants to, and come in when she wants to, like extending the kitchen into the garden......If she needs to pee, she will do, then come back.
My Misty didn't used to like thunder. I started making a fun game out of it, using the thunder as an excuse to have a boisterous game. She fell in with that, and soon wasn't scared any more. She isn't now. I don't even have to do that anymore. She pricks up her ears, then lays down quite happily. She's learned it won't hurt her.
Rain is just something she doesn't want to venture into...but once she is out in it, she's ok and gets thoroughly wet on a long walk, with no worries. I always dry her out well when we get back. The rain makes her fur very soft and shiny, and it doesn't appear to do her any harm to get wet.
Thanks for all of your WONDERFUL advice JayBay! Sam was her given name; we did not rename her. While most animals are named by volunteers because they are strays her family surrendered her under her given name. We felt it would be too much on top of a new home and new family to give her a new name to learn. Plus we're huge Stargate fans and our rescued cat is named Beckett and Sam is one of the characters on Stargate, too. Just a happy, fun bonus for us and she has the security of keeping her name.
She is 4 years old and already housebroken, crate-trained and knows many commands. Our shelter gave us information on the "Nothing in Life is Free" dog training where she doesn't get ANYTHING (attention, treat, food, walk, etc.) without doing something for us first. So she has to sit for her food or before she can go outside, for instance. This helps us take a dominant role in "the pack" and gives her some security. I've also trained a dog in the past using The Most Loved Dog (written by Oprah's dog trainer; I'm sure you've heard of it!). So I have SOME experience training dogs but none with emotional issues.
During the 4th of July, I will admit, I let her sit next to me but I didn't pay attention to her. I was busy putting my older kids to bed and nursing my baby. She didn't pant, tremble or freak out- just slept. And it was pretty loud at my house! So I agree that coddling her probably isn't doing her any favors! At one point the neighbors behind us were setting off professional-grade fireworks (like the ones you see at shows) and I kept walking from window-to-window to watch and Sam followed me instead of hiding. We haven't had a thunderstorm since that first one where we DID coddle her so I'm interested to see what will happen during the next storm. I appreciate your advice and information!
I do have another question in reference to her fear of storms. She will NOT go outside by herself. We have a fenced-in yard so I can let her out but many times she won't go out there by herself. She'll just stick close to the back door. So today we spent a lot of time out there with her and she had a blast running around the yard (she runs like a deer and LEAPS; hysterical!). So we're reinforcing her love for the outdoors by enjoying it with her while we can and letting her get used to the surroundings.
So anyway, my question is how do I get her to go out when it is raining and thundering? I can't always go out with her (I have three kids, one of which is a baby that is glued to my hip) especially in the rain. Plus I don't want to always go out there with her and support her fears, as you said. My husband left her out there one day for about 15 minutes, basically saying, "She needs to learn we can't always go out there" and she scratched the tar out of my backdoor (which is solid wood).
She is inside 95% of the time and only goes out for walks and potty and playtime with us. Shar-Peis are sensitive to heat and are predominantly indoor dogs anyway, so that is no problem. She won't pee or poop in the house but I also don't want her to get a UTI from holding it because it is raining outside, you know?
She is 4 years old and already housebroken, crate-trained and knows many commands. Our shelter gave us information on the "Nothing in Life is Free" dog training where she doesn't get ANYTHING (attention, treat, food, walk, etc.) without doing something for us first. So she has to sit for her food or before she can go outside, for instance. This helps us take a dominant role in "the pack" and gives her some security. I've also trained a dog in the past using The Most Loved Dog (written by Oprah's dog trainer; I'm sure you've heard of it!). So I have SOME experience training dogs but none with emotional issues.
During the 4th of July, I will admit, I let her sit next to me but I didn't pay attention to her. I was busy putting my older kids to bed and nursing my baby. She didn't pant, tremble or freak out- just slept. And it was pretty loud at my house! So I agree that coddling her probably isn't doing her any favors! At one point the neighbors behind us were setting off professional-grade fireworks (like the ones you see at shows) and I kept walking from window-to-window to watch and Sam followed me instead of hiding. We haven't had a thunderstorm since that first one where we DID coddle her so I'm interested to see what will happen during the next storm. I appreciate your advice and information!
