Confidence building

[lushlaurz]

How would I get my 2 year old Lurcher x more confident around people ?

She is very nervous but extremly affectionate too!

When anyone she doesn't know puts their hand out to her she backs away and growls or runs away. She also pee's some times !

I hate walking her because I'm worried she will bite someone (Worst nightmare a little kid) out of being nervous.

If only she was more confident she would be the perfect dog !
We are having builders next week over for a long time and I'm very worried !

Any help would be appriciated =]

Thankyou xxx

 

[CAYLA]

Hi...have u had her since she was a baby or did u rescue her?

there are a few things u can do in regards to helping her....in regard to strange people....try to be calm yourself as she will be able to pick up any apprehensive signals u display.....always allow her to approach people and never the other way around as fear an turn to agression people forcing themselves on her will cause anxiety and fear, and her reaction could be to snap.

Try some controlled situation.....allowing friends and family into the house....ask them to ignore her and give no eye contact....allow them to become seated and throw some treats down on the floor near to her and then gradually hold treats out in their hands so she can see and smell them....use something tasty like cheese or chicken pieces....see if she will come and take some.......gradually pull the treat further in and each time allow her to take it without any fuss.
Its best they ar seated as can pose more of a threat to her if towering over her to do this.

Again when she is out walking reinforce her with treats and ask people u know to stand around and chat to u and offer her treats without trying to handle her....this will allow her to assosiate a strange hand/person with a positive reward.
It would also be beneficial to exercise her with a more out going and confident dog to bring her on a little....do u have any friends or family u could meet up with.

Take her to some training classes where she can get used to the hustle and bustle of other dogs and people.

When the builders are in ask them to throw her treats....ask them not to approach her and if she does eventually approach them/people ....ask them to bend down a little and stroke her under the chin as opposed to her head...this is seen as a less dominant approach....if she crouches an starts to urinate....break the behaviour by turning away and calling her name and offer her a treat for coming.

When out walking if someone asks to stroke her, explain that u are training her.....hand them a treat and ask them to treat her......but again dont let them force themselves upon her....let her extend out to them for the treat.

Try and find some training classes near you...this could be very beneficial and they may beable to give u some more advcie and on going help.

 

[Oneofthepack]

Alf has never been shy with people in the house, quite the opposite in fact! He thinks anyone who's allowed in must be his new best friend, but outside he was starting to attack people in his fear. I took him down to the primary school a few a days a week at kicking out time and I'd sit on the bank and let everyone walk by, holding him close and talking all the time. If anyone stopped to pet him I would ask them not to talk to him and avoid eye contact and explain why. Then after a week or so I'd give them treats and ask them to still not talk and avoid eye contact but hold out their hand for him to sniff and give him a treat, then a week later I asked if they would let him sniff their hands and gently pet him under the chin as nervous dogs don't like a hand on their head where they can't see it. This worked really well long term but it's not much help to you in the short term with the builders due in.

 

[lushlaurz]

Thankyou both!!
I will do what you guys have told me =]

We rescued her when she was a couple of months old Cala. She wasn't abandoned or hurt in anyway by anyone, she was just born at the recuse shelter in a litter because her mum was abondend.
Her sisters used to bully her though, she was the runt. The workers at the rescue shelter said she might take some time getting used to other dogs as she was afraid of her sisters...even though she wwas kept in the same kennel!! Thats stupid isn't it?
But she's fine with other dogs! She loves to play but sometimes she's a little scared of the big dogs if they chase after her. Can't see why this has devloped into a human problem? This is probaly nothing to do with why she is so nervous as it maybe just her nature but you don't really know whats happend in her past.

Anyway she also urinates when she's excited, say if one of the family come home after a long period. So does anyone think she could be doing this out of excitment some times? I know she really does it whne she is scared though.

Thanks again xx

 

[CAYLA]

This could be submissive or excitement....try to keep the greetings low key....if she bounds over to jump up....get them to turn their back and only pay her attention when she is calm...either with a quick stroke or slip her a treat....but make sure she has completley calmed and settled before doing this.

If she shows excessive excitement on your/any family members arrival its best not to join in with her, instead...open the back door let her out....and still when u let her in no over praising .....she is assosiating people arriving home with a big commotion....hence the excitement urination....if she begins to urinate....break the behaviour by calling her name and walk away..maybe towards the door and put her out.
Try to get into a consistent routine of coming home getting yourself sorte, walking past her and open the door......after a period of time when all is calm give her a low key stroke.

Some dogs are naturally submissive/nervous....even though she was very young in the kennels this would have no doubt have impacted on the way she is today....those early puppy days are the most important for socialising.....but she sounds like she has a nice mummy to help her along

Im sure OOTP will agree lurchers can be pretty temperamental at times

but u couldnt get a nicer dog.

 

[Oneofthepack]

[ QUOTE ]

Im sure OOTP will agree lurchers can be pretty temperamental at times

but u couldnt get a nicer dog.

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely! I think they may be called lurchers because they lurch between being maniacally happy bouncing all over everyone, to shaking in a heap because you've ticked them off a bit sternly. Alfs latest obsession is a squashed hedgehog in the road on the way to our walk. 2 weeks on and it's no more than a smear on the road (RIP) but it still warrants fierce attention twice a day

I couldn't love him more!!