I do have another question in reference to her fear of storms. She will NOT go outside by herself. We have a fenced-in yard so I can let her out but many times she won't go out there by herself. She'll just stick close to the back door. So today we spent a lot of time out there with her and she had a blast running around the yard (she runs like a deer and LEAPS; hysterical!). So we're reinforcing her love for the outdoors by enjoying it with her while we can and letting her get used to the surroundings.
So anyway, my question is how do I get her to go out when it is raining and thundering? I can't always go out with her (I have three kids, one of which is a baby that is glued to my hip) especially in the rain. Plus I don't want to always go out there with her and support her fears, as you said. My husband left her out there one day for about 15 minutes, basically saying, "She needs to learn we can't always go out there" and she scratched the tar out of my backdoor (which is solid wood).
She is inside 95% of the time and only goes out for walks and potty and playtime with us. Shar-Peis are sensitive to heat and are predominantly indoor dogs anyway, so that is no problem. She won't pee or poop in the house but I also don't want her to get a UTI from holding it because it is raining outside, you know?
Jaybay gave great advice! I foster dogs through a rescue group so if you have any other questions I'd be happy to help.
You'll never know what happened before, so forget about it. You have to deal with the behavior in front of you from your dog's perspective rather than a human perspective. Take her fear of thunder for example. If you treat her as you would a human child with lots of cuddling and talking, you will only reinforce her idea that there really IS something to fear. Then she'll further learn that fearful behavior will earn affection. Much as you may want to baby her in these situations, you won't be doing her any favors. It's something she has to go through on her own even though you can't stand the sight of her shaking and hiding.
Your new girl has to learn the rules of her new pack. Without structure and rules, she's on her own and she's not a confident enough dog to take over leadership. Right now, she's fearful and insecure and most of all, waiting for direction from you - her new pack leader. Try to hold off on large displays of affection unless it's for a behavior you really want to encourage. Take her on regular walks around her new neighborhood. Her nose will tell her far more about her new environment than human contact. The exercise will help keep her calm and help her begin to look to you as a leader.
It's not at all unusual for a dog to eat nothing or very little when in a completely new environment. How much of an appetite would you have if you were uprooted from everything familiar, no matter how bad it was? SHE doesn't know her last home was good, bad or indifferent. It simply "was." Now she has to adjust to something entirely new. Establsihing and enforcing rules will actually help her to adjust.
If you've never had to worry about dog training and psychology, you need a little education. There are tons of books and videos available - even at the library - that can help you along the way. If you can afford it, the fastest way is to hire a veterinary behaviorist to help you learn to communicate with her. Everything you learn can be applied to any dog you have as long as you live, so it's money well spent.
Meanwhile, have you tried teaching her to respond to her new name? If you scroll all the way to the bottom of this page, there is a detailed health page on that topic. The technique has been invaluable to me with my dogs. Once your dog reliably and consistently responds to her name, communication and training can go as far as you want it to go. I hope you keep us all updated on your progress! :-)
Your new girl has to learn the rules of her new pack. Without structure and rules, she's on her own and she's not a confident enough dog to take over leadership. Right now, she's fearful and insecure and most of all, waiting for direction from you - her new pack leader. Try to hold off on large displays of affection unless it's for a behavior you really want to encourage. Take her on regular walks around her new neighborhood. Her nose will tell her far more about her new environment than human contact. The exercise will help keep her calm and help her begin to look to you as a leader.
It's not at all unusual for a dog to eat nothing or very little when in a completely new environment. How much of an appetite would you have if you were uprooted from everything familiar, no matter how bad it was? SHE doesn't know her last home was good, bad or indifferent. It simply "was." Now she has to adjust to something entirely new. Establsihing and enforcing rules will actually help her to adjust.
If you've never had to worry about dog training and psychology, you need a little education. There are tons of books and videos available - even at the library - that can help you along the way. If you can afford it, the fastest way is to hire a veterinary behaviorist to help you learn to communicate with her. Everything you learn can be applied to any dog you have as long as you live, so it's money well spent.
Meanwhile, have you tried teaching her to respond to her new name? If you scroll all the way to the bottom of this page, there is a detailed health page on that topic. The technique has been invaluable to me with my dogs. Once your dog reliably and consistently responds to her name, communication and training can go as far as you want it to go. I hope you keep us all updated on your progress! :-)
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